][1]As Independence Day celebrations get under way, we thought we would point you in the direction of a few restaurants whose menus are as American as apple pie. Or indeed as American as quesadillas.
America divides opinion. Some people think it’s the best country on earth. Others would like to send it to the naughty step for a while and think very carefully about what it has done wrong.
When it comes to American food, it is hard to see past the hamburger. Like the Stars and Stripes, it’s another American icon which can split a room.
In much the same way that haggis is one of the first things people think of when asked ‘what do Scots eat?’, everyone assumes that most Americans get by on a daily diet of beef patties in a bun.
Of course, it’s absolute nonsense but hamburgers are certainly the US of A’s most prominent culinary export.
Say Happy Independence Day with a burger
And, if you want to celebrate Independence Day with a burger, there is no shortage of 5pm Dining restaurants serving them. In fact, you can browse them here.
Pulling out a handful at random, you might want to hitch your hoss at the Ad Lib restaurants in the city centre or Merchant City.
NYC on Hope Street is another option and, of course, when chewing over burger options, we couldn’t not mention the ever popular Hard Rock Café in Glasgow.
On the other side of the M8, Belted Burgers and Lebowskis will feed your burger hunger in Edinburgh.
Regional American cooking
If you want to see a different side of American food, then you might want to mosey along to Edinburgh’s Calistoga.
A Californian restaurant which is big on Cali wines, it has menus which range from polenta goat’s cheese fritters to seared halibut with a fruit salad and sweet pickled morels.
Another place that offers something a little different is Po’Boyz in the West End. Dishes from the southern states are on offer here. Think catfish in a Dixie beer batter, jambalaya and fried shrimp.
You can also explore some of the US states at NY American Grill. Florida-style coconut shrimp, New York cheesecake and Carolina BBQ pork are all on the menu here.
In the city centre, Buck’s Bar will see you right with fried buttermilk chicken, Nashville chicken and wings accompanied by a terrifying range of hot sauces.
Alternatively, head to any of the numerous Tribeca restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh. With menus that stretch from waffle breakfasts to baby back ribs, you can celebrate Independence Day all day long.
Culinary melting pot
To be honest, we could name drop dozens more. And we’ve not even started on the huge contribution that Mexican, Latin and Asian cuisines have made to America’s eating habits.
American-style pizza is another category which will have to wait for another day. Ditto BBQ, which we’ve only just touched on.
Anyway, ‘Happy Independence Day!’
Set the bourbons up and we’ll knock ’em down.