unfriendly brits in SoCal

[els 0]

So I must admit I like going to the odd English pub and having some overpriced fish and chips and the odd pint but why are the other brits in there always so unfriendly?! You'd think they'd be like 'hey, a new brit, how you doing?' seeing as we're like 6000 miles away from home soil! But no! Just today I was told off by some moody Mancunian about a Ploughmans as she told me insistently that a Ploughmans was just bread and cheese! And they wanted $15 for it! And it wasn't even British cheese! Where's the joie de corps etc? You know if it were the Yanks in Britain they'd be slapping each other on the back saying 'hey', where's the harm in that? I think it would be nice as I personally don't know many people here still and it'd be fun! Is Socal just full of moody styley brit pubs? Anyone know of any friendly ones?! The nicest people I've met are on this site!

Els

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, where did you go, the Olde Ship in Santa Ana?

[Boiler 45,536]

There is in my mind no such thing as a British pub, but I avoid the ones that advertise themselves as such like the plague, the ones I have been in are invariably #######.

[ladybutterfly 0]

Which one did you go to and where?

[Jasman0717 9]

There is in my mind no such thing as a British pub, but I avoid the ones that advertise themselves as such like the plague, the ones I have been in are invariably #######.

My friend, who is English, says this one here in Santa Ana is a pretty good one. It is owned by a British fellow. They have lots of choices of beer and pretty good choice of food but it is a bit pricy. My friend doesn't like it because all the beer is too cold but other than that he enjoys getting a chance to chat with other Brits.

[Kassie 0]

There is also an Olde Ship in Fullerton. Craig was reluctant to go with me while he was here, but was pleasantly surprised. All but the British chic who laughed at his British ID and refused to serve him beer (Ale, whatever...)

I hope that wasn't the one you went to If not...I've never sat at the bar, just the tables, so I cant give my opinion on that...and the service leaves a little to be desired, but the food is amazing...

[els 0]

Yes the Olde Ship in Fullerton is the one where I encountered the moody Manc! I teach literally next door at the music academy. Also the King's Head in Santa Monica was a bit grotty too. In their favour though they did us a cheese plate which wasn't on the menu for just $4 so major props for that! My husband really misses English cheese! I can't believe how expensive cheese is over here! The nicest pub we found and the one with the best chips is in San Diego called 'Shakespeares' at least they were friendly enough to help find us a table! Oh yer and there was another one in Riverside which I didn't know existed and the guy in there had a go at me for asking if they were gonna show the English footie match!

Els

[ceriserose 1]

I can't believe how expensive cheese is over here!

I can't comment on anything else, but I just have to say if you think cheese is expensive here, then don't go to Canada! I used to drive regularly across the border to get cheese because of the price difference. Cheese here is so cheap by comparison.

Hope you find a Brit place more to your 'taste'.

[Jasman0717 9]

There is also an Olde Ship in Fullerton. Craig was reluctant to go with me while he was here, but was pleasantly surprised. All but the British chic who laughed at his British ID and refused to serve him beer (Ale, whatever...)

I hope that wasn't the one you went to If not...I've never sat at the bar, just the tables, so I cant give my opinion on that...and the service leaves a little to be desired, but the food is amazing...

The same guy, Doug, owns both of them. He bought the one in Santa Ana from a friend of mine and I think the Fullerton store has been carrying the load, no one is ever in the on in SA.

[TracyTN 237]

Ditto on finding a nicer place to frequent! That must be a bummer!

We have a 'British pub' in my hometown. They don't really advertise it as such, but we found out because the owner lives in my mom's neighborhood. We went the last time my fiance was in town and had a blast. Really nice place, nice people and good food. Too bad we can't transplant it to where you live!

[els 0]

Wow! Didn't realise cheese could be more expensive in Canada! I still miss my Wensleydale and Cheshire! I might get my parents to smuggle some over here in a cold bag when they come!

I've never been to the pub in Santa Ana, is the atmosphere nicer then the one in Fullerton? They're so clickey in there if you know what I mean! Well I saw on the other site that there's a meet up going on in the Santa Ana Pub in March, but I'm scared they might all be unfriendly! I'm also rather shy which doesn't help!

Els

[Kassie 0]

Yes the Olde Ship in Fullerton is the one where I encountered the moody Manc!

....I'm sorry Ok, I'll shut up then and not suggest any places lol

I live about 10-15 minutes away from there, so thats the only one I know of in the area. I really am sorry you had such a terrible experience Its just the cottage pie and rhubarb crumble that keeps me coming back....I'm hopeless

The same guy, Doug, owns both of them. He bought the one in Santa Ana from a friend of mine and I think the Fullerton store has been carrying the load, no one is ever in the on in SA.

Ugh! I should go to the one in SA then because the one in Fullerton is always packed. The seating is terrible, I have to say. I cant tell you how many times I've been sat merely inches away from someone I've never met and then had to avoid hitting them with my elbow the rest of the time I'm there. Thanks for letting me in on that

[meauxna 15]

Wow! Didn't realise cheese could be more expensive in Canada! I still miss my Wensleydale and Cheshire! I might get my parents to smuggle some over here in a cold bag when they come!

I've never been to the pub in Santa Ana, is the atmosphere nicer then the one in Fullerton? They're so clickey in there if you know what I mean! Well I saw on the other site that there's a meet up going on in the Santa Ana Pub in March, but I'm scared they might all be unfriendly! I'm also rather shy which doesn't help!

Els

Els, I'm having a laugh because that lot over there seem to say that *they* are the friendliest people in the *world* and are usually complaining about how 'fake' & cliquey their US friends are. I know that my UKC's experience of the US has been very different from most of what I read online, so take heart. It's all a crapshoot, and I think your own attitude will let you have fun wherever you decide to!

Go TexMex instead of PorkPie!

[ladybutterfly 0]

I have been to the Shakespeare pub in San Diego a few times as its only a 25 min drive away. Only went there for the chips though, but to be honest, wasnt that impressed, they tasted like home made chips. I have always wondered how British chip shop chips taste the way they do and you cant duplicate them at home!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Is it just me or is the beer in Ye Olde King Head fizzy? The food is super, though - I have dreams about the shepherds pie. My other half (UKC) reckons its just like a bad night out in London, though, and gets really embarassed when they play all the Oasis/Blur/Britpop

It's one of the deep mysteries of life, Lady Butterfly, I tell you!

. I have always wondered how British chip shop chips taste the way they do and you cant duplicate them at home!