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Thursday, November 2, 2006

The McRib Makes a Comeback

posted by on November 2 at 14:56 PM

Yes, again.

mcrib-sandwich-794726.jpg

In other McRib-related news, McDonald’s launches its own petition drive to “save the McRib.” (Also check out this parody web site, sponsored by the “Boneless Pig Farmers of America”.)

In other McDonald’s news, I was in Prague recently and I marvelled at the incredible variability of the chain’s international offerings. “McToast,”anyone? Hungry Planet, a fantastic (and gorgeous) book about what the world eats talks a little about McDonald’s international variants, as does a recent New Yorker article about water scarcity in India, where McDonald’s (which serves chicken-only “Maharaja Macs” and vegetarian “McAloo Tikkis”) is becoming increasingly ubiquitous.

And in other junk food news, I saw a commercial last night for Jack In The Box’s new “sirloin ciabatta,” which looks for all the world like a worm sandwich. I wasn’t able to find a picture to post here, but in the process of looking I got sucked into Jack In the Box’s web site, where you can “build a meal” of Jack In the Box items on a virtual “tray.” I built what I considered a relatively modest meal: Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger, medium curly fries, small Pumpkin Pie Shake. The result: A gut-busting 2,350 calories, about 350 more than an average woman is supposed to have in a day. Oh, and 145 grams of fat, 3,228 milligrams of sodium, 279 milligrams of cholesterol, and 97 (!) grams of sugar. Bon appetit!

RSS icon Comments

1

GOOD LORD.

My usual cheap meal of two junior bacon cheeseburgers reads around 860 calories, 18 g saturated fat and 120 g cholesterol... though I usually get them dry, so you'd have to subtract the mayo from that.

Posted by Gomez | November 2, 2006 3:04 PM
2

I don't know about you and not to defend Yak-In-The-Box in any way shape or form, but a modest meal for me does not include a 900 calorie, 44g fat milkshake to wash down a bacon cheeseburger and curly fries. Nasty.

Posted by k | November 2, 2006 3:06 PM
3

The McRib is a veritable Haley's Comet, arriving like clockwork every few years. I loved the commercials last time it made an appearance: "Have you missed me? I missed you too!" the McRib sang. I always thought that was so sweet of the McRib, to miss me.

Posted by giantladysquirrels | November 2, 2006 3:13 PM
4

Does being a proponent of density have to extend to food as well?

Posted by Dougsf | November 2, 2006 3:29 PM
5

In a Bangkok McDonald's I came across the "Samurai Pork Burger." I thought Samurai were Japanese, but whatever.

Posted by Tone | November 2, 2006 3:55 PM
6

Oh, and of course the (Mc)Lobster Rolls in Maine McDonald's's.. yum/yuck.

Posted by Tone | November 2, 2006 3:56 PM
7

mmmmmmmmmmm.....ribwich

Posted by homer simpson | November 2, 2006 4:04 PM
8

I hate to break this to your Gomez, but I'm almost positive that condiments like mayo are NOT included in the nutritional info. So no... it's worse than you think and you'd be stuck with the full 860.

Posted by kap0w | November 2, 2006 4:14 PM
9

In fast food land, words like "ultimate" are always bad news. And "medium" means "freaking huge".

Posted by Fnarf | November 2, 2006 4:55 PM
10

I just got back from India, and the maharaja mac is awesome! Also they have a mccurry pan (a piece of bread with some anglicised chicken curry on it) which was great. The paneer (indian cheese) salsa wrap was nasty. But Mcdonald is hardly ubiquitous. There isn't a mcdonalds on the entire pennisula, or anywhere near bengal, etc. They are all in the dehli region or bombay region.
But I like going to McDonalds in different countries.
When I lived in Japan McDs had a teriyaki burger (boring), menchi burger (which is a sort of noodle paddy) a bulgogi burger (korean beef strips) and a "thai spice chicken" burger.
In Seoul, they had chicken pitas and really spice chick sandwich.

And just a hop over the border in Vancouver, they have "toasted deli sandwiches" (BLTs, ham & cheese etc.) Poutine and reubens. Fun stuff!

Posted by Andrew | November 2, 2006 4:58 PM
11

I remember seeing some sort of curry related burger at a London McDonald's as well. Then again, "curry" flavor in England is usually really similiar to the artificial BBQ flavor we use in the states (curry Pringles rule!). London is also, where I first spotted the "Mega Mac", which is basically 2 Big Macs stacked on top one another.

Posted by Dougsf | November 2, 2006 5:02 PM
12

The McDonald's in Prague by the bus station is cool. Right under the highway viaduct the communists built to roll tanks into the central plaza. Reminded me of a McBombShelter. A lesson on how to revitalize the waterfront with a rebuild?

Posted by Some Jerk | November 2, 2006 6:17 PM
13

Remember a few years ago there was all that hoolabaloo about the Atkin's diet, and calories and whatnot, and Burger King came out with some enormous, colossal sandwich? This is McD's response to the new reports on transfats. Mmmmm, transfats. Eat more!!

Posted by him | November 2, 2006 9:59 PM
14

I seem to recall that, in Jerusalem, the Burger King was kosher, but the McDonald's wasn't?
I haven't been able to go back to a McD's since 1999, when the counter staffer held a stack of cups in her hand, and pulled out the the top cup WITH HER MOUTH, and proceeded to fill it with my Coke. That was bad. Then she turned to put it on my tray, and I noticed the FREAKING HUGE COLD SORE on her top lip.

Posted by Benjo | November 3, 2006 2:04 AM
15

I'm certain that you're absolutely wrong, kap0w. Anything standard ingredient that is put on the burger has to be included in the nutritional info.

Posted by Gomez | November 3, 2006 9:50 AM
16

Hey Erica! Interesting thoughts! I was looking at the McDonald website just the other day whilst missing America (I am back now from my year in Japan), and I too was astounded by the many options in different countries (AND SO MANY MORE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS ELSEWHERE). In Japan, you can get an EBIBURGER (shrimp), and EBIFRIES, and they are VERY strict with their ketchup.

Posted by India | November 3, 2006 11:13 AM
17

I'm beginnning to think I'm the last person left in America (and someday, the world) who has literally never eaten at a Mickey D's. It's mostly sheer stubbornness (I've never drunk a regular Coke, either) and contrariness, but stories like these sure as hell don't make me want to try it.

Posted by Geni | November 3, 2006 12:45 PM

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