Whether you're thinking about it, getting in the mood for some good food, or just plain wanting it sliced fresh, Arby's has been making a genuine push to remain relevant in the fast-food wars. Be honest; Arby's is not your go-to fast food joint, and quite frankly, it does not litter the landscape the way other franchises do.
Well, it might not be on every corner, but it'll certainly be on your mind now with the new "secret menu item" the Meat Mountain sandwich.
Many places carry something like that to spark some interest with varying degrees of success. Starbucks has plenty of products that can stay secret forever, while Burger King has the "Suicide Burger," which is pretty excessive. Joining this train of excess is Arby's with a one-pound offering that dips its creative hands into every corner of the storage closet.
See also: St. Paddy's Day Secret Menu Items: McDonald's McLeprechaun Shake, Starbucks Shamrock Frappuccino
Moderation has long been a laughable notion in America. This monster sandwich, which debuted in mid-August, features two chicken tenders, one slice of Swiss cheese, one slice of cheddar, three half-strips of bacon, and one and half ounces of roast turkey, ham, corned beef, brisket, Angus steak, and roast beef. Yeah, we know... only two slices of cheese? There is "bread" holding the sandwich together, though by the time you get your tray and sit down, the integrity might've mutated to something far softer than expected.
This cholesterol bunker-buster retails for a miserable ten bucks, which is way cheaper than the copay you'll eventually have to pony up at the doctor's office. What's funny is that Arby's, save for the picture on its Twitter account accompanied by the ominous message: "Do not. We repeat. Do not be intimidated by the meats," has done very little to confirm or deny its deliberate involvement in this creation.
Would it be OK to "fear the meat sweats"?
Apparently and according to other reputable news sources, this all started as a joke within a new attitudinal correcting marketing campaign by the chain. It began with a poster showing all the different meats Arby's serves stacked up. The intention of the poster was to change the eating public's perception that the restaurant exclusively serves roast beef. It was shared with the hashtag #meatcraft. It did about as much dissuading as would be expected, with customers attempting to order the "meat mountain" advertised on the poster. Cue in a snooty European accent here questioning the dietary habits of Americans; this is as valid a time as any.
Can Arby's really be blamed for serving the sandwich? At ten bucks, it seems like a happy compromise between the chain and its customers. Arby's has certainly raised its profile among fast-food enthusiasts with this sandwich. It has been mentioned on TV and radio, and on social media, consumers have taken to it like a challenge and wear a greasy badge of honor when conquering the whole thing.
Arby's wins this round in the ongoing battle with the American waistline.
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