Visitors traveling from overseas to support their national teams at the World Cup are generating positive feedback regarding North American cuisine. While the primary purpose of their trip is to watch soccer, many attendees have taken time to sample regional specialties and popular chains, leaving them with favorable impressions of the local food culture.
Jack Goodwin, a supporter from London, described the American food he encountered in Dallas, Boston, New York, and Atlanta as "absolutely glorious," despite noting its greasy nature. He observed that portion sizes are significantly larger than what he is accustomed to, suggesting this contributes to the high quality of the meals. Goodwin remarked that the tastiness of the food helps explain the prevalence of obesity in the United States.
International guests are actively seeking out brands and dishes unavailable in their home countries. Erling Haaland, a striker for the Norwegian team, shared a photograph on X of himself outside Katz’s Delicatessen in New York. Harrison Murphy, who traveled from London with his brother for the knockout rounds, visited a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta. Murphy praised the affordability and the complimentary sauces, specifically highlighting the Chick-fil-A sauce as a standout item.
In Toronto, Gary Bishop from Glasgow, Scotland, tried poutine for the first time. He described the dish, consisting of fries, gravy, and cheese, as delicious, noting the thickness of the gravy and the presence of vinegar. Meanwhile, in Dallas, Andrews Distributing hosted a group of Dutch fans at its warehouse, offering Heineken beers and dancing opportunities.
Restaurant owners in host cities have welcomed the increased attention. Paul Barker, founder of Pauli’s in Boston, reported that fans from Scotland, Brazil, and England have lined up for lobster rolls and comfort foods. He noted that food serves as an effective conversation starter and has been beneficial for his business.
Several chains have capitalized on the event. Waffle House opened a pop-up shop in downtown Atlanta to sell branded merchandise. Whataburger, a Texas-based chain, saw organic social media attention after fans from Japan and other countries posted about their visits. CEO Debbie Stroud stated that while the company anticipated increased visibility, the volume of visitors discussing specific items like the patty melt was unexpected.
