Subway Takes’ Kareem Rahma Gives Us His Take on Travel
And some of his opinions—BYOM (bring your own mayonnaise) and socks on a plane—we can’t 100% agree with
Even if you’ve never stepped foot in New York City, you’re likely acquainted with Subway Takes. The popular Instagram series features average commuters—and also major comedians, politicians, and celebrities—riding the subway as they answer host Kareem Rahma’s famous singular question: “What’s your take?” Rahma’s show has become a roving town hall for people to air their grievances while promoting their work—actress Cate Blanchett, for instance, recently lamented leaf blowers, New York representative Zohran Mamdani proclaimed “I should be the mayor!” and rapper Lil Nas X shared his belief that couples should sleep in separate bedrooms.
When Rahma isn’t filming his subway encounters, he’s finding other ways to further ingratiate himself into the fabric of New York City—OG fans will recall the Museum of Pizza in Brooklyn, a month-long pop-up exhibition he created in 2018 featuring a Psychedelic Pizza Parlor, a Totino’s Pizza Rolls diorama, and, naturally, free slices. Since then, Rahma has hosted another wildly popular Instagram series, Keep the Meter Running, released a poetry collection, and co-wrote and starred in the upcoming indie film Or Something.
On July 9, Rahma went back to his roots and teamed up with Hellmann’s mayonnaise to host a one-day pop-up gallery in the Lower East Side called The Art of the Mayoment, where he showcased unfinished pieces of mayonnaise-inspired and mayonnaise-based art. Free burgers were devoured, selfies were snapped, and Rahma licked Hellmann’s mayonnaise off of his fingers as if it were melted chocolate. “I know this is gonna sound promotional,” Rahma told us, “but I actually don’t really like any other mayonnaise but Hellman’s.”
Rahma spoke with Thrillist associate editor Kelsey Allen about traveling with pocket-sized mayo packets, the perfect airport outfit, and his desire to go to the Galapagos Islands.
Thrillist: Do you like traveling?
I like traveling for work. I don’t like going places and just milling about; I like having a purpose.
So do you ever go on vacation?
I go on vacation, but my vacations are short, like long weekends. I’m going to Puerto Rico this Friday, and I’ll be back Monday. My beach vacations are 72 hours max. If [a trip] is longer than that, I would like to start doing things that are more mission-based.
What’s on your travel bucket list?
I would like to go to the Galapagos Islands. Because it just seems really cool and remote and weird. Or it would be cool to go on a trip where the point is to walk 100 miles or go on dune buggies for three days. I actually just went to a weird place in Colorado recently for a bachelor party, and that was fun because it was activities-based. We went to hot springs, rode dune buggies, and did a lot of amazing hikes.
What are non-negotiable things you have to travel with?
I have these Hellmann’s travel packets because there’s a lot of places that don’t have mayonnaise. If you go to France or something, you probably don’t need to bring the packets, but if you go to Costa Rica, you gotta bring the packets. I like my fries with both mayo and ketchup, and my burgers definitely need to have mayo.
I also bring Liquid IV pouches with me. I usually drink one in the morning and one at night when I’m traveling… and at home.
Do you check or carry-on a bag?
I’m a carry-on only no matter how long the flight is. I went to Japan for two weeks and I had a carry-on.
What do you wear on the plane?
I wear army cargo pants because that way I don’t have to have a big bag with me. I keep my passport, phone charger, wallet, and my Zyn all in my pocket. I also wear a chore coat that has a lot of pockets, because then when I’m going through TSA I take everything out of my pants pockets, put them in the jacket pockets, and put the whole jacket in the bin.
I also pack my own slippers, but I usually wear Birkenstocks. When I’m on the plane, I take them off immediately. I’m a socks on the plane guy.
How do you feel about bare feet on a plane?
I think we can all agree no bare feet, but I think socks on the plane are totally fine. Especially on an international flight, your feet get swollen, and then your shoes are tight. I mean, give me a break; I’m releasing these puppies.
Have you ever had anything confiscated by TSA?
When I was coming back from Cuba, I bought a bunch of cigars there. Then I was reading on the TSA website that you could bring cigars. And the guys were like, “No, you can’t.” And I was like, “I’m reading it on the TSA. Like, I’m reading it here.” They’re like, ”Sorry pal, can’t bring them in.” And I was so excited to have these cigars, but they took them.
Do you bring any snacks on the plane?
I eat on the plane. I usually get the vegetarian option, but I will say, I was on a flight recently, and I actually enjoyed the sea bass. Everyone was making fun of me.
Well, were you in first class?
Maybe. But somebody paid for it.
