# What is this grey slab (USN dinner)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [April 18, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372 "2026-04-18T23:41:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/1 "2026-04-18T23:41:14Z")
I’m sure we’ve all see the image of [a dinner on USS _Abraham Lincoln_](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fthis-is-a-picture-of-dinner-onboard-the-aircraft-carrier-v0-jekbscmxsmvg1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1080%26crop%3Dsmart%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D0820c29220cb638a376724df799d13182975634c). What is that grey slab next to the… ground beef patty(?)? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/2 "2026-04-18T23:44:27Z")
Some news stories called it “processed meat”. Typically: “A photograph shared with relatives and obtained by USA Today depicts a mid‑April dinner on the Abraham Lincoln described as a small handful of boiled carrots, a dry meat patty and a gray slab of processed meat, and another image tied to the Lincoln shows a mostly empty tray with a small scoop of shredded meat and a tortilla — images that family members say they received from sailors and Marines aboard deployed carriers **[[1]](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/16/iran-war-mail-packages-middle-east/89609308007/)** **[[4]](https://www.newsweek.com/photos-shocking-meals-served-us-troops-iran-war-11844166)**. Community organizers and pastors relayed complaints from kin saying crews were “hungry all the time” and that rations and fresh produce had dwindled during extended deployments, linking the complaints to ships enforcing operations near Iran **[[1]](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/16/iran-war-mail-packages-middle-east/89609308007/)** **[[6]](https://www.thedailybeast.com/families-fume-over-pathetic-meals-for-american-forces-in-trumps-war/)**.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/3 "2026-04-18T23:53:01Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > a gray slab of processed meat OK… I can imagine that. It does seem to have a processed meat texture; but why is it _grey?_ I am not familiar with grey lunchmeat. And the shape is strange, too. ---
**Author:** ![Nightaudit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightaudit/32/17181_2.png) [@Nightaudit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightaudit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/4 "2026-04-19T00:00:17Z")
I take it that “Battleship Potemkin” is not going to be shown to the crew anytime soon…? ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/5 "2026-04-19T00:20:26Z")
I believe you need maggots in the rations before things get to that point. Although maggots might improve the appearance, and be more nutritious as well. ---
**Author:** ![Nightaudit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightaudit/32/17181_2.png) [@Nightaudit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightaudit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/6 "2026-04-19T00:21:40Z")
Or real meat too. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/7 "2026-04-19T00:44:46Z")
Looks like pre-sliced gyro meat to me. [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Th70DIDbL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Th70DIDbL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/8 "2026-04-19T00:55:16Z")
Tongue. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/9 "2026-04-19T01:18:49Z")
Inner sole of a boot. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/10 "2026-04-19T01:29:09Z")
Ah, tenderized. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/11 "2026-04-19T01:40:53Z")
Old slab of liver; yum, yum. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/12 "2026-04-19T01:52:57Z")
[Moderating] Let’s please stick to answering questions in FQ, and leave the jokes and the political commentary to other forums. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/13 "2026-04-19T02:23:19Z")
When I first looked at it, I thought it was konnyaku, a root/corm vegetable that, when prepared and cooked, has a rubbery texture and varying shades of an off-whitish color. It’s sometimes eaten by dieters, because it fill you up (for a while) but is very low in calories and high in good-for-you fiber. I was soon convinced it was probably some kind of meat, especially a kind that has been kept in the air too long and so has an off color. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/14 "2026-04-19T02:25:10Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Looks like pre-sliced gyro meat to me. It does look like that. Only, I’d expect to see some char/sear. > [@Chronos](#): > > Let’s please stick to answering questions in FQ, and leave the jokes… to other forums. I don’t mind the jokes, as my question seems to have been answered (although I’d like a definitive answer as to what specific kind of ‘processed meat’ it is). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/15 "2026-04-19T03:10:49Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It does look like that. Only, I’d expect to see some char/sear. These come fully cooked in the package and are usually just prepared by slapping them in a skillet (or probably a flattop in the Navy’s case) for 30 seconds or so to heat them through. I’ve bought them at the grocery store on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/16 "2026-04-19T04:18:42Z")
That’s exactly what I think it is too. Someone on the site where I originally saw this picture thought the patty was, are you ready for this - canned spinach. What? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/17 "2026-04-19T04:38:35Z")
It’s a cross-section slice of an elderly walrus kidney that’s been marinating in formaldehyde for quite some time. Bon appétit! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/18 "2026-04-19T04:53:50Z")
The adolescent boy in all of us emerges. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/19 "2026-04-19T05:39:31Z")
Another vote for “pre-sliced gyro meat.” Might as well be a slice of fried Spam, except for the shape. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2026, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372/20 "2026-04-19T06:11:18Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Old slab of liver; yum, yum. Seconded. Never ate it myself, but I saw that, uh, “dish” many times in my navy career. FWIW, the idea of a “meal” being served on a Navy ship is a bit misleading. It’s not family style. It’s buffet/cafeteria style. Not that there are ever very many selections (not like an Army DFAC—those people are spoiled), but still… seems more like scraps left over at midrats or something. Would be surprised if those three things were the only items on offer for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Also… at-sea replenishment is old-hat, and I don’t see how or why it should be different in this case. Maybe things are really that bad. Maybe some sailor is just trying to stir the pot (which, in this case, I support). And anyway, food on Navy ships always sucks. Never had a good experience, not even as an officer. Always absolute garbage. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-grey-slab-usn-dinner/1029372.md?page=2)