McDonald’s mysterious BBQ sandwich, the McRib, officially made its return on November 11th at select stores across the United States, sparking heated discussions among fans – some jubilant and others indifferent. The comeback of this sandwich even stirred up the Bitcoin community.
The highly sought-after McRib sandwich made its return on Tuesday to most McDonald’s stores in the United States, eliciting mixed reactions from fans for over forty years.
This flavorful grilled sandwich features seasoned boneless pork smothered in sauce, topped with pickles and onions, sandwiched between toasted bread. Since its debut in 1981, it has garnered attention from fans.
According to Reddit users, they were the first to notice promotional signs for the McRib sandwich alongside upcoming McDonald’s new products. The fan site, McRib Locator, later announced that the McRib sandwich would make its return nationwide on November 11th.
“Today marks the debut of the mysterious McRib sandwich at this McDonald’s!” Some McDonald’s stores posted this message online.
McDonald’s Senior Director of Marketing, Guillaume Huin, confirmed on social media platform X that the McRib sandwich would be available in “most” stores across the US, calling it the restaurant’s “most mentioned limited-time offering.”
Cities participating in the McRib promotion, as reported by Axios, include Miami, Dallas, Cleveland, St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
Recent price information for the McRib sandwich from the McRib Locator website ranges from $5.49 in Atlanta to nearly $7 in Seattle. The website collects locations, prices, and receipts through crowdsourcing to confirm supply. A Reddit user from Oregon reported purchasing one for $4.99, while others criticized the high price.
Despite this, some fans of the McRib sandwich are very excited by the news.
“I bought one yesterday and I was so happy I almost cried,” one Reddit user said.
“I have always looked forward to the McRib season,” another user added.
“If you like a rich barbecue sauce and a simple sandwich, then in my opinion, the McRib sandwich is pretty good,” another Reddit user wrote. “However, for me, the sodium content in the sauce is too high. Or rather, some versions have very high sodium content. So, I have to watch my intake.”
However, some consumers are less enthusiastic about the news. One consumer compared the taste of the McRib sandwich to a TV dinner steak. “No, it’s actually not good, but it has this irresistible allure that makes you want to have it now and then.”
Some consumers believe it’s all just hype and disappointment, stating that it’s not as good as it used to be.
Reports indicate that since its removal from the menu due to poor sales in 1985, the periodic return of the McRib has become a mysterious part of this sandwich’s history.
Analysts point out that fluctuations in the price of pork shoulder are one of the reasons behind the sporadic appearances of this sandwich. When pork prices drop, usually in the fall after the summer grilling season ends, the cost of producing the McRib sandwich at McDonald’s decreases.
Furthermore, the return of the McRib sandwich transcends the realm of fast food, holding a unique significance.
Huin mentioned in his X platform post that market observers and cryptocurrency traders have jokingly referred to the McRib sandwich as an omen, claiming that Bitcoin and the S&P 500 index have risen following past returns of the McRib sandwich.
He continued by stating that it’s interesting how, although unrelated to McDonald’s, the recent online transactions and cryptocurrency community have given a new meaning to the McRib sandwich. Some argue that whenever the McRib sandwich returns to the market, Bitcoin and the S&P 500 index tend to perform well, especially in 2017, 2020, and 2021.
“It’s a coincidence that when the McRib sandwich returned to stores in December 2024, the price of Bitcoin hit an all-time high,” he added.
Media outlet CCN.com, focused on cryptocurrencies and other fields, reported that the notion of “McRib Pumping (Bitcoin)” has long been circulating, mostly as a joke.
However, some reliable data circulating online suggest a correlation between the return of the McRib sandwich and the rise in cryptocurrencies.
According to researcher McCordic (known as @internbrah), when the McRib sandwich returned to the US in 2020 and 2023 and to the UK in 2024, Bitcoin prices rose by 237%, 71%, and 58% in the following months.
However, not every return of the McRib sandwich has been favorable for Bitcoin.
In November 2021, when the McRib sandwich returned to US stores, Bitcoin actually experienced a 74% drop from its peak in the following months.
Despite this, people’s love and anticipation for the McRib sandwich remain strong, with even seasoned traders jokingly expressing their “bullish” outlook on the McRib sandwich.
(This article is partially based on reporting from Fox News.)