Arby’s has been slinging meaty sandwiches since 1964, building an empire on their famous roast beef. As someone who’s spent way too many lunch breaks in their drive-thru, I’ve developed strong opinions about their menu.
I’ve eaten my way through their entire sandwich lineup—the good, the bad, and the suspiciously soggy—to bring you this definitive ranking. Grab some Horsey Sauce and settle in as we explore which Arby’s creations deserve your hard-earned cash.
1. Fish ‘N Cheddar Sandwich
Who thought this was a good idea? Arby’s Fish ‘N Cheddar combines two things that should never meet: seafood and cheese sauce. The result is a culinary crime scene.
The fish itself is actually decent—crispy on the outside with flaky white meat inside. But then they drown it in that same molten cheddar goop they use on the Beef ‘n Cheddar, creating a bizarre flavor clash that makes your taste buds file a restraining order.
2. Buffalo Chicken Slider
Honey, this slider is identity confusion on a bun. Arby’s took their decent chicken tender, doused it in watery buffalo sauce, and somehow created something smaller than my phone.
The buffalo sauce lacks any meaningful heat or flavor complexity—it’s just tangy orange liquid that makes the tender soggy within seconds. The bun-to-meat ratio is totally off, leaving you with mostly bread and disappointment.
3. Classic Crispy Fish Sandwich
Fast food fish has always been a gamble, and Arby’s version doesn’t exactly hit the jackpot. The fish filet itself isn’t terrible—it’s crispy enough and doesn’t taste like it was caught from a puddle in the parking lot.
The lettuce is typically wilted and the tartar sauce is applied with either stingy restraint or excessive enthusiasm, never just right. The sesame seed bun is probably the most consistent element, which isn’t saying much.
4. Jalapeño Roast Beef Slider
Size matters, and this slider proves it—in the wrong way. Arby’s stuffs a laughably small portion of their signature roast beef into a dinner roll, then throws on a couple jalapeño slices and calls it a day.
The heat level fluctuates wildly depending on who makes it. Sometimes you get two wimpy jalapeño slices that couldn’t make a baby sneeze; other times they dump enough to make you contemplate your life choices. The cheese sauce is applied so inconsistently that it’s basically sandwich roulette.
5. Greek Gyro
Bold move, Arby’s, trying to convince America you know Greek food. The gyro meat—a processed blend of beef, lamb, and Mediterranean wishes—is surprisingly not terrible, with decent seasoning that hints at authenticity before remembering it’s still fast food.
The tzatziki sauce lacks the garlicky punch of the real deal, tasting more like someone whispered the word “cucumber” over sour cream. Their pita bread often arrives either too dry or weirdly soggy, with no delightful middle ground.
6. Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Mediocrity has a name, and it’s Arby’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich. In the great chicken sandwich wars that have consumed fast food culture, this entry is Switzerland—completely neutral and forgettable.
The chicken patty itself isn’t bad—it’s actually fairly juicy inside with a decent crunch outside. But Arby’s plays it so safe with the basic lettuce, tomato, and mayo setup that you’ll forget what you’re eating halfway through.
7. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Spice wimps beware! This sandwich actually brings some legitimate heat to the fast food game. Arby’s takes their standard chicken patty and drenches it in buffalo sauce that has actual personality—tangy, buttery, and carrying enough capsaicin to make your forehead glisten.
The parmesan peppercorn ranch sauce provides crucial cooling relief, though sometimes they apply it stingily. Shredded lettuce adds necessary crunch, but often gets wilted by the hot buffalo sauce in transit.
8. King’s Hawaiian Fish Deluxe
The sweet, pillowy King’s Hawaiian bun is the superhero that saves this sandwich from mediocrity. That signature roll elevates the otherwise standard fish filet into something actually worth ordering.
Arby’s doesn’t skimp on the toppings here—crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and a generous schmear of tartar sauce that has actual flavor complexity with dill and relish notes. The fish itself is substantial and flaky, with a crisp exterior that maintains its texture better than their standard fish sandwich.
9. Angus Cheesesteak
Philadelphia would like a word with whoever named this a “cheesesteak.” Despite the geographical blasphemy, this sandwich is surprisingly tasty on its own merits.
The Angus steak is actually decent quality—tender enough and sliced thin, though it sometimes arrives a bit dry. The fire-roasted peppers and onions bring genuine flavor that tastes like actual vegetables rather than rehydrated mystery bits. The cheese sauce brings everything together with creamy richness, though it’s more “nacho” than “Whiz.”
10. Chicken Bacon Swiss
Bacon makes everything better, and this sandwich proves that universal truth. Arby’s starts with a crispy chicken filet that’s a cut above their basic offering, then adds genuinely crispy bacon that delivers that satisfying crunch in every bite.
What impresses me most is how the components maintain their distinct textures. The chicken stays crisp, the bacon doesn’t get soggy, and the cheese melts just enough without becoming a messy puddle. It’s a testament to thoughtful sandwich architecture rather than just piling ingredients together.
11. French Dip & Swiss
Sometimes simplicity wins, and Arby’s French Dip proves this beautifully. Thin-sliced roast beef and Swiss cheese on a toasted sub roll would be good enough, but the real star is that little container of au jus.
The warm beef broth transforms each bite through the magical alchemy of dipping. The bread soaks up just enough jus to soften without disintegrating, while the beef gets an amplified meaty flavor. The Swiss cheese adds subtle nuttiness without overwhelming the simple pleasure of beef and broth.
12. Corned Beef Reuben
Fast food delis are usually sad affairs, but Arby’s Reuben genuinely captures the soul of this classic sandwich. The corned beef is properly pink, tender and stacked generously without going overboard.
The sauerkraut brings actual tang and crunch—not the limp, flavorless version lesser chains serve. Thousand Island dressing (which they insist on calling “Reuben sauce”) provides the perfect creamy-sweet counterpoint to the sour kraut. The Swiss cheese gets properly melty, and the marbled rye bread deserves special praise for having real caraway seeds and visible grain.
13. Smokehouse Brisket
Holy smoked meat heaven! This sandwich means business with brisket that’s been smoked for at least 13 hours—and you can actually taste that commitment. The meat has genuine bark (that dark, flavorful exterior) and visible smoke ring that BBQ enthusiasts look for.
Smoked Gouda cheese adds another layer of woodsy complexity that perfectly complements the brisket. The crispy onions provide textural contrast while the BBQ sauce adds just enough sweetness without drowning out the smoke. Even the mayo serves a purpose, adding richness that ties everything together.
14. Beef ‘n Cheddar
Nostalgia in sandwich form! The Beef ‘n Cheddar isn’t just an Arby’s classic—it’s a masterclass in fast food engineering. That onion roll deserves its own fan club, bringing sweetness and texture that perfectly frames the filling.
The cheese sauce isn’t trying to be authentic cheddar—it’s embracing its role as creamy, savory liquid gold. The secret weapon is that red ranch sauce (Arby’s sauce’s sophisticated cousin) hiding under the beef, adding tangy depth that cuts through the richness.
15. Classic Roast Beef
The sandwich that built an empire deserves its crown. Arby’s Classic Roast Beef achieves something rare in fast food—iconic status through simplicity rather than gimmicks.
The thinly sliced roast beef is piled into that soft, slightly sweet sesame seed bun in a way that creates the perfect meat-to-bread ratio. The beef itself walks that perfect line between tender and substantial, with just enough pink to remind you it’s actual meat. That slight edge of seasoning brings savory depth without overwhelming.