What is your favorite and most hated MRE?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 11:10:10 -0500

I know most of you are thinking the cheese omelet is the worst, an it's the truth, it is. I love the Buffalo Chicken and Chicken Fajita myself.

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Jan 24 at 2014 11:32 AM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 11:32:09 -0500

Used to love the Meatballs, Beef and Rice in a Spicy Tomatoe Sauce. Eat it hot and tasted Italian, Cold like BBQ.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 12:28 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:28:48 -0500

To me, it's always been about the whole bag.

Best: The 2002-2004 Beef Stew. Great stew, vegetable cracker, jalapeno cheese, a pound cake (or M&M cookie, I forget), and a chocolate milk shake. 'Tis a shame that they changed the components and the stew.

Second best: Breakfast Omlette. I get it, a lot of people hated the entree. It was alright if you mixed it with the hashbrowns and hot sauce. But a square cinnamon roll, black berry jelly, and hashbrowns? What is not to love?

Worst: Not a meal but an individual item. Wheat Toast Bread. Abundant, always stale, and often moldy.

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Jan 24 at 2014 2:47 PM

SSG Shawn M. — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:47:00 -0500

The Chili and Macaroni. The key is to mix everything together including the cheese chilli powder sugar and salt. Second favorite would be the Buffallo Chicken.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 2:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:51:08 -0500

The worst I had was 15 years ago while in Basic/AIT, it was the Ham and Potatoes, the best still to this day is the Tortellini Vegetarian meal.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 3:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 15:16:56 -0500

The worst I had so far has to be the omelet, the best is
the chicken fillet.

Response by SPC Stephen Bobchin made Jan 25 at 2014 12:47 AM

SPC Stephen Bobchin — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:47:02 -0500

Omelete is of course the worst MRE ever made.
I'd have to say spaghetti and meatballs is one of the best out there, close with buffalo chicken.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 1:36 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 01:36:43 -0500

Give me the pork rib if you don't want it. Otherwise, my best MRE is simply a jar of, preferably crunchy, peanut better. Yes, I will have a few in my ruck during a FTX.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 1:38 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 01:38:21 -0500

I actually take MRE's with me backpacking/mountain climbing sometimes if I don't want to take a stove/fuel. My general rule of thumb is anything that sounds like Campbell's or Chef Boyardee would make is probably a win!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 2:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:12:06 -0500

Worst MRE ever, Beef Frankfurters, aka the 5 fingers of death. I remember our medics used to keep the main meal portion handy in their bags just in case somebody had a bad case of constipation.

Best is the Beef Stew.

and I don't know why everyone hates on the wheat snack bread. When I came in it was a treat to get, otherwise you had your choice of crackers or vegetable crackers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 2:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:23:47 -0500

As everyone is saying the omelette of course is by far the worst, even it being heated up still is not good. Beef stew is by far my favorite which some come with peanutbutt er and cracks to make it extra scrumptious

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 2:50 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:50:57 -0500

Escalloped Potatoes and Ham was by far my most favorite worst was pork chow mein

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jan 26 at 2014 12:34 AM

SSG Keith Evans — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 00:34:40 -0500

Best: Beef Stew, by far.

Worst: Anything with the word "vegetarian" in it. Those were terrible.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 1:50 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:50:43 -0500

Don't think I have eaten an MRE in over a decade now. Do everything in my power to avoid them.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 3:10 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 03:10:17 -0500

Chicken Fajita and the Chili Macaroni will always be my favorite. The worst MRE's I've ever came across was the Arctic MRE's we get out here at FT wainwright; "Clam Chowder" makes you just want to trade your skittles immediately!

Response by SSG Lindsey Kibler made Jan 26 at 2014 8:34 AM

SSG Lindsey Kibler — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:34:40 -0500

I would have to agree that the omelet is something to never be grabbed, unless it's your only option. Most MREs with any sort of "meat" weren't far behind the omelet.

