1993 US MRE Review Extremely Fresh 3 Meal 24 Hour Ready to Eat Preserved Food Ration Tasting Test

3 astoundingly fresh MREs from 1993. Ham Omelet, Pork Chow Mien, & Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Behold the plethora of various vintage preserved food items designed for the US Military during the Gulf War Era, and with first generation Flameless Ration Heaters, in which two work, and one does not. Only one food component doesn't hold up, stick around to find out which one it is.
For correspondence, or to send a Military Ration for review, my exact mailing information is:
Steve1989
3616 Harden Blvd
360
Lakeland, FL 33803
www.patreon.co...
teespring.com/...

[@HerrWahnsinn]

Steve casually dropping outta nowhere always makes my day

[@bobhill3941]

Me too, it's always a pleasure to watch and a great surprise.

[@samholdsworth420]

Word

[@themurph930]

Manna from heaven

[@willywonkaredford1845]

No shit man I was bored and boom

[@willywonkaredford1845]

Steve always comes through 😊

[@ianshear9246]

Only Steve would call food from 1993 “extremely fresh”

[@emma6648]

Food from the Dinosaur age must be “somewhat dated” Steve: Eats it

[@Raskolnikov70]

Steve could sit down to a meal of wooly mammoth steak that had to be carbon dated to determine its age and still call it somewhat fresh.

[@grayman2749]

@@emma6648 "This is the foulest thing I have ever tasted!" Takes another bite.

[@gstresearch]

It's relative; he's eaten stuff with ages best measured in centuries. 😏

[@X.Y.Z.07]

​@@grayman2749Nice hiss!

[@frozenicewinds6662]

Holds up rancid cheese spread… “Absolutely no way I’m going to be trying any of this out”… cheese spread leaves screen…comes back with sizable bite taken out. I almost lost it man, keep it up Steve 😂

[@gregsheffield2965]

I served in Army Infantry 89-94 and never had an MRE with a FRH, in fact I never knew they existed until I started watching these videos. That means all the MREs I had were made prior to ‘92. As an officer, I always let my men pick their MREs first so I was always left with the ones no one wanted. There are many MREs (the good ones) that I’ve never had. I’m glad to see that Steve one time mentioned what we called Ranger pudding (coffee packet, cocoa powder mixed with water then mixed with peanut butter). That was often my meal.

[@daniel_diaz97]

That sucks bro, we would make sure to set aside one good MRE for our Lt. every so often. I guess that's on the NCOs. Our Lt. would also wait until everyone got their MREs and one day we started making sure someone at the front would grab some extra MRE's and give them to the Lt.

[@blueduck9409]

I remember that. They dont put cocoa in todays mres. I miss the dehydratef fruit. I remember the pears, peaches, sometimes mixed fruit.

[@ryhol5417]

You should’ve mixed the sugar and creamer in too. It’s decadent eating

[@GeoffOdom-nn4ez]

Quality of a great leader. I was an admin NCO, so I would do the same. Ate many a Ham Slice in the field.

[@martinsnow6641]

@@GeoffOdom-nn4ez Saw a video of that one. Looks like a banging meal with the potatoes.

[@matdaddy4902]

I love the fact that Steve can go months without sharing a video, but then randomly drop one and have all his followers flock back like he never took a break at all, that’s what you call a damn good channel and content creator! Also I’m digging that little symphony when stirring the coffee

[@brianas5624]

I love it when he makes a little jingle while stirring. Always makes me smile.

[@cherylchristian5673]

Breakfast tune sounded like the Star Spangled Banner! Appropriate

[@therideneverends1697]

If theres one thing everyone can agree to tune in to, its watching a man eat food older than most of his audience

[@QuestIonAskin]

I order rations from all over the place. Even MREs can take weeks, sometimes months to arrive. It’s so much worse when you have to order or source them from outside the US. That’s when they can take months. Certain shipping routes will even remove items even if it’s not its final destination. Often times, you get rations with items missing simply because they passed through a country where an item is prohibited for shipping. Which is generally the cause of such horrible delays. It is what it is. I suspect he probably has better sources for his rations. Still can take ages sometimes.

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

​@@brianas5624Yup! Love them, too. I'll admit, I get a bit bummed when there isn't one, even though I understand that it's an unnecessary added effort by him. So I appreciate it when he does! ❤

[@NatiSaednejad]

Steve, the only guy whose idea of wild time involves a salt packet - and it entertains us all 😁 Never change.

[@upliftmofopartyplan1156]

He's going to want to use that entire Salt packet on the corned beef hash

[@ljessecusterl]

I gained a huge appreciation for MREs after Katrina. The local National Guard armory would give us two cases a day along with two cases of water, so we'd make a run in the morning and make sure everyone on our street had two per person per day and we'd put the water on ice and anyone who wanted one was welcome to grab some while we set about the "fun" task of doing tearout and disposal on our houses. The NG guys from out of state would also patrol the neighborhoods, handing out MREs and water to anyone who needed it. My buddy who's ex-Army was horrified when I talked about how much I loved MREs.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

Did you keep the McRib?

[@williammitchell4417]

I received MRE'S from my guard unit after hurricane Frances. Absolutely we were glad to have them.

[@RuSosan]

MREs tend to get some flak for taste etc. but oh boy do they become worth their weight in gold in times of crisis.

[@williammitchell4417]

@@RuSosan very true. I've watched Steve for a couple years now. It's funny that he in a way opens a time capsule like this.👍

[@alanhyt79]

Army veteran here. It would be horrifying to me if you said you loved C-rations. MREs were a HUGE improvement over C-rations.

[@moviebad109]

It’s genuinely astonishing how well some of this stuff holds up. The M&M’s in particular were a shock. You’d expect those to have some blooming at least. Be a little crumbly. But you could tell they were perfectly preserved. The amount of impressive tech that goes into the food preservation technology of MRE’s is really impressive.

