McDonald's McRib

You'd have to be housed on the International Space Station to not know the McRib is back. The word seems to spread quickly among those that patiently await these announcements and sightings throughout the year and country. If you don't think the McRib is serious business, checkout this link http://www.kleincast.com/maps/mcrib.php. This will show you all of the locations across North America that currently offer the McRib sandwich and is updated constantly by McRibphiles from all over.

If you remember when the Chilean miners got trapped in that mine back in July, they originally said they wouldn't be able to get them out until Christmas. What most people don't know is when they began communicating with them through that small hole they dug, the miners told them you have to get us out before December. The McRib is coming back! I was watching the news yesterday and they showed all the miners attending an event in New York City. Do you really think it is a coincidence that they are here in our country at the same time the McRib is in market? I don't think so.

When it comes to the McRib, there are three kinds of people. Those that love it, those that hate it and those that have never tried it. I actually spoke to my buddy Jeff last night over dinner and he told me he had never tried one before. I told him he had to get one today! Hopefully he has heeded my advice and is now one of the lovers of the best tasting pieces of gelatinous, fatty, pressed, pork products in the world. As you can tell, I am fit into the category of those that love the McRib. Over the years I have developed to the point where I cannot eat most of the food at McDonald's without it upsetting my stomach. The only thing I can eat is what I like to call the Poor Man's Surf-N-Turf, which is a double cheese burger and a filet of fish. The McRib is the other thing I can eat and do so whenever it appears. In fact, I am five deep on the McRib sandwich for this year's appearance. Something I am not overly proud of, but it is what it is.

For me the attraction of the McRib is two-fold. First, this sandwich comes on what has to be the softest bun served in any quick service restaurant and the marriage of the tangy sauce, pickles and onions just works incredibly well. Yes, I said pickles. Most know I have this thing about pickles, but I can eat them on the McRib. (You can look back through this blog and find "The Pickle Story" for the inside scoop.) The second thing I like about the McRib is the genius in which McDonald's uses the sandwich. They built a cult following for this sandwich and use it strategically to boost profits at various times. They don't leave it in the market for too long allowing those to get tired of it, but bring it back in a mysterious way to create demand. I really thought KFC was going to use the Double Down in this manner, but it has remained on their menu and you don't even hear people talking about it anymore.

My guess is the McRib will only be around for a couple of more weeks, so you need to get out there and get all you can, while you can. If you have never tried one, go find out what all the hype is about. Everyone that loves the McRib knows they are not good for us, but it won't kill you to try it. The only problem is that you might like it and then you have another thing to worry about and that is when the McRib might be back next.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry