An American social media personality, who regularly posts videos of herself sampling British cuisine suggested by her thousands of followers, has taken on a quintessential UK tradition: the supermarket meal deal. However, her experience with a £3.74 offering from Asda left her distinctly unimpressed with one key component, which she brutally rated as "a one out of 10".
The Meal Deal Challenge
The influencer, who operates the TikTok account carfoodreview_uk and boasts over 26,000 followers, visited an Asda store after a follower challenged her to try their personal favourite meal deal combination. The fan had recommended a Mexican three-bean wrap, paired with either a chocolate bar or fruit, and a Diet Coke or Cherry Dr Pepper, describing it as "unreal".
The Selected Items
Upon arrival, the Asda branch did not stock the specific wrap suggested, so she opted for a smoky beans and cheddar wrap instead. For her drink, she chose a bottle of Dr Pepper Cherry Crush, and selected a Twirl Xtra bar—which contains two bars—as her snack. The total cost came to £3.74, aligning with the typical meal deal structure that includes a main item, a drink, and a snack at a discounted price compared to buying separately.
The Taste Test Verdict
Beginning with the drink, the American noted its strong cherry flavour, comparing it to beverages she would find back in the United States, and declared, "I like it." Moving on to the wrap, she expressed trepidation due to the inclusion of jalapenos, citing a sensitive stomach and poor tolerance for spice. After taking a bite, her review was harsh: "Look, this isn't her exact order so I don't feel bad saying this—this is like a one out of 10 for me."
To salvage the experience, she turned to the chocolate, describing the Twirl as similar to a Twix bar and enjoying its flaky texture. In her video conclusion, she held up the drink, calling it "a hit," and the wrap, labelling it "a miss."
Social Media Reactions
The video sparked a flurry of comments from viewers, with many offering alternative meal deal suggestions. One user proposed a prawn mayo sandwich with salt and vinegar McCoy's crisps—emphasising the technique of placing the crisps on the sandwich—and a Cherry Pepsi Max. Another recommended a Tesco chicken and sweetcorn sandwich, cheese and onion McCoy's, and an Oasis drink.
However, some commenters took issue with her description of the Twirl, correcting her by noting it is actually a Flake covered in chocolate, not akin to a Twix. Others criticised the use of palm oil in Cadbury products, advocating for alternatives like Lindt Excellence bars. A broader debate emerged about the expectations for meal deals, with one person remarking, "Why are we sending her to get meal deals as if it's some gourmet food? It's not supposed to be excellent quality, it's cheap and cheerful..."
Context and Popularity
Supermarket meal deals are a staple in British culture, typically featuring a sandwich or wrap, a drink, and a snack such as crisps, chocolate, or fruit, all at a reduced bundled price. They are widely popular for their convenience and affordability, often sparking discussions and reviews on social media platforms like TikTok, where food influencers share their opinions and discoveries.
This incident highlights the growing trend of international influencers exploring UK food trends, providing cross-cultural perspectives that resonate with audiences. While the American reviewer found the wrap lacking, her positive take on the drink and chocolate underscores the subjective nature of food tastes and the viral potential of such content in today's digital landscape.
