Author Archives: Alan

About Alan

From a deep hunger for the McRib, Alan created the McRib Locator to help all McRib fans find the elusive sandwich.

2013 McRib Production Beginning Soon

Time to get your taste buds warmed up, we have received information that the 2013 McRib Production season will be beginning soon. Expectations are that the McRib will return to the production lines mid August. This is roughly around the same time that production fired off last year. It appeared that the McRib was going to make an earlier than normal start last year, however McDonalds opted to a December release in order to improve 4th quarter numbers. Keeping this in mind, expect the McRib to return again this season, possibly starting to show up as early as September or as late as December!

Check back with us here on the blog, on twitter or via Facebook for the latest information on the McRib’s return as we try to narrow down the exact release date.

 

BK Rib Sandwich Review

I decided to give the Burger King Rib Sandwich a try during the first week it was out. I figured it was worth a try being the McRib is in hiding, and I didn’t mind the actual ribs BK served in the recent past (if you could get past the excessive pricing… I only tried them once due to this).

Knowing what we wanted, we quickly got into line. The girl taking orders couldn’t find their Rib sandwich on the register, and had to ask for help. Finally finding it, she noted this was her first day working at BK. We then quickly received our order. We decided to take the order home to eat.

Upon getting home and opening up the food, I first noted that the sandwich seemed smaller than a McRib. Perhaps it is due to the elongated shape of the McRib, however this was just the beginning of the problems.

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After opening the wrapper, I discovered that my sandwich lacked any BBQ, instead had some type of mayo on it. It also had cheese and bacon.

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I deduced that whomever had prepared my sandwich had somehow confused the instructions of the Rib Sandwich and their summer Carolina BBQ Tendercrisp although they failed on the BBQ either way.

The sandwich was just ok. I didn’t care for the butter pickles, I favor dill pickles. The patty tasted different, likely the grill flavor which didn’t bother me. However the lack of BBQ sauce doesn’t make this a fair comparison. I will have to try it again this summer, however this first one doesn’t make me feel like I need to rush out to do so.

Have you tried the new BK Rib Sandwich? If so, leave a comment below about your experience.

The Ribwich has arrived

This morning I stumbled onto some news that the Universal Studios Theme Park in Orlando, FL now has a Krusty Burger. I searched online for photos and discovered that they are offering The Ribwich, a parody clone to the McRib.

[youtube width=300 height=200]http://youtu.be/LlIaown6Wpw[/youtube]

Inside The Magic provides a nice overview of the new additions to the park as well as photos such as the following which I cropped so it would be easier to see the details we are interested in.

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At $11.99, it seems it is a bit overpriced. However, it seems many food items are overpriced at parks. Interestingly, the Ribwich is served with coleslaw on top. This is not how the Ribwich from the show was prepared, thus one wonders why they felt they needed to diverge from that.

Read the Inside The Magic story here.

McRib has returned in Spain

McRib Returns To Spain

McRib Returns To Spain

As noted on the McDonalds Spain site, the McRib has again returned. This time the McRib is featured as part of their McMenu Easy promotion. From my interpretation of the promotion, this is similar to the Dollar Menu concept here in the United States, however has been expanded to include a select few value meals.

The McRib will remain on the menu in Spain through April 30, having actually started April 2nd.

Thank you James Frewin for reporting your sighting in Spain and tipping us off to the McRib availability!

 

McRibs Retired for the Season

The McRib’s seasonal retirement appears to have returned, we must resort to reflecting back on those great McRibs we had this past season.

The McRib is not the only retiree this season. A law enforcement official on the East Coast received a fitting send-off with a McRib Retirement Cake from The Cake Constructor. Now that is a retirement party nobody is soon to forget!

Retirement Photo

While not as creative of an achievement, Kim and I recently were able to enjoy a meal with two participants that have rarely been spotted together. On Feb. 5, 2013 after several calls to confirm the availability of the McRib, we were able to have the McRib and Shamrock Shake in the same meal. How rare is this? See Season 1 Episode 1 (the Pilot) of Raising Hope (jump to 7:37 into the episode) and listen to what Dana has to say.

McRib & Shamrock Shake

Have you had a unique McRib related event this year? If so, we would love to share it with other McRib fans. Drop us a line with your story (and pictures if you have them).

McRib Social Media Impact?

Latest news regarding the Restaurant Social Media Index (presumably similar to a Klout index) indicates that McDonalds has claimed the top spot in the index, knocking down Starbucks from their six quarter perch at the top.

While not directly called out, I do believe that some of this lift upward comes as a result of efforts McDonalds itself, regional McDonald’s accounts, and their other affiliated accounts expended on the promotion of the McRib. We saw numerous campaigns this year, ranging from full out release parties to other campaigns encouraging fans to get out and get a McRib. Surely these types of social media events are the basis of the move up for McDonalds.

Read more here: Nation’s Restaurant News