Although the McRib is certainly one of McDonald’s most egregious acts of culinary terrorism—it has spawned a cult following unlike anything we have ever seen, and has become one of the most polarizing fast food items in history.
First introduced in 1981, the McRib was a ‘pork’ patty sandwich smothered in a barbecue sauce concoction. The sandwich was marketed as boneless, however it was made to have the appearance of a side of ribs. This reinforces the theory that mystery meat molds and spare pig parts were involved.
Since it was discontinued after its initial run, The McRib has been known to occasionally reappear on McDonald’s menus worldwide. It actually received an unfortunate rebirth in 1994 with help from The Flintstones. Watch at your own risk:
McDonald’s launched the McRib Farewell Tour in 2005 to retire the sandwich, and end any rumors of its return. However, not unlike certain rock bands who don’t know when to quit, the retirement was short-lived and the McRib would go on to make more unnecessary appearances.
After foodiggity bashed the McRib in a previous article, we were contacted by several McRib devotees who rushed to its defense. Obviously feeling nostalgic will sometimes cloud one’s better judgement—like trusting the undeveloped palate that you had when you were eight, or believing that The Who actually sounded good at the Super Bowl.
What fond memories or night terrors do you remember from the McRib?
We love the mg rib around our house. It is a family obsession. Whenever it apears the first one to see it phones just about everyone in the family about the sighting. Its something we have all enjoyed and looked forward too for many years.
And for anyone who doesn’t enjoy a nice greasy mc d burger everyonce in a while. You are completely abnormal
Again… The passion for the McRib never ceases to amaze.
I LOVE McRibs. No, they’re not good. Or healthy. Or anything positive at all. They’re ridiculous hunks of cartoon ribs on a bleached roll.
But damn, they’re tasty.
I have never actually eaten a mcrib. I did have a regular hamburger there for the first time in Yuba City, ca. back in 1970 when I was 10 years old. I grew up eating burgers in East Texas at mom-&pop burger stands or, on occaision, at What-a-burger or Dairy Queen.
I didn’t even recognize the sandwich dad brought home from Micky-D’s as a hanburger. We added mustard, mayo, pickles, real onins, lettuce and tomatoes and ate them. Reluctantly.
Then many years later, in North Dallas in , oh, maybe ’91, I told my (then)husband that I thought I wanted a Big Mac. He told me, “No, Kelli, you really don’t”‘ but I insisted, and he indulged in this odd whim. I ordered one, and took a bite, and realized how very correct he had been. I DID NOT want to eat another bite. We went to a lovely Chinese restaurant instead and had a feast,
After that, when we wanted Chinese food, we always said we were going for Big Macs,
Used to freak my kids and friends out, til they caught on.
I dont like eating at mcd at all, but if i have to, i like to order a mcrib.
Maybe because i like BBQ-Sauce, or because almost any other burger sucks.
Big ups to J.P. Vesuvio for waiving the copyright on ‘culinary terrorism’ for the purposes of this article.