The stereotype—let’s just say it’s having a moment. Have you heard of the FIFA 15?
Allow me to explain.
Experience, they say, comes in all shapes and sizes—mine just happens to be rotund and extra-large.
The seeds of that expertise were planted in August 1995 in St. Louis, where as a freshman in college I learned firsthand about the Freshman 15. (I also learned there was no need to stop after freshman year or at 15.)
Fast forward to June 2026, the moment when Europeans visiting the US for the World Cup are discovering their own version of personal growth.
It’s called the FIFA 15, as in the 15-pound weight gain that comes with a brief jaunt to the States.
The key ingredients are myriad, including but not limited to:
- Ranch dressing
- The Big Gulp
- Free refills
- Free chips and salsa
- Deep-fried Oreos
- Waffle House
- Buc-ee’s
- A rental car
Blogging, of course, comes with the option to embrace the role of contrarian. And when the blog claims to demystify the Rust Belt, that option becomes a mandate.
So last week, rather than tap the paper airplane on Instagram and share the FIFA 15 meme, I set out to poke holes in the stereotype.
I started an hour west, exploring the culinary traditions a majestic city on Lake Erie had gifted the world.
The first involved thinly-sliced, rare roast beef loaded on a kummelweck roll, itself coated with coarse salt and caraway seeds and dipped in the jus from the roast. The condiment of choice was creamy horseradish sauce.*
I’m no nutritionist, but I had a hunch this delicacy couldn’t be found in the health foods aisle.
To further explore the hypothesis, I moved on to another dish.
Item number two revolved around deep-fried chicken wings tossed in a cayenne pepper hot sauce…and butter. The condiment in this case was blue cheese dressing.**
Dejected, but not defeated, I returned home.
Rochester, after all, had always been the classier city, the one defined by intellect and sophistication. Surely, the FIFA 15 wouldn’t hold up to the gastronomic offerings of the Flower City.
That assumption landed me on this recipe: Two hot dogs (or cheeseburgers), macaroni salad, home fries, and baked beans, all topped with chopped onions, mustard, and spicy meat sauce.***
I stared at my phone and slowly opened Instagram.
I located the heart, comments, repost button, and paper airplane.
And one by one, I pressed them all.
Because while I might have issues with pushing a stereotype, I have no concerns about spreading the truth.
—
*Beef on weck
**Buffalo wings
***The Garbage Plate
