Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak sandwich has been a popular menu item for the fast food chain since its introduction in 2021. With its tender slices of prime rib, melted cheese, and crispy onions on a toasted roll, it’s easy to see why this sandwich has been a hit. But some fast food aficionados have questioned whether the prime rib used on Arby’s signature sandwich is the real deal or just a marketing gimmick.
What is Prime Rib?
Prime rib refers to a cut of beef taken from the rib section, specifically the ribeye, which is known for its extensive marbling. This marbling is key, as it bastes the meat during cooking, keeping it tender and flavorful. Traditionally, prime rib roasts are seasoned simply with salt and pepper and slow-roasted for hours to render the fat and allow the meat to become exceptionally tender. When sliced, the result is a juicy, well-marbled cut of beef with the quintessential prime rib flavor.
For a cut of beef to qualify as true prime rib, it must meet two criteria:
- It must come from the rib section, ideally ribs 6 through 12.
- It must possess abundant marbling and carry a USDA grade of at least Prime, the highest grade given to only about 2% of all beef. Choice grade also indicates a high level of marbling.
Lesser quality ribs from other areas or without sufficient marbling cannot rightly be called prime rib.
Arby’s Description of Their Prime Rib
On their website, Arby’s describes their Prime Rib Cheesesteak as made with “thinly sliced prime rib” and “Swiss cheese sauce” on a toasted hoagie roll. Advertisements refer to it as “real prime rib” and “premium prime rib.” This clearly gives the impression that the sandwich contains high quality, well-marbled prime rib roast beef.
The sandwich launched in 2021 with a marketing campaign that poked fun at some people’s skepticism that a fast food chain could offer real prime rib. One ad shows a butcher inspecting and approving the raw prime rib destined for Arby’s sandwiches. This further drives home the message that Arby’s uses real, high-end prime rib cuts.
What the Experts Say About Arby’s Prime Rib
food experts who have reviewed the Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak have come to varying conclusions about the source and quality of the meat:
- Serious Eats writer Sasha Marx stated the sandwich’s prime rib “appeared to be the real deal.” He noted the meat had a “nice browning” and the correct “crumbly, sliceable texture” of prime rib.
- Food reviewer Daym Drops praised the tenderness and said the prime rib passed his unofficial “fork test” for quality.
- The Impulsive Buy writer Marvo was skeptical, saying the meat looked more like roast beef than prime rib.
- Reviewers at Mashed said the prime rib lacked the fatty marbling they expected from a real prime cut.
So opinions differ on how closely Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak meats stacks up to real restaurant prime rib.
Clues the Prime Rib May Not Be “Prime” Grade
While experts debate the visual appearance of the meat, there are a few clues that suggest Arby’s prime rib may not actually come from the highest quality beef rib cuts:
- Low price – Arby’s sandwich costs just $5.99, while restaurant prime rib costs $25 or more per pound.
- Limited supply – Arby’s repeatedly sells out of the sandwich, suggesting availability issues.
- Mechanical tenderizing – Arby’s admits they use a meat tenderizer to achieve the tender prime rib texture.
These factors point to the strong possibility that Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak is made from a less expensive, tougher cut of beef that has been processed and tenderized to mimic true prime rib.
Why Arby’s Might Not Use Real Prime Rib
There are a few reasons why Arby’s may fall short of using actual prime rib in their famous sandwich:
- Cost – Only 2% of beef achieves the top Prime grade. Prime rib cuts are expensive, especially compared to the sandwich’s bargain $5.99 price tag.
- Limited supply – With high demand from upscale restaurants, there may not be enough Prime grade beef rib available for a fast food chain.
- Inconsistent sizing – Rib shape varies, making it hard to produce uniform prime rib slices for sandwiches.
- Fat content – The marbling of Prime grade rib may be too high for a fast food application.
For these reasons, Arby’s likely uses a more affordable, consistently sized lower grade of beef rib for their Prime Rib Cheesesteak. The meat is then processed and tenderized to achieve a prime rib-like texture at a prime rib-unlike price.
The Verdict on Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak
Based on available information and expert reviews, it seems unlikely that Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak contains true, high quality USDA Prime or Choice grade prime rib.
The relatively low price point and supply limitations suggest Arby’s does not have access to authentic prime rib for their sandwich. While the meat is processed and tenderized to mimic prime rib, it is doubtful to come from the same costly rib cuts used in fine steak houses.
However, the consensus is that while it may not be true prime rib, the meat Arby’s uses is still tasty and delivers on the promise of tender and flavorful roast beef. The ingredients and preparation combine to make a delicious sandwich regardless of whether it meets the technical criteria for prime rib.
