Well, I finally went and opened all of my Menu C MREs to really see what I got.
I ordered these on March 2nd. They were packed on 1/16/2008.
You can see from the below list that there is very little variation. You have a choice of the following sides: Mexican Style Corn or Pineapple
You also wind up with either Peanut Butter or Apple Jelly and Crackers. You typically also get a Shortbread Cookie and also Wheat Snack Bread. If you are really lucky, there may be some candy as well.
There really aren't any drinks included. To call the True Orange a drink mix, is quite a stretch. It is listed as the equivalent of a wedge of orange.
It looks like they just had a lot of extra of the above and put them in. This doesn't even come close to any menu I've seen listed for the Menu Cs on their website.
Needless to say, I am quite displeased with these.
Menu # Item-Calories
1 Chicken with Pasta in Pesto Sauce-360
Mexican Style Corn-150
Apple Jelly-70
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Skittles-250
Accessory Packet A-45
2 Chicken Breast-150
Pineapple-80
Peanut Butter-50
Crackers-180
Wheat Snack Bread-80
Accessory Packet A-5
3 Chicken and Dumplings-280
Mexican Style Corn-150
Apple Jelly-70
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Skittles-250
Accessory Packet A-45
4 Beef Stew-220
Peanut Butter-250
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Tabasco Bottle, Red
Accessory Packet A-45
5 Spaghettie with Meat and Sauce-260
Pineapple-80
Peanut Butter-250
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Tootsie Roll-50
Accessory Packet A-45
6 Chicken, Noodles, and Vegetables in Sauce-270
Mexican Style Corn-150
Peanut Butter-250
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Skittles-250
Tabasco Bottle, Red
True Orange
Accessory Packet A-45
7 Chicken Strips with Chunky Salsa-170
Pineapple-80
Peanut Butter-250
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Tabasco Bottle, Green
Accessory Packet A-45
8 Flame Broiled Beef Patty-200
Mexican Style Corn-150
Apple Jelly-70
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Beverage Powered Carb Electrolyte Lemon Lime-90
Accessory Packet A-45
9 Beef Enchilada in Sauce-290
Mexican Style Corn-150
Apple Jelly-70
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Accessory Packet A-45
10 Marinara Sauce with Meatballs-310
Pineapple-80
Peanut Butter-250
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Peanut M&Ms-250
Tabasco Bottle, Red
Accessory Packet A-45
11 Beef Roast with Vegetables and Gravy-280
Mexican Style Corn-150
Peanut Butter-250
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Tabasco Bottle, Green
True Orange
Accessory Packet A-45
12 Chicken Breast in Tomato Sauce with Cavatelli-240
Pineapple-80
Apple Jelly-70
Crackers-180
Shortbread Cookie-210
Wheat Snack Bread-180
Peanut M&Ms-250
Accessory Packet A-45
Total Calories: 14630
Average / Menu: 1219.166667
Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
I'm back just to address this! 
If you'd searched on here before about the menu C's and our buddy Steven Cyros, you'd see that his track record is crap, at least on MREs. It looks like the Menu C's have been going downhill constantly since they've been produced, which is unfortunate since they are a cool concept, but it's complete crap if you don't get a variation. The first rat's I ordered were from him off of ebay, and they were all just an entree with an accessory pouch and a farking fig newton. He made good after that, but I'm hardly surprised after what I've read on here that things didn't last. Sorry man, I know some other people have posted their contents too and they were not as advertised.. I don't even think the first runs were really what he had listed, I definitely got some bbq sauce or something in a pack that didn't need it, but it beats mexican rice and pineapple.
If you'd searched on here before about the menu C's and our buddy Steven Cyros, you'd see that his track record is crap, at least on MREs. It looks like the Menu C's have been going downhill constantly since they've been produced, which is unfortunate since they are a cool concept, but it's complete crap if you don't get a variation. The first rat's I ordered were from him off of ebay, and they were all just an entree with an accessory pouch and a farking fig newton. He made good after that, but I'm hardly surprised after what I've read on here that things didn't last. Sorry man, I know some other people have posted their contents too and they were not as advertised.. I don't even think the first runs were really what he had listed, I definitely got some bbq sauce or something in a pack that didn't need it, but it beats mexican rice and pineapple.
Last edited by BigMark on Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Unfortunately, I also ordered some of these 2008 Menu C MRE's. I opened them and they have the same menu that you mentioned. It is terrible compared to the 2007 versions. I had some of the 2007 ones which were fine. I didn't suspect anything would be this different in 2008.
I would also like to add that in mine all the heaters were cardboard based and the chemicals were significantly spilled out inside the bag. They are unusable. I tried using one and it smelled up the place pretty bad and made my eyes even burn just being near it briefly. Then top that off with every meal has almost the exact same thing in it except for the entree and a rotation between pineapple and corn. Also strange, but not so much of an issue, is that most of the components inside have dates that are several months newer than the outside case says it was packaged.
