These two McRib knockoffs are so much better than the real thing (Washington Post, about two places in DC)

McDonald’s barbecue pork sandwich returns to restaurants nationwide Nov. 1, earlier than last year.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/fo ... 918508001/

Dave148 wrote:McDonald’s barbecue pork sandwich returns to restaurants nationwide Nov. 1, earlier than last year.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/fo ... 918508001/

...and it's the 40th anniversary of that alleged meat product.

McRib is back, you do not have to wait for November 1st.

Ghost pepper chicken nuggets are at Burger King.

JoelF wrote: {extraneous reply snipped}
...and it's the 40th anniversary of that alleged meat product.

I have likely responded similarly elsewhere in this thread; but in the mid-1990s, when McD's had Michael Jordan pimping it in nationally-televised advertisements, even he could not get it as a permanent entree in Chicago.
McD's should have completely abandoned it then.

I doubt the McRib was ever intended to be a regular menu item, any more than their shamrock shakes or other things they bring out occasionally. Indeed, the McRib's rarity and unpredictability have probably helped it achieve a cult status that benefits its sales more than the shamrock shake, which comes around predictably every year.

pudgym29 wrote:

JoelF wrote: {extraneous reply snipped}
...and it's the 40th anniversary of that alleged meat product.

I have likely responded similarly elsewhere in this thread; but in the mid-1990s, when McD's had Michael Jordan pimping it in nationally-televised advertisements, even he could not get it as a permanent entree in Chicago.
McD's should have completely abandoned it then.

I remember reading that the McRib is only featured when McD's can corner the pork market.

JoelF wrote:I remember reading that the McRib is only featured when McD's can corner the pork market.

This aroused my curiosity and led me to

this tidbit: "McDonald's is now the biggest purchaser in the world of beef, pork, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes, and the second-biggest buyer of chicken, after KFC. When it decided to add apple slices to Happy Meals a few years ago, the company quickly became the biggest buyer of the shiny red fruit in the United States."

and this chart, which shows how McRib appearances correspond to drops in pork prices.

Katie wrote:this chart, which shows how McRib appearances correspond to drops in pork prices.

At least in our region, McRib have been offered yearly. It was bit surprising last year when people made a big to-do about it coming back again after some years. From this chart, there were some skipped years, though not from my experience.

Thanks for the research, it was quite interesting.

Regards,
CAthy2

Cathy2 wrote:
Ghost pepper chicken nuggets are at Burger King.

Out of morbid curiosity, I tried these a couple of weeks ago. For a buck fifty and tax, the investment was low.

The only positive I could find about the experience was that the the nuggets actually did have a reasonable level of spiciness, especially for a mass market fast food product. Spicier than other "ghost pepper" marketed products I've had over the years where the food is apparently seasoned by the shadow of a bhut joloklia. After finishing my ten nuggets (or whatever number it was) there was pleasant tingle left on tongue and lips.

But other than the heat, there wasn't much flavor to the breading. Completely one dimensional. And the nuggets. God, the nuggets. They are the absolute worst fast food chicken nuggets I've ever eaten by a longshot (minus the one time a decade-ish ago I made the same mistake of getting a regular order of $1.49 BK nuggets. Call me an eternal optimist, but I had hoped maybe they had changed them in the interim, but what did I expect at that price?) Absolute garbage. The texture was soft and squishy, as if they were made half of binders. No better than the microwaved "dinosaur nuggets" my children eat. And I'm no nugget snob. I love McDonald's regular nuggets. A version of this with McDonald's nuggets and some more interest in the spicing, and I'm there. But no thanks. And BK can do chicken decently, as they've shown with their Ch'king or however you spell that stupid name.