What should be included in a Full English Breakfast?

[NM]

In my experience, both in the UK and abroad, there can be a lot of variation as to what is served when ordering the Full English Breakfast from a cafe or restaurant. So what do you expect to see on the plate (and beside the plate) when you order the FEB?

I expect to see:

• Pork sausages (one or two depending on size)
• Bacon (streaky rasher, well cooked and not deep fried) - 2 rashers
• Grilled tomato (half a tomato)
• Baked Beans
• Mushrooms (button type, sauteed in butter)
• Black Pudding (one or two 1cm or so slice, fried)
• Two fried eggs, sunny-side up, slightly runny
• Potato - either hash brown (lazy option) or "bubble and squeak" (specific contents may vary)
• Two slices of toast on the side, served with butter and choice or marmalade or jam
• Choice of tea or coffee

And its nice to be offered an option of a kipper.

But when home, and wanting to eat healthy, I still like to start each day with a Full English Breakfast - fill the cup, no sugar and a splash of milk. And sometimes I'll even share the bag with Mrs NM.

 

[VPS]

All of those but many I don't eat so it's always nice to be asked what you want on there

Toast - has to be marmalade not jam after a FEB

 

[dajop]

Aaah a source of much debate and even more frustration on the British TV show "Four in a Bed".....

 

[downgraded]

In my experience, both in the UK and abroad, there can be a lot of variation as to what is served when ordering the Full English Breakfast from a cafe or restaurant. So what do you expect to see on the plate (and beside the plate) when you order the FEB?

I expect to see:

• Pork sausages (one or two depending on size)
• Bacon (streaky rasher, well cooked and not deep fried) - 2 rashers
• Grilled tomato (half a tomato)
• Baked Beans
• Mushrooms (button type, sauteed in butter)
• Black Pudding (one or two 1cm or so slice, fried)
• Two fried eggs, sunny-side up, slightly runny
• Potato - either hash brown (lazy option) or "bubble and squeak" (specific contents may vary)
• Two slices of toast on the side, served with butter and choice or marmalade or jam
• Choice of tea or coffee

And its nice to be offered an option of a kipper.

But when home, and wanting to eat healthy, I still like to start each day with a Full English Breakfast - fill the cup, no sugar and a splash of milk. And sometimes I'll even share the bag with Mrs NM.

- Streaky bacon no - that's a US thing in my mind. Full rashers of middle bacon.
- Fried bread. The arteries complain just thinking about it.
- personally don't do black pudding.
- I also think baked beans are a bit optional for a FEB.

 

[Hvr]

Toast - has to be marmalade not jam after a FEB

With Vegemite. I take my own when travelling overseas.

 

[andye]

Black pudding is what makes a truly great English IMO.
Tea should be strong.
Definitely agree middle bacon.
I'm not wedded to baked beans or potato in any form (I like hash browns but they are a US import). Saute are OK though and chips are possible if the table is plastic.
Fried eggs are classic but prefer scrambled.
Kipper is a different breakfast altogether, preferably after some porridge

 

[docjames]

First thing I thought of was that @TonyHancock would have firm views on this topic……

 

[RooFlyer]

Lashings of black pudding.

 

[Hvr]

First thing I thought of was that @TonyHancock would have firm views on this topic……

I;m sure he's tasked Griselda with writing a response, soonest,

 

[clifford]

Fried eggs are classic but prefer scrambled.

Poached perhaps. And you can't go past the black pudding (as someone from Lancashire).

 

[SYD]

and a side order of Defibrillator…

 

[JohnK]

Just had one this morning in Pattaya before golf.

- 2 fried eggs, soft
- 1 slice of fried bread
- 1 pork sausage
- 1 fried tomato halved
- 2 pieces of short cut bacon
- 2 slices toast bread
- 1 cup of tea

So missing quite a few items.

 

[OATEK]

FEB has been the victim of social change, but broadly agree with the OP re: contents. And must be accompanied by strong Builders tea!!

 

[NoName]

This sounds like it should be the subject of a trip report.

 

[TonyHancock]

Fried Bread. (Using lard)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Everything that blocks the arteries.

 

[trooper]

While I would always want some form of potato added I really don't believe that is part of an original "Full English" Is it?

 

[Sprucegoose]

While I would always want some form of potato added I really don't believe that is part of an original "Full English" Is it?

That could be the Full Irish Breakfast (FIB)

 

[andye]

Full Irish should have white as well as black pudding
Full Scottish should have haggis and some square sausage

Examples of English Scottish and Irish in cafe in Manchester for the brothers andye (brotherandye3 doesn't like tea)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Full Irish should have white as well as black pudding
Full Scottish should have haggis and some square sausage

Examples of English Scottish and Irish in cafeView attachment 314262 in Manchester for the brothers andye below (mstrandye3 doesn't like egg or tea)

Yep, that looks authentic....... I'm a bit peckish...