MRE Review - Menu 5 - Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese (2013)

A review of a genuine U.S. Military MRE. Menu 5. Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese.
This review courtesy of a very generous U.S. subscriber by the name of Seth. Thanks heaps Seth!
For other great MRE Reviews check out:
Gundog4314:
/ gundog4314
Gschultz9:
/ gschultz9
If you'd like to contribute a little towards producing these videos, thanks in advance. Our Patreon link is below:
/ kiwidudemre

[@gschultz9]

Hey, it's great to hear your opinion on this somewhat polarizing entree Kiwi Dude! Sounds like you rather liked it. It's definitely one of the strongest and boldest tasting MRE entrees I've ever experienced (thanks mainly to the feta apparently), and I can certainly see how it is that many don't like it at all. I on the other hand like it quite a bit. I think if I had to lodge a complaint about it it would be that I can taste it in my burps for hours afterward (sorry to conjure up a disgusting thought). It tastes great the first time (especially when well heated), but you really don't want to keep tasting it over and over again after its been ingested!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

gschultz9 Hey G! It sure is a departure from 'Chili & Mac' etc... and I'm glad they got this one across the line. Piping hot would have been better though, and I was almost tempted to bust out a Mealspec heater to give it a final boost!

[@gundog4314]

gschultz9 Yeah I can say that menu wasn't my favorite but I'd be happy after a long day of slogging on my feet with it. Rock on Seth for sending it! Cheers

[@jackredmond8192]

Hi

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Jack Redmond Hello!

[@dadjokes1159]

Nice videos man . You're the best mre review person on KZbin in my opinion.

[@tamaravandegraaf7100]

Wow, I just bingewatched all your MRE reviews over the course of just two weeks! Both you and the Boss are awesome reviewers. Looking forward to seeing more, and to getting my hands on some of those meals myself!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Tamara van de Graaf Cheers Tamara, that was quite a marathon! Many more to come.

[@xdmkii]

I tried this one last week from 2010. It had a side of cornbread stuffing, the sweet was reese's pieces and the beverage was vanilla cappuccino instant powder. I liked the main entree.

[@randypalmer2331]

I have to say, the first time I saw the Rock or Something on one of your most recent videos, it almost killed me laughing. Love this series, keep it up and here's to The Boss.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

+Ray Panner Cheers. Glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@rodrigoreynoso3556]

Randy Palmer why a lot of people think it's funny I don't get why it's funny

[@geoffupton]

yea made me laugh too! i'd be supprised if anyone didnt get the "rock or something" rock! simple answer... look at the pic on the FRH! the diagram is 99% identical! its funny!

[@kendon81]

that huge raisins pack screams of the end of a run of packaging and using up the spare stock so when they order in the new design package they have no old stock in the warehouse.

[@enragedtomato31]

I'm jealous, that mre seemed delicous. Anyway, thank you for another review and for raising such a cute child.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Mauricio Boites Cheers. We really enjoyed this one.

[@enragedtomato31]

Kiwi Dude i can tell

[@Nitro10142]

The bag for the lemon lime drink is big so you can mix the drink in the bag

[@richarddortch1319]

That is so crazy that it just might work.

[@geoffupton]

probably the idea if your out in the field! you aint got time to find a cup or glass (well thats what i think anyhow!)

[@ian3314]

Thank you for this and thanks Seth for the package!!!! Mr kiwi dude you are so entertaining in these videos....

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

ian3314 Cheers, and yes - thanks heaps Seth!

[@Bill23799]

I think you are supposed to use some of that Electrolyte powder to top off the battery in your Hummer or MRAP vehicle. Thanks KiwiDude and boss for all the fun videos.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Bill23799 Cheers mate.

[@Jaybird196]

Ah, the chicken and tomato with feta. Or, as I like to think of it, the fetid chicken with tomatoes ;) . I'll be saving this video for later, tonight :) .

[@thevapemaster5594]

The large packs do have a use in place of cups for drinks or in the case of the raisins so it can be folded and saved for later

[@WrestlingChick81]

This package was send from someone who lives close to where I live. I love seeing the US MRE's the most since I have family in the military.

[@lorijennings8]

Thanks Kiwi Dude. My husband and really enjoy watching your reviews. The day after my husband and I watched this review, a case of MREs arrived. I had to laugh when this meal was one of the items in the case. I will say, I don't particularly care for Feta. But this wasn't to bad. I think I would have preferred rice to the cornbread stuffing that came in ours.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Lori Jennings Hey Lori, great to hear you're enjoying the reviews. It's funny you mention the cornbread, as I really look forward to seeing it in MRE's (relatively rare). The Feta smell of this one (unless piping hot) can really be a turn off.

