Guess what? McDonald’s just brought back its legendary McRib sandwich for 2025, but there’s a catch—it’s only popping up in select cities across the U.S.

The barbecue pork classic hit participating restaurants on November 11, adding yet another twist to its ongoing comeback saga since getting axed from the permanent menu in 2005.

It is currently up for grabs in big cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis. McDonald’s suggests you double-check with your local spot before heading out, just in case.

This sandwich comes with a seasoned pork patty shaped like ribs, all tucked into a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles, and onions. It’s a hefty 520 calories per serving—but hey, who’s counting?

This regional rollout follows McDonald’s usual playbook for the McRib, with past returns in 2020, 2022’s “farewell tour,” 2023’s select locations, and a rare nationwide appearance in 2024.

The sandwich debuted in Kansas City, Kansas back in 1981, then hit the national menu the next year. Fun fact: McDonald’s executive chef Rene Arend, who also gave us Chicken McNuggets, created the McRib.

Key Takeaways

The McRib returned to select U.S. cities on November 11, 2025, but you won’t find it everywhere.
Cities like Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Miami are on the lucky list this year.
McDonald’s has stuck with limited regional releases since taking the burger off the permanent menu in 2005.

McRib’s 2025 Comeback: Key Availability Details

McDonald’s confirmed the McRib’s return starting November 11, 2025, but only in select U.S. cities. This rollout targets specific metro areas instead of all locations at once.

Which Cities and Locations Offer the McRib

Right now, you can find the burger in eight major metro areas: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis.

McDonald’s hinted that more locations might get the sandwich soon, so stay tuned. Always a good idea to check with your local restaurant before making the trip.

This limited release of it is a bit different from previous years, where McDonald’s sometimes went nationwide. Even in participating cities, not every franchise joins in—so it’s a bit of a scavenger hunt.

Timeline for the it’s Return and Limited-Time Status

“The legendary McRib returns 11/11 at most McDonald’s in the US,” posted senior marketing director Guillaume Huin on X. The sandwich officially dropped on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

There’s still no word on when the McRib will disappear again. McDonald’s is playing coy, just calling it a “limited time” comeback—classic move.

Historical McRib Timeline:

1981: Kansas City debut
1982: First national rollout
2005: Removed as a permanent item
2020, 2022, 2024: Previous limited returns
2025: Current regional comeback

The timing lines up with McDonald’s third-quarter earnings report, so nostalgia and value are clearly back in the spotlight.

Why the McRib Isn’t Nationwide

McDonald’s keeps the McRib exclusive to stoke demand and keep fans guessing. This strategy ramps up urgency and lets them test the waters in key cities.

By rolling it out regionally, McDonald’s can handle supply chain quirks a bit more easily. The burger needs special ingredients and prep, which isn’t always practical for every location.

Testing in select markets lets them see what sticks. This cautious approach has become the norm for their limited-time items since the McRib left the permanent lineup in 2005.

About the McRib and Other Returning McDonald’s Favorites

The McRib’s cult status has lasted over forty years, thanks to its rare appearances and unique prep. McDonald’s often pairs its return with seasonal favorites like the Holiday Pie.

What Makes the McRib a Fan Favorite

Scarcity and nostalgia are the secret sauce. Since its 1981 Kansas City debut, it’s never stuck around for long.

After leaving the permanent menu in 2005, McDonald’s brought the McRib back here and there—2020, 2022’s “farewell tour,” 2023’s regional tease, and 2024’s big return.

Fans get hyped every time, and some even use McRib Locator sites to hunt down participating spots.

Recent cities serving the McRib:

Atlanta
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Los Angeles
Miami
Seattle
St. Louis

After 40 years, this sandwich still proves McDonald’s knows how to keep people talking with a little scarcity magic.

The McRib’s Ingredients and Flavor Profile

The McRib is a boneless pork patty, shaped to look like ribs but with zero bones. It’s a bit of fast food trickery, honestly.

Main ingredients:

Pork
Water
Salt
Dextrose
Rosemary extract

All that goes on a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles, and onions. The result? A tangy, slightly sweet flavor that fans swear by.

Chef Rene Arend, the mastermind behind Chicken McNuggets, also cooked up the McRib using restructured meat tech. He built on research from University of Nebraska’s Roger Mandigo—science and fast food, who knew?

Nutritional info per sandwich:

Calories: 520
Total fat: 28g
Carbs: 46g
Protein: 24g

Holiday Pie and Other Limited-Time Menu Items

McDonald’s brought back the Holiday Pie nationwide on November 14, 2025, just as the McRib rolled out regionally. People seem to go wild for these seasonal treats.

The menu keeps changing with limited-time items to keep things fresh. These releases create a sense of urgency—grab it now or miss out!

Holiday-themed foods usually show up in fall and winter, right when folks are already in the mood to splurge a little.

Sometimes, these limited runs turn into something bigger if sales spike. McDonald’s watches the numbers closely before making anything permanent.

Mixing returning favorites like the McRib and Holiday Pie? That’s McDonald’s way of keeping fans coming back for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

The comeback always sparks a bunch of questions—where can you get it, what’s in it, and how long will it stick around? Let’s clear up the basics for hungry fans.

Which cities are currently offering the McRib at McDonald’s?

Right now, you can find the it in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis. Cleveland made the list too this year.

McDonald’s calls it a “regional” rollout, but they haven’t dropped a full list of every city. More spots could join in soon—keep an eye out.

How can I find out if the burger is available at a McDonald’s near me?

Best bet: call your local McDonald’s and ask. The McRib Locator website is also tracking sightings, if you’re feeling adventurous.

Even in McRib cities, not every location will have it. Save yourself a letdown and double-check before heading out.

Some markets got the tangy burger early, before the official announcement even hit.

When will the McRib be available at all McDonald’s locations?

There’s no plan for a nationwide McRib rollout in 2025. This year, it’s strictly a “limited-time” thing in select markets.

Last year, you could get one almost anywhere, but that’s not the norm. Since 2005, the meaty burger hasn’t been a permanent fixture.

The Rib’s return schedule is unpredictable—sometimes it’s everywhere, sometimes nowhere. That’s part of the fun, right?

What are the ingredients in the McDonald’s sandwich?

The sandwich rocks a pork patty shaped like ribs (no bones, don’t worry), on a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles, and onions.

The McRib patty includes pork, water, salt, dextrose, and rosemary extract. Each one packs 520 calories, 28 grams of fat, 46 grams of carbs, and 24 grams of protein.

Chef Rene Arend, who also gave us Chicken McNuggets, invented the sandwich in 1981 in Kansas City. That’s some food history right there.

How long will it be available for purchase at McDonald’s?

McDonald’s hasn’t said exactly when the McRib will vanish again. They’re sticking with “limited time” for now—so if you want one, don’t wait around.

Previous it runs lasted from a few weeks to a couple months. There’s really no telling how long this round will last.

If you’re craving one, better move fast. The McRib waits for no one.

Is there any way to get notified when the McRib becomes available at my local McDonald’s?

Honestly, tracking down the elusive burger can feel like a wild goose chase. The McRib Locator website is your best bet—it keeps tabs on where the sandwich pops up across different markets and locations.

This independent tracker has been on the McRib beat for years, almost like a cult hero for rib fans. If you want to get ahead of the game, it’s probably worth bookmarking.

McDonald’s official app sometimes drops hints about the sightings. Their main social media channels might toss out updates too, but it’s a bit hit or miss.

If you’re really determined, follow your local McDonald’s on social media. Sometimes, the folks running those accounts spill the beans about local McRib arrivals before anyone else.

But here’s the kicker: there’s no official alert system from McDonald’s corporate for all news. It’s a bit of a letdown, right?