New York City’s latest grocery store, established by a nepo baby, is facing criticism for allegedly offering raw chicken nuggets to its enthusiastic clientele.
On Friday, a crowd of eager shoppers wrapped around the block, eagerly awaiting the chance to explore the much-anticipated gourmet grocery outlet in Tribeca, known as Meadow Lane. Owned by Sammy Nussdorf, whose family is among the wealthiest according to Forbes, this store has been dubbed the ‘Erewhon of New York’ and is gaining attention online for its expensive pre-made meals.
Even before Meadow Lane opened its doors, its gluten-free chicken nuggets had become a viral sensation. This was largely due to taste test videos shared by Nussdorf on TikTok, sparking curiosity and excitement among potential customers.
Despite the excitement, some patrons, including trendsetting shoppers and influencers, who paid $15 for a serving of the nuggets, were disappointed with their experience.
Food blogger Sabrina Carey highlighted the issue by questioning her Instagram and TikTok followers, “Does that look like cooked chicken to you?” as she showcased a nugget sliced open to reveal its concerningly light pink center.
‘Does that look like cooked chicken to you?’ food blogger Sabrina Carey asked her Instagram and TikTok followers while holding up one of the internet-famous nuggets cut in half – revealing a light pink interior.
‘Not to be a hater, but I’ve been thinking about these all day,’ Carey, who goes by @foodforfooodies on social media, said.
‘So, I went to Meadow Lane this morning and I think my chicken nuggets are raw,’ she told viewers on Saturday night.
Food blogger Sabrina Carey asked her Instagram and TikTok followers if the chicken looked raw while holding up one of the nuggets cut in half
Sammy Nussdorf, 28, opened gourmet grocery store Meadow Lane in Tribeca, New York, which had its grand opening on Friday
Before she shared her reaction video, which garnered over 160,000 viewers on TikTok, Carey posted an Instagram story showing a nugget she had bitten into.
‘Does this chicken look raw?’ she asked her followers in a poll. ‘People were like, “oh, mine are raw too,”‘ Carey claimed.
‘I don’t know if they’re just like, juicy chicken nuggets, but I’m like, this looks pink.’
Carey’s clip sparked outrage, especially given the food item’s hefty price tag for just six nuggets.
‘That’s insane for a “gourmet” grocery store to sell raw nuggets for $15,’ one TikTok user commented.
‘This is the 2nd review I’ve seen about the chicken being raw there… folks, if this happens to you, don’t try to cook them more, just don’t eat them! Return them or throw them away after making your video,’ another person warned.
‘Yall waited 2 hours in line for raw nuggets im so upset,’ someone chimed in.
But a few people swooped in to defend Meadow Lane, with one user claiming: ‘You cannot rely on color to determine that chicken is fully cooked. Fully cooked chicken can still look pink. Google it.’
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), color is not always a reliable indicator of the safety or doneness of poultry.
Cooked poultry can range in color from pink to tan, the department wrote, but it must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Meadow Lane has been dubbed the ‘Erewhon of New York’ for its pricey options
While social media has been flooded with glowing reviews of the store, Carey was not the only one who had a sour experience.
One TikToker, Nikki Cooper, claimed she purchased turkey chili that was missing ingredients on its label.
Cooper, who goes by @nikk_coop on TikTok, has a dairy allergy and was dismayed when she opened the chili and saw cheese on top, even though the label made no mention of dairy.
‘I started sneezing randomly,’ she said in the Saturday video, noting that her allergy is airborne. ‘And thank God I didn’t eat it. But, what are they doing mislabeling food?’
Cooper shared a follow-up on Sunday morning, saying that Nussdorf personally rectified the issue.
‘I was invited back to Meadow Lane by the owner, Sammy, today,’ she explained. ‘He was super apologetic.’
There was allegedly a labeling mix-up, as there was a turkey chili without cheese in it, but one Cooper bought did contain the ingredient.
Nussdorf allowed her to receive a refund for the mislabeled chili and let her pick out a few other items from the store, Cooper said.
Nussdorf, standing by the store’s juice selection, comes from a billionaire family
Meadow Lane also sells merchandise beyond food products
The Daily Mail has reached out to Meadow Lane, Nussdorf, Cooper and Carey for comment.
Nussdorf, 28, has spent the past 17 months promoting Meadow Lane, which is named after the five-mile stretch of the Hamptons, nicknamed ‘billionaire lane’ – where 13 mega-rich CEOs, tycoons and celebrities own enormous luxury mansions.
With more than 135,000 followers on his TikTok account with the cheeky username @brokebackcontessa, the Gen Z influencer became known for sharing frequent updates about the delays Meadow Lane’s opening was experiencing.
But after months of online speculation, Meadow Lane finally opened.
Nussdorf, who graduated from New York University, comes from a family worth more than $1.6 billion.
His grandparents, Ruth and Bernard Nussdorf, founded Quality King in Queens, New York in 1961, according to Forbes.
The company expanded into a major distributor of pharmaceuticals and health and beauty care products, and is still run by the Nussdorf family.
