For 1 Day Only, Get McDonald’s ‘Szechuan Sauce’ In N.J. (Thanks, Rick And Morty)

For one day this October, for the first time in almost 20 years, New Jersey residents will be able to get a taste of McDonald’s “Szechuan Sauce.” And in huge part, they owe it to Justin Roiland and the “Rick and Morty” show.

As Rick would say, “Wubalubadubdub!”

On Thursday, McDonald’s spokespeople announced that “after listening to customers’ enthusiasm for Szechuan Sauce over the past few months,” the company has decided to bring back the condiment for a one-day-only promotion on Saturday, Oct. 7.

It’s the first time that the sauce has been available to the public since McDonald’s promotion for the “Mulan” film in 1998. The sauce was discontinued, but became a viral reference after being name-dropped in the hit animated show “Rick and Morty” in April.

How much does the return of Szechuan Sauce owe to Rick and Morty? Here’s what a spokesperson for McDonald’s New York Metro Region told us:

“No, we did not partner with Rick and Morty for this promotion. Justin Roiland and the Rick and Morty show have had a lot of enthusiasm for our Szechuan Sauce. In fact, this year it became a pop culture phenomenon. We took inspiration from their passion and we just couldn’t resist bringing back the sauce in limited quantities for our customers to enjoy for the first time since 1998.”

Despite the lack of an “official” partnership, McDonald’s has embraced the sudden craze for its long-discontinued dipping sauce with open arms.

“Guys, we did it,” McDonald’s Chef Michael Haracz stated in a recent tongue-in-cheek news release peppered with Rick and Morty references. “After returning with the Szechuan Sauce from the always-1998 dimension, C-1998M, we did some science and now we have a bit more sauce… It’s a great moment for McDonald’s and our fans that I’m definitely not taking for granite.”

HOW TO GET YOUR SZECHUAN ON

In New Jersey, packets of the “savory and slightly sweet sauce with hints of soy, ginger, garlic and slight vinegar notes” will be available - along with limited-edition posters – starting at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 at these two McDonald’s restaurants:

• 188 Springfield Avenue, Newark
• 186-194 Third Avenue, Paterson

Customers will have to purchase an order of Buttermilk Crispy Tenders ($3.79 to $3.99) to receive one of the “limited quantities of Szechuan Sauce dipping packets” and a limited-edition poster, while supplies last.

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Images: McDonald’s USA, used with permission