McDonald's Returns McRib to Six Major US Cities Ahead of November

McDonald's has brought its seasonal pork sandwich back to six major American cities ahead of its typical November arrival. The McRib, a sandwich made with seasoned, boneless pork, is now on the menu in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Customers in other regions must wait for a later rollout.

The company confirmed the early return to TODAY.com. This release precedes the usual autumn or winter availability that has characterized the item for more than 40 years. The sandwich features sliced onions and pickles on a toasted, homemade-style bun.

The McRib has a history of limited availability. It was first introduced over four decades ago. In 2022, McDonald's described the sandwich's appearance as a farewell tour. Despite that designation, the item returned to menus in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The company has not stated whether the 2026 appearance is its final one.

Legal challenges accompanied the sandwich's recent history. A federal class action lawsuit was filed earlier this year. The plaintiffs accused McDonald's of misleading consumers by marketing the product as containing real pork rib meat. The suit argued that the sandwich does not meet that description.

McDonald's contested the lawsuit's validity. The company stated that the claim distorts the facts and that many of the assertions are inaccurate. The sandwich continues to appear on regional menus despite the ongoing legal dispute.

Fans can track specific locations using the McRib Locator. This is an unofficial website maintained by people outside the company. It allows users to report where the sandwich has been spotted.

The item is available at participating locations in the six listed cities starting Tuesday. McDonald's has not announced a date for a national rollout in 2026.