Fast-food giant McDonald’s is facing a class-action lawsuit from customers who say they were stunned — stunned — to learn that the McRib does not, in fact, contain actual pork rib meat, according to a report on NBC Chicago.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago, alleges McDonald’s misled customers by marketing the sandwich as a “rib” despite it being made from ground pork parts such as shoulder, heart and scalded stomach — ingredients the complaint characterizes as less premium than traditional rib meat.
(Raise your hand if you didn’t need to know that.)
“The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand,” the suit claims, arguing that reasonable consumers were led to believe the rib-shaped sandwich involved ribs. Plaintiffs also note the McRib can cost as much as $7.89 at some locations, making it one of the chain’s priciest menu items — apparently too pricey, they say, for something that is essentially a carefully sculpted pork patty.
McDonald’s, which released a statement to NBC on Sunday, appears unmoved by the outrage. The company’s website has long described the McRib as “seasoned boneless pork” dipped in barbecue sauce and served with onions and pickles on a bun — never once promising ribs that once knew a skeleton.
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 23, 2025, lists 16 claims, including fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and violations of consumer protection laws in Illinois, California, New York and Washington, D.C.