# 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:** 5
**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 18, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/81 "2024-12-18T16:04:58Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t understand what went wrong. I know I do not know for sure. My hypothesis is food service corps are cheapening their product to try to hold the line on price and portion size in the face of the steady drip of inflation. Which vice is pressing on everyone in all the advanced economies. Nobody would pay e.g. $12 for a McRib, which is what it would have to cost with a decent meat/fat/filler ratio and a sauce that isn’t simply HFCS & red dye. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/82 "2024-12-18T16:05:07Z")
As a kid I loved them, but either they were different back then or my taste changed and I was disappointed when I did order one a few years back. It’s very like to other offerings I’ve seen at convenience-gas station stores or supermarket heat and eat sammy’s. As I understand it McD’s brings it back when market forces makes pork an attractive alternative to their price for beef. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/83 "2024-12-18T19:19:14Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > think it’s hilarious that people believe it’s pork shoulder. > Seriously? How can you imagine it is anything other than marginally edible scraps from the slaughterhouse floor? > [@](#): > > Contrary to what its name implies, there is very little actual rib meat in a McRib. “Primar­ily, it’s shoulder meat,” explains Rob Cannell, director of McDonald’s U.S. supply chain. “The McRib is made in large processing plants—lots of stainless steel, a number of production lines, and these long cryogenic freezers. The pork meat is chopped up, then seasoned, then formed into that shape that looks like a rib back. Then we flash-freeze it. The whole process from fresh pork to frozen McRib takes about 45 minutes.” > **[The Cult of the McRib](https://web.archive.org/web/20101117153600/http://www.maxim.com/amg/humor/articles/70280/thecultofthemcrib.html)** > > Maxim.com - the Ultimate Guys' Guide - check out sexy photos and videos of celebrities, Hometown Hotties, and our Hot 100. Maxim is your source of funny lists, jokes, sexy women, and movies online. ---
**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 18, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/84 "2024-12-18T19:38:22Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Have you tried a sausage McMuffin lately? I have not, but it might well be that it’s patty consistency now resembles the current McRib. You mean pig parts gathered from the slaughterhouse floor and squeezed into the shape of a patty? No. The only “McMuffin” I ever have is the bacon and egg McMuffin. I figure that even McDonald’s can’t screw up a fried egg and a couple of bacon slices too badly, And TBH their coffee is actually pretty good, and the thing they call a “hash brown” is tastier than their fries. When I rented a friend’s cottage some years ago I’d drive out to the local McD’s every morning and enjoy a nice bacon & egg McMuffin and coffee from a site overlooking the picturesque harbour. Not everything McDonald’s makes is complete crap, just 95% of it. ETA: I should add that my Bernese Mountain Dog, whose taste in food was not particularly sophisticated, absolutely adored the basic McDonald’s cheeseburger (without pickle). I had to hold it for him while he chomped at it, due to the limited dexterity of his paws. But even he much preferred bacon-wrapped rare filet mignon off the grill to anything from McD’s, but he generally only got that on his birthday. 🐕 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/85 "2024-12-18T21:04:30Z")
I’m not a fan of this talk of pig parts and scrap etc in a disdainful sense. If we’re going to sacrifice an animal for our dinner, let’s use as much of the carcass as we can. Sausage meat is good eatin’, and the only difference between offal and muscle from a nutrition point of view is in the fat content. I don’t hear anyone saying chicken wings are icky. ---
**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 18, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/86 "2024-12-18T21:27:19Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I’m not a fan of this talk of pig parts and scrap etc in a disdainful sense. If we’re going to sacrifice an animal for our dinner, let’s use as much of the carcass as we can. By all means. But I don’t have to be the one eating it. I’m sure my dog, the aficionado of the McDonald’s cheeseburger, would love assorted pig parts ground up and compressed into the shape of a disc. > [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t hear anyone saying chicken wings are icky. Why would one? Properly prepared chicken wings make a tasty and healthy snack or even a full dinner. A whole pound of chicken wings contain less than about 12 grams of fat, only about 30% of which is saturated fat, though frying oils may add more. There’s nothing “icky” about them. There’s a reason they’re popular pub fare. Ever since I got an air fryer they’ve been one of my favourite late-night snacks. ---
**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 18, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/87 "2024-12-18T22:02:39Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I had to hold it for him while he chomped at it, due to the limited dexterity of his paws. Color me surprised it took more than one chomp to finish a standard McD cheeseburger. Unless he was as dainty an eater as he was noble. We had a Doberman when I was a young kid. Very few things required him to take a second bite. ---
**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 18, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/88 "2024-12-18T22:30:35Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > I had to hold it for him while he chomped at it, due to the limited dexterity of his paws. > > Color me surprised it took more than one chomp to finish a standard McD cheeseburger. Unless he was as dainty an eater as he was noble. He wasn’t dainty, but he was indeed noble and trusting. He knew the cheeseburger wasn’t going anywhere, so he savoured every bite about as much as one could expect a dog to do, which wasn’t long. The whole cheeseburger was gone in a matter of maybe 20 or 30 seconds, but he did take distinct individual bites out of it and savoured each one with obvious enjoyment. It was really quite a sweet thing to watch as he chomped at it just like a human, only maybe with a bit more enthusiasm. And this was a dog who, at his peak, weighed in at 120 pounds! ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/89 "2024-12-18T23:13:42Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m sure my dog, the aficionado of the McDonald’s cheeseburger, would love assorted pig parts ground up and compressed into the shape of a disc. > […] > Properly prepared chicken wings make a tasty and healthy snack or even a full dinner I feel like referring you to the post your replying to. Did you digest (ho ho) the point I was making? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/90 "2024-12-19T00:26:20Z")
All this talk of McRibs made me hungry for one, so I had one tonight. It’s really pretty much exactly as I remember it. The sauce was always sweet, the patty was always molded, and I always remember it having basically that texture. The best thing about it is the bread. Is it worth eating? Ehh, probably not. You’re not missing out on excellent cuisine. I enjoyed it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/91 "2024-12-19T00:45:42Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I think it’s hilarious that people believe it’s pork shoulder. > Seriously? How can you imagine it is anything other than marginally edible scraps from the slaughterhouse floor? McRib is just Spam in a different form with binders and BBQ sauce. It is all Food Science. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/92 "2024-12-19T01:37:09Z")
So, let us start that first you gotta be a fan of McDs’ burgers, etc I _used_ to be. Back then, I thought it slightly inferior to the Big Mac. But if you hate McDs, you will not like the McRib. > [@wolfpup](#): > > You mean pig parts gathered from the slaughterhouse floor and squeezed into the shape of a patty? This is not true. > **[The Truth About McDonald's Breakfast Sausage - Mashed](https://www.mashed.com/785440/the-truth-about-mcdonalds-breakfast-sausage/)** > > You've heard of the McGriddle and the McMuffin, but have you thought about what's between the buns? Read on for the truth about McDonald's breakfast sausage. ---
**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 19, 2024, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/93 "2024-12-19T06:59:28Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Ask me why I dislike béchamel and I really couldn’t tell you. I should like it. I like most adjacent sort of sauces. But hand me a lasagna with it instead of ricotta or a ricotta-blend and my lip curls in disdain. Bechamel is butter, flour and milk. Not even REMOTELY equivalent to ricotta. People who use bechamel in place of ricotta are abominations. ---
**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 19, 2024, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/94 "2024-12-19T07:06:33Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > People who use bechamel in place of ricotta are abominations. I’m going to dispute this. It’s a regional style. My cite: I learned how to make pasta in Italy from an Italian restaurant owner. In the south, the lasagne are assembled including layers of ricotta. In the north, it’s made with layers of a cheese sauce — very similar to a French Mornay, béchamel + Parmigiano. It’s not _just_ béchamel. Also, the lasagne tend to be thinner and more delicate. They are structurally similar, in terms of pasta + sauce + cheese, but the mouthfeel is entirely different. The cheesy sauce is the correct choice for what the northern style of the dish is going for; the heavy ricotta is the correct choice for what the southern style is going for. ---
**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 19, 2024, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/95 "2024-12-19T07:38:38Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > > > People who use bechamel in place of ricotta are abominations. > > I’m going to dispute this. It’s a regional style. My cite: I learned how to make pasta in Italy from an Italian restaurant owner. Thanks for what sounds like authoritative information, which I would certainly not try to dispute. But I suspect @Mama_Zappa was just conveying a personal preference. An Italian-owned supermarket near me makes several types of lasagna, one of which is styled “traditional”, made with meat and ricotta, one as “bechamel”, and some others. The bechamel lasagna isn’t bad, but I much prefer the “traditional” and I love the mellow taste of ricotta. . ---
**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 19, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/96 "2024-12-19T08:00:47Z")
Sure, preferences are entirely personal. I’m just taking issue with the implication that “substituting” béchamel is wrong somehow. It’s not a substitution because there’s no “correct” version; it’s just a regional difference in how the dish is made. Like it, don’t like it, I can’t argue with that. But “abomination” makes it sound like it’s done in error, a violation of the “true” spirit of lasagne, or something. Edit to add: And, again, it’s not “just” béchamel — it’s a cheese sauce. If a lasagne dish has _just_ béchamel with no Parmagiano, then, yeah, I’d say that’s wrong, in terms of the Italian originals. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/97 "2024-12-19T18:16:43Z")
Béchamel is a creamy French white sauce. Béchamel is not a cheese sauce, unless you add cheese. ---
**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 19, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/98 "2024-12-19T18:54:54Z")
… I know? ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/99 "2024-12-19T19:23:47Z")
From the link: **Béchamel sauce** is one of the [mother sauces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Mother_Sauces) of [French cuisine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_cuisine). Add cheese it becomes Mornay. Béchamel is used in dishes such as the _lasagne al forno_. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749/100 "2024-12-19T19:36:04Z")
Back to the topic, if anyone wants a McRib “out of season” these are available at most DollarTree-type stores. Much smaller than a McRib, but (obvs.) cheaper. Easily obtainable & convenient. Pickles and, sadly, onions, are not included. > **[Fast Bites BBQ Rib Sandwich 5.5 oz](https://www.pruettsfood.com/shop/frozen_foods/meals_entrees/sandwich_wraps_pockets/fast_bites_bbq_rib_sandwich_5_5_oz/p/2577354)** > > This fully cooked, tasty BBQ pork rib sandwich is ready in minutes, with 14 grams of protein per serving. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749.md?page=6)