For the price, Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak certainly delivers on satisfaction. Customers get an enjoyable prime rib experience minus the premium price tag associated with the real thing. So while it may not be actual prime rib, Arby’s has crafted an affordable sandwich that captures the mouthwatering flavor and texture of this upscale cut of beef.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of beef does Arby’s use for their prime rib sandwich?
Arby’s has not publicly disclosed the exact cut of beef used for their Prime Rib Cheesesteak sandwiches. It is likely a more affordable rib cut such as rib finger meat or rib tail that has been mechanically tenderized to mimic prime rib.
Is the prime rib at Arby’s real?
Based on available information, food experts believe the prime rib used on Arby’s sandwich is not likely to be real USDA Prime or Choice grade prime rib. The relatively low price point and inconsistent availability indicate it is a cheaper substitute made to resemble prime rib through tenderizing and slicing methods.
Why is Arby’s Prime Rib sandwich so cheap compared to restaurant prime rib?
Restaurant prime rib costs $25 per pound or more, while Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak sandwich sells for just $5.99. This huge price difference suggests Arby’s does not use real prime rib. The sandwich is made with a less expensive cut of beef that has been processed and shaved to imitate the texture of prime rib.
Does Arby’s prime rib sandwich taste like real prime rib?
While it may not be actual prime rib, reviews indicate Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak delivers on the flavors and tender texture associated with real prime rib. Through skilled preparation and seasoning, Arby’s provides a satisfying prime rib experience at a much lower price point than true prime rib costs in restaurants.
Is the meat on Arby’s prime rib sandwich fake or imitation?
The meat itself is real beef, however it is unlikely to be the same costly prime rib cut used in restaurants. Arby’s takes a more affordable beef rib cut and processes it to mimic the shaved, tender texture of prime rib. So it’s real beef crafted to imitate prime rib, but not fake or imitation meat.
The Cost Breakdown of Arby’s Prime Rib Sandwich
To understand why the Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak sandwich cannot contain true prime rib, let’s break down the potential costs:
| Ingredient | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Roll (hoagie bun) | $0.30 |
| Prime rib meat (3 oz) | $0.75 |
| Cheese sauce | $0.25 |
| Onions | $0.10 |
| Condiments | $0.10 |
| Labor | $0.50 |
| Total Cost | $2.00 |
As this cost breakdown shows, for Arby’s to profitably sell their Prime Rib Cheesesteak at $5.99, the cost of goods including prime rib meat cannot exceed $2. Even the cheapest USDA Choice graded prime rib costs over $10 per pound. So for Arby’s to offer prime rib at a sandwich price of $5.99, it’s clear they must be using a much less expensive cut of beef to keep their costs low while delivering that prime rib flavor and texture.
How to Get the Best of Both Worlds: Make Your Own Prime Rib Sandwich
After exploring whether Arby’s really uses true prime rib, you may find yourself craving the real thing. Here is a simple recipe to create a restaurant-quality Prime Rib Cheesesteak right in your own kitchen:
Ingredients:
- 1 hoagie or French bread roll
- 6 oz sliced prime rib
- 2 oz sliced Provolone cheese
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1⁄4 cup thinly sliced onions
- Horseradish sauce
- Au jus gravy for dipping
Directions:
- Cook a prime rib roast according to your favorite recipe or buy pre-cooked prime rib from your local butcher.
- Slice the prime rib as thinly as possible across the grain.
- Spread melted butter on both halves of the hoagie roll.
- Pile sliced prime rib onto the bottom half of the roll.
- Top with Provolone cheese, onions, and horseradish sauce.
- Close the sandwich and optionally cut in half.
- Serve immediately with au jus gravy for dipping.
This recipe delivers all the real prime rib flavor missing from the Arby’s version. While it requires more effort and expense, you’ll taste the difference that genuine, high quality prime rib makes in this incredible sandwich.
The Bottom Line on Arby’s Prime Rib
Arby’s Prime Rib Cheesesteak provides an affordably priced, satisfying prime rib experience through clever shortcuts. The sandwich likely relies on a lesser grade of rib meat, mechanically tenderized to mimic prime rib. While not the real thing, Arby’s manages to capture the mouthwatering essence of prime rib at a price customers love.
So while Arby’s prime rib may not meet the strict definition, it delivers on the tasty, tender and juicy expectations set by its name. For the everyday prime rib craving, their sandwich hits the spot. But true prime rib aficionados will want to seek out the real McCoy for a premium prime rib flavor treat.
