The article explores Algerian internet users’ utilization of memes on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic and food shortage, adding a humorous touch to the depiction of citizens’ social life. Employing a qualitative approach, it describes memes circulated during this period, particularly focusing on essential products like table oil and semolina, using a semiolinguistic perspective. Our study unveils the central role of Algerian culture in meme creation, incorporating references to Algerian cinema, actors, and football players. Foreign memes are adapted to the Algerian context, with alterations in language and discourse for achieving pertinence. The pandemic and food shortage serve as catalysts for meme generation, often accompanied by discourse in Algerian Arabic, fostering mutual understanding among Algerian internet users. This analysis underlines memes’ significance as cultural and social expressions, reflecting citizens’ concerns and humorous responses to major events.