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At the kitchen table, you need hope. Hope that the frozen pizza you bought at the store or the burger you ordered for delivery will look at least somewhat like what it was advertised.

But the fact of the matter is that what you see is not always what you get. (Photoshop and greed are an evil but effective duo.) In that sense, feeding yourselves can feel like a lottery.

To help you prepare for the possible wins and losses, we collected a list of some of the most memorable food expectations vs. reality moments we found online. Just beware, it might affect your appetite in all sorts of ways.

#1

The Inspiration And How It Turned Out

Two tiered cakes with chocolate drip and white daisies showing an expectation vs. reality food fail.

snappyturnip Report

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    #3

    My Kid's Expectation

    Two dog cakes side-by-side, comparing food fails and successes in baking, highlighting expectation vs. reality.

    Green-Cockroach-8448 Report

    #4

    What Do You Guys Think?

    Two pineapple-shaped cakes, one on a white stand, one on a wooden stand. Food fails and successes comparison.

    I think it turned out great! Remember that the box has to close that’s why I think the leafs weren’t made that long.

    Cawlaw92 Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Better than the original.

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    #5

    Bang On

    An "Expectation Vs. Reality" food fail featuring a chocolate chicken beside its box, showing slight differences.

    juggling-buddha Report

    Parmeisan
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    If this thread contains food better, worse, and the same as the packaging, then it's really just a "food" thread, isn't it? Maybe I'm being overly particular, but I don't really get what's supposed to be interesting about this.

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    #6

    My Friend Made Me A Biblically Accurate Angel Cake From A Pic I Sent Her. I Think She Did A Great Job!

    Two cakes, a messy brown one with small eyeballs and yellow wings next to a neatly iced white cake with various sized eyeballs and white wings, illustrating food fails and successes.

    st0dad Report

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    #9

    Dolly Parton’s Original Whipped Cheesecake

    Dolly Parton cheesecake box with an appealing image of whipped cheesecake vs. the real slice showing a food fail. Expectation vs. reality.

    BeachStilletos Report

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    #10

    These Crazy Color Candies

    A Candyman Crazy Colors candy bag on the left, next to a hand holding a rainbow candy from the bag, showing food fails.

    Didn't expect them to look so good! They taste great too. Each color has a different flavor

    YOURPANFLUTE Report

    #11

    First Time Working With Fondant

    A side-by-side comparison of a detailed Pikachu cake vs. a less refined version, illustrating food fails and successes.

    hazelzel Report

    #12

    Spongebob Grocery Store Creation Passed

    Two SpongeBob cakes side by side. The left cake is well-made, the right is a messy food fail in expectation vs. reality.

    Cawlaw92 Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not that difficult as the face legs etc seem to be plastic add ons

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    #13

    Looks Just Like The Picture 🔥

    Expectation vs. Reality: a Buffalo Mozzarella and Spinach Pizza box next to a cooked Food Fail with sparse toppings.

    LetgomyCheetos23 Report

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    #14

    The Cake That Was Delivered Versus The Cake That My Sister Ordered For My Birthday 😂

    Expectation vs. Reality: A meticulously decorated bee-themed cake compared to a less polished, homemade version, showcasing food fails.

    I'm not even kidding, it's one of the best birthday cakes I have received. Because the joy it brought was unparalleled. I laughed so much each time I looked at that one angry bee and the sorry state of the other one. My sister was furious. She wrote an angry email to the bakery even though I kept telling her it was not required, because this cake was so special in it's own way 😂 the original would never have been so memorable!

    Ok-Guest-7832 Report

    #15

    Was Pleasantly Surprised

    Expectation vs reality: A Dr. Oetker Suprema pizza box next to the cooked pizza, showcasing food fails and successes.

    Noobgoon Report

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This particular range, available in the UK, is IMO one of the best shop bought Pizzas you can buy. Make sure it's the Dr. Oetker Supreme range.

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    #16

    Exactly What I Wanted!

    Two contrasting images show an Expectation Vs. Reality food fail of a black birthday cake with red roses.

    Yesterdaysmeow Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's really hard making black icing. You add the black food colour and it goes grey, so you add more still grey so you add more and you soon realise there are way more shades of grey than 50!

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    #17

    Great Effort On This Chick

    Expectation vs. reality: A chocolate chick from M&S Food; the packaging versus the actual food fail.

    GoAgainKid Report

    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good old M&S, my favourite for food shopping.

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    #18

    This Pizza I Got For $1.75

    A frozen No Name veggie pizza with many colorful diced vegetables next to its bright yellow box, showing a food fail vs success.

    Weary_World Report

    Elladine DesIsles
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The plain cheese version of this product is one of my autistic kid's safe foods. I pay $1.50 CAD, or less per pizza when I buy a 4-pack. Just squeezed 4 into my freezer this afternoon and if I'm lucky they'll last a couple of days - he's 14 and while he doesn't eat a lot of different things, like most teenage boys he does eat a lot!

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    #19

    My Aim Versus What I Achieved For My Kid's Birthday Cake 🐔

    Two blue fondant chickens. One is well-made, the other is a funny food fail. Expectation vs. Reality of baking.

    kazzah31 Report

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    #20

    Buttery Blueberry Buttons

    A cookbook page with a Buttery Blueberry recipe next to plates of powdered sugar-dusted cookies. Food fails and successes.

    Fadelox Report

    JK
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone interested, that doesnt know how - if you click on OPs name (under the first pic in little grey writing), it will take you to the Reddit post where the full picture of the recipe book page is viewable/screenshotable (im trying out these babies!!)

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    #21

    Pineapple Popsicle

    Expectation vs. Reality: A pineapple popsicle wrapper next to the real checkered pineapple-shaped ice cream fail.

    losark Report

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    #23

    Custard Steam Buns

    An expectation vs. reality food fail: rabbit-shaped buns on packaging look like cute bunnies, actual buns are amorphous blobs.

    Bonus points- text at the bottom saying "product images only for reference purpose, the specific kind prevail" whatever cryptic second part is supposed to mean lol

    dumplingslover23 Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For some reason they look slightly sinister to me.

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    #25

    Banana Ice Cream

    A banana-shaped food fail popsicle next to its cartoonish packaging. A clear case of expectation vs. reality.

    unbreaklion Report

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    #26

    Let's Try The Newman's Pizza On Sale For $3.99

    Food fails and successes: A frozen pizza box vs. the cooked pizza, showing expectation vs. reality.

    It was really good and I LOVE the little packet of salami! I did add some fresh basil since it was lacking in that. Cooked on oven rack for 10 minutes and was great. A very small area of crust was too hard to enjoy, but otherwise it was perfect. The sauce is yummy.

    Equivalent-Energy-26 Report

    nomnomborkbork
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And all Newman's profits go to charity. Great salsa.

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    #27

    Shout Out To Dunkin For This Massive Sandwich!

    Expectation vs. Reality: a perfect bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich versus a deconstructed, messy food fail in a box.

    desmithers-ace Report

    #29

    Stouffer’s Romano Crusted Chicken

    A Stouffer's frozen dinner of Romano Crusted Chicken, pasta, and the cooked meal. An example of food fails.

    Dry-Double-6845 Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks alright, as far as beige foods go.

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    #30

    Nothing Prepared Me For What I Saw When I Opened This Box

    A split image showing "Expectation Vs. Reality" of a KFC meal, showcasing significant food fails from promotional photos to actual delivery.

    jgwentworth-877 Report

    Ye Olde Dirty Grumpy
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stopped eating fast food yeeeeears ago. Its a last resort on road trips

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    #31

    Just Trust Us

    A side-by-side comparison of two desserts; the left is a beautifully presented food success, the right a food fail.

