Lisa O
Some childhood foods split everyone into two camps—you either begged for more or begged to leave the table. These dishes showed up in school lunches, family dinners, or cafeteria trays and triggered strong opinions. While some kids cleaned their plates with a smile, others pushed these foods around with a fork until dinner ended. Here are 15 classic foods that people either adored or couldn’t stand growing up.
Liver and Onions
Parents called it nutritious, but many kids couldn’t get past the strong smell and metallic taste. Some loved the rich, hearty flavor, especially when cooked right with plenty of onions. Others refused to take a second bite. If your family served liver, chances are someone at the table groaned every time. This dish didn’t just divide the room—it usually triggered dramatic reactions from both sides.
Creamed Spinach
When creamed spinach hit the plate, you either grabbed a spoon or looked away. Some kids enjoyed the smooth, buttery texture and salty flavor that made vegetables feel indulgent. But others couldn’t ignore the mushy look and green color that screamed “grown-up food.” Parents kept serving it for the iron, but not every kid appreciated having a bowl of spinach melt into their mashed potatoes.
Canned Tuna Salad
Tuna sandwiches made regular appearances in school lunches, and reactions varied wildly. Some kids loved the creamy mix of mayo and fish, especially on soft white bread with pickles or crackers. Others wrinkled their noses and swapped it at the lunch table. The strong smell hit fast, and not everyone could handle it. Tuna salad always stirred strong opinions—and sometimes sparked sandwich trades behind the teacher’s back.
Deviled Eggs
At family gatherings, deviled eggs often sat front and center on every holiday platter. Fans loved the creamy filling, the tangy flavor, and the little sprinkle of paprika on top. But not every kid welcomed the cold eggy texture or bold mustard taste. While adults reached for seconds, some kids stepped back fast. Deviled eggs didn’t just divide opinion—they shaped entire family potluck strategies.
Raisin Bran
Parents bought it for the fiber, but the kids usually cared more about the raisins—or the lack of frosting. Some loved scooping up crunchy flakes and sweet dried fruit in one spoonful. Others picked around the raisins or begged for a sugary cereal instead. Raisin Bran walked a fine line between adult breakfast and compromise cereal, and not everyone wanted to start the day with it.
Bologna Sandwiches
Lunchboxes often held a bologna sandwich wrapped in wax paper, and kids formed quick opinions. Some liked the salty, soft meat paired with mustard or American cheese. Others didn’t trust the texture and avoided the whole thing. Whether you grew up calling it comfort food or mystery meat, bologna brought out strong feelings. One bite decided whether it stayed in your lunch or landed in the trash.
Stewed Tomatoes
Stewed tomatoes brought rich, cooked-down flavor that some kids truly enjoyed—especially with rice or over meatloaf. Others saw a bowl of mushy red blobs and instantly lost their appetite. The soft texture and tangy taste didn’t appeal to every young eater. Parents kept serving it as a hearty side, but it often left kids wondering why anyone thought cooked tomatoes belonged on the dinner table.
Cottage Cheese
This chunky, slightly sour snack either became a favorite topping or a food you never touched again. Some kids loved it with pineapple, salt and pepper, or straight from the bowl. Others refused to eat something that looked like it already melted. Cottage cheese confused a lot of kids—part creamy, part curdled, and completely divisive. It rarely landed in the middle. You either grabbed it or ran from it.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Whether they showed up at breakfast or inside an Easter basket, hard-boiled eggs split opinions very fast. Some kids peeled the shells with joy and sprinkled salt before every bite. Others hated the sulfur smell and chalky texture and left them untouched. Parents praised them as protein-packed snacks, but not every kid agreed. The moment that egg cracked open, it either invited excitement—or caused someone to leave the room.
Cabbage Rolls
Filled with meat, rice, and sauce, cabbage rolls felt like warm comfort food for some kids. But others couldn’t get past the strong cabbage smell or soggy texture. You either dove in and finished your plate, or poked at it wishing it were lasagna instead. Parents often made cabbage rolls in big batches, but not every kid lined up for seconds. This dish always drew strong reactions.
Tapioca Pudding
With its tiny chewy pearls floating in sweet, creamy pudding, tapioca either felt magical or completely off-putting. Some kids loved the texture and asked for seconds. Others stared at it like science fair slime and couldn’t imagine taking a bite. School cafeterias and grandparents often served it with pride—but they never convinced every child at the table. Tapioca didn’t just confuse people—it built passionate opinions.
Peas and Carrots
That frozen veggie mix made it onto dinner plates all the time, especially next to meatloaf or chicken. Some kids enjoyed the soft sweetness of carrots and the pop of peas in every bite. Others mashed them around or buried them under mashed potatoes. Whether the veggies came from a can or the freezer, peas and carrots tested everyone’s patience—and didn’t always earn a clean plate.
Black Licorice
No candy divided kids faster than black licorice. Some chewed it happily, enjoying the bold, almost herbal flavor. Others spit it out after one bite and promised never to touch it again. While red licorice got a warm welcome, the black version stood out—and not in a good way for many. Every Halloween or candy jar visit brought the same result: instant love or total rejection.
Meatloaf
Some families treated meatloaf night like a treat, especially with ketchup on top and mashed potatoes on the side. Other kids dreaded the dense texture and heavy flavor. Even though it came loaded with spices, onions, and breadcrumbs, meatloaf felt like a mystery to picky eaters. You either cleaned your plate or begged for a different dinner. Every meatloaf recipe stirred different reactions at the table.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes looked messy, smelled savory, and divided kids fast. Some loved scooping up the sweet and tangy beef mixture on a soft bun. Others didn’t enjoy the texture or hated how the sandwich fell apart after one bite. School lunch trays often featured Sloppy Joes, and reactions were never subtle. You either tackled the meal with both hands—or asked if you could eat something else.