Arby’s famous “We Have The Meats” slogan has been around for a decade, but not everything on their menu deserves the same attention. While their freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches can hit the spot, some menu items are complete wallet-draining disasters that leave most people disappointed. From soggy sliders to overpriced sandwiches that taste nothing like they should, certain Arby’s offerings are better left on the shelf. Smart customers know which items to avoid, and once people learn these red flags, they never make the same ordering mistakes again.
Buffalo chicken slider disappoints every single time
The regular chicken slider at Arby’s works perfectly fine with its crispy fried chicken and Swiss cheese on a small bun. But the buffalo version turns this simple success into a complete mess. The problem starts with way too much sauce – both the parmesan peppercorn ranch and buffalo sauce get piled on so thick that the small bun can’t handle it. Most people end up with a soggy disaster that falls apart before they can even take a proper bite.
The buffalo slider also packs an incredible 910 milligrams of sodium into one tiny sandwich. That’s nearly half the daily recommended amount in something that’s supposed to be a small snack. The combination of oversaucing and extreme saltiness makes this one of those menu items that sounds good in theory but delivers nothing but disappointment. Regular customers have learned to stick with the original chicken slider or skip the slider menu entirely.
Apple turnover tastes like cardboard
Fast food desserts can be hit or miss, but Arby’s apple turnover lands squarely in the miss category. The pastry comes out dry and flavorless, with apple filling that tastes more like sugary paste than actual fruit. Most people expect a warm, flaky pastry with sweet apple filling, but this version delivers a disappointing experience that’s not worth the money or calories. The crust lacks any buttery richness, and the filling doesn’t have the cinnamon-spiced apple taste that makes turnovers appealing.
Even fast food dessert fans who usually aren’t picky about quality find this apple turnover underwhelming. The cherry turnover somehow manages to be much better, with more moisture and actual fruit taste. People who want a sweet ending to their meal are better off choosing literally any other dessert option or just skipping dessert entirely. The apple version consistently disappoints customers who expect even basic pastry shop quality from their fast food treats.
Greek gyro misses the mark completely
Arby’s tried to put their roast beef spin on the classic Greek gyro, but the result falls flat compared to what most people expect from this Mediterranean favorite. The main problem is that the pita bread gets completely oversauced, making it soggy and difficult to eat without making a mess. The meat doesn’t have the right seasoning or texture that makes authentic gyros so appealing, and the overall combination just doesn’t work well together.
The Greek gyro also costs as much as their better sandwich options, making it a poor value choice. Most cities have dedicated Mediterranean restaurants or even gas station gyros that taste significantly better for similar prices. Arby’s strength lies in their roast beef expertise, not Mediterranean cuisine, and this menu item proves that some fusion attempts just don’t work. Customers looking for gyro satisfaction are better off going elsewhere or sticking to Arby’s proven specialties.
Corned beef reuben costs way too much
The corned beef Reuben at Arby’s has seen its price skyrocket by 62% over the past decade, but the quality hasn’t improved to match that increase. At around $13 for the meal, customers expect a substantial sandwich with high-quality ingredients. Instead, they get a mediocre Reuben that doesn’t live up to the classic deli standard. The corned beef lacks the proper seasoning and texture that makes a great Reuben, and the overall sandwich feels like a fast food approximation rather than the real deal.
For the same price, most people can find much better Reuben sandwiches at local delis or mom-and-pop shops that actually know how to make them properly. The combination of high price and disappointing quality makes this one of Arby’s worst value propositions. Even people who generally enjoy Arby’s other menu items find this particular sandwich overpriced and underwhelming. Smart customers save their money and either order something else or find a proper deli for their Reuben fix.
Crinkle fries lack any real character
When people go to Arby’s, they expect to get those famous curly fries that actually have seasoning and personality. The crinkle fries exist as an alternative, but they’re basically just regular fries with a wavy cut and no real improvement in taste or texture. The crinkle design is supposed to hold more seasoning, but these fries come out bland and forgettable. Most customers try them once out of curiosity and then never order them again.
