Facts You Never Knew About McDonald's McRib

René Arend debuted the McRib in 1981, testing it first in Kansas City before releasing it nationally in

1982. After less-than-stellar reviews,

it was discontinued in 1985.

A few years later, McDonald's marketed the McRib as a "barbecue in a bun." It sold for a mere $1.69, but still wasn't popular enough to remain on the menu as a permanent item.

The iconic shape of McRib's patty is the result of a technology developed by the U.S. Army in the 1960s while looking for ways to save money on food production.

Meat scientist Roger Mandigo found

a way to process low-cost meat trimmings with sodium and fat. The final product could then be formed into shapes and frozen for distribution.

During McRib's 2024 return to McDonald's menus, the restaurant sold half-gallon bottles of McRib sauce, branded as "A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce," for $19.99.

These jugs of tangy holiday cheer sold out within minutes, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. It's uncertain whether McDonald's

will run this promotion again.

Xanthe Pajarillo penned "The McRib Song (McRib Blues)" and

performed it on her YouTube channel, lamenting the unavailability of McRibs on her local franchise.

Pajarillo explained that McRib was

an integral part of her family's Thanksgiving celebration, without which the holiday spirit in her home feels "kind of messed up and broken."

In the mid-90s, McDonald's announced making the McRib a permanent menu item through a marketing campaign that tied in with the 1994 film "The Flintstones."

It remained on the menu for 10 years until its 2005 "farewell tour." The tour brought it back to select locations and even tried a failed petition to keep the sandwich on the menu.