    8bitsuperhero Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me a second and an OP peek to realise that this is comparing an advertisement and actual item from a casual dining place rather than following a recipe. The received item looks freezer burnt.

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    #32

    Still Ate It

    Tie-Dye pizza expectation vs. reality. A colorful advertised pizza compared to a rather unappetizing food fail.

    Terry_Eats_A_Banana Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You'll be shítting rainbows after.

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    #34

    Expectation vs. Reality Part 2

    Expectation vs Reality: a perfect Lucky Charms cookie versus a messy one, highlighting Food Fails.

    Maleficent-Peace-347 Report

    Remi (He/Him)
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The second one look like it's decorated with jîzz and regrets

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    #35

    Selling Plates Like This Should Be Illegal 😭

    Food fails and successes: a delicious plate of birria tacos with limes on the left, vs. a less appealing one on the right.

    Kmama44 Report

    #36

    Friends Baby Shower Cake

    Expectation vs reality food fails of a cake with a pink bow. The left is a perfect bow, the right is droopy.

    yolk3d Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fondant icing was a bit dry that's why it cracked.

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    #37

    Redemption Of The Pulled Pork

    Expectation vs. Reality: Jensen's Pulled Pork box next to a glass dish of cooked pulled pork, a food fail.

    quinyd Report

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    #38

    Friends Of Friends Ordered Uber Eats

    A delicious-looking strawberry toast on the left vs. a squished, messy reality in a box on the right, a true food fail.

    Top-Grab-7660 Report

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    #39

    Love King Sized Candy

    A Sour Patch Kids heart-shaped box opens to reveal a smaller bag of candy, showing expectation vs. reality food fails.

    ActiveMysterious8242 Report

    #40

    How It Was Advertised vs. What I Got

    A split image shows a perfect donut cookie with pink icing and sprinkles vs. a squashed, messy version. Food fails and successes.

    Maleficent-Peace-347 Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another one that looks like a S ex crime

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    #41

    I Just Buy This From Crave And They Forgot The Noodle Wtf

    A food fail shows a macaroni and cheese box vs. the unappetizing prepared meal. Expectation vs. Reality of Food.

    Skate_QG Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Manufacturing defect, contact the company.

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    #42

    The Easter Hunt Is Going To Be Way Easier Than I Expected

    Skittles Food Fails and Successes, showing expectation vs. reality of camouflage packaging on a green surface.

    PestoPls Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Skittles didn't think to invest in full bleed printing when making a product requiring it?

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    #43

    Had Lofty Goals To Make This Bread

    Expectation vs. Reality: A beautiful, braided herb bread next to a flat, green-filled doughy mess. Food fails and successes.

    inadequate kitchen/skills + tired = this monstrosity :(
    couldn't even eat it - came out basically raw and tossed it after all that time & effort

    sausage22 Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Making mistakes is how you get better.

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    #44

    Ordered "Cheesy Garlic Bread" From A Local Diner

    A food fails comparison of cheesy bread: left shows perfectly golden, herb-topped bread; right shows a sad, melted food fail version.

    yippeee2 Report

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    #46

    Contains At Least 50% Florets

    Expectation vs. reality: Frozen broccoli bag versus the minimal florets and abundant stalks inside, a true food fail.

    MinuteMaidMarian Report

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's cheaper to buy fresh broccoli on sale, then cut and freeze it yourself.

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    #48

    What The Restaurant Advertised vs. What I Received

    Expectation vs Reality: a delicious, cheesy quesadilla compared to a less appealing one. Food fails and successes.

    RipePeach Report

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    #50

    Wasted Money

    A Del Monte can labeled "Very Cherry, No Sugar Added" next to a bowl of fruit, a food fail of expectation vs. reality.

    bandwhoring Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Contact the company, you get free very cherry and they will get the knowledge that one of their machines did something stupid so no one else ends up with no cherries.

