Attention meat-eaters! After a 10-year hiatus, the McRib is returning to Canada.
The beloved sandwich will be available at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide for a limited time, starting on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
The boneless pork patty is dipped in BBQ sauce, topped with onions and pickles, and served on a homestyle bun.
Originally introduced to the McDonald’s menu in 1982, the sandwich was removed in 1986, and then temporarily re-introduced to Canadian restaurants in 2014.
McDonald’s Canada says the growing demand for the McRib’s return became difficult to ignore.
"In the last year alone, our team received thousands of inquiries on social media from very passionate Canadian McRib fans asking to bring it back here," said Alyssa Buetikofer, vice president and chief marketing officer at McDonald's Canada, in a media release.
"The McRib is truly a fan favourite. It appeals to guests of all ages—from loyal followers who have patiently waited a decade for its return, to our newer fans who have only heard the legend,” she said in the release.
A cultural phenomenon
Love it, hate it or curiously observe it from a safe distance, the McRib is a cultural phenomenon capable of eliciting strong reactions that span the human emotional spectrum. People are invested in this product, for better or worse.
Some have taken to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to express their excitement about the sandwich's return.
STOP THE PRESSES!! THE MCRIB IS BACK!
— Colton Hoppe (@Thecoltonhoppe) January 25, 2024
As Gorilla Monsoon once said: “The boyhood dream, has come true” pic.twitter.com/8IiIOBhLd7
Me, upon hearing of the return of the McRib. pic.twitter.com/s1iEz6RKzR
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) January 25, 2024
Me when I get to McDonald’s for a McRib, only to find out they stopped serving it the previous day: pic.twitter.com/LfqYBKymJk
— Chuck Livingston (@ChuckNasty870) January 22, 2024
Then there's critical analysis ranging from arguments that the return of the McRib is directly tied to pork prices and economic downturn, to the idea that return of the McRib is a sign boycotts of McDonald's are making the company desperate, to hot takes such as "it tastes like earlobe meat."
I cannot underestimate how serious I am about this topic… #McRibenomics
— Del Crxpto (@DelCrxpto) January 26, 2024
It’s a time tested, iron clad economic indicator.
The evidence is mind blowing…
Here is a teaser for my book:
McDonald’s has always introduced the #McRib when pork prices fall to 0.65 cents per pound.… https://t.co/JV7EqjMcW6 pic.twitter.com/Oz1BrqtucR
BREAKING: McRib officially returns to McDonald's Canada on January 30th
— Financelot (@FinanceLancelot) January 27, 2024
The appearance of the McRib is considered a signal of a pending market downturn. pic.twitter.com/ttbVU4o2fL
(McDonalds CEO upon reading three tweets about boycotts) We have no other choice, time to bring back the McRib pic.twitter.com/fY7MQ225YU
— Wynner (The Caretaker) (@EuroWynner) January 29, 2024
You can’t bash the filet o fish then double down by saying the mcrib is good lmao
— Zino (@childishgamzino) January 28, 2024
So this is why it’s not on the menu continuously, but comes back periodically. I never did like them after the first one. Are you a fan of the McRib sandwich? pic.twitter.com/WsXO8rQahI
— Jerseygirl #FBR (@gggirl924) January 22, 2024
Others are using the occasion to fire off nonsensical memes from the sidelines of the pro- anti- McRib debate.
I gotta go with Gort McRib. https://t.co/5PK7m2JuYs pic.twitter.com/wS8XJLbmba
— soxwood (@na_na_na_na_69) January 26, 2024
No one:
— John “Supi” Supowitz (@ImThatSupi) January 27, 2024
Certain people when the McRib comes back: pic.twitter.com/wTlPJbmvO4
Put me down as your referral so we both get a free McRib pic.twitter.com/nl3iUdOGU8
— boujee (@DrCryptoshi) January 22, 2024
With everything going on today in Texas focused on the border and the USG, I just want to make sure no one forgets about another important topic....
— Mike (@genericancitizn) January 24, 2024
Is the McRib back? Is it gone forever? Was it ever really gone? And why do they keep saying it's gone when it always comes back? pic.twitter.com/5qBrfqXDQc
The #McRib is coming back?
— Grogu Parody (@The_Baby_Yoda_) January 26, 2024
... we're gonna need a bigger table. https://t.co/Uysx7NKi5N pic.twitter.com/WFPQ2eAnnS