Mullethead & Hambone: From Brisket to Bangers: A Texan Culinary Adventure in London!
Howdy, partners! Mullethead and Hambone are back, fresh off their stateside odyssey, and hankerin’ for a new adventure. This time, they’re settin’ their sights across the pond to the grand ol’ city of London! Now, some folks might think Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex wouldn’t have much in common with fish and chips, but we figure good food and good company are universal languages, right?
Our mission? To share a taste of Texas with London’s foodies and learn a thing or two about their culinary scene ourselves. We packed our trusty smoker (christened “Smokey the Bandit”), a suitcase full of spices (enough to rival a chili cook-off), and hearts brimming with Texan hospitality.
A Right Royal Welcome (and a Fish and Chips Mishap)
Landing in London, we were greeted by a chilly drizzle, a stark contrast to the Texas heat we were used to. But the warmth of the locals quickly chased away the shivers. Our first stop? A traditional pub, where we ordered “fish and chips” with the utmost confidence. Now, Hambone, bless his internet-savvy heart, had researched “quintessential British food,” but the translation got lost somewhere between online articles and jet lag (he ordered fried fish).
What arrived was a whole fried fish, head and all, staring back at us with a single, beady eye. Mullethead, ever the charmer, just chuckled and declared, “Well, this fish sure ain’t shy!” Hambone, on the other hand, nearly fainted dead away. Let’s just say, explaining to the bewildered bartender that we weren’t expecting a deep-fried Moby Dick was an experience we won’t soon forget.
Sharing a Taste of Texas: Brisket So Good, It’ll Make You Want to Yodel and Tacos That’ll Tickle Your Taste Buds.
The next day, we set up shop in a local park, “Smokey the Bandit,” billowing smoke that rivaled a London fog. Our menu? A Texas classic: slow-smoked brisket, meltingly tender, and seasoned with our “secret” rub. Alongside, we offered juicy carne asada tacos with all the fixings: pico de gallo, guacamole, and a squeeze of lime.
The Londoners, ever curious, lined up with a mix of trepidation and excitement. We explained the art of low and slow smoking (Mullethead even threw in a few dramatic hand gestures for good measure), the cultural significance of Tex-Mex (Hambone mostly got lost on a historical tangent about the Alamo), and Hambone even whipped out his banjo for a few lively tunes, albeit slightly off-key (thanks to drinking a questionable amount of Guinness).
The first bite of brisket had them hooked. “Wow, this is incredible!” exclaimed a young woman, her eyes wide with surprise. “It’s smoky and tender, unlike anything I’ve ever tasted!” The tacos were a hit too, and the vibrant flavors were a welcome change from the traditional British fare. We even had a group of older ladies approach us, suspiciously eyeing the tacos. Turns out, they were all about the adventure, and after a bite (and a generous helping of margaritas—Hambone may have gotten a little carried away with the cocktail mixing), they were two-stepping with Mullethead like they were born on the honky-tonk circuit.
Learning to Love Bangers and Mash (and a Dash of Community Service)
But Mullethead and Hambone are firm believers in cultural exchange. We didn’t just come to London to share; we also came to learn. We devoured fish and chips (the proper kind, this time!), creamy bangers and mash, Sunday Roast, and even ventured into the world of jellied eels (let’s just say, it was an experience!).
While exploring the city, we stumbled upon a community garden tucked away in a bustling neighborhood. The garden, overflowing with vibrant vegetables, looked a bit neglected. We offered a helping hand, weeding, watering, and sharing some Texas gardening tips (Hambone, surprisingly, knew a thing or two about heirloom tomatoes).
The joy on the faces of the local volunteers was heartwarming. We learned that the garden provided fresh produce for a local soup kitchen, and spending an afternoon working alongside them filled us with a deep sense of camaraderie. We volunteered at the soup kitchen, with Mullethead using his construction skills to fix leaky faucets and Hambone regaling the patrons with his banjo and witty anecdotes.
A Texan Farewell (and the Seeds of Future Adventures)
As our time in London drew to a close, we hosted a farewell cookout with our newfound friends. We shared stories, laughter, and, of course, delicious food. Mullethead even taught a few brave souls the art of the two-step, turning the park into a makeshift dance floor.
Leaving London, we carried a suitcase full of memories (and maybe a few pounds from all the amazing food!). We learned that good food transcends borders and that the desire to connect and share experiences is truly universal. We may not have converted everyone into brisket fanatics, but we planted a seed of Texan hospitality in the heart of London.
This may be the end of our London adventure, but it’s certainly not the end for Mullethead and Hambone. Next stop? Who knows! But wherever we roam, we’ll be sharing our love of good food, good company, and the simple joy of human connection.
Craving a taste of Texas in your own kitchen? Head over to our recipe pages for Mullethead’s favorite brisket rub (2 ingredients)and recipe and Hambone’s super simple guacamole recipe! And if you’re looking for more travel adventures with a heaping helping of Texan charm, subscribe to our blog for updates on our next culinary escapade! We might just be moseying on over to your neck of the woods sometime soon.
In the meantime, tell us about your favorite cultural food experiences in the comments below! We’d love to hear your stories.
So, what did we learn?
- Food is a universal language: No matter where you go, good food has the power to bring people together.
See y’all next time!
