Regardless of whether you’re a fast food fiend or someone who eats only the purest, organic meals, if you’ve been in America for the last several decades, you’ve had, seen, or at least heard of the McRib. McDonald's has many iconic items but none garner the same level of intrigue and debate as the McRib. The largest fast-food chain in the world has been bringing back and snatching away this sandwich for many years. But you might not know that the famed quick-served boneless pork sandwich has ties to the U.S. Army. Related read: Veterans Food Assistance Near Me Searches Highlight Food Insecurity

Is the McRib Back?

Hate to break it to you, but if you’re looking for a McRib these days, you’re SOL. The fact is, the McRib farewell tour took place in the fall of 2022 and it hasn’t been back since. Theoretically, it never will be and that’s that. Except farewell tours often have a tendency of not being so final after all. Just ask Motley Crue, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, and a host of other musical acts that have done the same thing only to reappear later down the line. Furthermore, it’s not like the McDonald's McRib sandwich hasn’t gone away before:

• The McRib was removed as a permanent menu item in 1985. It came back years later as a promotional option.
• In the early 90s, the BBQ pork sandwich would reappear in some capacity every year depending on the promotion or market. This would be part of the allure that built the McRib into what it is today.
• The trend from 2000 through 2004 was the same. Additionally, a farewell tour took place in 2005 and again in 2006.
• Occurring for the third time, McDonalds brought the sandwich back for a farewell tour in 2007. From 2010 until 2022, the sandwich was on and off of the menu for a variety of reasons, teasing patrons along the way.

So, while McDonald’s McRib is gone “forever,” it’s more than likely that we’ll see it again. If you’re really in need of a fix, it’s worth noting that the McRib in Germany is a permanent menu item. Rumor has it, this also applies to Luxembourg. Suggested read: How the Original Twinkie Flavor Was Changed Forever Thanks to WWII

The History of Fast Food’s Most Elusive Sandwich

The McRib's 1981 debut story overlooks the possible involvement of the Army. Author Anastacia Marx de Salcedo has detailed the competing origin stories over the years and acknowledging the truth in each --McDonald's chef Rene Arend created the flavor, not the underlying meat tech, due to the company's scale. "What the Army develops is the backbone. The private companies make it more palatable for the consumer," said Marx de Salcedo. Various individuals emerge for credit. Dr. Roger Mandigo, noted by Marx de Salcedo, mentioned funding from the National Pork Council in 1970. Additionally, Dr. Dale Huffman's pork chop restructuring work in 1969 makes him a contender. However, an intriguing frontrunner, John Secrist, a Food Scientist who worked on cost-effective meat alternatives, also emerges for his work at the Natick Army Labs. Gaining influence at the Combat Feeding Program, the McRib concept soon became a reality. The Army partnered with Ohio's meat flaking company, testing meat reassembly for viability. This would help influence a variety of American brands, such as Denny's and McDonald's.

The Military's Influence on Fan-Favorite Food Creations

With a goal of affordable food innovation, the Army needed to figure out how to feed its Soldiers. Achieving success, both the military and fast food chains benefited from these innovative techniques. Businesses even used the ideas to help with profit margins. But there’s a lot more to it than just the McRib. A variety of everyday processed foods come from military research, as outlined in Marx de Salcedo’s book, Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S.Military Shapes the Way You Eat. You can also explore the other contributors to the iconic pork sandwich in the book. However, arguably the most interesting prospect from such endeavors isn’t a BBQ sandwich at all, but that the Army provides opportunities for businesses to take a page out of their playbook. Because of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), private companies gain insight from the research brought to them by the Army. So, the next time you have lunch, even if you’ve packed it from home, chances are, the military helped influence your meal.

What is the McRib Made Of?

The nitty-gritty of what makes the seasoned boneless pork with regard to allergy information and specific ingredients can be found online, but as for the McRib itself, things are kept pretty simple. Dipping boneless pork in a tangy BBQ sauce is the first step. Then, the meat gets a handful of onions and pickles before placing it on a bun. Simplicity and elusiveness keep garnering interest in the sandwich, but the flavors are what keep people coming back. The McRib isn’t available for now, but hopefully the iconic military-tied wonder will be making an appearance at the Golden Arches before you know it. Read next: Finding a Veteran-Approved Nutrition Plan On World Health Day