A federal judge says customers could reasonably expect a sandwich called the McRib to contain actual ribs.

By Jonathan Small | edited by Dan Bova | Nov 09, 2026

The McRib may truly only be back for a limited time.

On Oct. 30, U.S. District Judge April M. Perry in Chicago ruled that a proposed class-action McRib lawsuit against McDonald’s can move forward. Filed by four consumers last December, the suit says the highly popular sandwich contains no rib meat. The plaintiffs allege the patty is made from cheaper pork parts like shoulder, heart and tripe and pressed into the shape of a rack of ribs.

The company describes the meat as “seasoned boneless pork,” according to The New York Times , and lists its ingredients on its website. It argued that the “Mc” prefix only marks the sandwich as a McDonald’s product and doesn’t promise rib meat. McDonald’s also denies using organ meat.

But Perry didn’t buy it.…