The Wild Origin Behind the 'Medium Rare or Medium Well' Meme Taking over Feeds
By Alexander Ross
Online reaction formats work best when they mirror interpersonal friction. When someone orders a steak medium well in public, there is almost always a person at the table who gasps or attempts to stage an impromptu intervention. That micro-aggression is instantly recognizable.
Creators harnessed that dynamic by converting the phrase into a litmus test for everyday relationships. In one popular video format, women filmed their partners ordering at steakhouses to see if they would "embarrass" them in front of the server. In another branch of the trend, servers documented the internal collapse they experience when a patron asks for a ribeye "medium well, but make sure it isn't dry."
The sound expanded into a social media parody that speaks directly to generational dining anxieties. Gen Z and millennial diners, who often prize casual authenticity over fine-dining etiquette, embraced the clip as a way to mock stuffy restaurant rituals. Choosing medium well became a defiant badge of honor against pretentious food influencers.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
