Burgers and fries has become a fairly popular meal option in England but we don't eat that combination all the time. Surprisingly, most of us view eating out or having takeaway food delivered as something of a treat. Mostly we cook from scratch, peeling or chopping vegetables then boiling, frying or roasting. I guess we are kind of weird that way.
Today was my birthday and for our celebratory evening meal, Shirley and I decided to travel back in time to the 1970's - to the city's first proper American burger joint - specialising in burgers and fries. God - we hadn't been in there in thirty years. I don't know why - because it was always very good. It used to be known as "Uncle Sam's Chuck Wagon" but for years after it was known as "Uncle Sam's Diner". Now it's simply "Uncle Sam's"
Like the menu, the interior had hardly changed. I ordered Sam's Special topped with white cheese sauce, bacon and salad. The burger itself was of course expertly flame-grilled. We also had a side order of onion rings plus "Birra Moretti" - Italian lager.
A Sam's Special is hard to hold in two hands but I managed to do it without collapse or a massive side squidge. It was heavenly.
I told the young waitress that we hadn't been there in decades and admittedly, just to impress her, I lied by saying that I had been mates with the diner's founder - a fellow called Uncle Sam who lived at Whirlowdale. I am not sure that she believed me. To be truthful, I don't really know who Uncle Sam was.
Earlier in the evening, after nursery school, the two granddaughters came to see us with their doting parents. We had a "Bosh!" birthday cake and prosecco and they sang me "Happy Birthday!". Phoebe gave me a card she had made herself and Margot dumped in her nappy (American: diaper) just to let us know that she was there.
Happy Birthday Mr. Pudding and many more! Nothing beats a giant cheesy bacon cheeseburger and hot, salty fries every once in a while. A perfect birthday treat!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer! By the way I was kidding about Americans mostly eating burgers and fries!
DeleteThis American probably hasn't eaten a burger in 25 years! I gave up red meat a long time ago. I used to be a vegetarian, but now I do eat some meat, but no red meat. And Happy Birthday to you! Your granddaughters are adorable.
ReplyDeleteNo burgers and fries? Then are you a true American Michael? Maybe the Russians put you there.
DeleteOddly, my physical therapist from this summer told me that I looked European, whatever that means! But I am definitely not Russian!
DeleteI have seen a couple of pictures of you Michael. Stick a Russian hat on your head with ear warmers and you could easily be another Vladimir.
DeleteHappy birthday Mr. Pudding. What are you? Like eighty now?
ReplyDeleteCheeky mare! But thank you all the same.
DeleteHappy Birthday, YP! It sounds like a fun celebration, including Margot's contribution. 😉 💩
ReplyDeleteFYI, I rarely eat out more than once a week. Plant-based dining is not readily available in my area other than the Impossible Burger at Burger King.
If you were in the MAGA Cult, you would have to prove your loyalty by eating burger and fries morning noon and night.
DeleteWell it's a good thing I'm not in the cult, then. Even in my carnivore days, I didn't care much for ground beef (mince).
DeleteIn some American communities I guess that it might be hard to be vegetarian or vegan.
DeleteHappy Happy Day! Cheers to many more.
ReplyDeleteOther than the dirty nappy, the grandkids look happy to celebrate, too.
Alas, I am the American who rarely eats a burger and fries .... or KFC or any fast foods.
Goddamn Commie! Eating foreign food instead of wholesome American food!
DeleteIt freaks people out here when i tell them I don't eat at fast food places; they always ask, "Then what do you eat?" It's like they think fast food is the only food.
DeleteYou cook your own food from scratch? As Tim Walz might say, that's weird!
DeleteHappy Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteWhite sauce in a burger is not something I've ever heard of, I'd like to try it.
The contrast between the sisters is quite noticeable: Phoebe has lengthened out and looks almost of school age. Margot on the other hand is still a baby with some enerygy storage. How they change!
I didn't know when I commented before but my grandbaby shares your birthday!
DeleteThey might need to call him pudding
Two Kylies! Are you both from the same factory?
DeletePudding is a good name for a baby boy or Pudin - if he's French.
Well observed Sydney Kylie!
Happy birthday, pal. I would gladly have joined you in that trip to the burger joint. Maybe I can convince Judy to make me one tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the white cheese sauce dripping into your beard Bruce!
