For almost a decade, McDonald’s fans have been begging the fast food chain for one thing, and one thing only: The McRib.
The burger — made with pork, barbecue sauce, pickles, and onions — has been a coveted item on the Maccies menu ever since its launch in 1981.
Its cult status perhaps has something to do with the fact that it’s hardly ever available in the UK. Customers haven’t been able to get hold of one in the UK since 2015, but that’s all about to change.
Maccies is finally giving the people what they want and bringing back the ‘iconic’ menu item. But there’s a catch, and it’s a pretty big one.
When is the McRib back at McDonalds?
The McRib will be returning to restaurants from but you’ll only be able to get your hands on it for a limited time, and once it sells out that’s it. No more McRib.
So if you’ve been waiting with baited breath for its comeback, you’ll want to get down to McDonald’s as quickly as possible on the big day.
To put this into context, the last ‘limited time’ item the chain launched was the ‘infamous’ Grimace Shake which ended up selling out in just two days. As such, many missed out on the chance to try the popular drink.
But back to the McRib. I managed to get a sneaky taste of it ahead of its triumphant return, to see if it was really worth the wait.
What did Metro’s specialist food writer think of the McRib?
I’ll be honest, I don’t fully get the hype around this one. I know there aren’t many pork items on the McDonald’s menu, so there’s definitely a novelty aspect at play, but the chain has offered plenty of BBQ items over the years, none of which have reached the same dizzying heights of fame as the McRib.
It’s not the most exciting burger McDonald’s has ever made, (personally, I’d have preferred if the lasagne burger from summer 2022 made a comeback), but it’s also not the worst thing the chain has ever sold either… (here’s looking at you hot cross bun pie).
I like the simplicity of it. There’s not an entire salad shoved in there, or anything that feels overly unnecessary. All of the ingredients compliment each other quite nicely.
The pork patty is rather thin, but there’s plenty of smoky barbecue sauce and it’s all served in a sub, meaning it feels like you’re getting more for your money than with your average burger. The price isn’t too bad either for 2024. (The McRib is £4.49 on its own, or £6.19 as part of a medium meal).
I’m not a big onion fan, but even I can admit that they do enhance the overall flavour, providing a sharp, savoury bite to balance out the sweetness of the sauce. The only thing I’d perhaps change, would be to add a few more pickles, as I love a good pickle.
Would I order one again? I’m not sure I’m going to get the chance (I’m giving it 24 hours before it sells out), but I’m definitely glad that I’ve tried one, if only to better understand the fast food phenomenon that is the McRib.
Thomas O’Neill, Head of Menu at McDonald’s UK adds: ‘It is more than just a sandwich; it’s a phenomenon. We have heard our fans loud and clear — the fan petitions and pleas on social — and after almost a decade of anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back this iconic menu item.
‘Knowing how well-loved the McRib is, we had very little choice — we had to make it happen. It was time to step up and satisfy the cravings of McRib enthusiasts across the country.’
This comes after McDonald’s recently announced they’d be adding a new item to their breakfast menu from October 16, that’s a twist on a ‘God tier’ favourite.
And Metro also recently ranked all of the burgers on the UK menu.
The humble cheeseburger came out on top, as sometimes ‘less is more’. This was closely followed by the Quarter Pounder and of course, the Big Mac.
The McChicken didn’t fare so well, neither did the veggie options on the menu. And we just won’t talk about the hamburger…
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.