[@provenancemachining]

Agreed, these were leaps and bounds compared to the Vietnam era rations.

[@h9ooo]

There is nothing to be shocked about :P the secret word is: preservatives

[@christinevenner183]

It's the shell. As long as the shell isn't cracked it perfectly preserves the chocolate inside. I've not had 30 year old M&Ms but I've had 22 year old ones that were still perfect. :)

[@deeznoots6241]

@@h9ooopreservatives and being kept frozen

[@rebel4466]

A bit scary that the chemicals in the heating bag failed before the M&Ms did.

[@coffeefox5703]

After 30 years, this MRE has finally fulfilled it's purpose to be eaten.

[@StormTrackerWV]

I feel like we should say a word in it's honor! After all of these years, it is STILL good nourishing food! The food scientists that created these were amazing!

[@toadelevator]

30

[@noahboat580]

More like 30 years

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@Niagaranobs]

Um, sir, you seem to be stuck in 2013.

[@GalacticNinjaChicken]

Been starting to think I was old but watching Steve eat a ration that’s the same age as me and calling it “fresh” has made me feel young again. Thank you, Steve. I’m glad that I could still be edible 😂

[@seraphilight]

Same

[@sheikhakbarquraishi8818]

Same. I was born in 1993 too.

[@12345.......]

You think 30 is old?

[@futuramabender2078]

@@sheikhakbarquraishi8818 I was born in 92

[@futuramabender2078]

@@12345....... I just turned 30 on 12/27/22

[@peteyandjaydee]

Man, I love listening to him give fun facts about the rations. Dude really knows the full history. 👏👏👏

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice

[@kenyenjones]

For sure. The history and little tidbits are awesome. You don't get to hear enough about the background logistics and technology that can help determine the effectiveness of a military force.

[@Highskill3r]

@@Steve1989MRE i read this in your voice xD

[@mikeymaiku]

@@Highskill3r my favorite is how he could totaly make a bot to respond with nice to everything and we would totally beleive it

[@jrbalen]

​@@Steve1989MREhiss

[@andybeard3213]

"No way I'm trying this" - immediately takes a bite 😂 This is why we love you Steve.

[@Blue-oh3te]

I saw that too! 🤣

[@luckyguy600]

Go for it Sir ... Thank you Sgt. I believe I will get a meal tray and get this aged, gently mellowed cuisine from 93 eatin'. Nice ...

[@TheTamally]

I didn't think I'd be watching Steve eat a 30 year old omelette tonight, but here we are.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

That one was so nasty

[@chezsnailez]

@@Steve1989MRE ~ nice -hiss- reply...

[@TheDavidPoole]

​@@chezsnailezgotta make sure the hiss is going in, not coming out though!

[@chezsnailez]

@@TheDavidPoole ~ tell that to our lower intestines...

[@mikez6289]

I love watching these with my wife. She’s a doctor and loses her mind watching you do a full day of eating 30 year old food lol

[@100GTAGUY]

Mans gut microbiome must be a wonder of the world of modern medicine at this point.

[@thomasbeach905]

In the 1970’s we had 1944 army corned beef. It took some courage to eat it, but if you’re hungry, anything goes. Not bad, by the way.

[@Citsatpans]

I had a stash of the old fruitcake MREs that my dad had collected from his friends who hated them. Those things were maybe a year or two older than me, and I ate my last one after I put on first lieutenant.

[@adamsowers8957]

He ate an MRE from the Civil War once. I couldn't believe my eyes.

[@nsf001-3]

These MREs in particularly are phenomenally well preserved. Must've been donated from a prepper with an air conditioned bunker

[@Dougkingsr]

Never thought I’d see a 30 year old MRE looking so good. Thanks Steve!

[@gaoxiaen1]

It doesn't. Itdoesn't include the most important item- cigarettes.

[@mikeking987]

As a guy in his 30's, that MRE looks better than I do!

[@yukimizuno4046]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣@@mikeking987

[@omagro8267]

I have to tell you, when I went through a period of heavy depression after ending a 6 year relationship... Your videos got me through it. Thank you.

[@bobbyosborne2375]

Mourning sucks. Glad you came out the other side✌️

[@sircartier4422]

Onto better things bro ❤

[@HipposHateWater]

In an entirely unironic sense, you got this king.

[@nekomoves1714]

you got this king

[@Mr.Helper.]

Why you end it ?

[@mursefaneca]

Steve never misses! Another certified hood classic!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nice!

[@lancealot5393]

@TinTin-nk2tzSteve lore ?

[@loganthompson5257]

​@@lancealot5393Well, it is now.

[@redacted8720]

​@TinTin-nk2tz your double comment says otherwise.

[@redacted8720]

@TinTin-nk2tz and I'm here to inform you that I didn't ask. Get a life.

[@baccarastl]

I got these when I enlisted in 1996 - the Pork with Rice in BBQ Sauce was one we'd almost fight over. And you haven't lived until you've packed the instant coffee in your lip like a dip. Thanks for unlocking these memories!

[@Seventy_Monocle]

It feels so good to watch people like Steve who are just absolutely passionate about what they do

[@latinolawdog5067]

Agree completely. It really couldn’t care less about MREs and their existence outside of these videos, but just seeing him get so into it with so much knowledge about a subject matter than most people don’t know much about…it’s just really cool to watch. No clickbait, no hype, just pure info and entertainment value.

[@annikaelisaa1879]

Same reasons why I am here. No interest in trying decades old MRE food myself (unless I am starving) though I thoroughly enjoy watching Steve passionately describe the textures and flavors in detail .And I have seen other MRE content creators, but they are not the same. @@latinolawdog5067

[@acceler9]

The little song played by the spoon in the cup @7:33 was epic!

