45 years ago McDonald's debuted its popular McRib. Now, it's back again after countless rereleases.
The sandwich has returned to menus every year since 2023 and is back in select cities on October 27. It first became an item in the 1980s.
On October 27, McDonald's will once again introduce its popular McRib sandwich for a limited time at select locations across the United States. The McRib, a barbecue-flavored pork patty with onions and pickles, has been a subject of fan anticipation and debate since its debut in 1981. Despite numerous farewell tours and limited releases over the past 45 years, the sandwich has never been permanently removed from the menu.
The McRib's introduction was inspired by the success of McDonald's McNuggets, created after a shortage of chicken led chef René Arend to develop a quick and affordable alternative using restructured meat. The sandwich's design was based on a pork slab, mimicking the appearance of ribs, although it contains no actual bone. Originally, the McRib was met with mixed reactions, with low repeat customer interest leading to its removal from menus in 1985.
However, the sandwich experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2007, selling 30 million units, prompting McDonald's to reintroduce it several times over the years as a limited-time offering. The most recent cycle of debuts and absences has continued into 2026, with the sandwich returning once more on October 27, promising fans a taste of the beloved yet polarizing item for a limited period.
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