McDonald’s quietly axes iconic menu item after customers notice big change
MCDONALD'S has quietly axed an iconic item from menus only weeks after being added.
It comes after customers noticed a big change to the dish that divided opinion.
The McRib had returned to branches nationwide last month for the first time after a decade off the menu.
McDonald's has now quietly scrapped the beloved menu item, the fast food chain confirmed to The Sun:
A spokesperson said: "On October 16, McRib returned for a limited time only.
"From November 5, 2024, the item was no longer available on McDonald’s UK&I menus.
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"The Festive Menu launches from today, featuring Big Tasty and brand-new Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie."
The barbecue-flavoured pork sandwich had not been seen on these shores for nearly a decade and fans were thrilled to hear of its return.
The sandwich - first introduced to Brits in 1981 - was discontinued just four years later, although has made multiple comebacks.
It was last on sale in December 2014.
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It was not clear why McDonald's decided to bring it back as a limited edition.
But the reason the McRib has never been permanently reinstated appears to relate to grill capacity - rules around keeping beef and pork separate in the UK.
Typically McDonald's limited edition menu changes roughly every six weeks, but the McRib was available for less than three.
A spokesperson previously told The Sun: "The McRib is a limited-edition product and will be available whilst stocks last.
"In the UK, we consider it important to separate pork and beef on the grill, so separate cooking processes and dedicated utensils have been implemented across our restaurants to allow us to satisfy McRib fans and finally bring it back to the UK."
McDonald's staff even underwent special training on handling the McRib, which will be cooked on the left-hand platen of the quarter grill.
This avoids the transfer of juices into the middle platen, which is dedicated to cooking beef.
On being asked previously about the McRib never being brought back permanently, McDonald's said: "Unfortunately, many of our restaurants do not have enough grill capacity to cook pork and beef products at the same time.
I tried a returning iconic McDonald’s burger not seen for 10 years – it’s unlike anything else on the menu
By Sam Walker
RUMOURS have been swirling on social media that the McDonald's McRib burger is set for a comeback after 10 years off the menu.
So when I was invited to a secretive press event by the fast food chain earlier this week - with no details on what it was about - I was very intrigued and expected something big.
A couple of hours after arriving, my anticipation finally ended as Maccies workers started dishing out box upon box filled with the iconic burgers, first launched in the UK in 1981, from the back of a van.
The pork-based patty, which is lathered in smoky BBQ sauce, pickles and onions and encased in a homestyle bun, is back on menus for a limited time from October 16.
McDonald's didn't say how long exactly the menu item is back for, but limited edition additions like this are usually on sale for about six weeks.
It will be on sale for £4.49 as an individual item or £6.19 as part of a medium extra-value meal deal, which means it comes with fries and a medium drink.
But I, alongside a host of other journalists and social media influencers, got an early taste of the fan-favourite item, which was last seen on UK menus in early 2015.
While I am old enough to remember the McRib being on menus, I never actually tried it at the time.
And I must admit, I was buzzing to give it a go, especially after all the clamour about it online in recent weeks.
How did it taste?
After opening the box, the burger looked pretty plain and unspectacular, while its rectangular shape made it hard to hold, to be honest.
But I was pretty impressed when it came to the flavour and texture.
The pork patty melted in my mouth and was super tender - definitely better than other burgers I've tried.
The pickles and onions added a nice textural contrast to the soft bun and meat as well, while adding a slight sour kick.
But one thing I would say was that after eating an entire burger I did feel a bit sickly due to the abundance of the BBQ sauce, which was too sweet for me personally.
At 509 calories, the burger is more calorific than a Double Cheeseburger, McChicken and Bacon Double Cheeseburger as well.
But overall, I'd definitely choose to get a McRib again on my next trip, especially as it's only on menus for a limited time.
"The breakfast menu is different because we don't serve beef products, which allows us to have a dedicated grill for all our delicious pork products."
Customers described the McRib as the “greatest burger of all time”.
But those who were able to try it during the brief comeback were quick to share their disappointment as they noticed a big change.
One user said: “I am a big fan of the McRib but today, I got a McRib without the BBQ sauce. What a disappointment! Can I have my money back?”
Another added: “It’s not the same. Its dry little sauce on top nothing like the pic or what it used to be shame on McDonald’s.”
A third said: "The McRib is BACK, baby. Should have left it in the past to be fair. Poor all round. Flavourless. Not enough sauce. Shoddy."
But one user disagreed and said: "McRib is back and was lush."
The Sun as asked McDonald's if it will return and will update the story when we hear back.
However, despite being chopped from UK menus, the McRib is set to be welcomed back in the US.
McDonald’s major menu shakeup
The fast-food chain made a major menu shake up today with new festive items, including a "dreamy" sweet treat.