[@q-man762]

They sounded like the first notes 🎶 of the star spangled banner.

[@annikaelisaa1879]

I have no idea why it is so fascinating to watch you describe the textures and flavors of decades old MRE food, but it is. And it is oddly relaxing too.

[@thewanderingmind3327]

We all feel the same :) This is why we love our Steve. Nice

[@annikaelisaa1879]

@@thewanderingmind3327 Nice indeed. And especially nice when he says: “let’s get that onto a tray” three times in one video. 👏🏻Triple NICE

[@tachometer74]

It's the love. Like honest, real, and thoughtful. Not infatuation. Not for the view/likes/reaction. The dude *cares* about MREs and his videos exude that.

[@beatnik6806]

​@@annikaelisaa1879nice

[@ohianaw]

steve reminds me of old youtube thats why i love these videos so much

[@CornOnTheCop]

I never get tired of Steve's videos. Who would have thought MRE's could be so interesting?

[@ASBO_LUTELY]

Who knew they ever did a segmented Mars Bar? PS: in the UK your Milky Way is our Mars Bar and our Snicker's Bars used to be Marathon Bars.

[@borby4584]

I think it’s also the vibe that he puts out that makes these videos so enjoyable. He never puts on a big fake performance for the viewers, it feels genuine, and like it’s just a guy with a niche interest showing off some cool thing he found. I always love KZbinrs who put out vibes like that.

[@sorarmojoanakket.5615]

I thought he get like 600 views and hour like @whatphoto channel my fave lol but damn he got some followers #loyal or #hungry

[@CornOnTheCop]

@@ASBO_LUTELY The chocolate in the UK is superior to American chocolate when it comes to commercially made candy bars. There is a shop not far from me here in the US (California) that sells goods imported from the UK. The difference between American brand candy bars between the US and UK is huge. UK wins hands down. My wife and I go there to buy certain types of tea and chocolate bars.

[@Skarfar90]

It's impressive how well those MRE's has held up for 30 years

[@justinbellpa]

Storing in a controlled environment makes a world of difference

[@Skarfar90]

@@justinbellpa Cool and dry storage is the best. Or a deep freezer

[@clockworkdimetrodon1001]

My stepfather was airforce back then, retired now, and we used to go caving and camping pretty regularly. These were what he got for us. Maybe it was just climbing through a cave all day that put an edge on the hunger, but I do remember these very fondly. Thank you, Steve, for bringing those memories to the front.

[@Ecnomoda]

these MREs held up way better than i have after 30 years

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

Hell Yeah - I definitely have some oxidation and surface bloom...

[@V77710]

Sometimes a nice hiss

[@MrOffTrail]

I hope you’ll continue on with the rest of the case, this is a trip down memory lane from me, right from my era. The omelet with ham was the most hated meal, along with potatoes “au rotten”. Mostly because we almost always ate MREs cold. Sometimes due time pressure, sometimes because we didn’t get FRHs or fuel tabs, but often because it was too dang hot. Btw, if you look at the omelet closely you’ll see little translucent dots studding it. That’s grits mixed in. I always thought of the overall texture as “soggy eraser”. And the cheese sauce on the potatoes was unpleasantly thin, as Steve noted. The oatmeal cookie bar was rough to choke down even when new. I remember a “Leatherneck Laughs” column in the Marine Corps magazine at the time, listing top uses for the oatmeal cookie bar, including scrubbing laundry, an abrasive for removing unwanted tattoos, and for constructing the walls of a hardened bunker. Peaches hack: mix a little boiling water (not much) in your canteen cup with creamer, sugar and the peaches, then top with crumbled crackers to make “peach cobbler”. The ham slice meal could be good, but took some doing. You need a “loaf” of MRE bread (not included), and a packet of cheese spread (also not included - trade your peanut butter for cheese spread). Combine to make a ham & cheese sandwich. A perfect example of institutional inefficiency that they didn’t see this obvious hack, didn’t put the cheese spread in with the ham slice. Steve, you could probably simulate this with a can of Easy Cheese. Maybe it will have cheese spread though…my unit didn’t get these updated menus as we continued to eat stockpiled Gulf War menus for years. Mostly the same, but the drink mixes were larger and came in a brown or grey packet I think. I recall a lemon lime flavor. And of course chicken a la king instead of chow mein, no frankfurters, and I think there was a bbq pork meal. Glad to see new stuff from you, Steve, thank you!

[@isaachaze1]

I was going to comment that the egg and ham omelet looked like one of the most unappetizing things I've seen on this channel, which is saying a lot, then I saw your comment lol. Thanks for posting that, and I love the comments on this channel

[@Stephyroo]

Those dehydrated fruit cocktail squares 😢 My dad was in the army most of my childhood, and he'd save those for me and mom to bring home to us because he knew we both loved them ❤ It made me feel like I was an astronaut eating space food😊

[@kiwigirljacks]

Was a special memory!!

[@CloudianMH]

Aw man, memories. They are so great when communicated well. Such a simple thing as saving a mre item for the family can evoke emotions in strangers so many years later.

[@leviathan_is_me]

Been watching ole Steve eating decades old MREs for YEARS. Never thought this would be so entertaining. Its like Steve is the Bob Ross of MREs...

[@dragnridr05]

My mother, on her third service in the Army, got a MASSIVE trash bag filled with these MREs before her rotation into NTC. She picked out the ones she wanted for her tour over there for the month, and I got the rest for my school lunches. I grew up on these MREs. There isn't anything like these anymore.

[@davidca96]

The 90's mre's in my opinion were the peak of perfection, after that they got cheaper and artificial and before them they couldnt quite get them to hold up as good.

