The World Cup has begun, bringing tens of thousands of people from all around the world to North America to cheer on their favorite teams. This has led to several entertaining and controversial culture clashes as Europeans adjust to cuisine on the other side of the pond.
Europeans trying American fast food might be on the best parts of the World Cup in North America 😂 pic.twitter.com/Q8SNmFilhT
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 8, 2026
But one sandwich in particular is attracting a ton of debate. Originally posted by @largacty3, this example of British cuisine is described as a “pub cheese and onion roll”:
The American mind cannot comprehend the pub cheese and onion roll pic.twitter.com/9ag4KkOT9R
— Largacty3 𓅃 (@largacty3) June 13, 2026
It’s a plain, untoasted, buttered white bread roll, with a thick slab of cheddar and a large amount of raw onion on top. Responses said: “that disgusting sandwich would put me into a coma“, pointing out, “You know the depression ended, right?”, and “What kind of mind comes up with that? Just serve nothing.”
Another posted an imaginary take on its creation:
“Right, I want a big cold lump of warm milk that’s gone solid, a couple of raw onion slices so thick they could be used as weapons, and I want my breath to smell like a Victorian sewer for the next 14 hours. Oh, and shove it all in some bread. No toasting. No mercy. Serve it behind the bar next to the pickled eggs.”
I’m losing sleep over this. It’s all I see when I close my eyes.
— Jeff A. Chamer (@jeffchamer) June 14, 2026
The insane amount of raw onion.
The THICK, unrefrigerated slices of cheese.
The bone dry bread with a useless, thin smearing of dressing (unclear what kind) on the top bun.
A culinary transgression. Prison. https://t.co/Lz1gsO7hwR
“This is what a cheese and onion sandwich should be”
Americans quickly rushed in with suggestions they think would make this a more palatable eating experience, with one posting an AI-generated image of a toasted roll with melted cheese and caramelized onions:
So, I lived in the UK, and this is why I’ve spent so much time fixing this shit. This is what a cheese and onion sandwich should be (since I had my fair share of that crap) https://t.co/4Ap0lFGfPg pic.twitter.com/oPHQGLQKDQ
— Chef Joe Gera 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🇮🇹 (@redhotnerd) June 13, 2026
Brits countered that doing this misses the point, arguing that “The onion in a cheese and onion cob is intentionally raw to match well with the bitter you’re drinking”. Others point out that the simplicity of this sandwich is intentional:
Americans simply cannot comprehend that food doesn't need to be insanely complex to be good.
— AmberBerries (@NotAmberBerries) June 15, 2026
You don't need an entire spice rack, or to spend an hour to make a decent snack.
British cheeses are delicious, so is a fresh, raw white onion, they pair perfectly together. https://t.co/SBqJh6ORNZ
Other Brits were similarly baffled that this is even causing any controversy: “Who knew a simple roll with cheese and onion could rustle the jimmies of so many Americans lol.”
