McRib is back - Food News - Cooking

The McRib: You Loved It, You Missed It, It’s McBack!

No Comments | Written on October 25, 2011 at 12:42 pm, by Lesley Kennedy

courtesy of McDonalds

If you yearn for the days of the McDLT (hot stays hot, cool stays cool!), the McLean Deluxe (a low-fat burger? OK, it tasted awful, but a low-fat burger!) or the similarly named Arch Deluxe (for grown-ups only!), we have one word that will be music to your taste buds: McRib.

It’s baaaack! The Associated Press reports the McDonald’s fave from the ’80s is making a McComeback, with all U.S. McDonald’s franchises selling the boneless barbecue pork sandwich until Nov. 14. That’s right, you’ve got two-and-a-half weeks to get your McRib on.

For those too young – or sophisticated – to remember the McRib’s launch, back in 1982, the sandwich’s sales were rather ho-hum and it was eventually removed from menus. But through the years it’s made a number of appearances, with local franchisers occasionally serving up the boneless treat slathered in barbecue sauce and covered with pickles and onions.

Unless you happen to be in Germany. Those wacky Germans always keep the McRib on the menu, the AP reports.

Anyway, McDonald’s wouldn’t give the news service sales figures for the 500 calorie sandwich, but it reports the McRib sold well during a similar national campaign last November – before that, it hadn’t been sold across America since 1994.

“Bringing it back every so often adds to the excitement,” Marta Fearon, McDonald’s U.S. marketing director, tells the news service.

And, in case you doubt the appeal of the McRib and its lasting impression on pop culture, look no further than “The Simpsons,” which featured the limited time only Ribwich from Krusty Burger in one classic episode.

“I have eaten the ribs of God,” Homer exclaims, leading the Krusty clerk to call: “Drool clean-up at Register 4!”

OK, honestly? We skipped the McRib in the ’80s and we’ll be skipping it again now. But, about bringing back that McDLT. …

How about cooking up your own verision of the McRib? Try these rib sandwiches:

• Prime Rib Sandwich with Roasted-Garlic Dijonnaise

• Pork Patties with Tangy-Sweet Barbecue Sauce