Posted on 10/08/2021 8:16:01 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Can a limited-time only sandwich have a midlife crisis?
Last week, Nirvana's Nevermind album celebrated its 30th anniversary, a milestone that left many fans feeling especially old. But today, McDonald's made an announcement that could leave those of a certain age feeling like they have one foot in the grave: Not only is the McRib coming back… it's celebrating its big 4-0.
Yes, the iconic McRib was first launched in Kansas City, Kansas, forty year ago in 1981, a time when fast food limited-time only items still felt novel. To make '80s' kids feel even older, McDonald's goes so far as to label the McRib "a true 80's baby." Oh jeez.
Over the decades, the McRib has had many moments of fame — including being tied to the launch of The Flintstones movie in 1994 and being parodied by The Simpsons in 2003. It's even been exported to Germany, New Zealand, and France. And eventually, as McDonald's puts it, "The internet boom and emergence of social media solidified the McRib's icon status." Or to put it another way, the McRib foreshadowed a future of buzzworthy LTOs, and the world finally caught up.
"In the 80s, the masterminds behind McDonald's food innovation had a truly unique idea: an undeniably delicious sandwich that could be enjoyed during the colder seasons," Mike Bullington, McDonald's senior archives manager (yes, that's a job), stated. "Whether you're a McRib loyalist or first timer, there is no denying that the McRib is one of the most iconic sandwiches of the last four decades and we have thousands of emails and tweets from fans to prove it."
So when and where can you celebrate this momentous occasion? The McRib will officially return to participating restaurants nationwide on November 1… for a limited time only, of course. I guess now you can consider it a chance to taste a piece of history. And if it brings back fond memories of trying the first McRibs back in the 1980s, you can also consider it a chance to reflect on what you've done with your life.
I loved those too. Used to work for Carl’s Jr. When you made those sandwiches, you were required to use 1 can of chilies for X amount of sandwiches. So once you opened a can, you had to make up X number of sandwiches and keep them in the fridge. Heated in a microwave when needed. They did not skimp on those. Even had a quality assurance inspector visit the stores. One of the things he would do was to inspect the sandwiches already made up. Points off if meat weight or chili weight and coverage were not within range. If he found one, no big deal, just do better. But if he found 4, that dropped your score almost a whole grade. You could almost kiss your job goodbye if you ended up in the low 70’s by the end of the inspection.
Carl’s had very strict quality assurance procedures back in the 1970’s when I worked there. After I moved, I craved the Famous Star Hamburger, but there were no Carl’s Jr’s here.
But just a year or 2 ago, Hardee’s started serving the Famous Star Hamburgers too. When I tried one, I was surprised that it had the taste I remembered 40 years later.
Good job Carl’s. I look to see if they are bringing back the California Roast Beef sandwich every time I go there.
Food & Wine magazine? Wow that’s almost as humorous as a neuvo bougalaise review of last years “casking”....hahahaha please pass the... whatever that strawberry mushroom thingy on the croissant is...
Can anyone think of a reason to get one again?
The price of beef? But you can make a grill out of a grocery cart and couple of cinder blocks I don’t know if having or not having a grill makes any difference but Kettle girls are nice for this type of cookie8. I’ve done cows on rebar before.
“Pork shoulder”
I like dry bbq with a marinated jerk rub
Or dry smoked pork turned into chili verde... HOT chili verde on a southern fried asphalt parkin’ lot kind of day...with black french roast coffee (cuz I’m a international kind of guy).
My memory is expecting a boneless piece of meat from a BBQ rib. Instead I got a sausage patty pressed into the shape of a mini-rack or ribs.
I used to love those! They actually still had them down here until right before covid.
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