8 Reasons People Hate Arby’s & 8 Reasons It’s Actually Quite Good
Arby’s has always held a strange place in the fast food universe—somewhere between cult favorite and punchline.
I vividly remember family road trips where my dad would flat-out refuse to stop there, calling it “mystery meat central,” while my mom would sneak in a craving-fueled visit when he wasn’t around, savoring every bite of her beloved roast beef sandwich.
With its iconic big hat logo and offbeat marketing, Arby’s exists in a curious limbo: fiercely criticized by some, yet quietly adored by others. So let’s dig into the heart of this meaty debate and explore why Arby’s remains one of fast food’s most polarizing names.
1. The Meat Mountain Looks Suspiciously Processed
Ever unwrapped an Arby’s sandwich and wondered if that thinly-sliced meat actually came from a real animal? You’re not alone! Their roast beef has that unnaturally pink hue that screams ‘food scientists were definitely involved here.’
During college, my roommate worked at Arby’s and confessed the meat arrives in liquid form before being solidified and sliced. Gross! While they claim it’s real beef, the texture and appearance raise legitimate questions about how much processing happens before it lands on your bun.
The shiny, uniform slices lack the inconsistencies you’d expect from actual carved meat, making it feel more like a science experiment than dinner.
2. The Restaurants Feel Stuck in 1985
Walking into most Arby’s locations feels like stumbling through a time portal straight to the Reagan era. The brown-and-orange color scheme, the outdated lighting fixtures, and those uncomfortable plastic booths transport you back decades – and not in a cool, retro way.
My local Arby’s hasn’t updated its interior since I was in elementary school. The worn carpeting, faded menu boards, and general atmosphere of neglect create an uninviting dining experience that makes you want to grab your food and escape as quickly as possible.
While competitors have modernized with digital ordering kiosks and contemporary designs, Arby’s seems determined to preserve its 80s mall food court aesthetic indefinitely.
3. Their Marketing Tries Too Hard
“We have the meats!” bellows the gravelly-voiced announcer, trying desperately to convince us that Arby’s is edgy and cool. Their marketing campaigns reek of a middle-aged executive’s idea of what appeals to younger generations.
Remember when they released that bizarre deep-sea sandwich commercial? I cringed so hard I nearly pulled a muscle. Their attempts at humor often fall flat, creating advertisements that feel forced rather than genuinely entertaining.
The disconnect between their try-hard marketing and the actual restaurant experience is jarring. No amount of quirky social media posts or shouty commercials can mask the fundamental identity crisis Arby’s seems to be experiencing.
4. The Beef ‘n Cheddar Makes a Soggy Mess
Structural integrity matters in sandwich architecture, and the Beef ‘n Cheddar fails spectacularly on this front. That gooey cheese sauce and red ranch dressing create a perfect storm of sogginess that turns the bun into a sad, disintegrating sponge within minutes.
My shirt bears the stains of many Beef ‘n Cheddar casualties. The sandwich inevitably collapses mid-bite, sending a cascade of orange cheese sauce down your hands, arms, and likely onto your clothing or car upholstery.
Even the foil wrapper can’t contain the impending disaster. By the time you’re halfway through, you’re essentially holding a wet napkin filled with meat slices and regret.
5. Their Health-Conscious Options Are a Joke
Counting calories at Arby’s? Good luck with that impossible mission! Their so-called “lighter options” would make any nutritionist weep. Even their Market Fresh sandwiches – which sound deceptively healthy – pack more calories than a Big Mac.
My fitness app nearly crashed when I logged my “sensible” Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich. A shocking 800+ calories later, I realized I’d been thoroughly bamboozled by clever marketing.
The salad selection is pathetically limited, and what they do offer comes drowning in cheese and high-calorie dressings. For anyone with dietary restrictions or health goals, Arby’s menu is basically a nutritional minefield.
6. The Horsey Sauce Is Offensively Strong
Horsey Sauce should come with a warning label: “May cause permanent sinus damage.” This supposedly horseradish-based condiment launches a full-scale assault on your nasal passages with nuclear-level intensity that obliterates any other flavor in its path.
My first encounter with Horsey Sauce left me gasping for water while my dining companions laughed at my watering eyes. The balance is completely off – instead of complementing the meat, it’s like getting punched in the face by a horseradish root.
Those tiny packets contain enough firepower to clear a room. What should be a zesty accent becomes the only thing you’ll taste for hours afterward, lingering like an unwelcome party guest.
7. The Drive-Thru Service Moves at Glacial Speed
Time works differently at Arby’s drive-thrus – specifically, it slows to an excruciating crawl. I’ve watched entire seasons of TV shows in less time than it takes to get a simple roast beef sandwich at my local Arby’s.
Last Tuesday’s lunch run was typical: three cars ahead of me, yet somehow a 25-minute ordeal. The employees move with the urgency of sloths on vacation, and order accuracy seems entirely optional. My simple “no onions” request has a success rate of approximately 12%.
The drive-thru speaker system apparently runs on 1970s technology, creating a garbled mess where ordering becomes an elaborate game of telephone. “No mayo” somehow translates to “extra mayo on everything.”
8. Those Curly Fries Are Culinary Perfection
Arby’s curly fries are the twisted potato masterpieces that haunt my dreams. Perfectly seasoned with that signature blend of paprika, cayenne, and onion powder, these spiralized spuds strike the ideal balance between crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
During college finals week, I once drove 30 minutes out of my way just to get my hands on these orange-tinted treasures. The distinctive shape isn’t just for show – those curls maximize the seasoning-to-potato ratio and create more surface area for that glorious crunch.
