Banana And Mayo Is The Unexpected Sandwich Filling Some People Crave

If you've ever had the pleasure of watching the iconic British TV show "Doctor Who," you may remember when the doctor erratically devours fish fingers dipped in a bowl of custard. Absurd food combinations like this may make you grimace, or perhaps they pique your curiosity. While the doctor's ideal meal may be fiction, banana and mayonnaise sandwiches are a very real snack that some people crave.

Jam and eggs is an unexpected combination that seriously works, so why not this? Regarded as a local specialty in the South, where it goes by the title Southern banana sandwich, this unusual combination includes mayonnaise and sliced banana between two pieces of bread. It's tangy, sweet, and creamy. Some even describe the sandwich's flavor as achieving a unique balance between the sweetness of the bananas and the salty egginess of the mayonnaise.

It may not have been a duo you'd expect to be together. Still, it has claimed praise for invoking nostalgic memories while simultaneously being condemned by a large portion of the online community. Let's delve further into these perspectives — this is not a drill.

This sandwich seems to have a Jekyll and Hyde persona, with the online community split on whether it's a disgusting monstrosity or a beloved snack. As discussed on Reddit, some users described the combination as a family favorite. When the "Today" show posted a clip on YouTube of the hosts trying the sandwich, one commenter said, "Grew up on these. Hot summer day, banana sandwich, Golden Flake potato chips and a tall, cold glass of milk!" Sounds wholesome. If you feel like this perspective on the sandwich aligns with your values, there's even a Facebook group named "Banana and Mayonnaise Sandwiches." With over 1.2K followers, the group raves about the marvels of this medley. Are you a banana and mayonnaise devotee?

On the other side of the debate is the bad and the ugly. On Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook, popular words to describe this union include disgusting, yuck, and yikes. One user commented on Reddit: "there's something gnarly about the mushy texture of that trifecta. Salty mush, sweet mush, and gluten mush. Can't do it." This user does make a solid (or squishy) point: This sandwich doesn't provide any textural contrast. 

Although race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not invent the banana and mayo sandwich, he has been one of its biggest supporters. He's tweeted about it, given interviews, and even provided a walk-through on how to make it. One could even humorously label him the frontman of the sandwich over the years, consistently preaching the mayo and banana gospel.

Making my favorite sandwich. I swear it's delicious. @Hellmanns pic.twitter.com/sK5XeHxVi9

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 5, 2016

In terms of the perfect mayo-banana sandwich, Earnhardt recommends slicing the banana lengthways; this ensures no banana falls out the bottom. He mentions how the type of bread does not matter, but when spreading the mayonnaise, it's imperative to use a small amount on both sides of the bread (almost as you would butter). He endorses the use of Hellman's (one of his sponsors), but it seems to be highlighted numerous times throughout the web that Duke's mayonnaise provides the best possible flavor.

The online world's opinion must be taken with a pinch of salt, but if you're intrigued by this sandwich, perhaps it's time to pop open the mayo and see what all the fuss is about. You can't really knock it until you've tried it.