After the McRib
Listeners to the "Law Talk" podcast will know by now of Troy Senik's heretical thoughtcrime concerning the McRib. But even worse is the item's disappearance from McDonald's menus across the country -- like the steady dimming of the lights of civilization across Europe as Rome fell.
After turning away in disgust from a McDonald's in Los Angeles last week, hands empty of gooey pork goodness mixed with raw onion and pickle, I went on a quest for a fast food substitute. What should tide over the loyal McRibber until its next sighting? I tried a Carl's Jr. Jalapeno Burger and even a McDonald's CBO, but was left wanting more. And it wasn't even Chinese food.
Ricochetti, please help by nominating the go-to fast food meal until the return of the McRib.
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Comments:
Aug '10
Re: After the McRib
Go over the hill to Petaluma, the Washoe House and have a chili size. Their other burgers are fantastic too. Plus, it is a very colorful place.
Jun '12
Re: After the McRib
Not sure if it's close enough for you, but Kwik-Trip, a chain of gas stations often sells their mcrib knock-off for $1.49. Not sure if they keep it up after mcrib season is over or not.
Heaven is the smell of Porky's Onion Rings filling your car in St Paul, on University Avenue.
A Cruiser Combo with some extra Rings. :-)
Mar '11
Re: After the McRib
The McRib, which I first sampled two weeks ago, is simply disgusting. For those who came of age in the 1960's in the Imperial City, fast food consisted of the Sirloiner from Topps, the Mighty Mo from Marriott's Hot Shoppes or a bag of tiny burgers from Little Tavern. Since nothing better has subsequently been invented, I can't comment further.
Edited on February 6, 2013 at 1:15amMay '10
Re: After the McRib
That Caspar's is still there, and the ones on Telegraph & one on MacArthur (the old original Kaspar's on Telegraph & Shattuck closed a few years ago; the old guy passed away - his son tried to make a go of it for a while). Also, Flint's Barbecue on Shattuck Ave. is long gone. Bertola's, too.
John should try Rubio's in El Cerrito or Emeryville for good, fast fish tacos or, Chipotle for fast Mexican-style or, for more exotic eats, Vic's Chaat House on 4th St. in Berkeley.
True, none of these offer the combo of corn-syrupy sweetness and savory compressed pork-product that the is the McRib but, they might suffice until The Return.
The only other alternative I can think of for a McRib substitute is Chicken McNuggets with barbecue dipping sauce. A poor second, I must admit.
Edited on February 5, 2013 at 11:58pmJul '12
Re: After the McRib
Just wanted to nail my colors to the mast here: McRIB!!!!!!
It's like Santa Claus or Girl Scout cookies--if it was around all the time, it wouldn't be so special. But it would still be good.
Mar '11
Re: After the McRib
John,
Perhaps the McMenu board was not big enough for two specialty products at a time
Not sure if they can be really be cannibalizing internally competitive products since they both are probably so synthetic derived that no one but the in house chemist knows what's the donor protein.
Oct '10
Re: After the McRib
I've been pretty much following the paleo diet since December 2010, so I was a bit worried when travelling to the end of the Earth last month whether I'd be able to find compliant comestibles. In Punta Arenas, Chilé, I stumbled upon the perfect paleo fast food joint, Lomit's. The secret paleo knowledge is that you order the Lomito al Plato or Churrasco al Plato and you get a plate of deliciously seasoned beef or pork with lettuce and tomato and no pernicious grass seed products or pancreas-exhausting carbohydrates.
If there were one of these joints in my town, I'd probably eat there three or four days a week.
In Europe, Doner kebab is a suitable substitute—just ask for it without the bread.
Jan '11
Re: After the McRib
Five Guys or In N Out? In my opinion, completely overrated. In N Out has their delicious shakes and friendly service going for them, but I enjoy a Burger King Whopper much more that one of their burgers. And after trying Five Guys this fall (St. George, Utah), I'm in no hurry to get one down here. The guy behind the counter didn't even try to make eye contact, and I've had much, much better burgers and fries.
Do they have good taco shops in Northern California? How about a massive carne asada burrito, leaking hot sauce down your chin? A plate of taquitos piled high with guacamole and cheese? A bean and cheese burrito dripping grease from all the melty cheese?
Apr '12
Re: After the McRib
Carolina Ale House (in Raleigh and all over the Carolinas) offers the Pub Burger, "Our signature burger. Piled high with smoky bacon, American cheese, CAH onion strings & Papa Lou?s secret sauce." Really good, with really good fries.
Also, a new chain coming out in the southeast, Burgerfi. Very tasty, and healthy for a burger.
Aug '12
Re: After the McRib
I have it good in Memphis. There is an independent BBQ joint every mile, and we have a regional chain called Back Yard Burgers, where I like the Blackened Burger.
Sometimes if I want something other than a burger and I am out of town, I get a Reuben at Arby's. There are much better Reubens out there, but if you are looking for fast food, this is pretty good.
Dec '12
Re: After the McRib
If you need pork and it should be at least a semi-fast-food option in NorCal, I would say a BBQ pork sandwich at "Famous Dave's" in either San Jose or Gilroy. Down here is SoCal, I've been to two - the one in Costa Mesa is a regular sit-down, while the one in Orange is a fast-casual restaurant, more amenable to a quick bite. Not sure what they're like up there.
Dec '12
Re: After the McRib
If you're in the San Diego area you really can't do better than a California Burrito. It is to San Diego what the cheesesteak is to Philly and consists of the following: steak, guacamole, cheese, French fries, sour cream, pico de gallo, and (optionally) fried egg. Any good taco shop should have a version.
Dec '12
Re: After the McRib
...Oh, and Carls Jr. has a "Memphis BBQ Burger" with a "Charbroiled All-Beef Burger, Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, Crispy Onion Strings all on a Seeded Bun."
Mar '11
Re: After the McRib
McDonald's pulled the McRib, but at least the Shamrock Shakes are back.
Aug '10
Re: After the McRib
That sounds really good. Wanna FedEx me one?
Dec '10
Re: After the McRib
Here in 'Merica, we don't do that sissy metric <expletive>. 1594 MILES.
Misthiocracy
Troy Senik, Ed.
Calling the folks at U-Haul right now.
Great, now I'm really craving some Burger Baron, and the closest one is 2,613 kms away. · 6 hours ago
Sep '10
Re: After the McRib
Duck fat. Raw duck fat.
Jan '13
Re: After the McRib
Support local small business people and stop eating at the large national chains. I guarantee you that some little hole in the wall near you makes a better sandwich than that compression molded Frankenstein of a sandwich McRib that many people love so much. They'll also treat you better and spend money in your community.
Sep '10
Re: After the McRib
In the Roman coliseum they were called Christians.
Jun '12
Re: After the McRib
While you're waiting for your next McRib dining opportunity, I recommend keeping an eye out for a KCBS event near you.