The Internet is freaking out over Walmart's 'Funeral Potatoes' (Walmart)
This pre-packaged side dish is to die for.
This week, a Walmart Facebook ad for a mysterious bagged item called “Funeral Potatoes” caught the Internet’s attention.
The oddly named fare comes in a 13.6-ounce “food pouch.” The finished product resembles a creamy potato casserole, like potatoes au gratin.
Recipients of the targeted ad are just a bit perturbed.
“You’ve just gotta yell out loud “WTF?!?!?” when this Walmart ad pops up on your Facebook feed!” Chip Coffey, a television medium posted to his 24,000 Twitter followers. “LMAO Really?!? FUNERAL POTATOES?!?!?”
Another user took the ad more personally: “Is Facebook’s algorithm threatening me?”
Actually, no.
According to the Wall Street Journal, funeral potatoes are a beloved — and not at all malevolent — staple of church functions and yes, funeral repasts, made from shredded hash browns, onions, butter, cheddar cheese and sour cream, occasionally finished with a cornflake topping. Apparently, they’re so good they can make a grown food writer cry.
The name is regional to Utah and other Mormon enclaves.
For those in the know, the frenzy caused by Walmart’s ad is simply a chance to show some public love for the savory comfort food.
“They are SO good,” a young woman from Utah tweets. “I would baptize a bunch of dead people right now for a plate of funeral potatoes.”
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