[@gabrielribao424]

@@davidca96 Your mother see it clearly the solution of making your lunch every morning 🤣👏👏👏

[@Taizyaija]

imagine sitting down for lunch at school and seeing the kid next to you start up a FRH while you assemble your cold lunchables pizza

[@kiwigirljacks]

Amazing! I bet everyone at school was fascinated 😁

[@furrymessiah]

When I was a kid, our church got a bunch of Dessert Storm Era MRE's that they gave to our family as we were new to the area. This is my childhood too. And it's true, there's nothing like these anymore.

[@chad3625]

Ham slice was my first favorite MRE in basic training/AIT 97'. I was sad to never see it again in my 22 years. Steve, thank you for the nostalgia. You're awesome!!

[@Steve1989MRE]

Thank you for your service Chad! Hope you can at least have a fresh and normal ham slice soon and get it out onto a tray. nice! alright cool, see ya

[@alanhyt79]

I was in Basic in 1981. They gave us C-rations from the 1950s. I'll never forget my horror when I opened a can of eggs with ham and saw that they were greenish colored. Ate it anyway, though. You were so lucky to start out with MREs.

[@jondyson2489]

This was the era of MRE that i experienced. Talk about memories. I could almost taste each one as he listed off the menu😊

[@21owlgirl72]

I ate two boxes on 2010s MREs over a year, and I cant get over the quality different here over 30 YEARS. Everything was so much better back then.

[@Benjamin-1776-]

"This is my idea of a wild time." It is known and is an integral part of your charm. Never change, Steve. As always thanks for the videos!

[@roadweary5252]

Love when the older MRE’s come out so fresh and in great shape 👍

[@squibbelsmcjohnson]

Rare though 😂😂...30 years it had to be stored really well..

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nothin quite like it! nice

[@HrLBolle]

Boer War jogs the memory thingy

[@Tom_H327]

Joined up in 92, so this group of MRE's are very well known to me. I was Infantry so in order to save weight and space we always broke down our MREs to the smallest possible meals and got rid of all the extraneous stuff like accessory packets and heaters and food we weren't going to eat or couldn't trade away. Couple things we did; mix/match different food from the various meals. 1. Ham Slice; heated and then crushed while still inside envelope, add Apple Jelly, and add Tobasco. Eat with the spoon. Phenomenal snack. 2. Pudding; Cocoa powder; add water, coffee, coffee creamer, and sugar. Eat with spoon. Excellent pickme up. 3. Oatmeal cookie bar with Peanut Butter. Yummy mid afternoon snack 4. Chocolate cookie bar with Peanut Butter 5. Peaches; add water, coffee creamer and sugar in peaches packet. Soften and Eat with spoon. Alright snack in a pinch. No one ever used the salt packet for anything. I avoided several of the main entrees; notably the pork chow mein, spaghetti and the bbq sauce meals (they gave me heart burn real bad). The cheese spread was hit or miss; good enough heated but yucky cold.

[@gretchenwheeler4147]

pretty cool how yall made up recipes on the spot like that, workin with what you had

[@andrewdavis3322]

When they came out with the ham slice I thought I had died and gone to heaven. When I joined they still had dehydrated pork patty, or dehydrated beef patty. The beef one sucked. The pork was actually pretty good.

[@CoolTreeHouseMan112]

I wish I had the money to but MRE’s to try those recipes

[@Tom_H327]

@@andrewdavis3322 Early in my enlistment I had an opportunity to eat some C Rats from the Vietnam era. They were "ok". The best thing was the "John Wayne" bars though. But I get what you're saying. The ham slice was my favorite entree (because of the recipe above). So good. 👍🏻

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

I loved the Cheese spread!

[@grommike3726]

I’m just now realizing. I don’t have skip 100 ads to watch 45 mins of Steve. Thanks man!!

[@SigEpBlue]

Still killin' it, with the "spoon tunes"!

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@blueskymoments]

I love them so much!! Every time we get them I smile.

[@blackhawks81H]

Steve!! Man there's no notification on earth I click faster than a new Steve video. Thanks for the time and energy you put into what you do! Quality content as always.

[@megoins73]

Hahaha.. so true.. I was fricken driving and clicked.. laws weren't made for me when it comes to a Steve video.. lol

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey Blackhawk right on thanks man! Hope you have a great night and take care! nice

[@ryanscarf2115]

The teleporting tabasco made me laugh like an absolute madman. As always, premium content Steve!

[@raisa_cherry35]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@adamhayes5349]

Very familiar with those ones. My uncle was in the full time army national guard in supply and pilfered a few boxes to my dad. Had a blast as a 12-15 year old playing army in the woods or camping with them. As kids back then growing up in rural Alabama we all had the 1984 Red Dawn imaginations.

[@Oliverdobbins]

20:55 I’m suddenly struck by the magnitude of what you have there, in that shelf-stable Chow Mein. Just think for a second how far “food” has come from the earliest days. From simple ground grain porridge, vegetables and meat that couldn’t be stored for any serious length of time - to this. Food that remains palatable for ages without needing refrigeration, that you don’t need to catch, that you barely need to prepare, and is inspired by cuisine from an exotic country that’s thousands of miles away from yours. It’s mind blowing really. 🤯

[@DamienDarkside]

So many things I think of today just blasting the minds out of a 24 year old from the 1920s. "Yeah let me take a full color, full-sound moving picture of you on this box, then I'll instantly send this to several of my friends who live on the other side of the planet. Would you like to talk to one of them? We can do that right now. If they don't speak our language, this will automatically translate it for us. It's free because we're in a public library using something called 'wi-fi'. You can hear them through these pods called 'earbuds', it uses another technology named after a dead Norse guy named Bluetooth. We even use his rune."