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    #51

    30th Birthday Cake

    A split image comparing a vibrant, disco-ball adorned cake (expectation) with a simpler, floral cake (reality). Food fails.

    kisforkatface Report

    #52

    Angel Hair Chocolate I Got From My Local Mall

    A close-up of a pink chocolate bar, showing a fluffy cotton candy filling, representing food fails and successes.

    Lifetimemovieclips Report

    #53

    Burger King Is Selling Hollow Chicken Sandwiches

    A pristine, tall chicken sandwich (expectation) contrasted with a flatter, bitten one on crumpled paper (reality). Food fails and successes.

    Constant-Acadia-6772 Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not the best of the available images to be chosen. The chicken patty has separated in the middle to present a hole down the length of the centre, most likely from a partially thawed patty that hit the hot frier oil and the water quickly turning to steam and so forming the hole. It's basically a large chicken nugget, so water (from being frozen) can end up in the meat and separate it when it stems.

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    #54

    It Was Delicious And This Is Just Funny

    Two pink flower cookies, one perfectly iced, the other a messy reality. A food fail expectation vs. reality.

    helterrskelterr Report

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    #55

    McDonald's Cheese Dunk's False Advertising

    A side-by-side comparison of McDonald's Cheese Dunk: a full cup from the ad vs. a half-filled reality. A clear food fail!

    ilovechikim_nuggets Report

    #56

    I'm Never Buying One Of These Again

    Expectation vs. Reality: a Swanson Beef Pie box showing a perfect pie next to a sad, flat pie on a plate. Food fails and successes.

    albatross49 Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't go everywhere if you cook it in the little bowl it comes with that is designed to stop it going everywhere. Folloing the instructions on your microwave pie will result in a better microwave pie.

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    #57

    Cookie Cake For Dog Party

    Expectation vs. Reality: A dog-decorated cookie cake. One is perfect, the other a funny food fail.

    mattteg99 Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dog on the right is definitely having a 💩

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    #58

    Chicken Taco At IKEA Sweden

    Expectation vs reality food fail: a menu photo of crispy tacos next to a bland, watery version served.

    [deleted] Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its so cheap I can forgive this looking a but off

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    #59

    $23 Dubai Chocolate

    Expectation vs. reality food fail: A chocolate bar package promises pistachio cream, but the actual candy is disappointing.

    Unusual_Hurry6943 Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This stuff is everywhere in the UK, and hugely overpriced because it's a fad and kids are dumb. Don't spend $23 on sub-par chocolate. You can buy much better for much less.

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    #60

    Cinnamonroll Birthday Cake, What I Sent vs. What I Got…

    An Expectation Vs Reality food fail, showing a cute Cinnamoroll cake on the left and a messy version on the right.

    migasfire Report

    #61

    The Rice Krispies Chocolate Chinless Cookies I Saw On TikTok vs. How They Turned Out

    A side-by-side Food Fails photo showing perfect chocolate-dipped cookies and flattened ones covered in Nutella.

    Lifetimemovieclips Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The chocolate on the second appears to be spread frosting? The TikTok cookies use melted chocolate that the cookie is then dipped into.

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    #62

    I Felt A Little Bamboozled. But Not Entirely Mad. 😂

    A Calypso Southern Peach Lemonade next to a dessert menu. An expectation vs reality food fail example.

    Foodie_dreams Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    According to the OP, the descriptions of the items clearly state that they are generated when you click on them.

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    #63

    Cake We Wanted vs. Cake We Got

    Expectation vs. reality: A perfect birthday cake with red ribbons contrasted with a messy, squished food fail.

    hypnotists Report

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why blank the name? it is not as if "Happy Birthday Steve" is going to narrow it down.

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    #64

    My Kid Was Disappointed To Say The Least

    A Food Fail comparison: a FatBoy ice cream sandwich on a box with sprinkles vs. a plain ice cream bar with few sprinkles, showing Expectation vs. Reality.

    RoseThorn82 Report