This Love It Or Hate It Sandwich Is Finally Back At McDonald’s

Some fast-food sandwiches come and go without anyone paying much attention. The McRib, on the other hand, knows how to make an entrance. McDonald’s is bringing back its famous barbecue pork sandwich, and fans of the saucy favorite have another chance to get their hands on it before it disappears again.

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Of course, not everyone is celebrating. The McRib has a loyal fan base, but it also has plenty of critics who cannot understand why people get so excited about a boneless pork patty shaped like a rack of ribs.

McRib Is Back

According to reports, McDonald’s is bringing the McRib back to select U.S. locations starting October 27, 2026, with some markets getting it as early as October 26th. Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas are among the cities included in the rollout. 

However, the sandwich won’t be available at every McDonald’s, so checking the app before making a special trip is a good idea. 

What’s Actually In A McDonald’s McRib?

The McRib keeps its ingredient lineup pretty simple, which is probably part of its appeal. It has a seasoned, boneless pork patty coated in barbecue sauce, topped with sliced onions and pickles, and served on a toasted homestyle bun. It’s a sweet, tangy, and savory combination that offers something different from McDonald’s usual lineup of burgers and chicken sandwiches. 

I think the combination of barbecue sauce, pickles, and onions deserves more attention than the unusual shape. Barbecue sauce brings plenty of sweetness, while the pickles add a sharp, sour bite. The onions give the sandwich another layer of flavor, helping balance out all that sauce.

Without those toppings, the McRib could easily become too sweet. Together, they give the sandwich a better balance and keep it from tasting like nothing but barbecue sauce and bread.

Why Does McDonald’s Keep Taking The McRib Off The Menu?

The McRib has been around for decades. It first appeared in the United States in 1981, initially launching in the Kansas City area before expanding nationally in 1982. Since then, it has developed a reputation for disappearing from McDonald’s menus and returning when fans least expect it.

McDonald’s explains in its official FAQ that certain products rotate throughout the year, with the McRib typically returning in the fall. The exact timing and availability depend on the market.

I think McDonald’s is also using the limited time drops to create FOMO. And that’s because when your favorite menu item is available all year, there’s usually no reason to rush out and buy it today. But when it disappears for months, suddenly there’s a reason to make that trip to McDonald’s, even if there’s a price increase.

McRib Fans Are Celebrating, But The Critics Have Plenty To Say

The McRib has a talent for starting arguments. Some fans count down the days until its return, while others wonder why a sandwich with such an unusual appearance gets so much attention. 

McRib fans waste no time in sharing their excitement every time the item returns to McDonald’s menu. In a Reddit discussion about the sandwich’s return, one commenter celebrated the return by building an entire McDonald’s meal around it. 

But the complaints aren’t hard to understand, either. Some people dislike the texture of the pork patty, while others aren’t convinced that the sandwich tastes good enough for the price it commands. 

In this Reddit discussion, fans are angry that McRib sells for as much as $7 in some places. For context, you could get two McRibs for just $6 in California in 2019, so I can understand why not everyone is hyped about its return.