Driver Tries to Flag Down ‘20 Ribeyes for $39.99’ Meat Truck in Houston — Then Learns Why It’s a Bad Idea
HOUSTON, TEXAS — A Houston driver’s viral TikTok video about trying to buy “20 ribeye steaks for $39.99” from a roadside truck has sparked laughter, warnings, and disbelief online — as experts explain why this suspiciously cheap deal is almost never worth it.
TikTok creator Dave (@yaboiuncledavetv) spotted the white meat truck advertising bulk ribeye steaks at an eye-popping price and said he immediately tried to flag the driver down.
“He was like, ‘It’s 5:00 on Friday. I don’t have any meat left — but call me on Monday,’” Dave said, adding that the man had no business card, no social media, just a phone number written on paper.
Dave said that while he’s skeptical, curiosity got the best of him — and he plans to buy the steaks to see what he actually gets.
“However decent-to-bad these steaks are, I’m gonna attempt to make a passable meal with them,” he told viewers.
Internet Warns Him to Stay Away
The post quickly went viral as TikTok users flooded the comments with jokes and horror stories.
“You’ll be eating raccoon knuckle meat,” one person joked.
“Crushed up penguin ankles,” another quipped.
“Finna be eating kangaroo pouches,” someone else added.
Beyond the humor, many warned that these trucks have a bad reputation nationwide. Investigations into similar mobile meat vendors revealed that their products are often ultra-thin, low-grade beef from dairy cows, sometimes treated with saltwater or tenderizing solutions to appear fresher than they are.
The Math Behind the ‘Deal’
While the offer sounds unbeatable — 20 ribeyes for $39.99 — the math doesn’t actually check out.
Reports show that the so-called “steaks” can weigh as little as three ounces each, meaning customers pay roughly $11 per pound for the meat. That’s nearly the same price as USDA Prime sirloin from Costco — and higher than many Choice-grade supermarket steaks that are vastly better quality.
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“They’re not fake meat,” one former vendor explained, “but they’re paper-thin, chewy, and inconsistent. One box might be edible, another’s just gristle.”
Buyers Share Regretful Experiences
In the comments, people who’d fallen for similar offers before shared their experiences.
“My husband fell for this one year. Couldn’t give that crap away — $39.99 for straight gristle,” one person wrote.
“They are garbage meat,” another added. “I got them once — paper thin and poor quality.”
A former meat-truck worker even admitted that while the beef is technically real, quality control is almost nonexistent.
“They come from dairy cows. Might be edible or might not. Consistency is not a goal for these guys,” he wrote.
Experts: “If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Is”
Food safety officials warn that these trucks, which often park near malls or gas stations, aren’t illegal but are typically unregulated and ungraded. Without proper refrigeration or labeling, the quality and safety of the meat can’t be guaranteed.
Consumer experts recommend checking for USDA inspection labels and buying only from reputable stores that follow standard food-handling procedures.
The viral video has since turned into a cautionary tale about trusting flashy food deals in tough economic times.
“If someone’s selling steak from a truck, it’s not a deal — it’s a gamble,” one user commented.
For more viral lifestyle and consumer stories like this, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
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