McDonald's brings McRib back to six US cities early

McDonald's customers in six major US cities can buy the McRib starting Tuesday. The sandwich, which features seasoned boneless pork, the chain's signature sauce, shredded onions, and pickles on a toasted bun, is available now in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas. This marks an earlier arrival than the typical autumn or winter release window.

The company told TODAY.com that the product is returning to participating locations ahead of its scheduled November debut. While the sandwich is not available nationwide, residents of the six named cities can access it immediately. Fans in other areas must wait for a potential later rollout or rely on unofficial tracking tools to find nearby inventory.

The McRib first appeared more than 40 years ago. It has become a seasonal staple with a dedicated following, though not universal appeal. Its history has included periods of uncertainty. In 2022, McDonald's described a limited run as a farewell tour. The item returned in 2023, 2024, and 2025, contradicting the earlier sentiment.

Legal challenges have also tested the sandwich's status. Early in 2026, a federal class action lawsuit claimed McDonald's misled consumers by marketing the product as containing real pork rib meat, which plaintiffs argued was factually incorrect. The company responded by stating that the lawsuit distorted the facts and contained numerous inaccuracies.

Despite the litigation and previous farewell announcements, the sandwich continues to reappear annually. McDonald's has not specified whether 2026 will be the final year for the item. For now, the product is on the menu in the selected regions, allowing eager fans to purchase it before the rest of the country.

An unofficial website known as the McRib Locator helps users track sightings of the sandwich. Run by people outside the corporation, the tool aggregates user-reported locations. As the sandwich circulates in the six designated cities, consumers there can add it to their orders at participating restaurants.