I quickly learned in basic that any vegetarian MREs were a safe bet--even the veggie burger. Since they contain no meat, it's a guarantee you will be given nuts and pasta to supplement the protein, as well as a pound cake and cranberries. You can't go wrong with pasta and sauce!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 10:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:09:05 -0500

Most hated: toss up between corn beef hash and green eggs and ham. Most liked: Spaghetti and meat sauce, has to be super hot with the wheat snack bread.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 11:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:24:00 -0500

Omelet by far the worst. Doesn't matter how much hot sauce you pour in there. Beef stew with some jalepeno cheese and to tobassco sauce is by far my favorite.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 12:34 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:34:41 -0500

Anything veggie spells bad news. My all time fav... the pork patty with potato patty (very old school from the 80s) These young Soldiers have no idea how good they have it with the great selection of food. I have survived well using a bit of creativity in creating meals and have tried to teach this lost art to my young ones. Plus my ambulance always has a bottle of hot sauce

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 11:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:22:05 -0500

The omelet

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 3:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 03:33:10 -0500

they all suck, unless your starving....

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 27 at 2014 3:55 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:55:23 -0500

Best: Spaghetti w/meat sauce

Honorable Mention: Chicken w/Cavetelli

Worst: Captain jack Chicken

Dishonorable mention: The omelette

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 27 at 2014 3:57 PM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:57:59 -0500

You mean there are bad MREs? Say it isn't so....I love 'em.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 9:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:12:57 -0500

SPC Christie, I would have to agree with you on that, the Buffalo Chicken is pretty good, I had one the other day that wasn't that bad, but I don't remember which one it was.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 9:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:12:58 -0500

SPC Christie, I would have to agree with you on that, the Buffalo Chicken is pretty good, I had one the other day that wasn't that bad, but I don't remember which one it was.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 27 at 2014 10:46 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:46:38 -0500

Best - BBQ Pork and Rice

Worst - Five Fingers of Death

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 12:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:13:42 -0500

When I was in there was nothing that was vegetarian, no omlets, no jalapenio cheese your choices were chilimac, beef stew, dehydrated ham patty, chicken ala king, beans and franks, dehydrated hamburgrs, turkey and dressing, the chicken, turkey, chilimac, and beans were the only ones that werent dry and even the beans and franks tasted like they had never been cooked just soaked in catsup. thre was no bread just crackers that tasted stale and had no salt as for fruit you got rehydrated apple sauce, mixed dehydrated fruit, and dehydrated strawberrys and if real lucky pound cake as for condiments the only thing that was there was tabasco sauce maybe one in a whole case of 12 MRE's, salt and pepper. The MRE'S that we got yo wereexpected add hot water to the dehydraed meals or soak the others in the hotwater t warm them up. Where with heold C or K Rations you poked a hole in the can with your trusty P38 can opener and set the box on fire or put the can on a tent heater for a hot meal. Tray pacs you got chili mac, beef stew, beans and franks, scrambeled eggs and ham, spaggetti and meat sauce, these were brought to ad served in the squad area in a termal can of hot water and came with a second thermal can of either coffee or coolaid. we never got the humaniterin meals. all of the tray pacs were very gritty and tasted like they were half straw and the other half was sand with a little moisture.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 4 at 2014 2:47 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:47:36 -0500

Cheese eggs are a thing? I've never heard of that one.. The omelet IS truly foul though..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 2:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:52:08 -0500

They have pulled it now but my worst was the INFAMOUS Tuna with Noodles. I LIKE tuna and could not stomach that damn thing! LOL

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 2:55 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:55:45 -0500

The omelet is the worst, what makes it even worse is when you have no time to warm it up or use the spoon and must quickly squeeze the food out of the bag and straight into your mouth!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 3:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:42:30 -0500

Two come to mind and unless you came in pre OIF/OEF you probably don't remember...<div><br></div><div>MRE # 6 - The 4 fingers of death (AKA The Beef Frankfurters)</div><div>     and</div><div>MRE # 2 - Corned Beef Hash</div><div><br></div><div>Alas.  (sigh)  These two gastronomic meals are no longer with us.</div><div>It's a shame the current generation of America's Finest are missing out on these two.</div><div><br></div><div>As far as the best: MRE # 10 - Chili Mac.</div>

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 4 at 2014 3:48 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:48:00 -0500

REALLY old school.... Dehydrated Beef Patty and Dehydrated Pork Patty....Accesssory packet B (means NOTHING in it but TP, matches, coffee, creamer, sugar, 2 chicklets gum, and spoon). Came with dehyrdated fruit cocktail. No candy and nothing edible. I used to eat the dehyrdated pork patty dry....kinka like pork rinds.... talk about creating a disaster during a field problem.....bound you up for DAYS and good luck delivering that brick.....

