Dining out comparisons, the UK v's USA

When it comes to eating out, America seems to get it right and for a number of reasons - over here dining out can be fun - but the huge couse of places to eat can leave you stumped as to where to go. I've noticed a few differences between the UK and the USA when it comes to getting your meals cooked for you and here they are;

Not only do you get FREE top ups of certain soft drinks - your Coke, your Pepsi often without asking, iced water can come as standard in some restaurants.

Bread buns, you know those tiny little things they give you to nibble on before you're meal arrives [in particular thinking of the infamous Red Lobster] are called biscuits. I really don't know why. A biscuit is what you dunk in your tea.  

What really confused me at first was the side salads which are included in the price of your meal and are usually garden or Caesar based. The first time I was asked I was a little confused as to why and more so when they bring it out before your main meal. Yeah that threw me the first time in Red Lobster. I'd normally eat salads with my meal.

Eating with a knife AND fork is seen as posh.

There is an American perception that English food is bad, very bad and tasteless. 

Fish n Chips are edible over here, but apart from getting one huge piece of greasy battered fish, in the States you get several mid sized fillets, often served with coleslaw. Saying that I miss fish n chip shops - getting your food on a polystyrene tray, wrapped in newspaper and eating it with a wooden fork - I'd give anything for that right now!

One of the things that impresses me the most is regarding your leftovers. I remember moments in the UK of family members trying to sneak out that nice bit of meat they couldn't finish because we all knew it would just end up in the rubbish. In America your more then likely to be asked if you want a take out tray for any leftovers. So rather then your food and the money you spent on it wasting, you get something tasty to fulfill your hunger pangs. Normally I eat them up for my lunch the following day after giving them a thorough reheating. 

There's a drive thu for every kind of food you could imagine. 

Tipping in restaurants is a big thing too, which I know is why your servers are always extremely pleased and happy to see you but it really is how they make most of their money so your typically meant to leave a tip of 15% [at least in Michigan anyway]. Thankfully we have a handy little tip application on my phone for those tricky brain-dead moments of maths after a hearty meal.

And where are my favourite places to grab food? I'm partial to a Jimmy Johns [another version of a Subway], Tom's Oyster Bar [not really a chain but gorgeous seafood regardless], Red Robin [tasty burgers!], Wendys [like a MacDonalds but better and do great milkshakes] and Culvers - the best frozen yoghurt desserts ever!  Oh and how could I forget Krispy Kreme?!

What are your experiences of eating out in America? Where do you love to eat out?
I know you guys love hearing about my USA - UK comparisons and if there's anything differences you'd love me to talk about or look into then do let me know!