New England Food You Need to Try

Aside from seeing friends and family, the best part of visiting America is the food. When we visited for the holidays in December/January, it was be a frenzy to visit all our favourite restaurants during the two weeks. Because I’m slightly homesick and had been a full year since we’d been back, here’s an ode to the best New England has to offer (in my humble opinion).

New England Clam Chowder

Whether you like it creamy, cheesy or with bacon, it’s the best soup for cold weather. I understand that some people like it clear (Rhode Island style…gross) or tomatoey (Manhattan Style…also gross) but New England style is definitely the way to go. With plenty of oyster crackers, of course.

Proper Milkshakes

For some reason in England, half the time you order a milkshake, you end up with flavoured milk and no ice cream. Real milkshakes are amazing, if not particularly healthy. Shady Glen in Manchester, CT has some of the best. They also have some of the best cheeseburgers…well really just cheese.  The UCONN Dairy Bar is also a contender for best ice cream.

Craft Beer

There are SO MANY craft breweries in New England now- it seems every time I go home there are new ones to try. While the craft beer scene is getting more popular here, it still hasn’t reached the levels of American craft beer. Willimantic Brewing Company and Beer’d are two of my Connecticut favourites.

Lobster

Whether your order it in a restaurant and wear a silly bib or cook it at home at a lobster bake or even eat it in a lobster roll (hot, the cold ones with mayo just aren’t as good) lobster is a quintessential New England summertime treat. It can be messy, but worth it because it’s so delicious!

Mexican and Tex-Mex Food

From the very traditional restaurants to street food to tequila bars and chain restaurants, Mexican and Tex-Mex style food is far more popular (and delicious) in America. From tacos to chimichangas to margaritas there isn’t much I don’t like about it. It’s hard to find the right ingredients to make your own in the UK so I try to stock up when I’m at home.

Breakfast

Bacon butties and black pudding will always hold a special place in my heart, but sometimes you just want streaky bacon. Or a freshly made bagel. Or a full plate of breakfast that doesn’t include tomato, mushroom or beans. (I’ll never understand the appeal of beans for breakfast). Biscuits and sausage gravy is always on the menu when we come home, at least once.

Filter coffee

There’s something to be said for not drinking espresso. An Americano, though it can be delicious, is not the same as going to a diner where your mug is constantly topped up with delicious filter coffee. Or even better, visiting the drive through (preferably Dunkin Donuts, I am a New Englander after all), where you can order the hot drink of your choice without having to leave your car (especially nice in the winter!)

Tried any of these? What did you think? What’s you’re favourite food from home?