Response by SSG Clint Browning made Mar 4 at 2014 7:24 PM

SSG Clint Browning — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:24:16 -0500

Dehydrated beef or pork party. Tasted like dry dog food smells.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 4 at 2014 7:33 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:33:52 -0500

I think the consensus here is the beef or pork patties, they were the worst especially for the generation of Soldiers that came in from 1980 until about mid 90s, and the bad thing if I remember there was sometimes 2 of each to a case of 12 so more Soldiers got screwed at times than all did.

I used to love the chicken ala king or the chili mac in the early 90s, but they did away with both sometime in late 90s/early 00s. Alas, those of us that are really old school will still cherish the C-rations that you could still get into the mod to late 80s depending on where you were stationed even with MREs already being in the system by then, some installations supply depots would give you a choice of what you wanted when you went to submit requisitions for FTXs so they could get rid of C-rats and many units would rather take them over MREs, I know when I worked for my 1SG as a PFC and SPC at Ft Sill in the mid-80s, I would always be getting at least 2-3 cases of C-rats for each FTX that we had even if the company supply SGT was getting MREs for the field kitchen (5-ton type) back then.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 12:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:06:34 -0500

Any omelet based one I couldn't do.

Some of the newer ones are really good (chicken with salsa especially).

I miss the Chicken ala King!

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 5 at 2014 12:10 AM

SSG Dave Rogers — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:10:06 -0500

The dried fruit.. it never fully got rid of the chalk taste..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 1:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:46:46 -0500

Never had an MRE I didn't like......or turned into something I like.....with hot sauce

Response by SSG Rafael Rodriguez made Mar 5 at 2014 2:03 PM

SSG Rafael Rodriguez — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:03:08 -0500

Yup, that veggie rubbish, don't know whos idea that was, but the best was the ham patty and the chili mac and spaghetti.

Response by SFC Sean Berryman made Mar 5 at 2014 2:16 PM

SFC Sean Berryman — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:16:56 -0500

Chicken a-la King. Absolutely disgusting. I would go hungry if that was my meal. It was that bad.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 3:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:02:50 -0500

"Four" me, it would have to be the old school #4, Omelet with Ham.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Mar 5 at 2014 3:08 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:08:57 -0500

Let's be honest, the veggie MRE is the only one ever left in the box. That about sums it up, anything is doable with enough hot sauce.

Except that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 3:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:15:23 -0500

I don't know about worse, but I can definitely espouse the merits of the BEST MRE EVER. In the new issue MRE's Case B comes a delicious and magical treat known as Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce (CTITS). CTITS has an amazing entree dish which it is titled after (try it with the italian seasonings packet as well), Applesauce (Reg. or Raspberry), First Strike Bar (Chocolate or Apple Cinnamon), Creamy Peanut Butter, Regular Crackers, and always always always the glorious pack of Reese's Pieces. Truly an amazing mystery.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 6 at 2014 2:49 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:49:48 -0500

Toss up between Dehydrated Pork Patty and Corned Beef Hash......

Response by Sgt Anthony White made Mar 6 at 2014 2:57 PM

Sgt Anthony White — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:57:41 -0500

I would say the five fingers of death, aka the "beef" frankfurters

Response by CPT Chase Sanger made Mar 6 at 2014 4:15 PM

CPT Chase Sanger — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:15:27 -0500

Veggie omelet is definitely the worst for me. It has a lot of good items in the bag, but the entree is horrible. I guess the manufacturer sort of figured you were getting a raw deal so added in the extra side items to make up for it!

Response by SSgt Shane Poteate made Mar 6 at 2014 8:08 PM

SSgt Shane Poteate — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:08:46 -0500

Dehydrated Pork Patty rehydrated with Pepsi......

