Where's the beef?
Written: Oct 10 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good food, good service
Cons: few healthy selections, decreasing value
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| anecdoter's Full Review: Arby's |
I must admit that I am as fanatical about Arby's as a person can possibly be about a chain restaurant - much to the dismay of my friends who groan at my suggestions for eating here for the third time in a week. However, due to inflation and increasing slippage in terms of quality control, by appreciation for this restaurant is somewhat tarnished.
The simple fact of the matter is that those delicious roast beef sandwiches just keep getting smaller (how low can you go, anyone?). What used to be piles of thinly sliced beef has now withered into a couple of slices on a toasted, incredible shrinking bun. Even Arby's promotions suffer from this wasting away disease: the famous Five for Five is now more like two and a half for Five - in fact during this special, which seems to disappear a lot quicker than it used to, one can only buy two chicken sandwiches for five dollars.
As I have become more concerned for my health, I realize that Arby's is probably not the best place to go - even though it is much better than the rest of the fast food chains. Arby's used to have a relatively good tasting "light" chicken sandwich, which has now disappeared from their menus. Now, it appears the only selections still available for those health aware individuals is a selection of five different salads - which, when the toppings are considered, may or may not be all that healthy. Also, these salads may be so loaded with preservatives that you would be better just to eat a sandwich - without the mayo of course.
Arby's new Meal Maker sandwiches should give the local deli a run for its money. These sandwiches look surprisingly large and full of a variety of different meats - chicken, ham, and, of course, roast beef. Instead of being held in place with a bun, they are supported by two thick pieces of bread, of, apparently, your choice. They also come with your choice of the typical deli style toppings - tomato, lettuce, mayo, mustard, etc. This is a good example of how Arby's continues to diversify their menu.
Aside from these new sandwiches, the menu is pretty diverse. The breakfast menu is something I have never tried, so I cannot honestly comment about. Arby's has a good selection of sandwiches - fish, chicken, and roast beef - and subs, such as the surprisingly tasty Au Jour French Dip - a word of caution though, you tend to look like a geek dipping this sub, so perhaps you want to consider ordering one to take home. Arby's has also been adding mini-restaurants to its chain, most notably Noodles and TJ Cinnamons, while I have never tried these, they add great variety to Arby's menu, providing pasta and deserts, respectively.
I have not had a single bad experience, such as hair in my food, at an Arby's in the many years I have gone there. The people at Arby's are always seemingly friendly, and the service is usually quick, unlike some McDonald's operations that tend to bog down at the deep friers. Also, unlike the fast food chains, Arby's is more than generous with their sauce - my family has a stockpile of left over sauce packets for when global famine erupts. Of course over the years I have developed my favorites at this restaurants, and I recommend them to you to try when the mood strikes you.
While the anti-good health sandwich, the Roast Beef and Cheddar is very good and was a staple of my Arby's visits for a long time. This is a big sandwich filled with cheese drenched slabs of roast beef; there is also a touch of a special Arby's sauce - though not THE Arby's sauce - that adds a sweet, contradictory taste to the cheese - bottom line: it is quite good. The French Dip sub is also quite good, but I can never seem to be quite secure in dipping this long sub in public... must be a personal problem. The Roast Chicken Club is quite good, and for those people watching what they eat, order it without mayo and bacon and it is actually pretty healthy for fast food fare. On the other side, the curly fries are very good, but very unhealthy - but then what's the point of living long if you do not treat yourself once and awhile? And with the good, comes the bad...
I tend to nitpick - again to the dismay of my friends - and here are my list of complaints about Arby's. First, the Italian sub would be okay, if it did not automatically come with mayo; there is enough Italian dressing to wet the sandwich and the mayo just ruins the taste. The milk shakes are just too sweet and taste like you are drinking a Pixie Stick. The chicken in the sandwiches and subs tends to taste a little bit metallic, as if the slicer is shedding. Finally, both the potato cakes and the fish sandwiches are hit or miss and it depends on which franchise you go to.
With good food and service, I strongly urge people to go to Arby's ... now, before all the beef disappears.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
anecdoter
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Member: Steve
Location: Toledo, OH
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 3 members
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