Expat food woes

I think that one of the worst things about the life of an expat or repat is dealing with food let-downs. Or is that just me?

You see, when I first moved to Scotland (expat) I really missed certain American foods: Root beer; [proper] hotdogs and corndogs; saltines; Butterfingers; and others. But then I returned to America (repat), leaving behind all of my new-found foods: [Proper] fish-n-chips; curry takeaways; Love Hearts; and various “biscuits” [sweet and savoury].

Anyhow, I’m super-happy about my return to expat life where I will no longer miss my lovely British (and Indian) foods. But I’m starting to realise that I’m going to miss my American foods again. And the more I think about it, the more the list grows! So far I have:

  • Hotdogs and hamburgers
  • Corndogs
  • Root beer
  • Chicken strips
  • Ranch dressing
  • Butterfingers
  • Three Musketeers
  • Root beer (it deserves a second mention)
  • Ranch dressing (it also deserves a second mention)
  • Saltines
  • [Americanised] Mexican food
  • General Tso’s Chicken
  • Pioneer Coffee
  • Jelly beans
  • [Double Stuff] Oreos
  • Basic black olives (the kind for tacos and nachos)
  • Taco Bell and Taco Time (I know these are restaurants, but I will miss them!)
  • Rye bread
  • 1000 Island dressing
  • Reuben sandwiches
  • Many, many more!

Oh! Then there’s the “you can find them but they need to be tracked down at speciality import stores” list.

But you know what? I am willing to make these sacrifices. After all, Scotland is home to deep-fried pizza and Mars bars. So I’ll just console myself with those. [Note to self: Get gym membership!]

9 Replies to “Expat food woes”

  1. You must forward your Scotland address when there, I think we can smuggle you a buuterfinger & sixer of root beer now & again!

  2. Hmm. I think Scotland must be a weird and wild land. Because some of those things one can get in England… Even Taco Bell :B Eugh I hate Taco Bell. You better stay in Scotland haha.

    1. Scotland is a weird and wonderful land! 🙂
      Actually, I suppose that some of the things on my list are easier to find now than they were 10 years ago. In fact, I’ve seen a few more American things on the shelves the last few times I’ve been in Morrisons with my in-laws. That’s been in the north-east of England, but at least I plan to visit the in-laws often enough so that I can stock up there if needed!!
      And I hope that my folks will send me the Pioneer Coffee from time-to-time in exchange for Whittards coffees and teas!

      1. It was the jelly beans (well and the olives) that got me worried about Scotland 😛 As for Jelly Belly, I remember them being around for a long time, and in regular stores. I just checked and, according to facebook, they did come to the UK before I was born.
        I’d be happy to do some goods exchanges. Right now I’m missing clotted cream, but I’m sure I’ll think of something more mailable…

        1. I found some different jelly bean(ish) things when I was there before, and they were good, but they don’t compare to Brachs! (So the folks now know that’s what I need!)
          Once I get settled in over there, I will be making sure my expat/repat friends know I’m up for exchanges. I know they have the mail order companies, but then you’re stuck with what the company sells instead of exactly what you want!

  3. I’ve recently bought root beer in Waitrose (it was a posh organic brand), and I find cream crackers to be reasonably close to saltines. Jelly Belly beans recently came over here, though I’ve only seen them advertised for sale in candy shops full of horrid schoolkids. No Double Stuff Oreos yet, but you can get the basic ones. Oh – and I’ve never had any trouble getting what I think of as basic black olives, but my definition may be different from yours.
    I sometimes make stuff like salad dressings from scratch — Joy of Cooking is a good source for the basics.

    1. I’ve heard stories from my in-laws about finding off-brand root beers every once in a while. I’ll have to ask my sis-in-law to check Waitrose.
      I like cream crackers, but they don’t have the crumble factor needed for tomato soup or meatloaf. But someone gave me a recipe for saltines once; I may try it this time!
      Oh! And I think I’ll do Hidden Valley ranch mix when I move–the ‘just add mayo and buttermilk’ ones. That way I can just have the folks send an envelope of the stuff (white powder in the mail!) every now and then! But I’ll check for recipes for others, too. (Good thing I love to cook!)

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