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A big small-town hotdog in East Anglia
Let's face it: Bury St. Edmunds doesn't have a lot going on. The Abbey Gardens are the main attraction – particularly the internet-enabled bench. So, it's pretty easy to see why entertainment alternatives are generally limited. There are some fine restaurants in this sleepy eastern England town, allowing you to eat quite well. But, I prefer to go as down-market as possible. So, I made it a point to find a hotdog place in Bury St. Edmunds, and I found one fit for royalty.
King's is a tiny, dumpy establishment that reminds me of strip mall pizza joints here in the United States. It's possible to eat your dog, burger or slice of pizza elbow-to-elbow with whoever's on duty, or you can take it outside to the patio, which is considerably more spacious. I chose a third way: take it for the road. The main reason I look for hotdogs when I travel is because I can eat on the go, maximizing my time wherever I am.
The hotdog at King's was impressive in size. Unlike the hotdogs in Reykjavik and Stockholm, this sleepy British down puts out an enormous wiener, so make sure you haven't eaten in a while before trying to tackle it. As for taste, frankly, the long dog at King's just doesn't measure up. I had to wait longer than I expected, and the hotdog just wasn't tasty enough to warrant all the standing around.
I've had better.
Even with its drawbacks, though, it's still nice to know you can find a hotdog in this remote corner of the world. Yes, it is remote. For a city-dweller, the East Anglia countryside is about as far from civilization as possible. The good news is that, somehow, hotdogs made their way as far out as Bury St. Edmunds, allowing even the country folk to dine 'n' dash.
Check out the video review after the jump.
Gallery: Hotdogs in East Anglia
[Thanks to David Harris from the Cambridge Chronicle for shooting the video]
Disclosure: Visit Britain shelled out some cash for this experience, and British Airways supplied the flights. But, the trip to the hotdog place was certainly off the beaten path. I wasn't asked to cover it.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, United Kingdom








Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scott Carmichael Jul 2nd 2009 11:44AM
Typical American - fly all the way to the UK and eat a hot dog. Couldn't you have tried an authentic UK dish like....uh.... hey, good choice on the hot dog! :D
masanddjs Jul 2nd 2009 12:06PM
I lived near Bury St. Edmunds for three years. (Mildenhall). I remember ordering a pork dish that was served with the bristles still on the rind. It was disgusting.
You were smart to eat the hot dog. British food leaves a lot to be desired. Thank God, there was a Dominoes near the military base (and I don't like Dominoes).
We went to TGI Friday's in London and paid over $100 for 4 burgers..best money we spent while in the UK on food!
WelshClare Jul 7th 2009 7:07AM
British food leaves a lot to be desired!!!!! What planet do you live on? British food did have a bad reputation once upon a time maybe BUT nowadays we are spoilt with great eating out establishments. Gastro pubs serving up the best of local produce, farm shops and cafes. It is all about knowing where your food comes from and using fresh local produce. Delicious!
Come to Norfolk and you really will be spoilt for choice! So I would urge you to look beyond the brands and you won't be disappointed! www.visitnorwich.co.uk, www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk