McRib: Addicts of the delicious burgers served by McDonald’s have waited for a pretty long time – precisely ten years – for the comeback of this purely classic burger. Is everybody jubilant over it? Not really. Most of the clients are disappointed and cannot countenance a new one to be truly a McRib. What’s going on with this sizzling burger?.

Return of the McRib
The McRib is a rather unusual burger that McDonald’s unleashed on consumers back in 1981. People fell for it immediately. A pork-based patty smothered with tangy BBQ sauce, topped with pickles and onions, all served on a homestyle bun. Tastes delicious.

Many fans of the McRib have waited years for its return, some even proclaiming that it is the “greatest burger of all time.” It is one of those items that doesn’t stay on the menu for long, making it even more special when it does finally appear. And today, after nearly a decade out of circulation, McDonald’s is bringing the McRib back for a limited time. Fans thronged McDonald’s, in hopes of recapturing the feel of the fabled burger. Sad to say, though, too many left with their tails between their legs.

Why Do Fans Hate This?
As soon as the McRib made its return, Facebook lit up with customer reactions. And many of them were not positive. Many of the fans who had patiently waited years to sink their teeth into the McRib said the new version did not even taste like the one that they remembered. Some even called it a “McFlop” – ouch!

One customer posted his frustration online, writing, “I am a big fan of the McRib, but today, I got a McRib without the BBQ sauce. What a disappointment! Can I get my money back?” Imagine ordering your famous BBQ sauce McRib and, to your dismay, having only a plain McRib without the said sauce. No doubt, that would be disappointing.

Another frustrated customer complained, “It’s not the same. It’s dry, only with a little bit of sauce on top. Nothing like the picture or what it used to be. Shame on McDonald’s”. That was also very common complaint – BBQ sauce content was too small and the burger was too dry compared to its former self.

The McRib is BACK, baby. Poor move, to be fair. Should have left it in the past. Flavorless. Not enough sauce. Crappy.

It was pretty evident that people wanted something better from the McRib. It’s not like it wasn’t hyped to the max about its return. And when one has a base of such fervent fans, expectations go all too high.

Not All Bad News
Well, not all was doom for the McRib. There were happy customers that rejoiced at having it back. One Facebook user opposed all the negative reviews made over it, arguing that: “McRib is back and was lush.” Although most people seemed to disagree, there are a few people who really enjoyed it as much as they had their first time.

Besides, people’s preferences do change over time. What a person liked ten years ago does not have a similar taste for him today, even if the recipe is the same. Still, the number of dissatisfied customers points to something having been wrong with this limited-edition product.

What Went Wrong with the McRib
What do you think went wrong? Why do so many consumers have a beef with this version of the McRib? While McDonald’s has declined to comment on the criticism, changes to ingredients or preparation methods may very well be the difference-making tweaks.

Recipes at fast-food chains often have to adapt to changing supply chains, ingredient prices, or even health initiatives. Sometimes the difference of such an adjustment would be barely noticeable to one’s taste or texture. For burgers like the McRib, any shift can be enough to alter the taste and disappoint long-time fans.

Maybe what has also happened over time is people have idealized their memories of the McRib. As time goes on, we forget things after how long they have been absent and, ultimately, remind ourselves that they had actually been better than they were. This maybe why, when the McRib came back after so long, it was not as wonderful as people may have envisioned in their minds.

The Power of Nostalgia
It is ironic that a whole meal can be so passionate. The McRib is no longer a burger to most people; it is a memory, an epitome of their past. When McDonald’s brought it back to the menu, they sold nostalgia rather than selling burgers.

But sometimes memories are best forgotten. As much as people liked the McRib ten years ago, perhaps it is just not going to be the same experience today. Be it the ingredients, preparation, or simply a difference in what people prefer, the McRib seems to have lost its magic.

What’s Next for the McRib?
Still, the McRib is probably going nowhere. It’s a darling among fans, and the excitement over its return-good, bad, or otherwise-will continue to draw people to the subject. For now, at least, customers will need to decide for themselves whether the McRib lives up to their expectations or if it’s time to say adios once and for all.