A video showing the step-by-step assembly of the iconic McRib sandwich has gone viral, causing some customers to swear off the limited-time item completely. This revelation comes just weeks after the sandwich made its highly anticipated return to select McDonald’s locations. If you’re not one of the die-hard fans, you might not realize that the McRib is an intermittent fixture, meaning devotees often wait months or even years for a chance to order it again.
The controversial preparation was showcased by TikTok user Antonio Bell, who offered a POV look inside a McDonald’s kitchen and was later covered by BroBible. The part that seems to be turning the most stomachs involves the sauce. The video shows a large vat of barbecue sauce being placed directly into the microwave. Once that’s done, the employee takes the cooked meat pieces and gives them a deep dunk in the microwaved sauce.
Before the dunking, the employee starts the process by pulling several frozen “rib patties” out of the freezer. They get placed on the grill and compressed down, then stacked in a plastic container. After the sauce bath, the sauced patties are moved into another plastic tray. Finally, that tray is shoved into a warming rack, ready for employees to put it on buns with onions and pickles.
The microwaved sauce process makes the whole operation feel way less gourmet than you might hope for
It’s clear that the presentation isn’t exactly top-tier, and some users were quick to express their disgust with the whole operation. One commenter lamented the sensory experience, saying, “The smell of the sauce coming out the microwave is genuinely rancid. Idk how people eat it.” The employee who posted the video wasn’t exactly selling the item either, writing in a comment, “Idk how you guys like these.”
However, not everyone thinks the kitchen shown is a complete disaster. Many commenters suggest that while some aspects might look a little unkempt in the video, fast-food chains often maintain surprisingly clean environments due to constant cleaning and nationally dictated standards. You might be surprised to learn that a 2018 study even found that fast-food restaurants were occasionally found to be cleaner than some five-star restaurants.
Still, cleanliness doesn’t equal health, and if you’re looking at the nutrition facts, this sandwich isn’t exactly a healthy choice. According to the McDonald’s website, the 520-calorie McRib packs 13 grams of sugar and nearly half of your daily recommended intake of saturated fat. This, of course, isn’t as bad as the pure sugar horse treats some viral TikTokers are having, but you should be wary of it just in case.
Despite the questionable assembly process and the hefty nutritional stats, the McRib still maintains a fiercely loyal following. Historically, fans were so dedicated that sites popped up just to track which locations had the sandwich available. The item’s limited availability is often speculated to be due to fluctuating pork prices, though others suggest it just isn’t popular enough for a permanent spot. That reminds me of the new Starbucks menu addition that’s making baristas contemplate their jobs.
Published: Dec 16, 2025 04:30 pm