[@chase0734]

Completely unrelated, I live right next to the city of Smyrna, GA. They get Google Fiber but I don't. It makes me sad....

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

Hello fellow Georgian.

[@TenRingGaming]

"Coffee Type III" I wonder what the differences are between this and Type I and Type II

[@brandonfrost9549]

Glad to see you back, Kiwi Dude!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Brandon Frost Good to be back!

[@Anna-gp1mi]

I'm thinking maybe the pouch is large so you can drink the lemon lime stuff even when you don't have a cup c: EDIT: as for the raisons, maybe so you can store them for later?

[@Starwind87]

I always thought the most amusing part about eating an MRE is you get all this stuff to warm it and make beverages and etc... Yet any time you're eating an MRE you're either stateside and have like 5-10 minutes to scarf it all down, or you're in country and you've field stripped it all down to fit as many as possible into your pack. Then you just munch on the snacky stuff whenever you take a break while you're on the move and never bother taking the heaters or beverage powders with you.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Starwind87 I guess it all makes perfect sense in the comfort of the lab/kitchen when they're designing these things, but as you say - not really in practice.

[@user-cg9fe4zq8p]

I should be folding the laundry but instead I'm here

[@goodi2shooz]

I live in what is considered the raisin capital of the world even though I have never seen awesome looking raisins as that those were beautiful! great video as always the boss is adorable!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

goodi2shooz Cheers. I've always been wary of MRE raisins since discovering the joy of 'osmotic'. Happily, these were delicious!

[@judelee4321]

Looks like my hiking trip's dinner has a new plan already! Sure would wanna try this!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Jude Lee Perfect for hiking!

[@angelacalhoun4940]

You are awesome and so is the boss!

[@leathery420]

The lemon lime drink package is really big to accommodate all those electrolytes.

[@tylersheets6073]

Just an FYI, I don't know if it has been said already but there is another notch on the FRH to make for easier opening after heating. It is about halfway down the bag. Cheers

[@tammypingel1400]

Once again a great review! made me laugh at end, getting the boss giggling lol

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Tammy Pingel Thanks. We had a ball filming this one :-)

[@bellaxfatal]

Great review as always! I'm surprised they managed to actually keep the look of a chicken breast. But, I'm not a fan of feta cheese, so I don't think I'd like this MRE. And, as always, I love Crystal's review, too! My 10 year old daughter just started watching your reviews with me, and she loves you two! Guess what she wanted for her birthday!!! Some MRE's. How freaking funny is that?! Good for me though, because when I buy a couple, guess who gets to share in the fun. The only thing I'm worried about is that the ones they have on Amazon, you can't really pick which ones you want, and I'm scared that this is one of the menus I'll be sent. Keep up the good work, my friend!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

bellaxfatal Cheers! Yes, they did a great job on the chicken here. It'd be awesome to see more menus using that same piece of chicken. 11 secret herbs and spices anyone? Great to hear you and little one are getting into MRE's. Let me know how your first experience goes. As a rule of thumb, try to shoot for two years or newer, and if you want my personal opinion - steer clear of Pork Sausage with Gravy. Crystal says "Hi" :-)

[@AdmiralPreparedness]

I've got this main entree in my long term food storage right up front for camping trips and the occasional day trip up the local hills. They never last in storage while up front. We consume them. The energy bars are really hard to find so we buy civilian versions. Cheers.

[@williamcattrell4191]

The first strike bar is similar to the soldier fuels in some of the other US rations

[@Ljandthesundancekid]

Try sticking the cheese spread in the box with the frh along side the coffee. In my opinion it makes it a little tastier;)

[@danielmckenzie6896]

The energy drink packets are big for the reason of mixing the drink in the pouch. Because in the field the troops do not carry cups.

[@rockyraab8290]

The infectious laugh says it all, eh, mate? You and Crystal are clearly in the "like it" camp of this meal - as am I, by the way. You are very right that it is MUCH better when piping hot versus lukewarm. I've had one each way, and the difference is huge. Sadly for those of us who like it, is has been phased out as of the 2015 menu list.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Rocky Raab Hi Rocky, we certainly did! I was almost tempted to bust out a Mealspec heater to finish it off. It's a shame they've deleted this menu. I hope the chicken surfaces in some other form.

[@Qotastic]

Just curious, do you have a preference between the plain and the veggie crackers flavor-wise? And what about The Boss? Does she share your preference?