Desperate times and all that

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 8:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:10:58 -0500

The worst? How could I pick only one?!? They are all toxic! I'll starve, thanks.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Mar 7 at 2014 10:34 AM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:34:51 -0500

I agree with the others the beef and pork patties were bad, only good in those was usually they had more candy in the MRE. Don't remember the omelet like that, back when I was in the ham slice spaghetti and OK that is the only two I remember being very good. I will say the ablity to heat them up helped a lot.

Response by SPC Charles Slininger made Mar 7 at 2014 2:36 PM

SPC Charles Slininger — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:36:38 -0500

The Omelet was by FAR the worst! However I still miss my favorite MRE: Jamaican Pork Chop! I only saw it when I was in Iraq and grabbed it whenever I could. Never saw it since.

Response by SGT Paul Dare made Mar 7 at 2014 3:24 PM

SGT Paul Dare — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:24:31 -0500

I normally loved Pork Chow Mein. Until one dark night on the 82nd Signal BN parade field, I put a big spoonful into my mouth to discover some strange mystery meat so repulsive, I jumped up from my chair, out of the FES and spit it all over the grass. I don't think I've ever eaten another PCM after that.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 10:17 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:17:23 -0400

My least favorite was the Jambalaya. I actually gave this back and chose to eat beef jerky for breakfast rather than the Jambalaya.

I actually like the omelet if it's first thing in the morning and it's warmed up.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 6:41 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:41:26 -0400

The one I didn't eat.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 6:42 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:42:48 -0400

HANDS DOWN THE BEST MRE IS CHILI MAC!!!!!!!!!!! Put some Tobasco sauce in their and BAM!, that a meal for real champ!

Response by CPL Stephen Kirt made Mar 26 at 2014 6:44 PM

CPL Stephen Kirt — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:44:11 -0400

Out of the MRE's I have had, the only one I would really call my favorite is rather new and is the Ratatouille MRE. And that's an easy decision for me.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 28 at 2014 1:07 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:07:21 -0400

Most hated- Veggie omlet

Most favorite- I don't have one lol

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Mar 28 at 2014 1:13 AM

SFC Timothy Riser — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:13:22 -0400

The worst I have ever had was the Beef Frankfurters and the country cpt's chicken. Favorites are the BBQ Rib and the Veggie burger.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 11:14 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:14:54 -0400

Chicken Pesto Pasta hands down

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 4:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:02:02 -0400

I prefer the vegetarian ones personally. True story - I would keep a box of just the omlets in my office. After a courts-martial, if the prisoner didn't have enough time to eat prior to court - he would leave in cuffs, shackles and an omlet MRE in his hands for the ride to jail.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 4:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 16:55:54 -0400

Chicken Ala king

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 10:20 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:20:13 -0400

Pork Sausage in Cream Gravy is by far the WORST MRE out there. As far as the best goes? I prefer Chili Mac.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 11 at 2014 11:54 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:54:02 -0400

I always loved the BBQ Pork and Rice in the original MREs. Kinda liked Tuna with Noodles too.

Bean Burrito and Four Fingers of Death (AKA the weiners) were just awful...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 11:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:57:26 -0400

Agreed; the cheese and crackers/wheat bread are the only thing I really care about in the MREs. Pound cakes are a close runner-up, as is the potato-bacon soup and cornbread stuffing. :)

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 11 at 2014 12:10 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:10:01 -0400

There is a best?

In truth, I cannot remember a time where I at an entire MRE? I can remember breaking them down and eating portions from various MREs? When I had the time to actually prepare a meal, so of the ones normally considered the worst could be made into the best.

I do know the worst meal ever was C-Ration (yes, I know how old that makes me) Spaghetti with meat chunks for breakfast. While the yellowish gel that formed on the top of any meat product was always a great start to any morning, spaghetti in the middle of any long road march is always a bad combination.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 4:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:02:03 -0400

Best = beef stew, Worst = veggie-omelet

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 4:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:45:26 -0400

Regular cheese, bacon cheese or jalapeno cheese?