On May 11, I contacted Steven Cyros at MRE Depot about all of this, and his reply is show below.
On May 12, I then requested replacements to be made. I have not heard back yet though. I can keep you updated on what happens.
May 12, 2009
---------
Please accept my sincere apologies for the trouble with the Menu C MRE's.
Honestly I was aware that there were some substitutions for a while due to a
tightening of supply in the marketplace for MRE's in general, but I have
never heard of what sounds like old-style heaters being used or such a
severe lack of variety.
Finally after a couple of months with this problem, we have been able to get
the menu firmed up for probably the last couple of weeks now. To be sure,
we have been spot-checking 2 or 3 cases from every pallet we received to
ensure that the menus are complete as listed on our website, and I have yet
to see a single deviation.
I'll stand behind these 100% though, so no worries. If you prefer, I will
send you replacements for each case that you have in the hope that you can
keep the ones you have and maybe get some use out of at least some of the
items in each meal. Or if you would rather a full refund, I will take them
back and pay for the shipping both ways.
Just let me know what your 5-digit invoice number is and which you would
prefer (replacement or refund), and I will get it handled for you right
away.
I'm really sorry for the trouble on these, but thanks for letting me
know about it so that I could try to make it right!
Best Regards,
-Steven
------------------
I would also like to add that in mine all the heaters were cardboard based and the chemicals were significantly spilled out inside the bag. They are unusable. I tried using one and it smelled up the place pretty bad and made my eyes even burn just being near it briefly. Then top that off with every meal has almost the exact same thing in it except for the entree and a rotation between pineapple and corn. Also strange, but not so much of an issue, is that most of the components inside have dates that are several months newer than the outside case says it was packaged.
On May 11, I contacted Steven Cyros at MRE Depot about all of this, and his reply is show below.
On May 12, I then requested replacements to be made. I have not heard back yet though. I can keep you updated on what happens.
May 12, 2009
---------
Please accept my sincere apologies for the trouble with the Menu C MRE's.
Honestly I was aware that there were some substitutions for a while due to a
tightening of supply in the marketplace for MRE's in general, but I have
never heard of what sounds like old-style heaters being used or such a
severe lack of variety.
Finally after a couple of months with this problem, we have been able to get
the menu firmed up for probably the last couple of weeks now. To be sure,
we have been spot-checking 2 or 3 cases from every pallet we received to
ensure that the menus are complete as listed on our website, and I have yet
to see a single deviation.
I'll stand behind these 100% though, so no worries. If you prefer, I will
send you replacements for each case that you have in the hope that you can
keep the ones you have and maybe get some use out of at least some of the
items in each meal. Or if you would rather a full refund, I will take them
back and pay for the shipping both ways.
Just let me know what your 5-digit invoice number is and which you would
prefer (replacement or refund), and I will get it handled for you right
away.
I'm really sorry for the trouble on these, but thanks for letting me
know about it so that I could try to make it right!
Best Regards,
-Steven
------------------
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Update: May 15, Still no reply yet on my request for replacements made three days ago on May 12. Somewhat strange as normally orders ship within hours and emails before this were returned within a day at the most. I even sent another email yesterday on May 14. They are still unanswered. Yet during the same time I received a mass mailing from them to buy some more MRE Menu C's on May 13th. I'm not getting a good feeling about this.
Here's a typical example of what is in these Menu C MRE's. I hope you like Shortbread Cookies, Wheat Bread Snack, Crackers, and Corn/Pineapple. That's about the extent of the variety in the case other than the entree. Notice the date stamps on some items seem to be newer than the case date. Or am I misreading something? (Click for bigger picture).
Some apparently older style heaters are included with the chemicals coming out. It says 1991 on the front. Perhaps an older design year? Hopefully not the year it was made. I was used to the smaller green ones from the 2007 cases. Every once in awhile one of those would have a leak. But these are all like that. And this one was probably in the best condition of all that were in this case. Most have about 2x that much coming out. The smell is awful. It's like a cross between old dirty laundry and some kind of mildew/fungus fragrance. Just in the minute or so of starting to heat it, then to take it out and wash it, it also irritated my eyes to the point I had to take a shower to get whatever it was off me. Plus you would have to wash it off the entree package. So basically, you ditch the heaters and use hot water or empty it and use the microwave.
On the plus side, coffee is nice. Of course, that's in every package as well. Also, the candy seems quite a bit fresher than was in the 2007's. So at least this post ends on a quasi-positive note.
