Woman orders Starbucks’ new braised short rib grilled cheese on a rough day. Then she opens it and finds meat covering only a quarter of one slice

Starbucks rolled out a braised short rib grilled cheese as part of its holiday menu earlier this month. A customer recently shared a TikTok video showing a disappointing experience with the new braised short rib grilled cheese, according to BroBible. The sandwich appears to have arrived with very little meat, prompting the customer to question the portion she received.

The video displays the sandwich deconstructed on one of the company’s napkins, with a flake of meat covering only about a quarter of one slice of bread. The customer, Ashley, who posts under the name @liftwithlipp, shared a complaint about the amount of meat in her sandwich. 

The on-screen text reads, “When I am already at my limit but Starbucks thinks this qualifies as a braised short rib grilled cheese.” Ashley also tagged the company, asking, “Where is the rest of the short rib?” She seems to feel the sandwich held less than advertised, as the meat barely covers the bread.

Other Starbucks customers have questioned the sandwich’s portions

The braised short rib grilled cheese has drawn similar complaints, with X and Reddit users sharing sandwiches light on meat, per The Takeout. At around $9 after tax in many states, several customers questioned whether the sandwich was worth its price. One X user asked whether it was a short rib sandwich or a grilled cheese with meat seasoning.

Reactions under Ashley’s video appear mixed, however. Some commenters said their own sandwiches looked far fuller, suggesting the amount of meat may vary from one order to the next. Others defended baristas, with one asking whether the sandwiches arrive at stores prepackaged.

A Tasting Table reviewer, however, came away impressed after buying the braised short rib grilled cheese for $8.25 on launch day. The writer found the short rib paired well with the cheese, though the bread was a little too hard for their liking. The reviews and social media posts describe different experiences with the sandwich.

Starbucks typically receives its sandwiches already prepared

Starbucks calls it a classic grilled cheese “elevated with braised short rib, savory caramelized onion jam and a hint of Dijon,” per its holiday food announcement. It is likely not made in stores. Starbucks sandwiches are prepared off-site by catering companies or manufacturers and shipped to stores, usually frozen, according to a Tasting Table explainer.

Employees then warm the food in high-speed ovens, as stores are largely designed around drink production and speed rather than cooking. That suggests the amount of short rib in each sandwich is probably set at the production stage rather than by baristas.

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