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What Aussies call this controversial deli meat: is it Devon?

Someone please settle this.

devon
devon
Is it potato scallop or potato cake? Cheerios or little boys? Which then begs the question: is it Devon or Polony (or Fritz or Stras or Bologna…)? 

There are many, many different names for one of Australia’s most iconic deli items. This controversial luncheon meat may not be loved by all, but there’s no denying that it’s played an important part in many Aussie childhoods. 

But why does the meat ranked as one of the most-hated school lunchbox items of all time have so many different names? It definitely seems to be a geographical thing. While we’re a unified nation, each state tends to have its own language and culture – and many food names are subject to change, depending on where you live. 

Exhibit a: potato cake vs potato scallop.

Exhibit b: devon vs fritz vs polony (etc etc).

Devon: so many different names for just one meat

As the taste team is based in NSW, we asked our nationwide Facebook community to offer some answers about what name they give devon. The question sent some of them into a tizzy:

“Devon – poor man’s ham.”

“Had this as a kid fried for dinner. Obviously it’s FRITZ.”

“Nah mate! It’s Devon!”

“Commonly known as Polony, in Perth. But also known as ‘banned in my kitchen’.”

“Fritz in South Australia. The butcher would give the children a slice when their parents went to the butcher and some children would have Fritz sandwiches.”

“Just ‘luncheon’ sausage. On toast with tomato sauce, YUM.”

From over 600 Aussies who commented, just under half of them said they know this meat as simply devon. 


We also put it to the taste.com.au team and every single member says that they know this meat most commonly as devon, despite being familiar with some of the other names. 

Devon: different places, different names

The least common names from our poll were: ‘Bologna’ and ‘baloney’ (which is what our American pals call it). Anyone heard ‘a whole load of baloney!’ thrown around as a phrase in Australia? Kind of my point. 

Queensland and New South Wales generally use the name ‘devon’, which is now considered the modern term. It was previously known as ‘fritz’ in these areas, the name still given to the version found in South Australia now, although SA locals claim theirs is superior. 

In Western Australia, it’s commonly referred to as ‘polony,’ while New Zealand has its own lingo – with the North Island adopting ‘luncheon’ and the South Island using ‘Belgium’ for this type of meat. This circles back to the German sausage that some Tasmanians refer to it as. In Victoria, the names ‘Berliners’ or ‘Strasbourg’ (after the French city) were mentioned. 

But what is Devon?

‘Devon ham’ is the most common name used in Australia to describe a type of processed luncheon meat – It’s a finely ground meat product, often made from pork or a mix of meats, and is usually cooked, shaped like a giant sausage and then sliced. 

How do you eat Devon?

Many Aussies have strong childhood memories involving devon, particularly the taste team experts. Food Editor Elisa Pietrantonio says: “I always ate it on sliced white bread with tomato sauce – there was no other way!”

Commercial Content Manager Carissa adds: “My brother would pretty much ONLY eat devon sandwiches with tomato sauce for every meal!”

Food Director Michelle Southan says devon was “one of the best things” about going to her Nanna’s as a kid. “She used to look after my brother and I while mum went to work and she would give us devon on buttered white bread and tomato sauce as sandwiches for lunch.”

Team Co-ordinator and Producer Xenia Taylor adds: “Mum would fry it and it would go crispy on the outside and chewy. We would have it with tomato sauce between white bread. I loved it!”

It was also popular stuffed in the 70s and 80s. Michelle says: “We would roll up mashed potato in it!”

So I guess that settles the debate. Devon it is. As Elisa says: “All the rest are a bunch of baloney.”

Air fryer Devon snackpack

THAT viral air fryer devon snack pack

A couple of years ago, when the air fryer trend first kicked off, Devon made an almighty comeback as a viral TikTok hit. It took the ever-popular snackpacks you can buy in kebab shops and made devon the hero. We made a version that we cooked in the air fryer, where we loaded up chips with cheese, sauces and – yes – devon. 

Originally published as What Aussies call this controversial deli meat: is it Devon?

Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/lifestyle/food/what-aussies-call-this-controversial-deli-meat-is-it-devon/news-story/ae3c8d974d193b1dc0bae1ab6d97d225