[@AshleyPomeroy]

@@DamienDarkside I grew up in the 1980s, and it still boggles my mind a little bit that I can drop a pin on a road in Vietnam and instantly see street view images. Or that I can work out how to park by looking at satellite photos of the local town centre on a mobile phone.

[@icarusfx]

Stuff like pemmican and salted meats have been around for thousands of years - this stuff is a crazy extension of that.

[@NFreund]

While i agree with the sentiment, i want to add that these have been stored in a very controlled environment, probably below 10°C (50°F) and low humidity. These wouldn't be edible when stored just in a cupboard.

[@bloodhound627]

thanks for another instant classic! I always love the subtle humor you add to these; the dramatic close-ups, the "teleporting" tabasco bottle, the musical stirring spoon, etc. just wonderful, relaxing yet thoughtful content time after time. always appreciated - keep it up! ❤

[@nathalieohman2699]

I didn't even notice the teleporting bottle... Now I did on watching it again XD

[@StormTrackerWV]

I love that someone else enjoys the sound his stirring spoon makes, especially on that one ridged glass he has 😊😊😊

[@Towboatin]

Also the occasional random jump cut insert. There was one video, I can't remember which one, where he just cut to a closeup of the entree and said "meat" and cut back to the tray. I was laughing uncontrollably for like five minutes.

[@bethenecampbell6463]

Blue replaced the tan M&Ms. So those were definitely vintage. I love watching you open and test these older MREs. But it also makes me feel old! By 1993 I'd been graduated from high-school for nearly a decade. I wish I was as well preserved as this case of MREs you're trying out.

[@jrbalen]

You're still good, just a little bloom.

[@blunderingfool]

I wasn't born until early December '93 so these are probably older than me.

[@cinderellie9583]

I remember voting for the new m&m color. I believe the options were blue pink and purple

[@RT-qd8yl]

@@cinderellie9583 I was in 2nd grade and each class in our school voted as well... I feel like that was all a sham though, and it was most likely decided long before.

[@cinderellie9583]

@@RT-qd8yl haha! Your probably right

[@goosejohnson3197]

I was impressed with how generous they were with the textural enhancements.

[@wonderboy7025]

Steve's videos are quite literally the only videos on KZbin i hit with a like before 2 seconds go on the video. Thank you Steve for all you do

[@Steve1989MRE]

Hey wonderboy right on man, you're welcome and thank you too for giving this one a look. nice Alright cool, see ya

[@Jason-Rose]

I’ve eaten every one of those, multiple times. Most weren’t too bad. The frankfurters were probably the most disappointing. We called the oatmeal cookie bars “sawdust bars” because of the texture. Most guys didn’t like them, but I did. The freeze-dried fruit was the best. Thanks for doing what you do, Steve.

[@dizzious]

Same opinions here! That dehydrated fruit was amazing. I also liked the oatmeal brick cookies. The (later produced?) Chocolate covered ones were great too.

[@benn454]

Four fingers of death

[@LunchKamado]

39:49 “yeah there’s absolutely no way I’m going to be trying any of this out” - promptly takes a bite Also at 42:17 “this is some of the worst chocolate I’ve ever had…look at it, it’s beautiful!” Absolute gold

[@tredogzs]

upvote!

[@uncreative5766]

Nice

[@Russia1815]

Something I love about Steve videos, besides the Mres, is how wholesome and i formative the comment section is. From Soldiers telling their stories of the food, and their secret hacks to people just passing through and interested for thw first time, its truly a lovely thing to see.

[@Hevynly1]

I am nostalgic for the light brown M&Ms. So nice to see again! And to have confirmation that they changed their formula. I always thought 80s-90s M&Ms were better.

[@ItsMe-vg4vj]

Everything is trash but home grown home made.

[@ben________3156]

Before companies sacrificed quality for increased profits.

[@teamempressive7730]

Everything was better in the 80s and mid 90s. Nestle products was so good back then. Definitely not the same taste anymore

[@CloudianMH]

Better quality chocolate and more sugar. It was about being the best back then, not about profit margins. No one wants to be the best anymore, not at an affordable price anyway. Profitably is the only thing that matters. So if you are going for highest quality they jack the prices. No one is trying to be the best. Which means largest reach due to pricing and not sacrificing profit. This ofc extends to every sector, not just chocolate 😅

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

As a combat veteran, watching you eat these well-preserved MREs actually makes me very hungry. I was thinking that you could put the peanut butter in with the main and create a peanut sauce, and then you did it. That's awesome. I have to say I still love and crave MREs, especially when I'm out camping or hunting. And I love the peanut butter and crackers, especially if I'm around when I first enlisted in 2005, MRE peanut butter is the best.

[@jamesdorpinghaus3294]

Thank you for serving

[@ddhrsa]

Hungry as well lol

[@GigaBoost]

​@@jamesdorpinghaus3294simp

[@Lalann]

Will forever crave the 2003 raviolis with a whole salt packet and mini bottle of Tabasco.

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

@@jamesdorpinghaus3294 thanks brother

[@penbucket]

The culinary time travel is pretty mind blowing. These MREs are the only way to do it. So cool

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@izzyiz810]

YOU'RE THE EPITOME OF MRE REVIEWS... I get frustrated watching other people do what you do so perfectly. It's entertaining, educational & relaxing to watch this channel. And most of all. Just plain fun.

[@trelard]

Just when I start realizing "It's been a while since I saw some new MRE content" and along comes Steve with 2, again. Great stuff.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@JE-pe9tp]

I agree

[@blackgallgher8747]

Steve becoming one of the last few people on earth to open a pack of M&Ms with brown M&Ms in them

[@hannahmonroe3094]

I really love this channel man. I have stomach problems really bad and sometimes the best distraction is eating to entertainment, but your videos and the atomosphere and mood you bring really makes eating a second thought. I'm sure that sounds weird to people but it means a lot how much you enjoy the food, I get to too. Thanks for loving what you do and making it a social experience at meal time for me. Sincerely, someone who's repeatedly watched some of your tastiest looking reviews for the 24 hr rations

[@christophicer123]

Helps me a ton as well! Many times I’ve struggled to eat and Steve can help me get through it.

