Good Question: Will You Celebrate The McRib Return?
By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing Editor
You know to expect barbecue-slathered pork on a white bun, but something about McDonald's famous McRib sandwich may surprise you: It's slightly healthier than a Big Mac.
With 500 calories and 26 grams of fat, it clocks in with fewer calories and fat grams than a Big Mac, which has 540 calories and 29 grams of fat. For comparison's sake, note that McDonald's big breakfast with hotcakes has 1,090 calories and 56 grams of fat.
If the McRib is your indulgence of choice, you're in luck. McDonald's announced Monday the sandwich, which had all but disappeared from most local franchises, will be sold at every single McDonald's through Nov. 14.
The ground pork patty covered in onions and barbecue sauce has its own Facebook fan page called "Bring Back the McRib!!!" where 37 people waxed poetic about the sandwich when it was released at the same time last year -- its first unveiling in 16 years.
"I've had three so far...They better never go away again," one man wrote. Another chided someone for ordering "just one," writing, "I ordered 10 the first night, no lie."
Not to be outdone, Twitter has feeds including "McRib Watch" and "McRiblocator" where fans can discuss their favorite lunch and dinner treat -- and foes can mock it.
The hashtag #McRib had hundreds of posts Monday, mostly from people who said they couldn't wait to get their hands on one.
"The #McRib is the most horrible artificial food item ever invented. I want one so bad," one woman Tweeted.
According to Wikipedia, McRib was introduced to the nation in 1981 after the company's then-president decided to add pork to the menu. McDonald's brought back the McRib for three weeks last fall for the first time in 16 years, and sales were apparently high enough to convince the company to offer it again.
So, why now just have it all the time?
"Bringing it back every so often adds to the excitement," Marta Fearon, McDonald's U.S. marketing director, told the Associated Press.
