You would think, given the regard within which it is held by fans in the UK, that Greggs' baked snacks would be universally adored. I mean, why wouldn't they?
Sadly, Frenchman Nicholas Henry didn't agree - he recently tried some of the chain's finest delicacies for the first time, and described them as 'revolting'.
The 29-year-old, who lives in Derby, was introduced to the popular high street bakery by his friend Layke Lemercier, having avoided it for the nearly three years of living here.
Advert
So Layke forked out £5.59 on a sausage roll and a sausage, bean and cheese melt for Nicholas' breakfast on Saturday morning (30 January).
An hour after the snacks arrived, Layke received a lengthy review from Nicholas, who didn't hold back on his feelings.
His critique read: "I know British people are sometimes described as explorers or pioneers. And I have to admit that Greggs managed to do something groundbreaking with their sausage roll.
"As I chewed and swallowed I simply couldn't understand how something could taste so bland yet so revolting at the same time.
Advert
"Amazing. The crust tastes like cardboard that was passed through a food blender and then compressed together into a puff pastry.
"The sausage is all over the place, sometimes it feels like mushy gelatin, sometimes it's spicy."
However, he found room to admit to a grudging degree of respect for the sausage roll, adding: "Yet I chewed through it and bite after bite I could see its intrinsic value."
Things didn't get any better as he moved onto the sausage, baked bean and cheese melt, which Nicholas said he simply couldn't eat as it reminded him of disgusting food that made him cry back in school.
Advert
But despite the deeply unpleasant experience, Nicholas carried on until the bitter end, and he eventually came to understand why Greggs was so important to Brits.
He went on: "I don't want to sound like an ungrateful b******... but this one I just couldn't... I enjoyed the moment.
"I enjoyed that Layke ordered me breakfast today (Sat) after a rough hangover, and I got to experience a true British moment.
Advert
"And I now appreciate why some guys in the morning go, 'D'you know wha' mate? I could really go for some f***ing sausage roll now.' I get it now.
"That's what Greggs is. It's like a nice neighbour. He sits there quietly and when you need him to help you fill up after a rough night, he will be there for you."
Speaking today (2 February), Nicholas said he is glad he finally experienced the British rite of passage.
"I thought it was funny and I tried to be like a food critic with it," he said.
"They're a lovely company where you see their dishes on the shelf and that doesn't work for me because I'm French; I like croissants.
Advert
"The food looks very off-putting. It was like a British institution, you haven't done it correctly if you haven't had a Greggs."
Layke later shared a photo of his review on social media.
She said: "I thought it was hilarious, the review - the fact he actually put in the effort to write it.
"He always refused to have a Greggs when we walked past it as he is a bit of a food snob because he is French. I thought it was the best thing I read. It made my week."
Featured Image Credit: Deadline NewsTopics: Greggs, UK News, Funny, Social Media, France