McRib Returns to US Menus Earlier Than Usual, Amidst Ongoing Lawsuit

McDonald's is bringing back its cult-favorite McRib sandwich to a limited number of restaurants nationwide, with the sandwich appearing on menus earlier in the year than in previous seasons. Typically debuting in November, the McRib became available starting October 27 in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

The fast-food chain teased the return on social media on October 22. As of this report, a crowdsourced McRib Locator website indicated over 150 confirmed sightings across the country.

For those unfamiliar, the McRib is not made from actual ribs. Instead, it features a pork patty shaped to mimic a rack of ribs, coated in barbecue sauce and served on a bun with pickles and onions. McDonald's first introduced the McRib as an experimental item in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1981, and it was rolled out nationwide the following year. It has not been a permanent menu item in the U.S. since 1985, with the company periodically reintroducing it for limited promotions.

In a separate development, a class-action lawsuit filed in December 2025 continues to question the composition of the McRib. Four customers cited McDonald's marketing as misleading, claiming that the sandwich's name and presentation lead consumers to believe it contains real pork rib meat. The lawsuit alleges that the sandwich is made from lower-quality pork cuts, including pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach. The suit, which intends to represent all consumers of the product within the last four years, includes 16 legal claims against the company, such as fraud, breach of warranty, contract violations, and violations of state consumer protection laws. Court filings indicate the case is ongoing.

Fans have expressed mixed reactions on social media regarding the sandwich's limited and regional availability. Some lamented its absence in certain regions, while others expressed excitement for its return.

Globally, the McRib also saw a return to United Kingdom restaurants at the end of October for the first time in nearly a decade. In Germany and Luxembourg, where it has been a staple for decades, the sandwich was removed from permanent menus effective October 27.