The McRib Sandwich Touches Down in El Cerrito

The hard-to-find, king of the cult sandwich, the McRib is back in El Cerrito. 

McDonald’s Corp. announced this week that the barbecue pork sandwich will be available across the nation until Nov. 14. For the rest of the year, local franchises decide if and when to offer the McRib. This limited and random availability may be the cause of a fervent cult following.

Several websites honor the McRib and wax poetically about the elusive pork sandwich. One such site, the McRib Locator, helps rib aficionados find the sandwich prompting many McRib road trips. McDonald’s even has it’s own McRib website and an online game called “The Quest for the Golden McRib” where players search for golden McRibs and interact with double-trunked pink elephants and pogo hopping kangaroos.

The porky icon has been lampooned on the Simpsons, has appeared in David Letterman’s Top Ten lists and even gets  mentioned on the Chappelle Show.

But what the heck is it?

Alan Saephan, who mans the meat counter at , pulled on some gloves to help dissect a McRib sandwich. “It is definitely a compressed meat product,” said Saephan “no doubt about it.” The sandwich is a boneless pork patty in the shape of a slab of ribs. “They call it a rib sandwich, so you expect ribs,” said Saephan,  “The closest thing to an actual cut of meat is a baby back rib or Saint Louis ribs. But you’d have bones,” Saephan said.

What makes it so special? Why would sane men and women, mostly men, embark on hours long road trips to find a fast food sandwich?

From the McDonald’s website the 500 calorie wonder is made from just five components; a ground pork patty, barbecue sauce, onions, pickles and a soft roll.  

According to Shanika, an employee at McDonald's Oak Brook Illinois call center, "The McRib has an enthusiastic and dedicated fan base, because of its great tangy barbecue taste and fresh bun. “Regarding the limited availability of the McRib Shanika added, “The McRib is a seasonal product and because 80% of all McDonald's franchises are independently owned, the decision to offer the sandwich is made by each owner.”

John Potter doesn’t understand why the McRib has become a cult phenomena. Potter who on most days can be found asking for donations on Central Avenue, was swept up into McRib mania today and tucked into his first McRib. “It is tasty, I like the barbecue sauce and the nice soft bun,” said Potter, “but I wouldn’t go out of my way to find one.”