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The McRib is a sandwich from McDonald's made from boneless pork and barbecue sauce on a bun, with onions and pickles added. It was developed at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln[1]. The sandwich test-marketed very well in Nebraska and other Midwestern markets and was added to the restaurant's permanent menu throughout the United States in 1981.^{[citation needed]} Sales were mediocre, and it was removed after several years, only to be brought back on a temporary basis every year since. Numerous inconclusive explanations based on pork prices and even conspiracy theories have been suggested to explain the McRib's periodic reappearances.

Officials at McDonald's, in a 1985 stockholder meeting, mentioned that the reason the McRib was pulled was because the McRib couldn't sustain international sales because many countries don't eat pork on a regular basis. Germany was mentioned as an example which could sustain sales, but not the U.S. or certain Asia Pacific countries. The strategy announced at that time would be that the McRib would be brought back periodically as a "specialty" sandwich since it definitely increased sales during a promotional period and then drops off. Also, the McRib didn't stay in the warming bin long enough so food cost would be higher.

The McRib has a devoted, almost cult-like following, who would like to see the McRib sandwich become a permanent item on McDonald's menu. The sandwich was spoofed in The Simpsons episode "I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can" where Krusty Burger released a sandwich called the "Ribwich," but only on a temporary basis. The Ribwich was discontinued after the animal it was made from (suggested to be an insect) became extinct:

Krusty: "Listen, about the Ribwich. We won’t be making them anymore. The animal we made them from is now extinct."

Homer: "The pig?"

Otto: "The cow?"

Krusty: "You’re way off. Think smaller…think more legs."

In The Simpsons Hit & Run, the Squeaky Voiced Teen said that the Ribwich is made from only paste and MSG.

It is also spoofed on an episode of The Boondocks where a back-from-a-coma Martin Luther King, Jr. ate one, exclaiming "Oh snap! No they didn't! A boneless rib sandwich!". In the reality show The Osbournes, Jack mentions his love for the McRib sandwich. Kelly responds by saying "What the heck is a Muc-Rib?"

On November 1, 2005, McDonald's put out a press release stating that the McRib would be permanently removed from the menu following a "McRib Farewell Tour." This appears to have been a deceptive kickoff to a viral marketing campaign; mcrib.com, a site registered to McDonald's, features a petition to "Save the McRib," which is facetiously sponsored by the "Boneless Pig Farmers Association of America." So in a two-angled campaign, McDonald's is simultaneously conducting a McRib farewell tour and sponsoring a petition to "Save the McRib" to create buzz. The idea for the tour seemed to have come from The Simpsons episode "I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can" which featured a farewell tour for its parody food item. On October 16, 2006, the "McRib Farewell Tour II" site appeared, confirming the campaign was a marketing ploy. The petition to "Save the McRib" still exists as well as the "BPFAA" site.

"Joey what's going on?! I haven't seen you this excited since they brought back the McRib." - Full House

David Letterman's Top 10 once featured "Things Elvis Presley would say if he came back today," one of which was: "Aw hell, don't tell me I missed the McRib!"

On The Simpsons episode I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can, a whole storyline revolves around a burger called the Ribwich.

In the "Mole People" episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Mike Nelson says at one point, "I'd rather watch David Crosby eat a McRib sandwich than watch this scene."

Yes, Dear episode Space Jam Christine says, "Jimmy, you haven't been this sad since they took the McRib Away!"

• McDonald's McRib Farewell Tour II New site as of 10/16/06
• mcrib Petition
• The McRib: Is it more myth than a sandwich?
• A McRib fansite
• "Boneless Pig Farmers Association of America" webpage
• Boneless Pig Farmer MySpace page
• McDonald's says goodbye to McRib
• McRib Deconstruction
• Fictional McRib Tribute Band Website

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