More American eats

With a chef named Bubba, as you would expect, there are plenty of grilled ribs, sausages and hefty bits of chicken - and large quantities of meat in general - served up with a banging, spicy BBQ sauce and the usual Southern sides like beans, 'slaw and potato salad. For a decade the protein furious lads in the City have been in love with this place. It has interesting American beers too, including a black lager called Blackened Voodoo. Ave per head £11.

Yellow Book Californian Cafe, 190 George Lane, E18 (020-8989 3999)

'Californian' means cherrypicking from the lighter elements of global cuisines - lots of Hollywood-friendly, fresh and light-of-fat fusion going on. Expect strong Pacific Rim influences, teamed with traditional 'American' foods like fajitas and burritos, and pizzas with very thin-crust-Italian-style bases. It's worth going the extra easterly mile to check out this great value joint. Ave per head £21.

Lucky 7, 127 Westbourne Park Road, W2 (020-7727 6771)

One of four Tom Conran enterprises in W11, this is modelled on a Fifties US diner with great authenticity. There are shared booths and an open kitchen and the 'East Coast influence' menu is a spruced-up mix of milkshakes, burgers and eggs many ways, including huevos rancheros. There are queues at key weekend breakfast times. And a new juice bar has been installed next door for the healthy. They sell basic booze to drink with your cheese fries. Ave per head £14.