The 12 products will be available from 11am as part of the adapted Christmas menu.
They include a brand-new Terry's Chocolate Orange pie - a rich ganache made out of the iconic festive chocolate, encased in a crispy chocolate pastry.
The sweet treat will be available for £1.99.
How to save at McDonald's
You could end up being charged more for a McDonald's meal based solely on the McDonald's restaurant you choose.
Research by The Sun found a Big Mac meal can be up to 30% cheaper at restaurants just two miles apart from each other.
You can pick up a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99 at any time by filling in a feedback survey found on McDonald's receipts.
The receipt should come with a 12-digit code which you can enter into the Food for Thought website alongside your submitted survey.
You'll then receive a five-digit code which is your voucher for the £2.99 offer.
There are some deals and offers you can only get if you have the My McDonald’s app, so it’s worth signing up to get money off your meals.
The MyMcDonald’s app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android phones and is quick to set up.
You can also bag freebies and discounts on your birthday if you’re a My McDonald’s app user.
The chain has recently sent out reminders to app users to fill out their birthday details - otherwise they could miss out on birthday treats.
A previous version was a hit with customers, with one taking to X, saying: "That was dreamy."
Sam Walker, a consumer reporter for The Sun, raved about the new pie in an exciting taste test of the fast food chain's Christmas menu before its release.
Upon trying the snack, he said: "Really love warm chocolate ganache and then juxtaposed with the crispiness of the coating. That's really nice that."
He rated it four out of five, even adding that it actually "beat the original".
The second brand-new addition is the Cheesy McCrispy - which will cost £5.99 or £7.79 as part of a meal.
This is a twist on the classic McCrispy, with additional condiments like crispy onions, cheese slices and a pink pickled onion chutney.
Sam rated this a respectable 3 out of 5, saying the "gourmet uplift" just had a little too much going on.
As well as these two new items, there are also several returning Christmas classics.
These include the iconic Big Tasty, last being seen in March, for £7.59 - or £8.39 with bacon.
It consists of a beef patty with Emmental cheese, onions, juicy tomatoes and smoky flavoured sauce in a toasted bun.
The Cheese Melt Dippers with tomato sauce are also back after they were temporarily dropped from menus at the start of 2024.
They come in a standard and sharing size, at £2.49 and £6.79 respectively, combining festive Camembert cheese with a tomato dip.
Dessert options include two returning McFlurry flavours - Terry's Chocolate Orange and Galaxy Caramel.
These are an indulgent combination of soft-serve ice cream, chunks of chocolate and gooey sauce.
They will both be available for £2.19 - and in a mini kids' version for £1.59.
And the hot drinks menu will also get a festive revamp - with the return of the Galaxy Caramel Latte and Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate for £2.69 each.
Full list of McDonald's Christmas items
HERE's the full list of new items on McDonald's Christmas menu - but bear in mind that prices may vary from restaurant to restaurant.
- Big Tasty - £7.59
- Big Tasty with bacon - £8.39
- Cheesy McCrispy - £5.99
- Cheese Melt Dippers with Rich Tomato Dip - £2.49
- Sharing Cheese Melt Dippers with Rich Tomato Dip - £6.79
- Terry's Chocolate Orange McFlurry - £2.19
- Terry's Chocolate Orange Mini McFlurry - £1.59
- Galaxy Caramel McFlurry - £2.19
- Galaxy Caramel Mini McFlurry - £1.59
- Terry's Chocolate Orange Pie - £1.99
- Galaxy Caramel Latte - £2.69
- Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate - £2.69
What is being axed from the menu?
But sadly it's not all excitement, as the shakeup will also seem some favourites axed from the menu.
Among those leaving is the popular McCrispy, which was first seen on the McDonald’s menu last August.
It featured a crispy chicken fillet with shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes and mayo.
Fans will also bid farewell to the Double Big Mac, which was reintroduced earlier this month.
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The burger features four beef patties, double the iconic sauce and lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.
Two drinks are also being axed from menus - the M&M McFlurry and the Marshmallow Latte.
Full list of axed McDonald's items
HERE's the full list of items being axed in the latest shakeup of the McDonald's menu
- Cheese Side - £2.49
- Cheese Side Sharebox - £6.79
- Toasted Marshmallow Latte - £2.59
- Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate (Only available in Large) - £2.19
- McCrispy Deluxe - £5.99
- McCrispy Deluxe Medium Meal - £7.79
- Halloween M&M's McFlurry® - £2.19
- Halloween M&M's McFlurry® Mini - £1.59
- Toffee Apple Pie - £1.99
- Mini Hash Browns Single Portion - £1.49
- Mini Hash Browns Sharebox - £2.99
- Double Big Mac - £5.39
- Double Big Mac Meal - £7.19