In a previous thread I asked about making American style mac n cheese.

Does anyone have any other ideas for making American style meals or dishes?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the food here, but I miss classic American dishes. Such as a juicy home made cheeseburger, BBQ, and Mexican (haha).

Speaking of which, can anyone suggest where I find a great cheeseburger. I tried Joe's (I believe that is the correct name) in Zurich, but I didn't think it was worth mentioning. Although, I will go back because I enjoyed the atmosphere.

Welcome to Switzerland! You might want to update your profile location.

There are no good cheeseburgers here, at least none that I've tasted. Get a grill and make them yourself, it's the only way. Ditto good Mexican food. There is a Mexican store in Zurich (search the forum for "mexican" and you'll find it) - stock up on ingredients and learn to cook it yourself.

Grilling is popular but the usual lineup of barbecue sauces may not be up to scratch. Again, if you already make your own you're in luck - if not, well, you'll learn...

Have you tried any Berner Rösti yet? I know it doesn't scratch the foods-from-home itch, but Swiss food is goooood. (and you will cook a lot cheaper here if you're cooking the local cuisine and not having to buy imported specialty ingredients all the time.)

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I checked out El Maiz yesterday (the Mexican shop) - all the stuff you want, but at a (large) price.

Cheaper than flying to Mexico to pick it up?

But more expensive than stashing some salsa in my luggage over Christmas

You have as good a chance (well, actually better) of finding a palatable cheeseburger here as you do finding proper raclette in the U.S.

Overall I can't think of too many things that aren't doable DIY here regarding American style dishes. Manor has hamburger buns that are as good as most any 'regulation' buns in the U.S., COOP too (and probably Migros but can't remember). Cheese wise there are plenty of substitutes and if anything you will be missing the cheese choice from here on return visits to the U.S. than the reverse. Any more specific requests?

We have been here 4.5 years and have continuously searched for the perfect burger. Having tried countless burgers, we have resorted to grilling them ourselves. I've heard the Hyatt near Burkliplatz has the "best" burgers, but lost faith after so many disappointing recommendations. When I'm homesick for a great steak in an American setting, we head to Rolli's in Oerlikon. Great steaks that cook on a sizzling platter in front of you. Call ahead. They're extremely popular.

Depending on what type of ingredients you are looking for for the Mexican food, Sihlcity has canned and bagged black beans and refried beans. Cilantro is koriander. Depending on the cheddar you want (if you want), you can go Jelmoli or Brunaupark for the 'cheddar rot' or Migros or Coop for the yellow cheddar or http://cheeseclub.ch/

You can try www.afoodave.ch or www.americanmarket.ch as well for some things.

I'm from Texas and definitely miss the Tex-Mex, but I've been making my own for 3 years now. You just need to look online for recipes like certain things (I used to love Chipotle and can make a pretty good representation of it now). There are some fantastic recipes out there and you can find almost everything you need here - the rare thing you can't, you can get online. I've made a lot of other American dishes (though I have also bought Coop and Migros cookbooks and enjoy cooking out of those) - what are you trying to make? I could tell you where to find things.

The best burgers are the ones you make yourself - get some Worcestershire sauce from Coop and mix up some mushrooms into the beef with some egg and a little bread to hold it all together and grill it - then put some cheese and avocado on top. yum! (bacon too if you want)



Jenn
http://cookinginzurich.blogspot.com/

ummm, now thats a cheeseburger. Thanks for the suggestions.

I found a very close Kraft Mac & Cheese package from the gourmet store Moreira in Kusnacht - I think the box (blue color, don't remember brand) was 3.50 CHF and it was a brand from the Midwest USA but wow, tasted just like the cheesy Kraft brand!

Oh and as for cheeseburgers, the best "All-American" Cheeseburger you will find in Zurich is at the Hyatt Hotel -- they are about 35CHF but sooo good and the closest to America you will get!

Isn't Mac and Cheese just pasta/macaroni served with a cheese sauce (or baked with it)? Why would you need to buy that in a packet?

Yeah and I make all mine home made but sometimes I crave an American Kraft mac and cheese I grew up with that was in the packet! My mom never made it homemade!

Mac and Cheese is one of those 'tea-soaked madeline' things.

The stuff may be thoroughly, utterly vile (the 'cheese' is a day-glow orange powder!), but for many Americans of my generation it evokes happy childhood memories. My grown-up, health conscious, self-righteous slow-food aficionado self may turn her nose up at the very thought - but my inner child certainly relishes a bowl every now and again.

Fortunately here in Switzerland there is Aelpler Magroni to resolve the conflict.

Sadly, many Americans have been brought up loving the Kraft macaroni and cheese available in a box, which comes with a cheese-flavored powder packet to which you add milk in order to produce the cheese sauce. The advantage is the very low price, however IMO it is a huge price to pay considering the taste of macaroni with a cheese that is made with a traditional white sauce as a base. The mac and cheese box is marketed almost as well as Happy Meals are in the US!

Well now I've heard it all I would never have thought such a thing existed.
Macaroni-cheese is so easy to make that I consider it 'fast food' as it is.
I thought 'cuppa-soups' were as bad as it got

My OH loves Nachos with the "cheese sauce" in cinemas. So I recently make the sauce. Typical bechamel with Grumpy's Vintage Poacher gradually grated in along with a teaspoon of lightly pickled jalapeños (I pickle these myself but you can buy them in jars). Was really good, much better than the dead food you get at cinemas.

For a cheese burger:

Hamburgers - question to Americans

As a grownup.....that sounds great......although there is something about that post that reminded me of this

These are "stadium nachos" in the states, as they are very popular fare at sporting events. The cheese sauce is generally dumped from a gallon tin and warmed, sometimes with hot dog chili added as well (more of a "chili pie" in that case). Your version sounds much, much better!