{"id":49164,"date":"2021-11-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/?p=49164"},"modified":"2021-11-16T11:00:30","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T21:00:30","slug":"mcdonalds-mcrib-2021-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2021\/11\/17\/mcdonalds-mcrib-2021-review\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: McDonald’s McRib (2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"McDonald<\/p>\n

I have had a McRib. In fact, I have had more than one McRib. If I had to guess, I\u2019d wager that I\u2019ve had somewhere between three and five McRibs. Each fall, there are some immutable truths: your brother-in-law will attempt to persuade you to let him take you deer hunting, people will spend the week after the time change complaining about how early it gets dark, and McDonald\u2019s will act like they are doing the world no small favor by bringing back everyone\u2019s favorite processed pork-parts patty.<\/p>\n

And every three or four years, I go, \u201cDo I like a McRib? People go nuts for these things. But I can\u2019t remember…\u201d And so I eat one and then go right back to forgetting. But now that I am committing my thoughts to the Internet \u2014 and provided the domain fees for this site continue to be paid \u2014 I will never again forget how I feel about this annual porkwich.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how I feel: I probably don\u2019t need to eat another one of these again in my life.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say this sandwich is aggressively bad or that it is an affront to my gastric sensibilities; it\u2019s fine. But \u201cfine\u201d only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, and the fact of the matter is this: there are 15 better menu items you can order from McDonald\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, if you have an unyielding hankering for a pork-patty sandwich, you can probably get a cheaper and more delicious one somewhere else. QuikTrip, a multi-region chain of convenience stores, sells a much better and cheaper BBQ pork riblet sandwich. I mean, sure, you have to microwave it yourself, but it\u2019s a small trade-off for a vastly superior product.<\/p>\n

So, what is it about the McRib that keeps me from \u2014 ba-da-ba-ba-ba \u2014 loving it?<\/p>\n

The pork patty itself is perfectly okay. It\u2019s meaty and chewy, and what one probably expects from \u201crestructured meat\u201d composed primarily of pork shoulder. It\u2019s inoffensive (if uninspired). There are no \u201csubtle undertones\u201d or \u201ccomplex nuances\u201d to be had; it is chewy, and identifiably meat, and that\u2019s pretty much it.<\/p>\n

\"McDonald<\/p>\n

The same can be said of the pickles, which are McD\u2019s standard, flimsy sour discs, and the onions, which are respectably crunchy and tangy. The bun is a bland (but again, just fine) homestyle roll that is dusted with some sort of seed. (Nearly everything on the Internet identifies it as a sesame seed bun, but this isn\u2019t true. The ones on the McRib bun are tiny and round and yellow, like a poppy seed, but not. I think this is called \u201ccorn dusted\u201d?) <\/p>\n

Anyway, what I think really ruins the McRib is the bath of sweet sauce the patty receives. The sauce is tart and pungently tangy, like ketchup that has gone south, and the sandwich is absolutely SWIMMING in it. You cannot take a bite of this thing without splurting or dripping the sticky red goo everywhere. It is a slasher-film of a lunch.<\/p>\n

\"McDonald<\/p>\n

In the end, I think this sandwich thrives off of two things: 1) nostalgia and 2) limited availability. I\u2019d be genuinely surprised if many people try one for the first time this November and instantly begin a countdown clock until its sloppy return.<\/p>\n

Purchased Price:<\/strong> $5.29
\nRating:<\/strong> 5 out of 10
\nNutrition Facts:<\/strong> 520 calories, 28 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 890 milligrams of sodium, 46 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 13 grams of sugars, and 24 grams of protein.<\/p>\n

(Editor’s Note:<\/strong> Last year, I decided we would review the McRib every time it returns, and each time it would be a different writer. I’m doing it mostly for funsies, but I also want to read different takes on this sandwich. If you’re interested, here’s our review from 2020<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have had a McRib. In fact, I have had more than one McRib. If I had to guess, I\u2019d wager that I\u2019ve had somewhere between three and five McRibs. Each fall, there are some immutable truths: your brother-in-law will attempt to persuade you to let him take you deer hunting, people will spend the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1440],"tags":[1477,1481],"class_list":["post-49164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-fast-food","tag-mcdonalds"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":418,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2006\/11\/19\/mcdonalds-mcrib\/","url_meta":{"origin":49164,"position":0},"title":"REVIEW: McDonald’s McRib","author":"Marvo","date":"November 19, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Just like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, AMC Pacer, and the Grateful Dead, the McDonald's McRib has a cult following. Although the McRib's following isn't as dressed up as those who follow the Rocky Horror Picture Show or isn't as stoned as the Deadheads, but the McRib cult probably has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"McDonald's McRib","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2783\/4203350202_89b48ed91f.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":45509,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2020\/12\/07\/mcdonalds-mcrib-2020-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":49164,"position":1},"title":"REVIEW: McDonald’s McRib (2020)","author":"Denis","date":"December 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The McRib is back\u2026for the 57th time! 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This 100% vegan riblet looks like a beefed up, or Super Sized, if you will, version of what's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/Morningstar-Farms-Hickory-BBQ-Riblets-500x500.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14883,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2013\/05\/19\/review-burger-king-rib-sandwich\/","url_meta":{"origin":49164,"position":3},"title":"REVIEW: Burger King Rib Sandwich","author":"Matt","date":"May 19, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It was a late night at the office. Outside my window, the occasional crack of thunder broke through the sound of unrelenting rain. I sat at my desk, furiously tapping away at the typewriter, working on reviews of the latest food items to hit the streets. Suddenly, the phone rang.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Burger King Rib Sandwich","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3695\/8750416212_e9fd31c388.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25979,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2017\/11\/25\/weekend-reading-11-25-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":49164,"position":4},"title":"WEEKEND READING – 11\/25\/2017","author":"Marvo","date":"November 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are a few interesting junk food-related stories from the past week or so. Enjoy. How US Army Technology Gave Rise to the McRib (via Munchies) McDonald\u2019s Plans to Raze its Vintage Replica of Ray Kroc\u2019s First Restaurant (via Eater) Target Is Apparently Selling These \u2018Prongles\u2019 \u2014 and Nobody Knows\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Weekend Reading"","block_context":{"text":"Weekend Reading","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/weekend-reading\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/McRib.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/McRib.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/McRib.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3226,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2009\/04\/23\/news-mcdonalds-looks-to-dump-their-angus-burger-upon-us-nationwide\/","url_meta":{"origin":49164,"position":5},"title":"NEWS: McDonald’s Looks To Dump Their Angus Burger Upon Us Nationwide","author":"Marvo","date":"April 23, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"After being tested in California, New York and Ohio markets for more than two years, it looks like the McDonald's Angus Burger will be expelled nationwide from the sphincter of McDonald's test kitchens. According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the one-third pound burgers made from 100% Angus beef\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fast Food News"","block_context":{"text":"Fast Food News","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/fast-food-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49164\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}