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Every fall, fast-food devotees brace for the return of a certain seasonal classic — and no, it isn’t a pumpkin spice latte.
McDonald’s is officially bringing back the iconic McRib sandwich this week on a limited, regional basis starting Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The tangy pork sandwich, which inspires both passionate fan loyalty and intense debate over its taste among diners, is making an earlier-than-usual comeback.
The McRib historically makes its annual appearance in late November, but selected markets are getting a head start this year. McDonald’s pulled the menu item back in the early 2000s, turning it into a limited-time guest star rather than a permanent menu item.
McDonald’s confirmed that the sandwich will only be available in designated regions, including major metro areas such as Los Angeles and Chicago. The beloved burger chain has not specified how long the limited run will last.
According to fan-submitted tracking data on McRibLocator.com, customers have already reported sightings and purchases across more than a dozen cities, including:
- Bakersfield, California
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Hollywood, Florida
- Independence, Missouri
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Marietta, Georgia
- Old Forge, Pennsylvania
- Portland, Oregon
- Richmond, Indiana
- San Antonio, Texas
- San Diego, California
- Van Nuys, California
Fast-food fans eager to check if their local franchise is serving the legendary sandwich can check the McDonald’s app or monitor the crowdsourced database at McRibLocator.com for real-time updates.
The McRib is a pork sandwich with a pork patty shaped to resemble a boneless rack of ribs. The patty is in between a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles and onions. The sandwich first made its debut in 1981 in Kansas City after there was a shortage of chicken supply.
The price of the sandwich depends on the restaurant location. McRibLocator.com reports prices ranges per city, with the cheapest being $4.47 in Victoria, Texas to $7.99 in Palmdale, California. The average price in the U.S. is $6.05.
Customers have a love-hate relationship with the McDonald’s McRib. Some anticipate its return all year, while others say it’s “garbage.”
One Reddit user rated it a 3 out of 10 and said they would only ever eat it out of “pure necessity.”
“One person in my party couldn’t finish, and one person got pizza pizza afterwards to cleanse their [palate],” they added. “If you’re going to pizza pizza afterwards to get rid of the taste of the McRib, that should tell you something.”
But others say they enjoy the BBQ sandwich when it returns.
“Don’t care what all the elitists here say,” responded another Reddit user. “I’ve had this ever since I was in high school and I still really like it whenever it comes back. That sauce is damn good and part of the experience is getting it all over your fingers and face.”