[@LeanneZackowski]

I'm not a fan of feta so I would pass on this one. However, the meal would be more complete if they added a rice package (like the ones in the Japanese meals) to be used for the Chicken with Tomato and Feta Cheese. Once a again great review KiwiDude :)

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

***** Hey Leanne, yes - a side of rice would have gone down nicely, especially to soak up some of that juice.

[@Zephieish]

Pumper dumper

[@ARTSIEBECCA]

I love how you interact with Crystal you can tell she has a ball with you and loves you alot. Not to mention she is so darn cute.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

ARTSIEBECCA Thanks. We have a ball making these videos together.

[@mumzly1]

I was wondering when you were gonna post another video

[@koukogakusha]

Great Vid again!! This is a very cool MRE, it seems to show a pragmatic shift to variety. Nothing beats home-cooked, but at least something interesting is worth a go. Thanks to Seth for sending this to you for review! Ranting aside: The Boss reactions are golden,,, as are your commentary on feta.. Looking foward to next vid! -k/M

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Karnack Cheers mate & cheers Seth!

[@irelandoverviews3639]

In Ireland we don't look at the back, we just look and see what it is, and if we want it we eat it!!

[@FelisDestructicus]

oh nice! New video to enjoy.

[@nickpaschentis5284]

The main meal is basically greek food(feta for example) but we use to eat it with rise or macaroni. And remember,greek food is always tasty.

[@notremorse]

yay a new upload

[@haggardfalcone]

The boss reminds me of my niece at her age. Bags of personality. Just wait until she becomes a teenager, lol.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Covjitsuka Lol... She has two younger sisters and they'll all be teenagers together for one year. Yikes.

[@Kelsmith2]

Hey wow. Coincidently I had this meal just the other day while on a long mountain bike ride. This menu is actually one of my favorites. Though mine was from 2012 where they included a cornbread stuffing side dish in place of the m&m's. The stuffing does a much better job of soaking up all those chicken and cheese juices and seems to go with the meal a bit better in my experience. In a video when I believe it was gshultz reviewed this menu, he said that people had described the smell and taste of the chicken as slightly vomit-like. I can kind of see what they mean as the feta does have a sort of similar smell. Overall though great review!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Kelly Smith Cheers. Somebody mentioned in the comments that the older ones had cornbread. I can't imagine why they would delete such a perfect accompaniment. I would have gladly swapped the raisins. As for the smell, yep - Gschultz was bang on with the vomit comment (as you found out!). Fortunately, it tastes a LOT better than it looks.

[@wilkjames35]

You need to crush the heater and fold the top over to cook it right........it looks alot better when its hot and tastes better too. The meal looked way too lukewarm for me

[@wassi5560]

great another review!

[@TheBoldImperator]

This is definitely one of the better MREs, probably the best I've ever had. Thick pieces of chicken (in mine, it was a whole slab of breast meat), feta cheese, First Strike Bar. I even liked the osmotic cranberries.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

TheBoldImperator I'm with you there. The chicken holds up great and it's hard to believe it came from a retort pouch.

[@endlrls]

Holy boss attack on the Chicken there! lol... nice vid... keep up the great content!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Derek Wroblewski Thanks. It was hard to get a word in for a moment there. She loved that chicken!

[@endlrls]

Too funny! Keep up the great video's, mate!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Derek Wroblewski Cheers.

[@chloeponyslover]

Love your videos keep up the good work☺️x

[@ogbobbye]

When will the Boss do a review and than feed the leftovers to you kind sir lol I really enjoy your reviews BTW

[@tx_diablo]

That looks like the best MRE out of all the other MRE

[@otk999]

Just had one of these on my hike today. Some minor menu variations: grape instead of lemon-lime flavour drink, cranberries instead of raisins, apple and cinnamon First Strike bar instead of chocolate and, er, corn bread stuffing instead of... M&Ms it would seem.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

otk999 Lol.. Cornbread substituting the M&M's. That's an odd swap!

[@spenceroutdoors]

Great video and it cheered me u.and congrats on 30k

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Spencer Hineman Thanks Spencer!

[@nancysmith9844]

Placing more than one item in the heater pack prevents it from reaching the heat level it's designed for.

[@PartOfTheGame]

US guys love Aussies and Nzer's. XD they're like the childhood friends playing in the sandbox.

[@Sticky745]

Great vid as always! I also though the chicken feta was overly salty..

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

stickyfingaz745 Thanks. I found it needed just a pinch more to suit my taste.

