# Is the McRib really worth eating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 17, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749 "2024-12-17T07:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/21 "2024-12-17T13:49:30Z")
I used to eat them regularly when they were available and never understood why they didn’t offer them year round. It’s called marketing, and I have to hand it to McDonald’s for creating a demand for such a mediocre product. I eat healthy these days so now I wouldn’t touch a McRib, or anything else from McDonald’s, with a ten-foot pole. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/22 "2024-12-17T13:50:53Z")
It is pork shoulder. I’ve enjoyed the few McRibs that I’ve eaten. It’s not a sandwich that I order often. I prefer going to a barbecue restaurant instead. I used to buy a quarter pounder for lunch. I don’t enjoy them as much now. I only order it a few times a year. My trips to McDonald’s are infrequent. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/23 "2024-12-17T13:52:29Z")
Like the OP, it’s been many years since I had one. My vague recollection is that it wasn’t bad, but certainly not memorable, and today I’d be put off by the mystery meat that consisted of cheap parts of a pig squeezed into the shape of a patty. I’d much rather have a decent burger, and it wouldn’t be from McDonald’s. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/24 "2024-12-17T14:05:28Z")
The meat is extruded thru the same process as Chicken McNugguts, just with different leftover mystery protien scraped from the meat processing factory’s floor, and in a different final, pressed form. The sandwich is just a vessel for delivery of cheap, HFCS-laden BBQ sauce. But hey, it’s the free market at work! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/25 "2024-12-17T14:24:57Z")
I’ve made McRib shaped patties from ground pork from the grocery store. Cook, top with pickle slices, onion, and BBQ sauce on a toasted bun. A nice alternative to the endless hamburgers. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/26 "2024-12-17T14:35:16Z")
I’ve been eating at McDonald’s probably on a weekly or biweekly basis for most of my life, and even worked there for three summers, and I’ve never had a McRib. The thought of one grosses me out: something about the extruded boneless meat that is then shaped into something resembling pork ribs. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/27 "2024-12-17T14:51:15Z")
Wow. It’s not just me. That was _exactly_ me for like five or six years ago before I said, “wait, why am I doing this again?” and quit. Hah. I thought I was the only one. For me, they’re really no different than the Boneless BBQ Rib Hoagie available at a Speedway gas station year round. I had one a few months ago and thought … wait … why am I doing this again? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/28 "2024-12-17T14:57:29Z")
If they’re to your taste, go nuts, but the appeal is the availability, not the item itself. The last time I recall vaguely even liking one was well before I left puberty. I tried one again in my 30s and literally never touched one again. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/29 "2024-12-17T14:58:22Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’d be put off by the mystery meat that consisted of cheap parts of a pig squeezed into the shape of a patty So it’s basically scrapple with BBQ sauce? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/30 "2024-12-17T15:00:24Z")
Get one. Try it. Never again. I had two back around 2008 or so just to see what was up. Yep, it sucks. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/31 "2024-12-17T15:05:13Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Get one. Try it. Never again. > > I had two One of these things is not like the other. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/32 "2024-12-17T15:05:58Z")
I once saw an African-American comedian discuss the McRib in his monologue. He stated, “Any black person knows that if it ain’t got bones, it ain’t ribs. It’s just Spam with delusions.” ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/33 "2024-12-17T15:10:19Z")
I don’t eat red meat anymore but when I did I tried a McRib once or twice. I think the draw is the sauce (which is different than anything else McDonald serves) and the consistency of the ‘rib type meat’ - again, just different than normal McDonald fare. And of course the, ‘golly, we can only produce them a couple times a year’ marketing. Here’s what I know about the McRib. It gives me the trots something awful. Like I said I only tried it a couple of times. A third bout of dysentery wasn’t my idea of a good time. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/34 "2024-12-17T15:12:18Z")
Is a $3 sandwich worth eating? Are you hungry and standing in a McDonalds? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/35 "2024-12-17T16:55:02Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > One of these things is not like the other. McDonald’s food sucks. And the portions are too small. 🙂 I had one once a couple decades ago. Thought it was OK. Not sure what I would think now, but I doubt I will ever be convinced to try another since I rarely eat fast food now. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/36 "2024-12-17T17:23:48Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I don’t eat red meat anymore but when I did I tried a McRib once or twice It’s not red meat. It’s “Pork, the _other_ white meat.” Haven’t seen that slogan in awhile. My wife wanted a ribeye the other day so I went to Longhorn Steakhouse and got hers carry out. I decided to try something different so I got their ribs. I must say, for a non barbecue place it was quite good. The sauce reminded me of Sweet Baby Rays, my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/37 "2024-12-17T17:30:37Z")
As mentioned before, On-Cor does it at a fraction of the price: > **[On-Cor BBQ Rib Patties](https://on-cor.com/products/barbecue-sauce-6-boneless-rib-shaped-patties)** > > Enjoy ribs without the bones! On-Cor Boneless Rib Patties are marinated for hickory smoked taste then smothered in our freshly made barbecue sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/38 "2024-12-17T17:31:56Z")
Thanks, everyone! Sounds like it’s NOT something I want to waste my limited appetite on. Weirdly, I crave burgers. My Ozempic usage has made it tough to eat enough protein, but somehow a “good” burger is usually something I can chow down on. One from a better place - e.g. that cooks them to order - I may not finish, but I’ll enjoy it and won’t feel queasy afterward. I had a Big Mac a few weeks ago and wolfed the whole thing down. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/39 "2024-12-17T17:36:32Z")
Every couple of years, my partner craves one of these abominations. He generally makes it about a third of the way. I usually take a bite before he throws it away, and it always tastes as bad as I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/40 "2024-12-17T17:55:21Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > Every couple of years, my partner craves one of these abominations. Back when I was in the States, that was me with KFC. I liked it when I was a kid, and would get a hankering for that nostalgic appreciation. I’d go get some, and be reminded it’s greasy and terrible, and would tell myself I didn’t know what I was thinking, never again. Fast forward four or five years… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749.md?page=3)