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Jun 12 at 2014 12:14 PM

SFC Gary Fox — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:14:27 -0400

My favorite was the BBQ pork and Rice. The worst was the Veggie Omelet. The best desert was the pound cake. I would take the cocoa powder, add a little sugar, some of the powdered creamer, and a little water to mix it up into a frosting for the pound cake.

Response by SSG Matt Murphy made Jun 16 at 2014 12:21 AM

SSG Matt Murphy — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:21:31 -0400

MRE= Not sure which of the two I like: neither Meals ready to Exit, nor Meals Refusing to Exit really excite me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 12:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:54:27 -0400

Pork Chow Mein was pretty good back in the day.

Tied for last was dehydrated beef patty and omelet with ham.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 12:56 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:56:28 -0400

I like the chili mac, stew, cheese tortellini, chicken pesto pasta.

Not so good.. Any tuna related....

Response by PFC Anthony Turner made Jun 18 at 2014 5:30 PM

PFC Anthony Turner — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:30:32 -0400

Potatoes au rotten are the worst

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2014 1:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:51:12 -0500

The dehydrated pork patties when the MREs first came out were godawful! You had this pork biscuit that looked and smelled like a dog chew toy and a dehydrated hash brown that took a whole canteen to wash down. The only saving grace was the dehydrated strawberries which were quite good.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 5:42 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 17:42:35 -0500

anything that has the lemon poppyseed pound cake or skittles is my favorite.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 12:36 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:36:16 -0500

pork with rice in BBQ sauce favorite

omelet with ham

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 22 at 2014 2:53 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:53:15 -0500

I loved meat loaf with gravy. I hated the omelet. Was buffalo chicken one of the new ones?

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 22 at 2014 4:09 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:09:31 -0500

You must not be old enough to remember the Ham Slice.

The Ham Slice MRE was a dichotomy -- on the one hand, it was the worst MRE ever. Imagine, if you will, an MRE-shaped slab of flesh that we were told was most assuredly pork. Imagine, if you will, unpackaging this gelatinous-covered brick and thinking, "Gee they packed this weapon in cosmoline" or "I hope the guy who donated this organ doesn't have a disease."

Now imagine, if you will, being involved in an intense firefight with fierce, screaming, enraged jihadi-loving al'Qaida and Taliban fighters. Suddenly, your M4 runs out of ammo. You draw your 9mm or whatever sidearm you have, then that, too runs out of ammo (and you've only wounded them because 9mil).

You have two options, soldier. You can fix bayonets and go down swinging, or you can take the fight to the jihadis... not with an e-tool, no sir -- YOU HAVE A HAM SLICE MRE.

Thinking quickly, you cut open the MRE under withering enemy fire. You pop in the anti-pooping gum, quickly swallow the kool-aid powder and the hot cocoa mix for that crack-I-mean-sugar rush, and you peel that chunk of flesh out of the plastic pouch.

Thusly armed, you let loose what can only be described as an Indian war whoop on steroids, fueled by raw sugar and powdered dye, and you surge over the sandbag berms and charge directly into the Taliban ranks. Your squad's gunner lets loose his remaining thirty-four rounds of SAW ammo then he, too, digs in the MRE box. He comes up short so he fixes bayonet and covers your six, his war-face not quite as fierce for lack of Ham Slice.

The first terrorist you see, you clock him on the side of his face with the Ham Slice. Him being Muslim, he automatically bursts into flame with a shriek. You're probably violating the Geneva Convention but you don't care -- it's kill or be killed and these motherfuckers flew a plane into the WTC. Plus you're hopped up on sugar and carrying a HAM SLICE.

The guy you just vapourised, his buddy Jihadi John sees that pulsating pink slab of vat-grown DNA and he starts yelling to his buddies in Arabic or Pashtun or Esperanto that the tide of battle has changed. "WE MUST FLEE, THE INFIDELS HAVE HAM SLICE."

General Mattis later asks if he can be your driver. He also bestows upon you six Medals of Honour and nine Swiss bikini volleyball players who haven't seen a real man or a ham slice in ten years. Nobody sees you for a week, and only then do you come out with your ham slice in its own custom moleskin holster. You get some water, some Cheese Tortellini MREs, and then disappear to your love nest in Conex 31-B.

