New York City’s newest gourmet grocery store, Meadow Lane, has drawn huge crowds—and some criticism—just days after opening its doors in Tribeca.
Founded by Sammy Nussdorf, scion of a billionaire family, the store quickly gained fame for its pricey pre-made foods, including $15 gluten-free chicken nuggets that went viral online before the first shoppers even stepped inside.
Viral Nuggets Raise Eyebrows
The store’s signature chicken nuggets became an internet sensation thanks to taste test videos Nussdorf posted on TikTok. But not everyone was impressed.
Food blogger Sabrina Carey, known as @foodforfooodies on social media, shared footage showing the nuggets with a light pink interior, prompting questions about whether they were fully cooked.
“Does this chicken look raw?” Carey asked in a poll on Instagram.
She later posted a TikTok clip showing her bitten nugget, which quickly racked up over 160,000 views.
Carey claimed many followers reported the same issue.
Social Media Reacts
The response on TikTok was intense. Some users warned others not to risk eating the nuggets, while others defended the store, pointing out that poultry can sometimes remain pink even when fully cooked.
According to the USDA, color alone is not a reliable indicator of doneness; poultry must reach 165°F internally to be safe to eat.
The controversy highlighted the challenges of launching a trendy, social-media-driven food brand, where viral hype can magnify both praise and criticism.
Other Labeling Issues
Carey wasn’t the only shopper to encounter problems.
TikTok user Nikki Cooper (@nikk_coop), who has a dairy allergy, purchased turkey chili that was mislabeled and contained cheese not listed on the packaging.
Cooper noted that she could have had an allergic reaction if she’d eaten it, saying, “Thank God I didn’t eat it.”
Nussdorf personally addressed the issue, inviting Cooper back to the store for a refund and letting her pick out additional items.
The incident was reportedly caused by a mix-up between chili batches.
Nussdorf’s Rise and the Store’s Backstory
Sammy Nussdorf, 28, spent 17 months building anticipation for Meadow Lane, frequently posting updates about delays on TikTok under his handle @brokebackcontessa.
The store’s name references a five-mile stretch of the Hamptons known as “Billionaire Lane,” home to lavish estates owned by ultra-wealthy individuals.
Nussdorf comes from a family worth over $1.6 billion.
His grandparents, Ruth and Bernard Nussdorf, founded Quality King in Queens in 1961.
The business grew into a major distributor of pharmaceuticals and health and beauty products and remains family-run today.
Social Media Buzz and Store Popularity
Despite the hiccups, Meadow Lane remains a social media darling.
Lines of shoppers wrapped around the block on opening day, eager to try the high-end offerings and capture content for Instagram and TikTok.
The combination of celebrity-style marketing, viral food items, and the allure of a nepo-baby-backed brand has ensured that Meadow Lane is on everyone’s radar—even if some customers are now approaching the store with caution.
What’s Next for Meadow Lane
The Daily Mail has reached out to Meadow Lane, Nussdorf, Carey, and Cooper for comment.
With both glowing reviews and viral controversies circulating online, it remains to be seen how the store will navigate its early growing pains while maintaining its buzz among New York City’s trend-conscious shoppers.
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