If you want a burger, you can get one anywhere, even at your favorite fast food place. If you want something different, head to Arbys and pick up a few of their roast beef sandwiches. Theyre delicious, but heres the thing: theyre weird.
People either really like or really dislike Arby’s roast beef because of the way it tastes and feels. While others were going after the lowly hamburger, they built their whole business on roast beef, which has set them apart for decades. Even though roast beef has helped them build an empire, it has also given rise to many urban legends and myths.
And, over the years, their roast beef has been a bit of a problem for them. So well-known for it that AdWeek says it was the main reason why their sales dropped in the 21st century. Customers didn’t know what they were getting besides roast beef, which is why Arby’s had to be completely redone. But that roast beef is still there, and theres a lot that most people dont know about it.
Arby’s is renowned for their delicious roast beef sandwiches piled high with tender, thinly sliced meat. But if you’ve ever wondered just how much roast beef is stacked between those sesame seed buns, read on for a deep dive into the meaty details.
Arby’s Roast Beef Overview
Arby’s only uses high-quality roast beef for their signature sandwiches. They rely on USDA Choice Angus beef slow-roasted for hours until perfectly tender. This method yields incredibly flavorful juicy meat that has become synonymous with the Arby’s brand.
The roast beef is sliced paper-thin on specialty slicers before being assembled into sandwiches. Arby’s notes the meat should be sliced to one-tenth of an inch thick for optimal sandwiches. The thin slices enable the meat to be stacked high while keeping sandwiches manageable.
Typical Roast Beef Portion Size
So how much of this famous roast beef can you expect on a standard Arby’s sandwich? The average serving size is approximately
- 3-5 ounces of roast beef
- About 4-6 thin slices
A regular roast beef sandwich contains around 3 ounces of meat. Specialty sandwiches may have slightly more at 5 ounces. For perspective, a 3 ounce serving is about the same as a deck of playing cards.
Some limited-time offerings like the Half Pound Beef ‘n Cheddar push the boundaries with 8 ounces of roast beef, But typically you can expect a � pound of quality meat on most Arby’s sandwiches
Factors Impacting Roast Beef Portions
Several factors can influence the exact amount of roast beef on your sandwich:
Type of Sandwich
- Regular vs. specialty sandwiches
- Promotional offerings
- Regional/seasonal options
Restaurant Location
- Individual franchise practices
- Staff training and experience
- Geographic region
Customer Customization
- Requesting extra or less roast beef
- Substituting meats
So portions may vary slightly depending on these factors. But Arby’s stores aim to meet the brand’s standards for roast beef amounts.
Stacked High for Sandwich Satisfaction
Arby’s takes pride in piling the roast beef high on their sandwiches. Here are some tips they share for building the perfect roast beef stack:
- Place roast beef slices edge-to-edge for full coverage.
- Layer slices in alternating directions for stability.
- Add extra slices until reaching desired portion size.
- Top with additional slice on a diagonal for visual appeal.
This stacking method maximizes each tender, tasty bite while preventing the dreaded sandwich slide. It allows the meat to be the real star of the show.
Other Questions on Roast Beef Portions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about Arby’s roast beef amounts and their sandwiches:
Can I customize the amount of roast beef?
Yes! Feel free to request extra roast beef or a lighter portion. Arby’s is happy to accommodate requests.
Do all sandwiches have roast beef?
While Arby’s is known for roast beef, they offer other meats like turkey, ham, and chicken. There are also fish and vegetarian options.
What’s the largest roast beef sandwich?
Currently, the Arbynator holds the record with over 1/2 pound of meat! The Meat Mountain is another monster sandwich with about 1 pound total of all meats combined.
Can I buy just the roast beef without the bread?
You sure can! Arby’s sells their roast beef by the pound so you can enjoy it solo.
What are some low roast beef options?
For lighter fare, try a Roast Beef Salad, Roast Beef Slider, or Jr. Roast Beef sandwich.
How many calories in an Arby’s roast beef sandwich?
Calories range from 320-500 on average depending on size and toppings. Crunching the numbers shows the meat itself is not the main calorie culprit.
Satisfy Your Roast Beef Craving at Arby’s
Arby’s offers an ample � to � pound portion of quality roast beef on most of their signature sandwiches. Stacked sliced high and roasted to juicy perfection, their roast beef is the star ingredient that has diners coming back. Now that you know exactly how much meat to expect, head to Arby’s to satisfy your sandwich cravings!
It didn’t inspire the name of the chain
Another story that most people have heard is that Arby’s got its name from the letters of their signature dish, roast beef. Roast beef, R and B, say it quickly and youll get to Arbys. Get it? Its a great story, but its absolutely not true.
Arbys has tweeted more than once about the source of their name, stressing that while Arbys does actually come from the initials “R” and “B,” its not a reference to roast beef. Its actually referring to the chains founders, Leroy and Forrest Raffel: the Raffel Brothers.
Strangely, even though Arbys is trying to clear up the misconception today, Today notes that during the 1980s, Arbys actually included the source of their name in an advertising campaign. They said then that it was an acronym for “Americas Roast Beef — Yes Sir!”, which gave some serious creedence to the idea they named themselves after their flagship product. The 80s were a different time… and apparently were full of lies.
Roast beef was chosen to attract a higher-end clientele
Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened Arbys on July 23, 1964, says Business Wire. They did it at a time when everyone else was doing burgers, and their original menu of fresh-sliced roast beef was considered something completely out of the box. (Fun fact: those curly fries werent added until the 1980s.)
Burger giants McDonalds and Burger King were still fairly new when the Raffel brothers decided to get into the fast food game. They had seen just how popular the fast food burger joint was, so why deviate? They wanted to offer something that would set them apart from the competition, but they also wanted to be the high-class fast food place.
“On the day we opened, the McDonalds hamburger was 15 cents and our sandwich was 69 cents,” Leroy Raffel told NBC. “So, you had to be a little more affluent to buy our sandwich.”
Decades later, their more expensive menu was cited as one of the major factors in their flailing business. In 2011, the joint corporation of Wendys and Arbys was looking at pretty miserable sales, which industry analyst chalked up to a combination of a menu thats more expensive than other chains and inconsistent performance (via QSR).
Think Twice Before Ordering Arby’s Roast Beef
FAQ
How much roast beef on Arby’s sandwich?
How much meat is in a roast beef sandwich?
How much meat is on an Arby’s beef and cheddar sandwich?
Can you buy a pound of Arby’s roast beef?
How much meat is on a Arby’s roast beef sandwich?
A regular Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich is supposed to have 3 ounces of roast beef on it. How Much Meat Was on Our Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches? Steve put the bottom of the bun on the scale (to keep it clean) and zeroed out the scale. Then he carefully put the roast beef on the bun slice by slice.
Can you make Arby’s roast beef sandwich at home?
Making Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich at home is more than just the beef and bun. Let me take you through how to replicate this classic in your own kitchen. “Oh great, the Fox Valley Foodie is going to tell me how to make a sandwich consisting solely of roast beef and a hamburger bun. What ancient cipher did he discover to crack that code?”
Is Arby’s roast beef sandwich gluten-free?
Unfortunately, the classic roast beef sandwich is not considered gluten-free. The sesame seed bun contains wheat, which is a gluten-containing grain. Individuals with gluten sensitivities should refrain from consuming this menu item. Can I Order the Sandwich without the Arby’s Sauce?
Does Arby’s have meats?
Yes, we have the meats TM & © 2024 Arby’s IP Holder, LLC. All Rights Reserved. v.1.338.9 Arby’s now offers online ordering for our full menu of signature roast beef sandwiches, Market Fresh® options, and more.