How To Survive Britsgiving

Okay, so what does one do if you find yourself in a place that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving?

Well, if you're me and you're enjoying your year abroad in London, it does feel strange reading your class syllabus and questioning why you have three lectures and seminars on Thanksgiving. Shouldn't you be sitting at home and watching the Macy's Day parade?

So, even though Thanksgiving is still very much an American tradition, the British like to use any excuse to cook up a storm. Furthermore, there are plenty of London based restaurants who serve up all-American menus to satisfy those homely cravings. Or you can take a page out of your grandma's cookbook and get cooking in the kitchen to host a feast for the other Americans who are studying abroad with you during this holiday. 

So if you're missing mom's bread-stuffing or your aunt's delicious home baked pumpkin pies, don't sweat. Go grab your Thanksgiving pants and we'll get you adjusted to what the English call, Britsgiving!  

I honestly did not make that word up. 

Option #1: You Eat Out On Thanksgiving

Personally, it feel really weird for me to dine out on Thanksgiving, because I grew up with the sense that Thanksgiving was the one holiday of the year where you CAN'T eat out. And I'm not even counting Christmas. Growing up and being raised in a Jewish household, I've been taught to believe that Christmas is the one holiday where you CAN actually eat out. And by eating out, I mean that the only place that is actually open on Christmas Day for other Jewish families like mine, are the Chinese restaurants. Thank God for Egg Roll Express! 

Anyway, the point is, you're away from your family and if you're one of those people who can't cook to save their life, you should probably go out to one of the many American restaurants that are around London. So grab your other American friends and go restaurant hunting! 

Here are a few good places that many Americans highly recommended: 


The Lockhart
22-24 SEYMOUR PLACE
LONDON
W1H 7NL

Tailored to those who crave American Deep South cuisine, The Lockhart is on top of the pile when it comes to looking for the perfect American Thanksgiving in London. Its cornbread, mac 'n' cheese and southern fired chicken are mouth watering. And just for £60 (splint amongst you and the group of Americans that decided to tag along with you), you can get fried turkey legs, ham and smoked beef brisket, along with stuffing, mash, cornbread, green beans and coleslaw. And save room for desert, because their pecan pie pudding is worth every penny. 


Big Easy
332-334 Kings Road, 
Chelsea, London, 
SW3 5UR

With a bar and barbecue vibe, Big Easy will make you feel like its Superbowl Sunday! Putting its fire pits to good use on Thanksgiving Day, you can order a special pit-smoked turkey, served with cornbread, pork sausage and apple stuffing. And the buck doesn't stop there. Starter options include candied sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, garlic mash and cranberry sauce for £30. And once more, save some room for Big Easy's classic pumpkin pie! 



Honky Tonk
(Yes, that is its actual name).
#6 Hollywood Road,
London SW10 9HY

So not only does this restaurant have the best name ever, but is also kitted out as a New York-style diner. And according to many local Americans living in London, they claim that once Thanksgiving comes around, Honky Tonk goes all out. You can get a three course Thanksgiving meal for £19.95 which will include, buffalo wings, potato skins and pumpkin soup as a starter. Included will be turkey burgers and ribs followed up with a Mississippi mud pie for desert. Sounds delicious! 

JW's Steakhouse 
86 Park Lane, 
London W1K 7TL

No other restaurant has a better Thanksgiving menu in London that JW's Steakhouse. For £62 you can get a three course meal that includes New England clam chowder and Maryland-style crab cakes for starters. For main courses there is a choice between a roast turkey, steak or a grilled sea bass, all served with either roast potatoes, bourbon sweet potato mash, green beans and roasted root vegetables. As for desert, you can choose among the Mississippi mud pie, pumpkin pie, or go for the restaurant's famous cheesecake. 

Option #2: You Cook On Thanksgiving

This is the option that I am used to. Well, it's actually the option that I'm used to because I would let my grandma do all the cooking while my cousins and I stayed indoors and watched reruns of Friends. But again, if you want to take a crack at cooking your own Thanksgiving meal here are a few tips that will help you save money but will also aid you to have a warming Britsgiving with your friends. 


#1: Cook Something That You Know How To Make

For the love of God, you do not have to make a grand feast! Before you begin cooking though, get together with your fellow Americans to decide who is bringing what to Thanksgiving. And if you have a fairly big group of people, that's even better! The more food the merrier. But cook something that is simple but somewhat Thanksgiving related. In my case, I made mac 'n' cheese. Well, it was actually Kraft mac 'n' cheese, but I still made it! Don't judge me! 


#2: Buying Pre-Made Food Is Acceptable  

As much as grandma would hate it if you brought a pie from Whole Foods to Thanksgiving, you have to remember that you're still a college student and somethings just cost too much. Therefore, while you and your American friends are abroad you are allowed to bring something that has been pre-made from a supermarket. Bonus points if it's a pre-made turkey. This is the ONLY exception since you're in London and not back in America where this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. So, choose your foods wisely. 


#3: Start Cooking At Different Times

Seriously. This is the one thing that stresses out so many people on Thanksgiving. If you're living in a flat that has a kitchen, use it. Never have twenty people crowd around a single kitchen because you will get nothing done. Think ahead and be wise about when you're going to start cooking and when you're going to bring your food over to the designated flat where the Thanksgiving celebration will be held. You do not want someone to go all Gordon Ramsey on your ass. 


#4: Invite The Locals 

Encourage your local UK flatmates to participate in the whole Thanksgiving celebration. And when they ask why you and the other Americans celebrate this day, just tell them the same story that your elementary school teacher told you. You know, the one about how the Pilgrims and the Native Americans befriended each other. Really stress the notion that their friendship was cemented on the fact that they shared pumpkin pie rather than the Pilgrims sharing their diseases with the natives. You know what they say: It's all fun and games until someone gets smallpox.    


#5: If All Else Fails, There's Always Nando's

Honestly, if your Thanksgiving takes a turn for the worst and you need a place to get food at the last minute, Nando's will always have you back. And even though they don't serve any fresh turkeys, you can get two large chickens instead to substitute your Thanksgiving meal for only £15. 

So there's your Britsgiving survival guide for London. 
And although it isn't quite as American as you're used to, it is nevertheless so fun and exciting to introduce your holiday to some people who've probably either never heard of it before, or have heard of it and have always wanted to participate in it.


So I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving from or away from the states.
And just remember, when in doubt, go to Nando's!