[@ThePooppantsman]

This is one of my fav US ones. the chicken is really good.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

+White Chocolate Me too. Love the big chunk of chicken.

[@tammerialewis9971]

Love your "rock or something"

[@TwistedNinja7474]

Best way to eat this MRE is to heat up the cheese, finely crush the veggie crackers, then mix them both into the entree pouch.

[@maybeiam3367]

I wish they sold MREs at stores, at reasonable pries of course, I'm sure they'd be poplar. Way better than that frozen crap that you need a microwave for and you can take it anywhere.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Alex xeon With the right marketing, I'm sure they'd be a hit too. Perfect for gas stations etc..

[@maybeiam3367]

Kiwi Dude and the price for the military and peepers would come down too, and I'd finally have an option for portable lunches.

[@xxstuntingbeastxx5392]

Keep up the good ration reviews :)

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

XxStunting BeastxX Cheers.

[@nicksueldo9269]

Kiwi Dude i love all your videos!!! :D

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Nicksueldo sueldo Cheers!

[@edmxero2029]

damn.... im earlier now than I was at my birth

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

EDM XERO Lol!

[@AdrielSjahfiedin]

So the creamer is a power substance then when contact with the water, it becomes a liquid form of creamer?

[@jchiliw]

Adriel Sjahfiedin It's non-dairy creamer (CoffeeMate)main ingredient is vegetable oil. It mixes with hot liquid but not very well with cold liquids.

[@AdrielSjahfiedin]

So it is like powder.

[@jchiliw]

Yes it is a powder.

[@AdrielSjahfiedin]

Ok thx

[@straydog0702]

I need to buy a bunch of MREs

[@Rin_Nya762]

I prefer black coffee.... no creamer... no sugar..... I guess I'm just weird......

[@EpicStrategyGamer]

still going on about the osmotic raisins are we haha,This is Detecting California HD by the way. That was interesting as an american i can say ive never eaten or heard of osmotic raisins before, also kiwi im sending you a pm, since i want to send you another ration. loved teh New Zealand ratio as well by far the best ive ever eaten, wish the US had some more on line with those even our 24 hours arent as good.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Blood Guns and Honor Hey mate, good to hear from you. The Boss has been out of the country and I've been away from home for the past 5 weeks or so. We're looking forward to getting the videos back on track.

[@EpicStrategyGamer]

yay

[@d4v3tm]

finally a meal that does not require you to overfill it to be a soup :D

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

d4v3tm Lol!

[@christiansarao1]

Nice video mate!

[@MultiMagnum62]

Great job as always Dude !! I definitely enjoy the reviews. P.S. , The boss is A sweetheart, as you already know !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Peace, Magnum, John.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

MultiMagnum62 Cheers John, hope you're well mate.

[@aribantala]

Seems I'm a bit too late to see your review... But still, It's a very amazing review you did, Man. Oh yeah I want to ask you 2 things: 1. What's the Difference in these US MREs between the one with a diagonal writing of MRE and the one with the Campfire Picture? 2. My Dad used to say when we watch some Reenacment and Military movies that The Soldiers used to have "Supplement" mixed in their Drinking Canteen. Is the Carboelectrolyte Drinks supossed to be Mix in the Canteen and be the "Supplement"? Anyway... I enjoy your Review so much. 8 thumbs up.. Cheers mate :) And Happy ANZAC Day for you... We called it "Heroes day" in my Country, every 10th November.. [If I'm not mistaken, Sorry Indonesia. I still honour thee]

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Ari Bantala Cheers. Here's a good link that'll explain the different bag designs: www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-bag-design.html

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Ari Bantala As for the 'supplement' the carb electrolyte powder contains some goodies to replace lost salts etc... but I can't remember what they are off the top of my head. I'll try to show the ingredients more closely on the next review :-)

[@aribantala]

Kiwi Dude Thanks for the Info

[@michaeld8975]

On the bright side if you had given her a lil bigger chunk of the Firststrike she could've moved a couch for you. On the other hand I wouldn't want her in Quality Control because she seems to not mind anything. I have often wondered how the Greeks came up with feta cheese idea, abd Why? You know?

[@benswinton5841]

Good

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Mooky Mann Lol...She did do a sterling job helping me clean afterwards, so perhaps some First Strike energy at play. The Boss is pretty adventurous with her food, but on the rare occasion that she says she doesn't like something - you know it's really bad.

[@PREPFORIT]

A first strike energy bar ? Now that was interesting !

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

PREPFORIT I hope they include these bars in more U.S. MRE menus. Delicious!

