Originally Posted by sallysimmons

I haven't missed a single thing from America food-wise - I thought the food there was awful for the most part - way too meat-focused and fatty for me and the chocolate was so bad I was never tempted. I am so enjoying the food here that I just had to see a hypnotherapist to help me control all the cravings! (Seems to have worked too, if anyone else is having the same problem).

But the one thing I do miss is being able to buy more than 16 pain killers at a time. What the hell is that about? I used to buy one big tub of Advil and then it would sit in the cupboard for whenever we needed it. Now there's only this little packet and if someone else has used it without me knowing, I'm out of luck when I really need pain relief. Drives me nuts!

Originally Posted by lf1

Now you've got me wondering about that too. Fortunately, I seldom use them, but I do like to have a bottle on hand, just in case. I have only been able to find small packets. I do wonder why and when the change took place. Is it related to drug abuse?

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

I just checked my cupboards to see the brand name of the one I bought - it's called 'Fry Light' and comes in a greenish can with a dark green top. It's in the aisle with the olive oil.

Originally Posted by rebs

It was a few years ago the restriction came in. It was intended to help as a suicide deterrent.

Originally Posted by dunroving

Bloody nanny state. I have a big tub of ibuprofen and one of Aleve. Hardly ever need them but easier to have them available than always running out. God bless Sam's Club.

Originally Posted by rebs

It was a few years ago the restriction came in. It was intended to help as a suicide deterrent.

Originally Posted by curleytops

The most a supermarket etc. can sell you is quantity of 2 pkgs. as well. Last year my Dr. prescribed me a mild dose Co-codamol tablet (quantity 100) but when I took the prescription to the chemist I was told they would be cheaper to buy "over the counter" in boxes that would total a quantity of 96 tablets and as I had the prescription they sold me more than you'd normally get over the counter.

Originally Posted by jasper123

Yes I will be careful Mallory,
I have found that Morrisons here and Lidl,s too stock real 100% maple syrup imported from Canada,
And I buy a packet of giant american style pancakes at Iceland, there are 4 in a pack, not frozen, there fresh already made!!!!

Originally Posted by Bevm

Jasper, do you want me to try to find my pancake recipe?

Bev

Originally Posted by curleytops

On the subject of pancakes, a few years ago my sister decided our Christmas morning breakfast needed a bit of a twist and substituted egg nog for the liquid in the pancakes along with adding a dash of nutmeg to the mix. From that day on Ally's egnog pancakes became a Christmas tradition in our house. Topped with butter and syrup they're absolutely delicious and I don't even want to think about the calories!

Originally Posted by aries

Is this for pain killers on prescription? If not there is nothing to stop someone going to different shops and ending up with a large quantity.

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

I'm a bit late to the conversation I know but I wanted to let you know that I think it's a great idea and I'd recommend sticking with cities or large 'hip' towns as Rodney said, simply because you'd have a bigger pool of customers. (I could see something like this in Brighton or Manchester, for example).

Brits see American diners and restaurants on TV and the idea of going into on one would appeal if done well.

My own two cents though is that I think people here would be less likely to try something new if they didn't know anything on the menu. But if something on the menu was familiar and appealing enough, they'd come in and then start to learn about the other foods. That's how it was with Indian and Chinese restaurants back in the day.

So if it were me, I might center my branding on, say, southern fried chicken (which everyone here loves) but make sure the advertising and store front sold that it was the real deal - real American southern fried chicken. And also make sure the atmosphere is what Brits think of as American, including hiring American wait staff if possible (in big cities there should be students available). Selling really good burgers would help too - even if that's not actually authentic - because people here love a burger and it would be another way to draw them in with the familiar.

Then I'd market the more unusual stuff by educating people on it somehow within the restaurant - like maybe a blackboard where everyday you feature another foodstuff and explain what it is and how it tastes. (Biscuits would be a revelation here as we already like savory scones, but think a biscuit is something covered in chocolate that you dip in your tea).

If eating there was a complete American experience - including the drinks, the music, the decor etc. - I bet it would do really well.

I don't know if any of this is helpful but I did want to just say I think it's a great idea - and also to say that if you stick with the bigger cities as already discussed, you'd have the advantage of an American clientele built in.

Oooh, one other thought. One of the world's largest spy bases is near me and it's staffed by Americans. There is even an American school in Harrogate. I often hear American accents as we walk round. I'm just wondering if it might be worth choosing a town like that, where you have a built-in population of people who are homesick for American food.

Originally Posted by UkWinds5353

Sally

Some really good info there.And I agree with you that the American Diner has an Iconic image here at home and abroad and it is very appealing to many people. I personally enjoy them for their menu variety.You can have breakfast food any time of the day or night as well as a multitude of dinner choices not to mention spirits.

Picking a smart location is important in setting up this business.I think Rodney mentioned the potential of having the American military bases as a source of clientele.And that certainly could be a reliable customer base to count on until more brits hear about my establishment. There are a lot of American service men and women that would love to have a real authentic American home cooked meal. I must say that southern style food does not only taste amazing but you feel that you get your money's worth. You do not walk away feeling unsatisfied or still hungry. I'm going to do my homework on this and make sure I set up a winner.