Just don't let the ham slice near your lips and you'll be fine, HEEEE-ROOOOOO.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 4:47 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:47:47 -0500

Anything with chicken works for me. As I recall, my favorite C ration was tuna. That was the tops!

Response by SPC John Cummings made Dec 24 at 2014 2:43 AM

SPC John Cummings — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:43:19 -0500

The ham jello thing none of us ate it we gave to the Cristian kids in Al Naqwa Loved chili Mac with jalapeño (j) cheese

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 12:42 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 00:42:12 -0400

Any of the breakfast ones I have heard are aweful, I personally like the spagetti and beef stew, really hard to screw those up. I don't know about others because I would always trade mine for one of those two even for breakfast.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 12:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 00:50:30 -0400

The beef stew or beef vegetable...can't remember the actual name. It comes with raspberry blueberry cobbler, and chocolate peanut butter with a choc chip cookie.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 22 at 2015 12:57 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 00:57:46 -0400

Like always, display them with the labels on the bottom. The one you pick up is the one you eat.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 1:03 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 01:03:57 -0400

I signed for something on deployment.Well inside a box was a bunch of who knows how old cold weather MRE`s in white bags instead of brown. And one of the flavors was shrimp chowder I think, it was really good.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 5:53 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:53:35 -0400

Not sure any of them are really "edible" but a few days maybe a qeek or 2 when t our willing to eat bark off a tree they "appear to look like food" when my wife and I got married that's alk we had for 2 months until we got settled and things adjusted we survived but I wouldn't call them "edible"

Response by Sgt Billy Nitsch made Mar 22 at 2015 6:12 PM

Sgt Billy Nitsch — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 18:12:25 -0400

I always liked pork chow mein.

Response by Sgt Billy Nitsch made Mar 22 at 2015 6:14 PM

Sgt Billy Nitsch — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 18:14:22 -0400

The worst is say is ham, I don't know what that was but I've eaten spam that tasted ten times better.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 7:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 19:28:15 -0400

Its hit and miss on most of them. The most recent edition has fairly good ones, I would watch out for the new breakfast meal (replaced cheese and veggie omelet)

I work with a scout troop as well, my recommendation for outings with MREs is to have them as a lunch then continue on with a traditional meal plan. My scouts enjoyed the MREs but did not eat half of the meal (some are picky). They are great for the older scouts who are not as picky and for extended backpacking trips, but the younger ones will do what most people new to the MREs will do and only eat what they want (candy, wheat snack bread, etc.)

Response by SSgt Bill Cobb made Mar 22 at 2015 9:21 PM

SSgt Bill Cobb — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 21:21:10 -0400

I liked the ham and cheese omelet, spaghetti and meatballs and the chow mein

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 9:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 21:49:54 -0400

I would strongly try to change their minds to just burgers and hotdogs. Avoid the mre's their Lil bodies can't deal with the aftermath of an mre

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Mar 23 at 2015 1:26 AM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 01:26:08 -0400

Corned Beef Hash was my favorite.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 7:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:03:12 -0400

Mountain house meals! Way better

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 8:25 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:25:03 -0400

Stay as far away from anything with "eggs" on the label as you can.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Mar 27 at 2015 8:59 PM

MSG Gerry Poe — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:59:00 -0400

All the brown MREs was awesome!!!! No bad ones, heck I was hungry as heck when I ate an MRE! Meal fit for a king in the field!!!

Response by SSgt Brendan Gardiner made Jun 13 at 2015 4:30 PM

SSgt Brendan Gardiner — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:30:25 -0400

Enchilada!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 13 at 2015 4:34 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:34:58 -0400

The absolute best are the French MREs as we have no clue how to make them.

My memory is getting dated but there used to be a package called "bean component". We used to call it the "EGG" aka Expeditionary Gas Generator.