Even potato purists who normally turn their noses up at seasoned fries make exceptions for these curly wonders. They’re consistently excellent across locations – a rare fast food achievement.
9. Their Jamocha Shake Rivals Fancy Coffee Shops
Coffee aficionados might scoff, but Arby’s Jamocha Shake delivers a mocha experience that puts many overpriced coffee shop concoctions to shame. This frosty miracle combines coffee flavor with chocolate in perfect harmony – not too bitter, not too sweet.
My first Jamocha Shake experience came during a cross-country road trip when I needed both caffeine and comfort food. That thick, creamy shake hit all the right notes, becoming my road trip companion for the next 300 miles.
The consistency is spot-on too – thick enough for a spoon but still drinkable through a straw without causing an aneurysm. For a fast-food dessert, it shows surprising sophistication in its flavor profile.
10. The Meat Variety Puts Other Chains to Shame
Burger joints bore me with their one-note protein approach. Arby’s, meanwhile, offers a carnivore’s playground with beef, turkey, ham, chicken, brisket, corned beef, and even gyro meat under one roof!
Last month, my family’s diverse tastes were all satisfied in a single Arby’s visit. My beef-loving brother, turkey-preferring mom, and brisket-enthusiast dad all walked away happy – a minor miracle in fast food dining.
This protein diversity means you can eat at Arby’s repeatedly without menu fatigue. Their willingness to experiment with different meats also leads to limited-time offerings that genuinely excite, like their venison sandwich that had people lining up around the block.
11. The Market Fresh Sandwiches Actually Taste Fresh
Skepticism filled me when Arby’s first introduced their Market Fresh line – fast food and freshness rarely go together. Color me shocked when I bit into their Turkey Avocado Club and tasted ingredients that seemed like they’d actually seen a refrigerator rather than a freezer!
The honey wheat bread deserves special mention – substantial and bakery-quality rather than the typical fast food bread that disintegrates upon contact. Crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and real avocado create a sandwich that wouldn’t be out of place at a local deli.
While not exactly health food (thanks to generous mayo application), these sandwiches deliver on the freshness promise, offering a welcome alternative to the usual fast food fare.
12. The Sauce Bar Offers Customization Paradise
Sauce enthusiasts rejoice! Arby’s sauce selection transforms ordinary sandwiches into personalized flavor bombs. My condiment addiction finds its happiest expression at their sauce bar, where Arby’s Sauce, Horsey Sauce, ketchup, and various others await my mixing and matching pleasure.
Creating the perfect three-sauce blend for curly fry dipping has become my personal art form. The signature Arby’s Sauce – that tangy, slightly sweet barbecue-adjacent condiment – deserves particular praise for its versatility and distinctive flavor profile that somehow makes everything taste more Arby’s-like.
Unlike stingy competitors who charge for extra sauce packets, Arby’s generous sauce policy encourages experimentation. This simple touch elevates the entire dining experience through the power of choice.
13. Their Seasonal Offerings Actually Feel Special
Seasonal menu items at most fast food joints feel like cynical marketing ploys, but Arby’s limited-time offerings genuinely bring excitement to their menu. The return of the venerated Mint Chocolate Shake each March has become my personal holiday!
Remember when they briefly offered that deep-fried turkey sandwich with cranberry spread during Thanksgiving season? Pure genius! I still dream about that perfect balance of savory and sweet.
Unlike competitors who simply repackage existing ingredients with seasonal names, Arby’s creates truly different offerings that capture the essence of the season. Their willingness to introduce completely new proteins and flavor combinations shows a commitment to innovation that keeps customers coming back.
14. The Loaded Italian Sandwich Rivals Authentic Delis
Subway quivers in fear when Arby’s Loaded Italian enters the conversation. This magnificent creation piles pepperoni, salami, and ham alongside banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, all drizzled with Italian dressing and red wine vinaigrette.
My Italian-American grandmother reluctantly admitted it was “not terrible” – practically a five-star review from a woman who makes her own salami! The bread achieves that elusive ideal of being crusty yet yielding, providing structural support without shredding the roof of your mouth.
The balanced distribution of meats and toppings ensures consistent flavor in every bite. For a quick-service restaurant to produce an Italian sub that wouldn’t be embarrassed in a proper deli lineup is genuinely impressive.
15. The Breakfast Menu Remains a Hidden Treasure
Arby’s breakfast menu flies criminally under the radar in the fast food morning wars. Their biscuits – buttery, flaky masterpieces that would make a Southern grandmother proud – form the foundation for breakfast sandwiches that demolish the competition.
Last Sunday, I discovered their Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit after a night of questionable decisions. That golden-brown biscuit, substantial bacon, fluffy egg, and melted cheese performed emergency soul restoration that I still think about weekly.
The hash browns deserve special mention too – crispy potato medallions that put McDonald’s version to shame. If more people knew about Arby’s breakfast quality, those drive-thru lines would wrap twice around the building every morning.
16. Their Philanthropic Work Deserves Recognition
Behind the quirky commercials and roast beef debates, Arby’s Foundation quietly does meaningful work that deserves our attention. Their youth empowerment initiatives have provided over $90 million in funding to organizations tackling childhood hunger!
My cousin’s after-school program received an Arby’s Foundation grant last year. The impact was immediate – new equipment, expanded programming, and more kids served in our community. Their commitment extends beyond mere corporate tax write-offs to creating genuine positive change.
The foundation’s focus on childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness shows a company that cares about more than just profits. This aspect of Arby’s rarely makes headlines but significantly contributes to their overall positive impact.