Viral Launch Turns Sour for NYC's Latest Gourmet Grocer
New York City's newest luxury grocery store, Meadow Lane, has found itself embroiled in controversy just days after its highly anticipated opening in Tribeca. The establishment, founded by 28-year-old Sammy Nussdorf from the billionaire Nussdorf family, faced significant backlash over allegations that it sold undercooked chicken nuggets to eager customers.
On Friday, queues stretched around the block as trend-conscious shoppers and influencers flocked to experience what had been dubbed the 'Erewhon of New York'. Before the doors even opened, the store's gluten-free chicken nuggets had gained viral status through taste test videos shared by Nussdorf on his popular TikTok account, which boasts over 135,000 followers.
Raw Chicken Allegations Spark Social Media Storm
The excitement quickly turned to concern when food blogger Sabrina Carey, known as @foodforfoodies on social media, shared disturbing findings with her followers. On Saturday night, Carey posted videos to both Instagram and TikTok showing one of Meadow Lane's much-hyped chicken nuggets cut in half, revealing a concerning light pink interior.
'Does that look like cooked chicken to you?' Carey asked her substantial following. 'Not to be a hater, but I've been thinking about these all day. So, I went to Meadow Lane this morning and I think my chicken nuggets are raw.'
Her initial Instagram story poll asking 'Does this chicken look raw?' prompted numerous responses from other customers claiming similar experiences. 'People were like, "oh, mine are raw too,"' Carey revealed in her viral TikTok video, which amassed over 160,000 views.
Customer Backlash and Mixed Responses
The revelation sparked immediate outrage, particularly given the premium price point of $15 for just six chicken nuggets. Social media platforms flooded with criticism from disappointed customers.
'That's insane for a "gourmet" grocery store to sell raw nuggets for $15,' one TikTok user commented angrily. Another warned: '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!'
However, some defenders emerged, with one social media user noting: 'You cannot rely on color to determine that chicken is fully cooked. Fully cooked chicken can still look pink. Google it.' This aligns with US Department of Agriculture guidance that colour alone isn't always a reliable indicator of poultry safety, emphasising that cooked poultry must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Additional Labelling Issues Compound Problems
The chicken nugget controversy wasn't the only issue to surface during Meadow Lane's opening weekend. TikTok user Nikki Cooper, who goes by @nikk_coop, reported a separate concerning incident involving mislabelled food.
Cooper, who has a dairy allergy, purchased turkey chili that unexpectedly contained cheese despite no dairy being listed on the label. 'I started sneezing randomly,' she explained in a Saturday video, noting her allergy is airborne. 'And thank God I didn't eat it. But, what are they doing mislabelling food?'
In a positive development, Cooper shared that Nussdorf personally addressed her concerns. 'I was invited back to Meadow Lane by the owner, Sammy, today,' she said in a follow-up video. 'He was super apologetic.' The store owner provided a refund and allowed her to select additional items after explaining there had been a labelling mix-up between two chili variations.
Billionaire Backstory and Social Media Hype
The grocery store's launch followed 17 months of intense social media promotion by Nussdorf, who comes from a family worth more than $1.6 billion according to Forbes. His grandparents, Ruth and Bernard Nussdorf, founded Quality King in Queens, New York in 1961, which grew into a major pharmaceutical and beauty product distributor.
The store's name itself carries significant weight, referencing the five-mile Hamptons stretch nicknamed 'billionaire lane' where numerous CEOs, tycoons and celebrities maintain luxury properties. Despite the recent controversies, Meadow Lane continues to operate, selling both gourmet food products and merchandise to its upscale clientele.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Meadow Lane, Nussdorf, Cooper and Carey for comment regarding the ongoing situations.