The texture is fine, but there’s not enough seasoning or salt to make them interesting or satisfying. Crinkle fries feel like a missed opportunity since the wavy shape could actually hold more seasoning if Arby’s bothered to add any. People who want good fries at Arby’s stick with the curly fries that actually have some character and seasoning. The crinkle version just takes up menu space without offering anything special or memorable to customers.
Roast turkey sandwich keeps getting smaller
The roast turkey ranch and bacon sandwich has experienced a 67% price increase over the past decade, but the portion size seems to shrink every year. Customers who used to enjoy this sandwich notice there’s significantly less turkey piled on than there used to be, making it a poor value for the current price. The Market Fresh bread also tends to be dry, creating an unpleasant eating experience that can actually be difficult to swallow comfortably.
The combination of less meat and dry bread makes this turkey sandwich one of the most disappointing options on the menu. People expect generous portions when they pay premium prices, but this sandwich delivers the opposite. The turkey itself isn’t particularly flavorful, and the overall sandwich feels like a budget option disguised with a premium price tag. Most customers find better turkey sandwich options at grocery store delis for much less money.
Smokehouse brisket doesn’t taste like real barbecue
Arby’s smokehouse brisket sandwich promises authentic barbecue experience but delivers something that tastes more like regular roast beef with barbecue sauce. The brisket lacks the proper smoky flavor and tender texture that makes real barbecue brisket so appealing. The brioche bun and natural cheddar cheese are actually pretty good, but they can’t save a sandwich where the main ingredient doesn’t live up to expectations. Most people who know what good brisket tastes like find this version disappointing.
The ratio of brisket to other toppings also feels off, with not enough meat to justify the price point. Smokehouse brisket ends up tasting more like a regular sandwich with barbecue flavoring than actual smoked meat. People living in areas with good barbecue restaurants know this sandwich doesn’t come close to the real thing. Even those without access to authentic barbecue usually find this version lacks the rich, smoky character they expect from a brisket sandwich.
Mozzarella sticks contain shocking sodium levels
Six mozzarella sticks at Arby’s contain an absolutely shocking 2,110 milligrams of sodium – that’s nearly an entire day’s worth of salt in what’s supposed to be a side dish or snack. To put this in perspective, someone could eat an entire bag of regular potato chips and still consume less sodium than these cheese sticks. The fried coating and cheese combination creates a sodium bomb that most people don’t realize they’re eating until it’s too late.
Each stick also contains over 2 grams of saturated fat, which adds up quickly when eating the full six-piece serving. Mozzarella sticks might taste fine in the moment, but the nutritional numbers are genuinely scary for what amounts to a small appetizer. Most people assume they’re making a reasonable choice by ordering cheese sticks, but these particular ones pack more sodium than many of the main menu items. Anyone watching their salt intake needs to stay far away from this seemingly innocent side dish.
Large chocolate shakes contain absurd sugar amounts
The large chocolate shake at Arby’s contains 99 grams of sugar, which equals nearly 25 teaspoons of sugar in a single drink. Most people have no idea they’re consuming that much sugar when they order what seems like a normal milkshake. The 700 calories in the large size is actually more than some of their burgers, making it a meal disguised as a beverage. The regular size isn’t much better, still packing an enormous amount of sugar that most people wouldn’t consume in multiple days of normal eating.
The chocolate shake also contains 14 grams of saturated fat in the large size, which is more than many people should eat in an entire day. What makes this particularly problematic is that people often order shakes as an addition to their meal, not realizing they’re essentially ordering a second meal’s worth of calories and sugar. The Andes mint chocolate version is even worse, with 111 grams of sugar that represents several days’ worth of recommended intake in one drink.
Smart Arby’s customers know to stick with what the restaurant does best – their classic roast beef sandwiches, curly fries, and simple menu items that built their reputation. Avoiding these problem menu items means getting better value for money and actually enjoying the meal instead of dealing with soggy sandwiches, overpriced disappointments, or accidentally consuming dangerous amounts of sodium and sugar in single items.
