This culinary tradition prizes portion size almost as much as it does ketchup, particularly when it comes to hamburgers, steaks and egg-based breakfasts. Creole/Cajun, America's finest culinary strain, is well represented in Beijing.

The American Cafe

No-nonsense American-style diner serves up hearty burgers, pizza, sizeable salads and breakfast plates in a cozy environment next door to Evolution Fitness at Blue Castle Apartments. Features Wi-Fi and ESPN on overhead screens. Beijing's best-kept brunch secret. 7.30am-10.30pm. Blue Castle International Apartments (Lan Bao), Xi Dawang Lu, Chaoyang District.

The Astor Grill

Succulent steaks and beautifully presented dishes in a swish atmosphere. Dinner daily, 6-10pm, lunch Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm. 3/F St Regis Hotel Apartments, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

Eudora Station Bar and Restaurant

Restaurant downstairs, bar and wine tasting upstairs - Eudora is a very serviceable (if oddly named) food and drink establishment. No great risks were taken in design or decor, but there is a solid feeling of quality about the place that may make it a standby for locals just looking for a spot to spend the evening. Daily 11-2am. 6 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District.

Grandma's Kitchen

Sandwiches, gravy-based dinners and high-powered desserts from middle America. Stencilled walls and grandma's hospitality. Daily 7.30am-11.30pm. 1) B/0103 Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5869 3055/3056); 2) 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District. (6503 2893)

The Grill

Steaks and seafoods grilled on an open flame. The stylish atmosphere is suitable for power lunches and sealing the deal. Daily 6pm-10.30pm. Radisson SAS Hotel Beijing, 6A Beisanhuan Donglu, Chaoyang District.

Hard Rock Cafe

Burgers, pastas, desserts, cover bands and those ubiquitous T-shirts. Daily 11.30am-2am. 1/F Landmark Towers, 8 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District.

Kala's Hot Dog and Salad

Opened by a group of 22 women from the US and Taiwan, this American-style fast food joint plans to invest its profits in a charitable foundation that aims to help needy Chinese kids go to school. Come for a hotdog topped with onions, relish or sauerkraut, then placed in a freshly toasted bun and accompanied by a tasty potato salad. Daily 10.30am-8pm. 102, 1/F, Bldg A, Tsinghua Science Park (100m south of Tsinghua University East Gate), 1 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District.

Lee's Cafe USA

Rare American fast food beyond the realm of the clown or the colonel. Lee's is a rancher's oasis with cowboy photos on the wall and Houston ¡°New Country¡± radio taped and flown in fresh every two weeks. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm. 47 Dongdaqiao Lu (500m from Xiushui Jie Bldg), Chaoyang District.

Lynx

A popular afterschool hangout near ISB in Shunyi, this comfortable and cozy cafe offers favorites such as nachos (RMB 16), hamburgers (RMB 24), shepherd's pie (RMB 28) and lots of pizza. Grownups may be lured by the drink list featuring true Italian coffee as well as fresh juice cocktails. Curl up by the fireplace and browse from a selection of imported English language magazines. Daily 10am-9pm. ISB east gate, Anhua Lu, Shunyi District.

Mike's Grill

Although South-of-the-border classics are served the menu leans more toward American staples such as burgers and steaks. The size of the servings make up for what they lack in authenticity. Mon-Sat 11.30am-10.30pm. 0106, 2/F, Jianwai Soho Bldg 5, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 8192)

Mrs Shanen's Bagels 2

Beijing's best bagels. Also offers Brooklyn-style thin-crust pizza, as well as sandwiches and delivery. Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8.30pm. 5 Kaifa Jie, Baixinzhuang Cun, Shunyi District.

One East on Third

Modern American cuisine with the largest selection of US wines in Beijing. Daily 6pm-10.30pm. 2/F, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District.

Outback Steakhouse

Not Australian, but made up to feel like it. Yankee-sized portions with prices to match. Their signature appetizer is a massive onion thrown in the deep fryer. Daily 11am-11pm. 1) Inside north gate of Workers' Stadium, on the left, Chaoyang District. (6506 5166); 2) 1/F, Beijing Hotel, east side of Tower A, Dongcheng District.

Paul's Steak and Eggs

Affordable meals from classic American diner breakfasts to fancier dinner specials. Bottomless cups of coffee and North American style give it a distinctly authentic feel. Voted ¡°Best Family Meal¡± and ¡°Best Value¡± in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Daily 7am-Late. 1) 8 Laiguangying Donglu (50m west of the Western Academy of Beijing, south of airport), Chaoyang District. (8470 1550/1559); 2) 5 Xiushui Nanjie (Bar street behind Friendship Store, near US Embassy), Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District. (6592 8088/8788)

Peter's Tex-Mex Grill

The mighty Lone Star state rises again! With a menu offering burritos, fajitas and enchiladas, this eatery pays tribute to Texas' enduring popularity. Daily 7.30am-11.30pm. 88A International Club, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

Sizzler

Enjoy unlimited trips to the salad bar along with steaks, ribs and other barbecued treats at this American chain. Daily 11am-10.30pm. 1) Anzhen Hualian Department store, 2nd floor, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District. (6441 9996); 2) International Club, 21 Jianguomenwai Daijie (next to the St Regis Hotel), Chaoyang District. (6532 0475); 3) 2-5 Fangzhuang Xinshidai, 9 Pufang Lu, Fengtai District. (5807 0389); 4) 102 Beilishi Lu (west of Fuchengmen Hua Lian Department store), Xicheng District.

The Texan Bar and Grill

Good ol' Tex-Mex food and steaks in a saloon-type setting in the Lido mini-mall. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. 1/F Holiday Inn Lido, Jichang Lu, Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District.

TGI Friday's

White collar hangout exports American-style burgers, salads, ¡°Mexican¡± food and desserts. Daily 11.30am-midnight. 1) 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie Citic Building, Bldg C, Chaoyang District. (8526 3388); 2) Beijing Friendship Hotel, 1 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District.