The McRib returns Oct. 27 at select McDonald's restaurants: cities, dates and what to know

The McRib is coming back. McDonald’s says its barbecue pork sandwich will return for a limited time starting Tuesday, Oct. 27, but only at select restaurants in certain cities, not nationwide.

That is earlier than the sandwich’s usual return, USA Today reported. Last year, the McRib came back to some markets in mid-November.

When does the McRib return?

McDonald’s told USA Today the McRib will start showing up in select cities on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The company’s senior marketing officer, Guillaume Huin, announced it on X on Thursday, Oct. 22. “The McRib is coming back as early as 10/27 in select McDonald’s restaurants across the US,” he wrote, according to 10TV. “Welcome back, Legend!”

Some places may get it a little sooner. USA Today reported that Columbus, Ohio, and the Pittsburgh area were expected to start serving it on Oct. 26, citing The Columbus Dispatch and KDKA Radio.

McDonald’s has not said publicly how long the McRib will stay on menus.

Which cities are getting the McRib?

Cities confirmed in reports from USA Today and 10TV include:

• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Miami
• Atlanta
• Philadelphia
• Dallas and Fort Worth
• Cleveland
• Seattle
• St. Louis
• Columbus, Ohio

10TV said more cities had not been announced yet.

Some fans already spotted it

USA Today reported that the McRib had already started appearing in some markets the week of Oct. 19, according to the fan-run McRib Locator website, which collects sightings and purchase receipts. Places where people reported buying one included San Antonio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Kearney, Nebraska; Overland Park, Kansas; Oxford, Mississippi; Acworth, Georgia; and Bonita and Clovis, California.

Those are crowdsourced reports, not official confirmations. They don’t mean every restaurant in those areas has the sandwich.

How to find a McRib near you

Both USA Today and 10TV say the best way is to check the McDonald’s app, which shows whether a nearby restaurant has the McRib on its menu. Because this is a regional rollout, availability can vary a lot from one city or even one restaurant to the next.

What is the McRib?

The McRib is a boneless pork patty shaped to look like a rack of ribs, served on a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles and onions. USA Today reported that there are no rib bones involved. The patty is made from pork, water, salt, dextrose and rosemary extract.

The sandwich debuted in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1981 and went nationwide in 1982. USA Today credits McDonald’s executive chef Rene Arend, who also created Chicken McNuggets, with inventing it. University of Nebraska professor Roger Mandigo’s work on restructured meat helped make it possible.

A history of “farewells”

The McRib’s on-and-off schedule is a big part of its appeal. 10TV recalled that in 2022, McDonald’s said the sandwich would be discontinued for good after that year’s run, and even sold McRib merchandise for the occasion. Another limited-time return was announced the next year anyway.

The last nationwide run was in late November 2024. In 2025, it returned only in some markets, around mid-November.

Quick FAQ

Is the McRib back nationwide? No. McDonald’s says it’s returning at select restaurants in certain cities starting Oct. 27.

How long will the McRib be available? McDonald’s hasn’t announced an end date. It’s described only as a limited-time return.

How can I tell if my McDonald’s has it? Check the McDonald’s app for your local restaurant.