Here's a typical example of what is in these Menu C MRE's. I hope you like Shortbread Cookies, Wheat Bread Snack, Crackers, and Corn/Pineapple. That's about the extent of the variety in the case other than the entree. Notice the date stamps on some items seem to be newer than the case date. Or am I misreading something? (Click for bigger picture).
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Grams,
Hey, would you be interested in a real MRE case instead of the Menu C's? If so contact me via PM. Thanks
Hey, would you be interested in a real MRE case instead of the Menu C's? If so contact me via PM. Thanks
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Hi Treesuit, I appreciate the offer. I'll probably just be looking for just a generic product somewhere other than MREDepot.com. Despite the nice sounding letter from them, I still haven't got any follow through on my subsequent request to replace the bad orders. The other thing a bit disturbing about this is apparently they knew what was going on for awhile and kept selling them and didn't tell people who ordered them that there was a problem.
When I get ready to put in my next order with someone else, I'll go through the forums and see what other places people have recommended. I guess the lesson learned is to order a little bit at a time, and take samples of everything you get in. Even a place that seems good at first can turn on a dime into something quite different.
I do think it's important to get something with variety though. It seems better to buy something that you can eat as a regular meal once or twice a week. That way you can reorder fresh ones as you go and not just have a bunch of stuff to throw out after 5 years. And it doesn't really cost you much if it's similar in price to eating a meal.
When I get ready to put in my next order with someone else, I'll go through the forums and see what other places people have recommended. I guess the lesson learned is to order a little bit at a time, and take samples of everything you get in. Even a place that seems good at first can turn on a dime into something quite different.
I do think it's important to get something with variety though. It seems better to buy something that you can eat as a regular meal once or twice a week. That way you can reorder fresh ones as you go and not just have a bunch of stuff to throw out after 5 years. And it doesn't really cost you much if it's similar in price to eating a meal.
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Grams,
That's okay, I understand where your coming from. I read your post and it sounded like another one of the awful Menu C posts that some people here have gone through. Personally I can't say that I have had the Menu C's but after reading the posts here I definitely don't want to. Though I have bought some items through MREDepot before with no problems.
If for some reason you can't find what your looking for please PM me and we can talk. I have MRE cases available on the cheap and I make good offers to the forum members here. My bottom line is to prevent somebody from getting burned or ripped off. Nobody should have to waste money on a sub standard product for any reason.
That's okay, I understand where your coming from. I read your post and it sounded like another one of the awful Menu C posts that some people here have gone through. Personally I can't say that I have had the Menu C's but after reading the posts here I definitely don't want to. Though I have bought some items through MREDepot before with no problems.
If for some reason you can't find what your looking for please PM me and we can talk. I have MRE cases available on the cheap and I make good offers to the forum members here. My bottom line is to prevent somebody from getting burned or ripped off. Nobody should have to waste money on a sub standard product for any reason.
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Grams,
Thank you for your post. I'm attempting to contact him again to see if I can get a replacement case for mine. Much easier than trying to deal with sending the case back.
Mike
Thank you for your post. I'm attempting to contact him again to see if I can get a replacement case for mine. Much easier than trying to deal with sending the case back.
Mike
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Interesting to see that you had old school FRH's in your case of Menu C's. Those things are pretty old. I ordered a case back in April, but got a case that was manufactured in Feb 2009 with the regular green colored FRH's. I also found it interesting that after all of these posts and complaints, items were still missing. Additionally, if you check the contents of a Menu C MRE, you'll find that the actual MRE components (i.e. entree, side dish, crackers, etc.) are actually manufactured by Ameriqual and Sopakco (which are reputable MRE manufacturers). And I've actually found that some of the Menu C individual MRE's have an Ameriqual entree but a Sopacko side dish and dessert (or vice versa) all in the same Menu C MRE pouch. So, it really makes me wonder where MREDepot is getting all of these Ameriqual and Sopakco MRE components? Are they just taking leftover MRE components from some unknown source and just tossing them together to make Menu C's?
It just seems like the quality control over there is out of whack since so many things are just plain missing from the pouches...i.e. no one actually checks that everything that should be in the Menu C MRE is actually IN the MRE...
Just my 2 cents...
It just seems like the quality control over there is out of whack since so many things are just plain missing from the pouches...i.e. no one actually checks that everything that should be in the Menu C MRE is actually IN the MRE...
Just my 2 cents...
Re: Menu C - Complete listing of my menus (long post)
Hey grams,
Have you gotten any feedback on your request to have the cases replaced?
I have sent multiple emails to him with zero response... What I do get is spam email from him promoting this or the other thing on the site.
I'm really annoyed!
Mike
Have you gotten any feedback on your request to have the cases replaced?
I have sent multiple emails to him with zero response... What I do get is spam email from him promoting this or the other thing on the site.
I'm really annoyed!
Mike