Ribs? Nope. And that story you’ve heard about inverted pig behinds? Definitely no. The McRib sandwich is one of the quirkiest icons in America’s fast-food landscape, where the art of artificial scarcity shines through. As those tomatoes and strawberries adorn our plates the entire year-round, McDonald’s making the McRib available in season meant a stampede of its ardent followers to taste this very offering. So, what, exactly, is the McRib?
Despite its intriguing rib-like appearance, the McRib lacks bones and does not originate from pig cartilage. ne rum ours abound, one of which relates to an urban legend about boxes marked “boneless inverted pig rectums” outside a McDonald’s. ‘s. This photo is over a decade old and comes from the streets of Taipei, where lots of different creative uses of pig parts are considered regional specialties. Actually, the reality of the McRib is much less Mcdonald’S claims that ground boneless pork shoulder, water, spices, dextrose sugar, and preservatives enhance the flavor and texture of the McRib. re. Smoky Tas Liquid smoke, a harmless extract, imparts a smoky flavor. ke. We would take it for a few bucks-per-sandwich treat that looks like a pleasant surprise.
A Nostalgic Encounter
Let’s rewind to 1998—the year Billie Piper hit the top of the charts with her neglected single “Girlfriend,” and Disney film Mulan filled UK cinemas. In remembrance of this cultural artifact—sorry, Billie—McDonald’s offered the Oriental McRib, a staple of their special “Tastes of the Orient” menu. The ad on TV? Please. End.
However, the most vivid memory I have is that this sandwich was utterly unlike the authentic version, which originated in the East. Nevertheless, it was exceedingly delicious. A juicy pork patty drenched in barbecue sauce and topped with crisp fried onions nestled in a golden sesame seed bun—made of dreams! I am surprised that I do not have a laundry list of health problems today, as I loved McDonald’s so much when I was a child!
From the very first bite, it was a perfect match for fast food. The tang of the flavour, the juicy meat, and the crunch of the fried onions, which were somehow satisfyingly just plain dull on my usual go-to McChicken sandwich, were a match made in heaven. And my new comfort meal, the McRib, was a guaranteed joy during any tough times.
But even that sweet success didn’t last without pangs of loss in heart.
Then, one day, I returned to my beloved Golden Arches, hoping for the possible tenth McRib that month, only to find it missing without a trace. Poof! It was gone! In retrospect, it was my first authentic encounter with grief. Previously, I could only empathize with Littlefoot, lamenting his mother’s passing in The Land Before Time, or Simba, witnessing the horrifying death of his father, Mufasa. All of a sudden, something came over me.
Though I went to McDonald’s every week and enjoyed the splendour of barbecue sauce-covered McChicken and nuggets, I learnt to live with the reality that the McRib may never come back. Life continued, and I continued to find new pleasures.
University is where I found my best friend, Iain, whom I met with mutual admiration for the McRib. There were so many beautiful memories shared between the two of us; all the while, I knew he understood something whenever I babbled on about the McRib in the same way that other people have spoken of their heroes from childhood.
The Sweet Return
Then, in 2014, miracle of miracles: the McRib returned to prominence on McDonald’s menus! However, they didn’t call it “The Taste of the Orient” this time. I knew then that my waistline was ready for a wild ride.
At the age of twenty-three, perhaps wiser, I knew our time together would be short, so every moment was savored. I ate more McRibs in a few weeks than any doctor would prescribe for a lifetime. My gut may never forgive me, but those bites were worth every calorie.
When it finally came time to say goodbye to the McRib, I gathered with my roommate at Oxford Street’s McDonald’s. I ordered two McRibs each, and, as my Instagram declared, it had exactly been 504 weeks since I tearfully marked the occasion with a post. This time, at least, I was able to bid a proper farewell, knowing that I had enjoyed every bite until we would hopefully reunite.
Since then, I have consumed exactly 12 McRibs—one for every day I spent in Japan, where the McRib is a permanent menu fixture.
The anticipation builds
Today, McDonald’s announced that it will be back for a limited time, starting October 16. Now, at 36, I can’t go back to McDonald’s the same way I could in 2014 without feeling a sharp pain in my chest from my body reminding me that middle age is nigh.
This time, I shall eat my McRib a little more carefully (at least I will try!). However, the excitement of regaining the McRib is almost as intense as reuniting with a school friend who has chosen to migrate abroad, only to see them during sporadic family visits home.
As we age, we no longer have the leisure to drive past a McDonald’s every day, and as a result, our childhood memories may no longer hold the same significance. But one thing about returning to an old, yucky kid memory makes the McRib more than your run-of-the-mill burger. People come and go, but the McRib is a reliable returnee that stays just as wholesome and caring as it ever was.
Here’s to the McRib, a tasty reminder of the nostalgia, friends, and goodness of fast food! Whether you’re an occasional fan or an everyday McAddict, get ready to indulge when it returns.