[@mosomos89]

I’ve seen dozens of your vids, but this one is special to me. My dad volunteered to help after hurricane Andrew in ‘92 as a paramedic. They were passing out cases of MRE’s very similar to these. About 9 years later, I found a few leftovers in a chest in our garage. So these were my first exposure to MRE’s, I thought they were the coolest thing ever.

[@guavamnia]

Your videos always make my day, your whole attitude and wholesomeness is, sadly, rare online these days. Thank you for making my day, as well as many others, better.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Right on thanks so much! Alright cool, see ya

[@sdpicturecard6858]

I like how the Tabasco bottle moved from one spot on the tray to another spot as Steve placed the coffee glass in its spot on the tray before he added water to the glass. Classic Steve video editing.

[@lancerevell5979]

Gave me a chuckle too! 😄

[@Redmanb11]

Yesss plus the piece of pound cake in the main section of the tray on the spaghetti one😅

[@RobertFoldes-x7z]

KZbin ends where Steve begins. Pure class. He improves with every episode.

[@Jay-vj1km]

USMC from 1991 to 2005. Dude…. You just seriously kicked up some long forgotten memories. Thank you Steve 😊

[@Inklenation]

I’m not feeling the best at the moment… but watching Steve’s presentations… always cheers me up and makes me feel like eating something….

[@sheric3734]

Hope you feel better, friend!

[@Inklenation]

@@sheric3734 my kids are with me now… I always feel better when they are near.. thank you for your concern.

[@EyvetteeTheBaddie3]

@@Inklenationawe…. that’s so sweet…

[@eccojam]

i love when steve uploads because it lets us know he hasn’t passed on from botulism yet.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

Or a hurricane.

[@EuropeYear1917]

@@nomadmarauder-dw9re Or both… at the same time. I honestly could see this man’s roof being ripped off his house, and his biggest concern would be that the K-Ration he decided to bust out is making his tongue numb. He’d keep saying he’s not gonna eat any more of it, while proceeding to take “one more bite, just to be sure”… 😂🤣😂🤣

[@TheHonestPeanut]

That brown plastic is so satisfying. I'm sure service members were not very excited for these but I remember getting these rations from surplus stores when I was a teenager and enjoying every moment of them.

[@Steve1989MRE]

I miss em, this was a real treat to find some well preserved ones. Such good memories - nice

[@gesuyarou663]

My Dad used to bring these home. I grew up eating these and loved them. Thanks for the memories.

[@shawncook8672]

I was in the US army from 1989 until 1992. The first time I "ate" an MRE was at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. A balmy -7 December day, after a brisk winter walk (forced ruck march). The cases of MRE's were VERY cold and no way to heat or even warm the food. The first time we were given the heaters was while we were deployed to the Middle East. Almost made the MRE's decent. I have a love/hate relationship with corned beef hash, even to this day. Edit: we called the oatmeal cookie bar the John Wayne bar. I've heard since then that the cookie bar was meant to be eaten after being soaked with hot water. Not sure of the validity of that, but probably would have made it easier to eat.

[@faeembrugh]

I know a friend who was in the British Army and he would get US MREs sometimes and use the oatmeal and the apple jelly to make porridge which he said was delicious.

[@jeffyoung60]

The corned beef hash did taste GOOD, but, you had to warm it up well first, something difficult for the front-line grunts, but doable with combat service support soldiers like mechanics, electronics technicians, parts supply clerks, truck and generator mechanics. All of these people worked in forward support companies that were static. Everyone could take time off to actually sit down and warm up an MRE entree with a FRH. Some even owned portable stoves. I owned an Esbit stove that burned alcohol tabs. I would heat my MRE entree in boiling water, such a luxury! Also, don't forget the Tabasco sauce on the corned beef hash. It really brought out the flavor. So, yes, corned beef hash did taste good when hot and with Tabasco sauce. On one field exercise, I passed by a collapsed wood hut off the side of the road. I noticed a collection of abandoned MREs on the floor. Walking over to it, I discovered all the abandoned MREs were corned beef hash. Nonetheless, I picked up every one of those. Waste not, want not. Plus, I had the means to warm up the corned beef hash. There were indeed several MRE entrees that would taste good only if adequately heated. One was the chicken a la king. Most soldiers didn't like it until you heated it up well and discovered the chicken a la king tasted good. A similar entree was chicken stew. It needed to be warmed up to taste good. Another were the dehydrated pork or beef patties. If you could rehydrate either with boiling water, the rehydrated patty tasted good. Add salt and pepper. I miss several old-time MRE entrees that should have been kept, the beef stew and diced beef chunks in gravy come to mind.

[@thecynicaloptimist1884]

I love that Steve just randomly shows up and drops a couple of nice vids like a benevolent freeze-dried spirit.

[@gentlegiant3227]

The world is spiraling towards a fiery end, but yet there stands Steve and his MREs. He’s the hero we need but don’t deserve

[@DamienDarkside]

Look, even from a neutral political perspective we aren't close to as bad as it has been in the past. You just have more access to information than ever before, and can be given more constantly. People for some reason seem to have forgotten this, but right now we aren't genuinely under the threat of nuclear destruction as seen during the Cold War. People forget that as divided as the USA is now, they literally had a Civil War once where the North and South were killing each other constantly 'till 600,000+ Americans died. People forget that as violent as their cities seem now in the 24/hr news cycles, every single major city in every first world country has seen a drastic drop in crime in all areas since the 70s. As devastatingly polluted the planet seems to be now, we've made massive progress to limit and restrain the explosive growth of pollution and emissions from engines and energy production since the 80s (the problem was that scale increased everywhere). We just had millions die from COVID-19 (~3 million), still drastically less than any other major death-wave virus that did sweep humanity like Black Death (~75m-200m) to the Spanish Flu (~30-100m). Everything could be worse, and we have a long way to go, but we're still in a better position than we have been before. We've done that by growing and making progress, as little as it may seem. It isn't all bleak out there, it's just marketed to us that way because it gets clicks and advertisement money. We all know the news doesn't make money on positivity, been that way since the newspaper was a thing. Plus people seem to forget, that even if Steve is gone for months, he will ALWAYS come back with something to put out onto a tray... nice!