DeleteHappy Birthday! The food sounds delicious. I always thought Americans ate more pizza than anything else. On TV shows I watch they are always phoning for pizza or going out for pizza or bringing pizza home. Phoebe and Margot are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have heard from an unreliable source that Americans also eat the cats and the dogs of the people that live there!
DeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY YP. I too had a burger last night (no buns), with rosti, broccoli spears, and a fried tomato. It too was delicious, but without the Trump ambiance.
ReplyDeleteAmericans would never eat a burger with rosti and broccoli spears. It has to be fries.
DeleteThings will get easier for them, but not for you. Happy birthday, anyway.
ReplyDeleteEh? Are you The Riddler from "Batman"?
DeleteBelated birthday greetings YP.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the girls.
Thank you Carol. Much appreciated.
DeleteHappy birthday. It sounds like a perfect celebration, with the best, of course, at the end. Little children are enchanting, even when they're filling their nappies.
ReplyDeleteHaving a birthday on a Tuesday is not the best time but it worked out fine.
DeleteA very happy birthday, although I am not sure if it is today or yesterday, or the day before. I can't mark it on the calendar for next year to send you a nice gift.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the burger side squidge, and if the egg yoke is still runny, it falls onto your plate, or lap.
I know they are not sisters, but I am reminded of the the line from a pop song, Sisters are doing it, sisters are doing it for themselves.
A Bosh birthday cake must be vegetarian, so does that mean it contains no fish?
A Bosh! cake is vegan my friend. My birthday is on the 8th. Next year please send me a kookaburra.
DeleteI thought it would have been roast beef and Yorkshire Puddings for your birthday YP? Happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteThank you Young Dave but we only have Sunday dinner on Sundays.
DeleteI remember childhood Sunday Dinners, it was the only day of the week we got dessert after.
DeleteBelated Happy Birthday YP. Is there a slice of cake left over for me, perchance?
ReplyDeleteThere is indeed. Alternatively you could have a slice of Colin the Caterpillar cake. Why not drive up this afternoon?
DeleteHappy Birthday... but I should cut down on the burgers and fries if you want many more!!
ReplyDeleteIf I am going to maintain a weight that is more than double yours I must scoff burgers and fries more regularly JayCee!
DeleteHappy Birthday. You took a break from fish and chips wrapped in newsprint for some real food (smirk - we know curry is more popular than fish and chips in the UK these days.) Please feel free to carry out the careful examination of donOld.
ReplyDeleteHow was this morning's burger and fries David?
DeleteWell that just sounds like the perfect birthday. Happy birthday and here's to many more! Excellent choice on the onion rings. They are a superior side order in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI am glad for two reasons:-
Delete1. You approved of my birthday meal.
2. You knew that I was kidding about burgers and fries being the only thing that Americans eat.
I dislike the label that we have been given as a burger and fries culture. I still remember the first morning I woke up in the Philippines, excited to try out the local cuisine and my host had sauteed a pack of cut up hotdogs in a wok because she thought that is what American's liked. Fortunately, they don't do that anymore whenever I am over there because they found out I'll gladly eat whatever they eat.
ReplyDeleteAs in any country, American people are all different and even with regard to preferred cuisine it is just plain stupid to generalise!
DeleteOf any country, we deserve the label the most. According to Google A.I. we eat an average of 3 a week as individuals and 50 billion a year as a nation. I still dislike the label, no matter how appropriate.
DeleteSounds like you had a terrific birthday, Neil. And I hope you have many, many more years of happy adventures and family fun!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I don't eat fast food but I do like a pizza. ;)
I used to think that fast food was a cheetah or an antelope. Maybe even a zebra.
DeleteHappy birthday! I suspect that your observation about English people cooking more than Americans is generational and/or geographical. I know a lot of young Londoners who eat out all the time. And I suspect a lot of Americans, particularly in smaller communities, cook all the time.
ReplyDeleteI also suspect you're pulling our leg about not knowing who Uncle Sam is...?
Of course I don't think that Americans eat burgers and fries all the time. I was just bating y'all! Uncle Sam may or may not have been based on Samuel Wilson - connected with the war of 1812. Nobody really knows for sure.
DeleteBelated happy birthday wishes to you!
ReplyDelete