Influencer sparks debate with her unique sandwich choice

An Australian influencer and bikini brand founder has sparked a heated debate after she revealed one of her favourite sandwich combinations.

An Australian influencer and bikini brand founder has sparked a heated debate after she revealed one of her favourite sandwich combinations.

Karina Irby, who founded Moana Swim, took to TikTok to say she knew her followers would “hate her for this”.

“I am making a white bread devon sandwich, or whatever you want to call it, with lots of tomato sauce,” she said.

Devon is a sandwich mean that also goes by the name fritz or poloney in various parts of Australia. Some even call it stras, while others feel like that is a very different type of lunch meat to devon.

Karina did not butter her wholemeal bread, saying the tomato sauce between three layers of devon would be enough.

“I know that’s basically a crime but, trust me, the sauce does enough,” she said.

Her sandwich, particularly the act of not putting butter on it and calling the meat “devon”, caused an uproar on social media.

Karina Irby made a devon and tomato sauce sandwich on white bread without butter. Picture: TikTok/@KarinaIrby

“In South Australia we call that a fritz and sauce sandwich not devon,” one social media user said.

Another added: “Polony in Perth. I would worry putting the sauce in-between the devon not on the bread all the devon would slide out.”

“No butter is wild,” one declared.

Another said: “I have my devon on white bread with mayo.”

One added: “That sandwich is a crime.”

“Exactly the way I make it for my Devon obsessed son. Also no butter,” one said.

It seems that the sandwich meat is having a renaissance after someone took a picture of an “Australian delicacy” that features devon, demanding why they don’t see the dish at parties anymore.

Social media users were angry. Picture: TikTok/@KarinaIrby

The image of an “Australian pig in a blanket” or “devon roll”, which features mashed potato and onion stuffed into a piece of devon and held together with a tooth pick, was shared to popular Facebook group page Meanwhile in Australia.

The snack was popularised in the last century but many Australians still report tucking into them in 2024.

“Why aren’t these served at kids birthday parties anymore? Who said Australia doesn’t have fine cuisine,” the person behind the image asked.

Social media users had mixed reactions, with some saying they remember the uniquely Australian treat from their childhood while others declared they’d never had it but didn’t feel as though they missed out.

Devon rolls featured mashed potato, onion and devon. Picture: Facebook/Meanwhile in Australia

“Got to be honest, I have never had it and am not really drawn to it! It looks absolutely revolting,” one social media user said.

Another added: “Had to have mayo in the mash and onion and the mash was better rough rather than smooth.”

“I remember when my kids were little we had this for dinner one night and it was great lol,” another said.

One social media user commented: “I can honestly say, hand on heart, I’m Aussie and never had one in my life.”