A carry over from the C-Rat days is/was the maple bar aka "CBP" aka Concentrated Butt Plug.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Jun 13 at 2015 4:36 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:36:14 -0400

Dehydrated pork patty

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 13 at 2015 4:52 PM

PO3 David Fries — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:52:26 -0400

Worst is chicken a la king.
Best? Can't pick one. Maybe the spaghetti. Add cheese, crushed crackers, and tobasco

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 13 at 2015 9:38 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 21:38:37 -0400

Cheese omelette was so gross, I can still smell that awful odor

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 19 at 2016 10:24 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:24:27 -0500

Veggie Omelette. Hands down. I can't even choke that crap down with a full canteen.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 10:24 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:24:43 -0500

Anything vegetarian

Response by LTC Greg Henning made Dec 19 at 2016 10:25 AM

LTC Greg Henning — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:25:34 -0500

c-rations eggs and ham

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 19 at 2016 10:25 AM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:25:40 -0500

It has been 20 + years since I have hand an MRE. I can still remember the terrible texture of a dry pork patty. I was ok IF you had time to let the water soak in and you had time to add the gravy packet, but on a hump it was disgusting. I can almost make the case for the grey colored omelet being the worst but nothing really seemed to top the dehydrated pork patty.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 19 at 2016 10:30 AM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:30:58 -0500

My favorite was the meetballs in spicy tomato sauce, it wasn't that bad.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 19 at 2016 11:50 AM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:50:39 -0500

I love the New menu Choices...
I go back to C-Rations in Can days... and the "'First MRE's"

The Tuna casserole and Beens and Franks wer the Hardest to Choke down in the 80's...
Thank goodness for Tabasco and Texas Pete...

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 19 at 2016 12:07 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:07:51 -0500

Favorite of all time was the burrito MRE, Most abhorrent was the dehydrated pork patty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 12:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:39:01 -0500

Favorite: Pork with Rice in BBQ Sauce

Worst: Frankfurters Beef

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 19 at 2016 11:30 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 23:30:55 -0500

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member I have not had an MRE since Basic and that is a very very very long time ago. Hopefully, the MRE'S are a hell of a lot better than they were in the mid 80's

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Dec 20 at 2016 4:06 PM

MSgt John Taylor — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:06:16 -0500

Tuna & noodles, ugh! We had so many sitting around during Desert Storm, we re-enforced the bunker walls with them.

Response by SPC Scott Hulslander made Dec 20 at 2016 4:08 PM

SPC Scott Hulslander — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:08:33 -0500

My favorite was spaghetti with meat sauce. The vegetarian ones were pretty gross.

Response by LCpl James Schleich made Dec 20 at 2016 4:55 PM

LCpl James Schleich — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:55:15 -0500

My Favorite was the dehydrated Beef and pork patties. mixed with a little rammon noodle, cheese spread, and cracks and you had a good casserole. Worst was the beef franks or the chicken loaf.

Response by PO2 Chris Hearne made Dec 20 at 2016 4:59 PM

PO2 Chris Hearne — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:59:28 -0500

I did like the Chili Mac and the Meatloaf after adding some salt. Worst, perhaps, would be the vegetable omelet thing. Not enough anything would make that palatable.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Reese made Dec 20 at 2016 5:28 PM

SPC Jeffrey Reese — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:28:12 -0500

You all are spoiled I was in in the 80's the dogs was one of the good meals try the dehydrated beef patty mmmmm or the beeny weenys another mmmmm, or the Pork patty which was my favorite(it was pressed ham but dry as heck) Dehydrated fruit cocktail mmmm oh and the beef stew mmmm oh and no way to heat things the cheese that separated the crackers that was used for kindling brick cookies don't get me started on the peanut butter. I will just put it this way no one looked forward to MRE's back then. No such animal as an omelet MRE or some of these fancy things you all eat now.

Response by PFC Jonathon Luken made Dec 20 at 2016 5:46 PM

PFC Jonathon Luken — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:46:10 -0500

My favorite was the spagetti one.

Response by MSG Anthony DiFondi made Dec 20 at 2016 8:00 PM

MSG Anthony DiFondi — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:00:56 -0500

None of them are good! Trade them for a cheese ramon!

Response by SFC Daniel Zelch made Dec 20 at 2016 8:09 PM

SFC Daniel Zelch — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:09:16 -0500

Stop belly aching, try living on C-Rations. I should shut up because I never had to eat K-Rations.

