Fresh, Fried, and Frozen

    I believe that one of the most important things to experience while traveling is new foods. I had heard mixed reviews about English cuisine, with some saying it's decent and others saying it's bland. Thus, I wanted to experince a few different food and drink options myself to truly experince British cuisine. I have visted many restaurants, cafe's, and fast food places to determine what the food in Newcastle is like. I wanted to experience good food at a reasonable price and nice atmosphere. After taking recommendations from locals, I decided to rank each dish experience from worst to best. Here is my British cuisine ranking:

#3 (Tynemouth Fish & Chips with Mushy Peas)

    In last place, I have ranked Tynemouth's fish & chips with mushy peas. Tynemouth is a coastal town known for its castle ruins and priory. The number one thing I was told I should try were the fish & chips with mushy peas because it is a staple of coastal towns in England. I went to a fryery in Tynemouth called Marshalls and was immeadiatly hit with the smell of fried food. It was a simple restaurant with quick service and an abundance of fried food options. However, when I recieved my fish & chips, they were sadly very plain and unseasoned. The fish was soggy and falling apart, the chips were soft, and the mushy peas were just mashed peas in a cup. After adding salt, vinegar, and lemon, the fish had gained very little flavor. In total, the price was £13 isn't too expensive but not on the cheap side either. Overall, I wouldn't try fish & chips again as it felt like eating too much fried ingredients with hardly any flavor. 

#2 (Greggs Sausage Roll)

    One place I kept hearing about over and over again was Greggs. I was told that Greggs is a British bakery chain with good coffee and pasties. Everyone told me that the number one thing I had to try at Greggs was the sausage roll. I was even told that it would "Change everything" for me. The stores are similar, with quick service intended for people who want a baked good while heading to work or school. Sadly, I would say that the sausage roll is another example of a cuisine that was overpraised by those who view the brand fondly. The breading itself was warm and flaky, which I enjoyed, but the sausage was minced into a meat paste similar to an American frozen breakfast burrito. In total the price was only £1, which makes Greggs a cheaper option for those who want a pastie. Overall, I would eat the sausage roll again if I was in a rush and wanted cheap food to ease my hunger. Otherwise, I'd rather go to a café. 

#1 (The Grand's Hot Chocolate & Pain au Chocolate)

    There are several coffee shops around Newcastle, each with their own pastries, pasties, and drinks. However, I chose to eat at The Grand, which is close to Newcastle University and had a good selction of coffees, teas, and food. The inside of the café is very cozy with fake plants and unique furniture, giving it a sense of classic european style. I ordered a hot chocolate and pain au chocolate. The pastry was simple yet pleasant, but the true winner was the Hot chocolate. It came in a large cup filled to the brim and was decorated using steamed milk foam. The taste was warm and rich and was a perfect start to my day. While cafés are common in Newcastle, I would say that each brings their own element to a customer's dining experience. In total, my order was £4, which is a steal for the amount of food I received. Overall, I would recommend people to try Newcastle's many cafés for a simple British experience of trying different teas, coffees, and pastries.