[@rangerroy641]

Have thought about reviewing some of the MREs cold, that's how a lot of soldiers have to eat them. Heating them in the field is a luxury.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Ranger Roy I might give it a go. To be honest though, the entrée is often barely lukewarm sometimes with these FRH's!

[@rangerroy641]

Yea.

[@Ancsocska87]

Im in love with The Boss! :)

[@jdniedner]

Maybe heat up your cheese spread one time? If it's hard cheese spread it might make it easy to spread, maybe tastier? Wouldnt be anything in the FRH

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

jdniedner I always forget to heat the cheese spread. I think part of me wants to see it 'au naturale' as it can vary so much in consistency.

[@maleahisabel3014]

My class did a activity with mres and I had this one and dang it's tasty it comes out like soup

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Maleah Yap A lot of people don't like this menu, but I agree with you - it's delicious.

[@Solaaris1]

In that a new camera mate, very nice quality!

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

KainTLA Cheers. It's the same camera, but I did buy a photographic soft box lighting thingy (basically a couple of big lights on a pole with a diffuser) to throw some more light on the situation. Hopefully it improves the quality a bit.

[@Solaaris1]

Kiwi Dude Massive difference mate, Really sharp now!

[@frylock44]

Hands down my favorite mre.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

frylock44 I was really impressed with the amount and consistency of the chicken.

[@iamgrey8152]

now im hungry. hahaha.. wishing MREs are available in my country., hahaha. ill get to bring one when i go "ADVENTURE TIME" with friends, haha

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

I'll send you 40 so you can share.

[@mhenderson1984]

Epitoma Rei Militaris I'd like a few if you got extras hahaha I'll even pay for shipping

[@Bladefreek]

Have you ever put the cheese spread in the heat pack to soften it?

[@bigtrajik1]

Great review keep it up homie

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

bigtrajik1 Cheers mate. Hope you're well.

[@stevekillgore7509]

Do any ANZAC rations use emu or kangaroo ?

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

+Steve Killgore Not that I'm aware of :-)

[@TattooMommy1189]

I'm so jealous. I've always wanted to try an mre.

[@ontarioman100]

Good Vlog

[@mossydog34]

I have that exact same MRE.

[@PsyDin_]

You could have just put the cheese in with the FRH if you wanted it more runny.

[@EconoChallenge]

Ya. I gave it a 10 out of 10 myself.

[@asdzx1757]

we've seen the boss, but i dont ever recall ever seeing you. have you ever been actually shown in any of your videos? just a curiosity thing.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

William Rost You can see a bit of me in this one :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5PUcoaYbq-Hqa8

[@theconeegames]

It says "rock or something" does it really tell you to put that or put a rock or something there lol

[@davericker5110]

I had an MRE the other day that had a separate FRH for the hot beverage, there was not a side in this pack either. was spicy penne pasts from 2012. weird if you ask me

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Dave ricker Two FRH's in one pack? Wow. I haven't seen that before. I wonder if they made a packaging error?

[@steventrosiek2623]

Very nice canteen. Where did you buy it? Thanks.

[@kimunicorn]

Somebody had a case of the sillies! You're such a bad influence on your kid that way, Kiwi. ;)

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

kimunicorn Lol... I couldn't resist :-)

[@zacharyreid8796]

That one is really good i ate it last Friday

[@sebastianglowacki1695]

Always surprised to see a lack of pepper in US MREs. Is that normal?

[@TCFan30]

They replace it with Tabasco instead.

[@Ivo--]

I suppose you could use the huge bag of the gatorade as a makeshift container and drink straight out of it.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

spankmeister Absolutely. Or just chuck it into the canteen cup. I always forget about the canteen cup.

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

+Kiwi Dude they don't issue canteens on deployments anymore.

[@iammorbius4925]

Are you sure that you have the genuine article? I wasn't aware that US MREs are bilingual now, least of all in French? I have the MRE Chicken With Tomatoes & Feta Menu 5 Meal Ready to Eat 19205-OF in my hand right now and I assure you that it is not bilingual.

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Benjamin Dover I believe it's because the Canadians are now using U.S. MRE's instead of the old IMP's. The French is to cater for the French Canadians.

[@Conraildan]

Careful feeding your kids mre's , they are hire in iron and will plug them up lol

[@TheBigstunna12]

Question. I have one of these MREs now. Will I have the same things inside? (First strike bar, same drink, etc) or will it be different?

[@austinwilliams67]

Nice vids kept up the good work

[@KiwiDudeMRE]

Annette Williams Cheers Annette.

[@jehovahsfitness3151]

Snackdubbbz legit food review