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The Oxford Outsider's Guide to Full English Breakfast

**Note - the Oxford Outsider's Guide is written by an American living in Oxford whose husband is a post-graduate student. This guide is intended for entertainment value and, if you want, a little information. It should not be used as a basis for selecting a college or for a decision about applying to Oxford. The guide is written by an Oxford newcomer and meant simply to convey things as I see them.**

I already posted an OOG on dining, so why a specific one about breakfast? Because the differences are so vast and, perhaps, surprising, that I felt it merited its own entry.

In the United States, breakfast means many things. It can mean a bowl of cereal or a piece of toast at home. Maybe an Eggo from the freezer or, if you're ambitious, Bisquick pancakes. If you're southern, you might go for grits with your biscuits and gravy.

Or maybe you want to go out. Well, lucky you! There are dozens of all-breakfast restaurants, not to mention other restaurants which serve breakfast in the morning or even all day. You can eat pancakes, waffles, french toast, hash browns, eggs cooked a hundred different ways, English muffins, or just a bagel and cream cheese. This is not to mention the vasy array of omlettes, crepes, pasteries, donuts - well, you get the idea.

In England, there is no Perkins, no Village Inn, not even a Denny's. You can't get scrambled eggs all day and all night. You can't even get scrambled eggs most places. Omlettes? Nope, not that I've seen. And French Toast? That's probably a baguette put under the burner to brown it.

English Breakfast is a unique and very specific thing. You know how when you say, "Thanksgiving Dinner" there's certain set of expectations and conventions? Sure, some people might have ham or tofurkey instead of turkey, but in general everybody knows that it means turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie? Well, "Full English Breakfast" is something like that, only they have can have it every day (though few do) - not just on special occasions. Somewhat like American breakfast, English Breakfast is available in some restaurants and pubs during the morning hours, and a few even serve it all day.

Unlike American breakfast, however, English Breakfast involves a very specific set of foods. There is usually lots of meat including sausages, bacon and black pudding (unless you're veggie - then it's generally a few slices of beefsteak tomato fried up with some mushrooms), toast, baked beans (WOULD I MAKE THIS UP!?) and an egg (fried). There's generally HP sauce and ketchup on the side if you want it. Traditionally, you would also drink English Breakfast tea with this, but there is usually juice offered (a teeny glass of tomato or oj) and and sometimes coffee is an option. This isn't a Denny's Grand Slam where you pick which of those things you want or how you want each prepared. You order regular or vegetarian breakfast, that that's what you get. All of it. Love it or hate it.

That IS, essentially, English breakfast. I guess they couldn't support an all-day, all-breakfast restaurant because it would involve such a small menu: full breakfast or a selection of cereals, breads, yogurt and fruit. You can get pancakes here, but (brace yourself!) they come pre-cooked and in a little bag like English muffins! I think people eat them as sort of a snack.

I usually have yogurt and Yorkshire tea for breakfast before work. Very few people, even English people, have full English Breakfast every day. I like English breakfast, actually. It tastes pretty good and I was surprised how much I like vegetarian baked beans in the morning. But I do miss American breakfast. It's always been my favorite meal. I miss going to Perkins at 11 pm and eating a bunch of pancakes, an English muffin and a few scrambled eggs with a coffee. Or even a good bagel and cream cheese. Those are difficult, but not impossible, to find here.

So, I guess what I would suggest to future ex-pats is this: learn to enjoy and appreciate Full English Breakfast. It is a point of pride among the English. But also don't over-do it (it's VERY fattening) and do appreciate the opportunity for 10 pm waffles when you visit America.

Posted by Erin at January 12, 2003 07:08 PM