Response by SrA William Brian made Dec 20 at 2016 8:45 PM

SrA William Brian — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:45:09 -0500

Chicken ala King FTW

Response by PO1 John Juarez made Dec 20 at 2016 9:10 PM

PO1 John Juarez — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:10:20 -0500

I like the old Spaghetti and noodles.....
Add a pack of the cheese spread, a bottle of Tabasco, and the crackers!!! Mmmmmmmm
Chicken A La King was good also. Hated the corned beef hash!

Response by MSgt Peter Whittlesey made Dec 21 at 2016 12:49 AM

MSgt Peter Whittlesey — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:49:04 -0500

Ham and chicken loaf, smelled like bad canned cat food. After I found an intact beak in one I never opened another

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Dec 21 at 2016 5:25 AM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 05:25:01 -0500

Ham and chicken load or chicken ala king (80s version) were the worst ever hands down. May not have been the best, but tolerable was the spaghetti, as long as you added the cheese spread and hot sauce

Response by SPC Scotty Smith made Dec 21 at 2016 11:36 AM

SPC Scotty Smith — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:36:51 -0500

Beef stew was good and absolutely hated country captain chicken

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Dec 21 at 2016 1:53 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 13:53:40 -0500

From WWII to the mid 1990's the worst C-Ration/MRE was the Ham, Eggs and Cheese. After WWII the Army gave a lot of those to the Boy Scouts.

I ate some very good MRE's when I was in. Spicy meatballs and rice, Corned Beef Hash (add Tabasco Sauce it was very good). And a few others that I can not remember.

I know, thank god it never was adopted as an MRE, that Catfish was once considered for an MRE menu. It failed in testing.

Response by Cpl Rick Ulrey made Dec 21 at 2016 2:08 PM

Cpl Rick Ulrey — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 14:08:39 -0500

Vegetarian were really bad - as were the 4 fingers of death...but my least favorite was the beef roast. MOST especially if there was no time to heat it up. Globs of suet clung to it.

I enjoyed the stews by adding the crackers, cheese (preferably jalapeno) and tabasco.

My 2 favorites were corned beef and the omelet - which was good since plenty of other people disliked them.

Response by LCpl Christopher Mayen made Dec 21 at 2016 3:08 PM

LCpl Christopher Mayen — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 15:08:40 -0500

just put some hot sauce on it with pepper and it will be fine

Response by SGT DelRay Davis made Dec 21 at 2016 4:35 PM

SGT DelRay Davis — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 16:35:25 -0500

Speaking as a 91R and having eaten WAY more than my share of these little bastards I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the chicken a la king was the most prone to making someone sick. Found so many of them bloated up like a nightmare pillow inside a case.

Response by LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr made Dec 21 at 2016 7:09 PM

LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 19:09:47 -0500

I hated and would go hungry if I could not trade that damn omelet. The slice of ass (Ham Slice) was so damn salty but nothing was as nasty as that omelet. It was like they formed a patty out of puke and put in the bag. Even Tabasco could not make it better.

Response by SGT Steve Woodring made Dec 21 at 2016 7:53 PM

SGT Steve Woodring — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 19:53:26 -0500

old school, MRE C rations, ham and lima beans, Hell, what am I saying, they were all great when you could get them.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 21 at 2016 10:43 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:43:40 -0500

If you do not like or even HATE MRE (Meals Rejected by Everyone) you have never had the pleasure of C-rats.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jul 15 at 2017 6:54 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:54:26 -0400

Worst: orange nut cake. Any MRE that had the orange nut cake.
Projectile vomited it and haven't been able to eat anything orange since.
That was in the 80's.

Bragg. 0100 hours.
We had sling loaded the jeeps and were waiting for the birds for airmobile.

I eat an orange nut cake while sitting against a tree.

No warning. Braaap. Shot out of me. No nausea, no vomit bile, just the cake shooting out of me.

A minute later another Braap. Had to habe landed five feet away.

No orange since.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Jul 16 at 2017 12:07 AM

AN Christopher Crayne — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 00:07:43 -0400

I'm particularly happy with a mix up of maple covered pork patty, with a strawberry shake, finished by skittles. Worst decision I've made with MRE is the spicy beans with rice on crackers. Hot sauce on top. And coffee.