[@SebastianDingleswitch]

Man shaves his arms for us. He's a nice person.

[@teleman07]

@@SebastianDingleswitch His arm hair used to be molecules from the mres we watched him eat for all these years. They have collectible value.

[@SebastianDingleswitch]

@@teleman07 maybe he doesn't shave them at all, and it all just falls off from the radiation that made these rations so shelf stable.

[@kristoffer8609]

The world is doing just fine. And that's nice.

[@bosskey7212]

this was my era being in the Army and I can tell you my favorite MRE list back then was the Chow Mein, Spaghetti, and we also had Chili Mac back then too which was very popular. I was never a big fan of the ham slice or the Omelette and usually traded those with someone for something else. The chocolate bar peanut butter combo was always a must and the grape juice was really good too. I usually got my coffee from the mess tent if we had one around. These always bring back good memories and remembering all my fellow soldiers from back then, some of whom I still am in contact with today. Thanks again as always Steve

[@Crispycritter35]

Steve showing up out of no where with top tier content always makes my day. Man’s a hero!!!

[@DV80s]

I was still in the Army back in '93. I remember most of these MREs. My favorite was probably spaghetti in sauce. We didn't have much of a choice what we got out in the field since there was a lot of members in the platoon. You got what you got.

[@thomasbeach905]

We always pooled and traded around. There was usually someone who would take each entree.

[@abigguitar]

"You got what you got" Yeah, that's kinda what I was wondering. Steve is able to select the ones he wants to try, but out in the field it didn't always work out like that.

[@grimmWednesday]

Spaghetti with meat sauce was my favorite as well in ’93. If I remember right, it tasted pretty good even unheated.

[@LukeSlocombe]

During Desert Shield/Storm (90-91) we were consuming the late-80s MREs already in the system. Similar menus but no FRH's, and yes sometimes you could no longer read what it was. Nobody ate the brownie or the cookie bars. Another great video Steve!

[@jeffyoung60]

I would always eat the brownie and the cookie bars. Loved 'em all. Plus when you're hungry, you have less inhibitions.

[@StephenConiglio-d4j]

Old army grunt here, used to mix all of the dehydrated fruit packets with water and the creamer packet. Peaches and cream was the best

[@tieneeddoawestruck2036]

after a 14 hour day at work, I come home to find that Steve had my back. New videos to relax and unwind to! Thank you Steve!

[@YourFavTessa]

There's just something so satisfying about hearing "ALRIGHT, let's get this out onto a tray. NICE" Always a good day when we get blessed with a Steve upload

[@zackbetterton489]

“There absolutely no way I’m trying that out” as he takes a bite of the cheese😂😂

[@jhammer4431]

I joined the marines in 2000 and I remember getting the dark brown MREs once. I had the BBQ pork and rice. From what I remember it was pretty good. I didn't realize it was probably 5 years old at the time.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Thank you for your service! Oh wow lucky you getting to eat a bbq pork those are great!

[@davidemelia6296]

Did they include your favourite flavour of crayon?

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

You'd realize it was 5 or more years old when you open up the Mars bar and it was powder.

[@jhammer4431]

No, it did not come with the red crayons.@@davidemelia6296

[@jhammer4431]

I think it came with petrified tootsie rolls.@@HolyShnikeez_1975

[@sagemathes574]

One of the few people on this site I have notifications on for. Been watching forever and there’s sense of nostalgia that comes with Steve’s unchanged presentation format. Guy found the formula and stuck with it over the years. Love it 💪🏼

[@miriamnah6624]

Its so comforting

[@DrummerGrrrl]

I get impatient waiting for new Steve1989 videos, so I tried watching other reviewers... nope! Nope, nope, nope. Steve is THE best! Am I right?! 😂❤

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@ToniBoordane]

Steve’s intro music is so good. It’s like you’re watching a informational video about MREs from the 90s Also I come for the coffee glass symphony

[@silverxstar01]

Teleporting Tabasco at 22:00! Seriously, though, how cool to find 30-year-old MREs in such mint condition. Those old-school tan M&Ms were a treat to see!

[@jonnydude69]

Good eye! That's hilarious, I love Steve lmao

[@Amseldrossler]

Also at 6:53

[@totallylegityoutubeperson4170]

​@@Amseldrosslerlmao he did did a cut on something as simple as putting down the cup 😂 must have been done on purpose

[@KertaDrake]

Well it is magic. It can apparently make anything edible!

[@nerdcraftercoley7305]

Definitely on purpose awesome editing

[@GeminiWoods]

My dad brought home a bunch of MREs from his job pretty often, generally around this era. We'd eat them camping and sometimes eat them just hanging around the house. Good times.

[@aprilm9959]

My dad did this too! I had the pork chow mein once.

[@klfjoat]

11:08 Steve saying "ohhh, nice juice" made me feel some kind of way. Also, I want to take Steve to a Michelin star restaurant and get his analysis. He seems to have a very sensitive palate (and it seems to be tuned for very specific MRE flavors).

