East London pie and mash compared to ‘prison food’ as social media users say Brits ‘eat like it’s still WW2’

23 October 2023, 20:27

By Jasmine Moody

Pie and mash, a classic comfort dish for Britons across the country, has been mocked online by social media users.

TikTok account, @londonhotspots, shared her trip to Robins Pie & Mash shop to TikTok and raved about their low prices and large portion sizes.

In the video, with the caption "Proper English food", the woman said: "£5 for pie, mash and liquor? I'm sorry I can't remember the last time I ate anywhere that cheap."

Viewers are shown the classic dish: Two minced beef pies and mashed potato, covered in liquor, which is a green parsley sauce.

However, other internet users were not as keen.

The TikTok video was re-shared by the X/Twitter account @messedupfoods, with the caption "British food isn’t real".

Many of the replies were just as critical, calling the dish "prison food" and comparing the cockney classic to WW2 rations.

One user joked: "They still eat like King George won't let them hunt off the land..."

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Others were quick to criticise the green liquor, calling it "gross" and "soupy".

However, a few people defended the dish, with one account writing: "The presentation looks awful, but perhaps it tastes good" and another saying the dish is "the food of the gods".

Pie and mash has been a British staple since the Victorian era and was popular with the working class due to the pastry making the dish easy to transport.