McDonald’s has confirmed that one of its most love-it-or-hate-it sandwiches will soon be back on the menu in select locations this week. I’m talking about the ever-polarizing McRib sandwich. Here’s what you need to know about the BBQ hoagie’s return.
What’s happening?
If someone asks you to name a popular autumn seasonal food item, Starbucks’s pumpkin spice latte is the first thing that probably comes to mind.
But for the past several years, another food item has appeared like clockwork in the fall for a limited time: McDonald’s McRib sandwich.
And it’s making its return again this fall, too.
McDonald’s has confirmed that the McRib sandwich—which consists of a boneless pork patty smothered in sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, and topped with onions and pickles, all between a hoagie bun—will return to select markets this week.
The McRib was first introduced in 1981, and for years was a staple of the McDonald’s menu.
However, among McDonald’s fans, the sandwich proved polarizing. Some loved the sweet, tangy taste, while others took issue with the fact that the McRib patty is merely shaped like a rib but doesn’t contain any actual rib bones or meat. Instead, the McRib patty is made of “restructured” meat.
In the early 2000s, McDonald’s pulled the McRib from the menu, only bringing it back sporadically in select markets over the ensuing decade.
However, for the past several years, the fast food giant has brought the sandwich back every fall in at least some select markets in the U.S. The same is happening for 2026.
When will the McRib be back in stores?
McDonald’s has confirmed that its McRib sandwich will launch in select US markets this week on Tuesday, October 27, according to USA Today.
However, the company has not said how long the McRib will remain available. Fast Company has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.
Where is the McRib sandwich available?
The McRib sandwich won’t be coming to all McDonald’s locations in the U.S.
McDonald’s has confirmed that it will only be available in select cities. Confirmed cities include:
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Philadelphia
Fast Company has reached out for comment to see what other markets, if any, will see the McRib back on the menu.
Will my local McDonald’s offer the McRib?
Before you head to your local McD’s, check the McDonald’s app to see whether your location has the McRib on the menu.
Besides the official McDonald’s app, there is also a website that tracks McRib sightings across the world that may be worth checking out.
McRibLocator.com is a crowdsourced database of McDonald’s locations where customers have reported they have purchased McRib sandwiches.
Since the data comes from users, it’s only as accurate as its reports, but the site also confirms select reports by letting users upload proof of purchase, such as a receipt or a success-screen photo.
How much does the McRib cost?
McDonald’s has faced criticism in recent years for rising fast-food prices, so whatever the cost of the McRib, the price is likely to put some people off.
McDonald’s has not stated what a McRib sandwich will cost when it goes on sale this week. However, McDonald’s menu items are generally not priced the same across the nation.
The price you pay for a McDonald’s item depends heavily on the market where the restaurant is located.
As for the McRib, McRibLocator.com says the current reported price of the BBQ sandwich ranges from $4.47 in Victoria, Texas, to $7.99 in Palmdale, California.
The site says the average price for a McRib in the U.S. is $6.05.