[@richardw2566]

1990 / 1991 Desert Shield / Storm that breakfast was called the vomit omelet. Not to be confused with the infamous Menu No. 4, the cheese and veggie "Vomelet" which was a DOD legend for being awful. The spaghetti wasn't bad but the MRE you hoped to get was the tuna and noodles. 2/11 Mar Regiment. Semper FI.

[@Steve1989MRE]

Thank you for your service. Would've never have guessed that tuna with noodles was the go-to menu. It did have the chocolate nut cake though, which those are amazing when fresh. It ended up replacing the nut cake with a pound cake in 1993. Will have to check that menu out next.

[@terryd757]

@@Steve1989MRE There was a maple nut cake that was awesome, not as overwhelming as the maple muffin tops are now. In about 1993 I was in a surplus store that had cases of the meatballs with bbq sauce and rice and the Omelets with ham. Just the entrees. They must have been dumping them and sold them off as surplus. I liked both. The omelet is best when cut into squares and eaten on a cracker.

[@seanclements]

Also, the 'skin graft.'

[@stuartburgess6945]

I left the RAF after 10 years in 92 & still miss some of the rations especially bacon grills, steak & kidney pudding pudding ( babies heads), chicken curry & in the earlier rat packs condensed milk & jam in tubes that were the same as metallised toothpaste tubes, great stuff as always Steve keep em coming food time travel at its best 😎!

[@shadowhunter1934]

I love Steve man he seems so wholesome every time I see him just a dude who loves history and trying mre’s from history and getting to learn more about the best ways to eat MRE’s also takes a special person to enjoy and eat soldier food man’s got an iron stomach

[@rheel6747]

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better Steve goes and drops a brand new gem for us.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@stealthdrifter4556]

the joy and awe in his voice when unpacking and smelling everything is amazing lol

[@Rinwhyy]

watching steve and seeing past veterans think back to MRE as a good memory considering the circumstances that they would have been in is nice but also very heartwarming. Thank you for your service to both

[@DrForester54]

I always love watching Steve do his thing! There is one MRE that I will always remember. I was just a little kid and my dad brought several MREs home. He was U.S. Army Special Forces until 1981, but then served in reserves (and training guardsmen) for several years after. The one I remember distinctly was Menu # 5 from the 1981-1985 set. Here is the list of contents: Beef Stew TS 5 oz Fruit FD Cherry Nut Cake Peanut Butter Crackers Cocoa Spoon Acc Pkt A I especially remember the Cherry Nut Cake. I had never had anything quite like it, and I still distinctly recall the taste and texture to this day at 42 years old.

[@thomasbeach905]

That was one of my favorites.

[@andrewdavis3322]

I joined in 90. I forgot all about the cherry nut until I read your comment. Thanks for bringing back some old memories.

[@TrapMusicNow]

Growing up impoverish, this would’ve been amazing to have. Keep it up Steve been a supporter for 5 years brother. Love the content

[@shirleytwsw]

You’re not kidding would’ve been a god send !

[@gregsheffield2965]

Geoff thank you for your kind words. At OCS (class 501-89) we were taught to “take care of your men, LT”. Same goes for all leaders (NCOs and officers)

[@jimvac77]

Brings back memories. I was a cadet when the brown MREs were out, and yes many of them did not have FRH. Certain mains just do not taste good cold (ham slice and the "four fingers of death" for example) but when heated are actually pretty good. The sawdust bars and freeze dried fruits were greatly missed in more modern MREs.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

A couple of modern MREs don't have a heater either - which is handy if you want to take them on a plane. The chicken chunks, and I think the lemon pepper tuna.

[@jimvac77]

@@AshleyPomeroy fancy. Definitely after my time. I tapped out in 2006 when the hamburger patty was new, lol.

[@thomasbeach905]

When I joined up in 1986, they had freeze-dried hamburger patties. We called them beef cookies and didn’t bother rehydrating them. We just crunched them down. Apparently they did not catch on..

[@WCL31986]

@@thomasbeach905I had some of the dehydrated pork patties back in 90. No matter how I tried they never got tender. 🐖

[@arkhaan7066]

@@AshleyPomeroy can confirm tuna doesnt have an FRH, and it also has the best snacks to make up for the kinda crappy main

[@dootdootgutsu8637]

Man I love this guy, he's so wholesome and entertaining to watch. Been watching his stuff since 2017. He was the main person why I started eating MRE's.

[@bottlethrower1544]

Where do you get them?

[@cameronlikesmudki]

Always love a new video from Steve love watching him try mres

[@Steve1989MRE]

Nice!

[@brodyrichard263]

The passion he has for this is unmatched ❤️

[@TheZaz969]

Always a great night when steve drops a new MRE review

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice

[@TheZaz969]

@@Steve1989MREmy guy, keep it up!

[@mpersad]

Just love the way you mix the sound when stirring in the coffee in the ribbed glass! Properly musical! Thanks Steve, I so enjoy your videos and this is another great one!

[@1x4x9]

9:11 Yep, that sounds about right. M&Ms were significantly better in the 80's and early 90's, it was a less-cheap formula as you pointed out.

[@Steve1989MRE]

nice!

[@glennburford8410]

Hi Steve. I was in the Army from 1988 to 1992. I love it when you try these brown packaged MREs. I've had all of the ones up to 93. Never got the FRH. We always used our tank's exhaust to heat them. Favorites were ham slice, pork with rice in bbq sauce. Worst was Tuna and noodles and the ham and chicken loaf.

[@Nethanieal]

My dad had friend who was Iraq war vet , he lived with us for a while back in the early 90's. He had boxes of these MRE's and I learned that these things can come in handy when you are on EI. Cool to see these get reviewed , Right on Steve !

[@Steve1989MRE]

That's awesome man I'm hoping you were able to try a few of those MRE's out, connect with that Veteran, and make some cool memories! nice