Editorial: If you believed the McRib was a real rib, we have some chicken nuggets to sell you

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune on Jan 16, 2026

Published in Op Eds

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Another day, another class-action lawsuit, this time about what kind of meat is in a sandwich.

Four lead plaintiffs, including Chicagoan Dorien Baker, are suing McDonald’s, claiming the fast-food giant is misleading customers over what kind of meat it uses in its cult classic “McRib” sandwich.

“Despite its name and distinctive rib-like shape, it does not actually contain any pork rib meat,” the lawsuit states.

Consumer protection law isn’t meant to shield people from every assumption a brand name might invite, but from genuine deception on which a reasonable buyer would rely.

Does anyone truly believe the McRib is real rib meat? Does anyone pretend to know what part of the chicken is used to make a McNugget?

Do we really want to know?

In November, McDonald’s announced that the McRib would make a limited-time return to select restaurants in cities across the country, including Chicago.

McRib lovers are in it for the taste and — yes — the mystique. Much of the allure of this weird sandwich stems from its irregular availability.

It’s not as if McDonald’s hasn’t been fairly forthcoming about the makeup of the sandwich. If you must know, the McRib is a seasoned pork patty. More specifically: It’s restructured pork (ground pork formed into that rib-shaped patty) slathered in barbecue sauce. McDonald’s simply calls it a “pork sandwich” online.

Whether this lawsuit ultimately succeeds is for the courts to decide, but this complaint would seem to stretch consumer protection beyond its intended purpose.

Yes, retailers should be forthcoming about what’s being sold. We don’t take too kindly to farm-raised salmon being sold as “wild caught” or “extra-virgin olive oil” that isn’t. Products labeled as halal or kosher must actually be those things, otherwise companies can deceive devout Jewish or Muslim customers into violating their faith traditions.

But it doesn’t strike us as a truth-in-advertising scandal that the McRib consists of part of the pig other than the rib. If it were turkey meat passed off as pork? OK then!

Want real ribs? Head to Twin Anchors in Lincoln Park, Jameson’s in the suburbs, Green Street Smoked Meats in the West Loop or Lem’s Bar-B-Q on the South Side. We’ve got enough great pork rib options in Chicagoland that you could hop around for weeks trying different spots.

And if you’re in too big of a rush to grab the real thing — and a handful of napkins to wipe off the sauce — there’s always the McRib. (While supplies last).

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