If you’re hungry for a casual meal and good beer, an English pub is the perfect place to satisfy your craving. Known for their hearty comfort food and relaxed atmospheres, these establishments offer a diverse menu to satisfy any taste, as well as a few dining customs you might not be familiar with. Here’s what you should know before eating at an English pub.

What Food Can You Order at a Pub?

Pubs serve traditional English food, but in recent years, many have expanded their menus to include dishes from around the world. You can expect to see popular options like fish and chips with flaky beer-battered cod and fries, or shepherd’s pie, a hearty casserole of minced beef and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes. 

As an appetizer, you might get Scotch eggs, which are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs. Diners can start their days right with the full English breakfast, also known as a "fry-up." This filling meal is complete with fried eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, toast, mushrooms, potatoes, and black pudding.

In addition to common English food, pubs often take inspiration from around the world. Menus may feature savory chicken or lamb kabobs, or creamy chicken tikka masala served over a bed of rice with naan, a type of flatbread. Casual bar favorites like wings, burgers, and pizza are also likely to make an appearance.

What Customs and Terms Should You Know?

Traditional English pubs use slang and regional terminology that’ll be helpful for a newcomer to know. For example, you might’ve seen the dish “bangers and mash,” or heard each of these terms used in separate dishes. “Bangers” refers to sausage, and ordering “mash” gets you mashed potatoes. “Chips,” as you might know, are the equivalent of French fries. Conversely, pudding in the United Kingdom is an entirely different dessert. Rather than the custard-like pudding typical in the United States, English pudding has the consistency of a moist sponge cake.

Ordering beer at a pub can be a bit different as well. A customary order of beer is a pint, while a standard-sized 250 ml glass is called a “half.” When you approach the bar, ask for both the volume and the brand of beer you want.
 

For delicious English food in a friendly setting, dine at Mad Dogs and Englishmen in Tampa, FL. This pub and restaurant offers an extensive menu for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, as well as live music, beer, and wine. From their award-winning fish and chips and shepherd's pie to curry shrimp and meatloaf, all of their dishes are made with top-quality ingredients and tried-and-true recipes. Take a look at their full menu online. To book a table in advance, call (813) 832-3037.