UK treats in the US?

November 4, 2024 9:50 AM

I've have a great fondness for a few UK treats. Does anyone have a suggestion where I can buy them in the US?

Things I'd like to get(not all at once): Tunnock's Wafer, Basset's Allsorts, Roses assortment, Heros, Terry's Chocolate Orange.

I've tried Amazon(only for allsorts) and it was fine, but I'm leery about being sent old chocolate that's been poorly kept, or has been sitting around since last year.

Any suggestions for online retailers that will deliver a good product without insane delivery or markup? I'm in Chicago, if that's relevant.

Thanks!

posted by specialnobodie to Food & Drink (19 answers total)

Have you looked in-person? I remember Jewel supermarkets often having a little British area in the international aisle. World Market would be worth a shot, too.
posted by kickingtheground at 9:57 AM on November 4 [7 favorites]

I've don't have any experience buying from them online, but (Cost Plus) World Market has Tunnock's Wafers, Terry's Oranges, and not Basset's, but they do have Allsorts by Darrell Lea and Gustav's, at least. They have a few brick and mortars in the Chicagoland area if you're open to going in person.

On preview: 2nding kickingtheground.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:59 AM on November 4 [8 favorites]

I've had good luck with British Food Depot, although I've only made a couple of orders. They're based in Pennsylvania.
posted by edencosmic at 9:59 AM on November 4

Many Mariano's (Mariano'ses?) used to have a small British food section, but I don't know if they still do since Kroger took over Mariano's and made it worse. I also don't know if they have those specific products.

Fresh Farms in Niles (two locations) has a good international selection, but I'm not sure about British products or those specific products.
posted by likedoomsday at 10:15 AM on November 4

Terry’s Chocolate orange will be more available in person as we get closer to Christmas, certainly at World Market by also at other places
posted by raccoon409 at 10:21 AM on November 4 [5 favorites]

Many Mariano's (Mariano'ses?) used to have a small British food section, but I don't know if they still do since Kroger took over Mariano's and made it worse

Pretty sure those are gone, yeah. They are in ours.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:23 AM on November 4

Wegmans supermarkets typically have a small British section in the international aisle, though I don't know if it includes the specific items that you seek.
posted by alex1965 at 10:26 AM on November 4

Definitely World Market and Harris Teether usually have a small British section too
posted by atlantica at 10:28 AM on November 4

In Minneapolis at least, Cub often stocks bulk allsorts which look identical to the Bassett's - they have the two kinds of piece with the blue and reddish little dragees on the outside and the yellow and pink coconut ones and the tube ones, etc. I feel like I've also seen allsorts in the candy aisle at Target that were pretty similar. In theory they could taste very different, but they look extremely similar, and I have had other assortments of allsorts.
posted by Frowner at 10:33 AM on November 4 [1 favorite]

I'm in the Chicago and World Market is my go-to, but if they don't have what you're looking for, you can also try Celtica Gifts in Lincoln Square, which has a UK food section.
posted by carrienation at 10:52 AM on November 4

Terry's Chocolate Oranges are widely available around Christmas in the US. Not sure if they carry them year round but Walmart has them right now for ~$4 a piece online.
posted by tubedogg at 10:57 AM on November 4

If you have a sudden jones for a Tunnock's Caramel Wafer, most Guyanese/Trinidadian takeouts have them.

(I dunno how Chicago is for these restaurants, but it delights and confuses this Scot that an old Glasgow favourite can be so popular in the Caribbean.)
posted by scruss at 11:08 AM on November 4

Chicago, you say?! Get yourself to Mrs Murphy's Irish Bistro!
posted by obfuscation at 11:19 AM on November 4

Oh yeah, there are a few other Irish stores in Chicago: one at Gunnison and Nagle, one on Devon near Central, one in the Irish American Heritage Center, and maybe more. I don't know if they have these UK products too.
posted by likedoomsday at 11:34 AM on November 4

In Chicago - you can go right up to Devon Street and buy all sorts of English deliciousness, Patel Brothers especially. World Market is also a go to. There is also a little bit of stuff at Gene's. Strangely, if you want Cadburys and Terry's Chocolate Orange and sometimes even Roses at the Walgreens especially around Christmas. Trader Joe's has Chocolate Oranges around Christmas too.

I know you did not list pork pies as one of your foods but The Pleasant House Pub has the best pork pie.
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 12:08 PM on November 4

Maybe Gaelic Imports or Celtica Gifts?
posted by dawkins_7 at 12:38 PM on November 4

Rocket Fizz candy stores usually have a decent selection of British candies. There are a few locations near Chicago!
posted by LKWorking at 1:20 PM on November 4

Middle Eastern markets frequently have British chocolate but I'm not sure I've seen Allsorts there.
Never ordered from them but there's always British Cornershop.
posted by fiercekitten at 8:27 PM on November 4

If you're on reddit, you can try /r/snackexchange. It may be hard to get someone to trade with you if you don't have any feedback, but it's very possible.

(If you run into a wall, PM me.)
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 8:29 AM on November 5