IF it’s food with a difference you’re after, then why not mosey on down to The Lord Nelson ‘ranch’ at Hoylandswaine for some pub grub with an American twist?

Even the great man Admiral Nelson himself may have turned a blind eye to the transformation of a traditional country inn to a Stateside-themed eating house had he been around to sample the fare.

The Lord Nelson has long been a popular pub. Set back off the Hoylandswaine bypass, it was a handy haunt for pub-goers from the south Huddersfield district – as well as North Sheffield and Barnsley folk – and a team of us regularly met up for a drink there on Friday nights long gone.

Our latest trip there was on a foggy March Saturday lunchtime with more than just a hint of snow in the air.

The hostelry enjoys a scenic rural setting with panoramic views down and across the valley, but unfortunately, that Saturday we might as well have been in the Rocky Mountains for all we could see. It was one of those days that weatherwise just didn’t happen.

Despite the elements, however, the large pub car park was well filled (there were no tethered horses) and the ‘saloon’ was buzzing with activity. Many of the tables were taken and a few people were relaxing in the comfort of the lounge area in the spacious, stylish Lord Nelson building extensions carried out in recent years. The ‘top’ section of the pub is given over to the wet trade with games machines and a pool area to entertain the regulars and casual drinkers.

We ordered our drinks from the expansive bar opposite the main entrance and found a table under a window. An attentive barman/waiter bid us a warm welcome (no, he didn’t say ‘howdy’) and brought us the menus.

Set out in stars and stripes-type coloured lettering – red and blue on white menu cards – there is certainly a wide choice of dishes.

It was a bitterly cold day, so for starters Carol chose the soup of the day – tomato – with a roll and butter (£3.50) and I too stuck with a more traditional option of breaded mushrooms with a garlic mayonnaise dip and green side salad. You can’t go wrong with mushrooms and although there were plenty of them, I still had an appetite for my wild west adventure to come.

Carol too, enjoyed her starter, but had also left room for a transatlantic culinary experience.

So partners, what was it to be?

BBQ Rib Combos – Full Rack, (£13.95); Rib and Steak Combo (£13.95); Rib and Chicken Combo (£12.95); Ribs, Chicken and Steak (£16.95) all served with corn on the cob and fries?

Or, From the Grill – Surf and Turf, scampi and rump steak, with homemade chips or fries and salad garnish (£12.95); 10oz Rump, with fries or chips, onion rings, grilled tomato and salad (£12.95); Large Gammon Steak, with chips or fries, egg or pineapple and peas (£9.75) or the 8oz Sirloin, with fries or chips, onion rings grilled tomato and salad (£13.95)? Steak sauce, peppercorn, Diane, garlic or a Jack Daniels glaze, is £1.50 extra.

Or what about pie selection – of ‘Bluto’ proportions – Handmade Braised Steak Pie (£9.50), or Handmade Chicken and Smoked Bacon (£9.50), both with chips vegetables and rich gravy?

Or the Homemade Burgers – Classic Cheese (£7.95/£8.50); Florida, topped with cheese and pineapple (£8.95); The New Yorker, with crispy bacon and cheese (8.95); The Texas BBQ topped with sauce and cheese (£8.95); The Battered Chicken (£8.95); The Veggie, breaded (£7.95) or the top-of-the-range, skyscraping Empire State Tower Burger (£10.95)?

Or was I up for the Man v Food Challenge (eat all of any of the meals and get it for half price)? There is the 3 Burgers, 3 Eggs, Bacon, Onion Rings, Fries and Coleslaw on a large bap challenge; The 32oz Rump Steak, with chips, onion rings, tomato and salad (£29.95) or The Jumbo Surf and Turf monster pile (£24.95), a 10oz rump steak, battered haddock and scampi with chips peas and salad?

Or the Sizzlers – Plain, Sweet and Sour or Chilli Chicken £10.95), Steak (£12.95) or Mixed Fish (£11.95) singing merrily on a hot skillet served up with mixed stir fried vegetables and onions with wraps, salsa, sour cream and salad? (Fries/ wedges £1 extra).

We plumped for the Sizzlers, I had chicken and Carol ordered the fish and we agreed it was an inspired choice.

My chicken was tender goujons of breast meat, with green and red peppers in a tangy, spicy sauce, Carol’s fish equivalent featured tasty prawns in the sauce topped with a generous chunk of prime, skinned haddock fillet. These were truly Yankee doodle dandy dishes. serving up something mighty different in mighty fine, sizzling style.

There are more traditional options for the true Anglophiles including Sunday roasts and a regular Daytime Menu priced from £5.95 for one course and baguettes and paninis.