Arby’s stands out in the fast-food world with its diverse sandwich offerings, differing from the typical burger-and-chicken menu seen at many competitors. Known for its roast beef sandwiches, Arby’s also offers an array of options including turkey sandwiches, barbecue brisket, and corned beef reubens. This variety provides a unique edge over many fast-food chains.
Curious about how Arby’s sandwiches stack up? I sampled seven different options from their menu to rank them from worst to best. Here’s how they fared:
5. Crispy Chicken Sandwich
The Crispy Chicken Sandwich at Arby’s was a disappointment. The bottom bun, overwhelmed with mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, and thin tomato slices, became soggy and fell apart quickly. The mayo and veggies should be placed on top to prevent the bun from becoming mushy. The chicken patty was small and lacked flavor, with a spongy texture reminiscent of school cafeteria food. The breading was bland and the chicken overcooked. Overall, it was one of the worst fried chicken sandwiches I’ve encountered.
4. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich was quite similar to the Crispy Chicken Sandwich but with some key differences. It uses parmesan peppercorn ranch instead of mayo, the chicken patty is coated in buffalo sauce, and it omits the sliced tomatoes.
While the buffalo sauce adds a bit more flavor, it doesn’t significantly improve the overall sandwich.
3. Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon
Arby’s Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich was a pleasant surprise. It features turkey slices, bacon, lettuce, parmesan peppercorn ranch, red onion, tomato, and cheddar on honey wheat bread. The bread was hearty and held the ingredients well, though it was untoasted. However, the lettuce and tomato were limp, diminishing the sandwich’s appeal. With fresher vegetables and better-cooked bacon, this could have ranked higher.
2. Smokehouse Brisket
The Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich intrigued me due to its southern barbecue theme. It includes smoked brisket (smoked for 13 hours), cheddar cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, and crispy onion strings on a brioche bun. The brisket had a good smoky flavor, though it was sliced too thin and was a bit dry. Despite this, it was a respectable effort for a fast-food chain, offering a more flavorful experience than expected.
1. Classic Roast Beef Sandwich
The Classic Roast Beef Sandwich is a staple at Arby’s and epitomizes the chain’s roast beef focus. It’s simple yet effective, featuring layers of roast beef on a plain, toasted bun. Despite my low expectations, I found it surprisingly good. While it might not match a homemade roast beef dish, it stands out as a solid fast-food option.