# Is Arby's going OOB? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620 "2013-06-10T13:58:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/61 "2013-06-11T17:51:38Z")
We don’t have Arby’s where I live, so for novelty I stopped into one a few years ago in Denver. UGH. I don’t know what the hell was in my sandwich, but it resembled real roast beef in only the vaguest way. It was grey and had a kind of sheen to it like oily water. They will never catch me darkening their door again. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/62 "2013-06-11T18:02:32Z")
Mmmmmmmm… sheen. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/63 "2013-06-11T20:18:46Z")
I know of two Arbys locations that closed up. Doing pretty good business, too. Then again, something like four Jack In The Boxes went under, and Wendy’s was completely dead for years until pretty recently, so take it for what it’s worth. The one I go to all the time is absolutely jam-packed on Saturday. Pretty much anytime before at least 2:00, I can count on there not being an open seat. I’m with Chimera, most likely a glut correcting itself. Didn’t McDonalds go through something like this a ways back? Wasn’t always a big fan, but I’ve grown to like it. Much better variety and healthier than most places. Every place costs pretty much the same now (it was a sad day when Burger King did away with 99 cent Whoppers), so that’s no longer a concern. I actually think the roast beef is the _worst_ item (and apparently I’m not alone here); if you want something really good, go for the Reuben or turkey club. And those potato cakes…mmm, good times. Mainly, though, I just like having a choice. I’ve always been a little disappointed that Carl’s Jr. didn’t make it. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/64 "2013-06-11T20:23:30Z")
Had a King’s Hawaiian today - with cheese and sause and pickles. Added some banana peppers, jalapenos, and red onion. Good. Had the extra roast beef helping per the ad. Our Arby’s has waffle fries - my preferred option. I also like the other sandwiches (market fresh or something like that) as an option to the roast beef or burghers if I’m doing fast food. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/65 "2013-06-11T20:40:24Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Mmmmmmmm… sheen. Martin, or Charlie? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/66 "2013-06-11T20:48:10Z")
Most of the thread is about the bread; is anybody really surprised that they may be closing? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/67 "2013-06-11T20:50:42Z")
Never been particularly appealed by the roast beef. Have enjoyed the Market Fresh Turkey and Swiss, but the loss of regular fries bums me out. I hate curly fries, and the potato cakes are a greasy mess. I haven’t been a while. Quiznos uses shaved meat, so they can’t count a specific number of slices. But I have seen them balance the scale pretty finely. My area currently has a shortage of Quiznos. The two in my area went out of business. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/68 "2013-06-11T20:50:52Z")
> [@sco3tt](#): > > This was one of the greatest promotions ever. When that deal was on, four or five of my coworkers and I would throw in $5 apiece and buy a bushel of these sandwiches, which we’d take back to the office and dump in a huge pile on the breakroom table. Then we’d compete to see who could chow down the most (with the most horsey sauce, of course) before our lunch break was over. It became a bit of a spectator sport for the non-participants in the office as well. Arby’s still had the odd 5-for-5ish offer last time I went to one. It was my favorite “heavy” lunch option. But then, I’ve gotten old. There was always someone, back in the day, who didn’t believe I could eat a very solidly built two-foot sub sandwich. They ended up paying every time. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/69 "2013-06-11T20:52:12Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > I’ve always been a little disappointed that Carl’s Jr. didn’t make it. Aw, that sucks because their new bourbon burger is really good. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Martin, or Charlie? No no no, Renee. [http://www.renee-estevez.com/hs.htm](http://www.renee-estevez.com/hs.htm) ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/70 "2013-06-12T03:21:04Z")
Every time I’ve gone to an Arby’s the food has been… well, good is the wrong word, but it’s been exactly what I was looking for when I went into an Arby’s, and hit that particular spot quite nicely. What’s been also strangely consistent has been a lack of (fast food staff level) professionalism on the part of the staff. It’s like I’ve wandered into an abandoned fast food joint that has been taken over by teenagers who are playing at running it. They’re trying, good will all around, but they are just making stuff up as they go along. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/71 "2013-06-12T06:45:41Z")
> [@3trew](#): > > Every time I’ve gone to an Arby’s the food has been… well, good is the wrong word, but it’s been exactly what I was looking for when I went into an Arby’s, and hit that particular spot quite nicely. > > What’s been also strangely consistent has been a lack of (fast food staff level) professionalism on the part of the staff. It’s like I’ve wandered into an abandoned fast food joint that has been taken over by teenagers who are playing at running it. They’re trying, good will all around, but they are just making stuff up as they go along. The two that I go to around here are the opposite. I don’t remember seeing a teenager working at either of them. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/72 "2013-06-12T11:01:57Z")
> [@sco3tt](#): > > This was one of the greatest promotions ever. When that deal was on, four or five of my coworkers and I would throw in $5 apiece and buy a bushel of these sandwiches, which we’d take back to the office and dump in a huge pile on the breakroom table. Then we’d compete to see who could chow down the most (with the most horsey sauce, of course) before our lunch break was over. It became a bit of a spectator sport for the non-participants in the office as well. > > Good times. As a side benefit, that sounds like a great way to stress-test your company’s plumbing. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/73 "2013-06-12T11:48:03Z")
> [@Interrobang](#): > > As a side benefit, that sounds like a great way to stress-test your company’s plumbing. Oh poop. Don’t be a soilspurt. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/74 "2013-06-12T14:40:48Z")
And now I keep reading OOB as ‘Out Of Beef’. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/75 "2013-06-12T19:26:07Z")
They have had some issues with franchisees around my area as well. I generally like Arbys although the roast beef is sorta fake, and the prices are high for fast food. In Richmond VA they have a big nice Arbys that is like a sit-down restaurant with northwestern USA decor. That Arbys has the standard fare but also a special desert/smoothies counter and another counter with specialty foods. Here is a pic: [http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/EkWCvke6McgBIDXcB79Y2g/l.jpg](http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/EkWCvke6McgBIDXcB79Y2g/l.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/76 "2013-06-12T19:30:20Z")
The three Arbys’ nearest to my house have all closed in the past several years: in Upper Marlboro, Dunkirk, and Prince Frederick, MD. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/77 "2013-06-12T19:32:11Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > The three Arbys’ nearest to my house have all closed in the past several years: in Upper Marlboro, Dunkirk, and Prince Frederick, MD. As a total aside, I didn’t know you lived there. I used to live in North Beach and before that in Owings. They closed the Arby’s in PF??? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/78 "2013-06-12T19:43:05Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > Google still thinks the Arby’s on El Camino and Bernardo in Sunnyvale is still open if that’s reachable for you. I used to live about a block away. While Sunnyvale is not quite San Jose, it’s pretty darn close (and pretty darn far from me). Since I live in Oakland, the one in San Leandro would make more sense; not exactly “close”, but at least a distance that doesn’t involve a bridge. So many people are talking about these or those types of fries, but I’ve never once had fries at Arby’s…because I’ve always loved their potato cakes too, so would order those religiously along with one Regular Roast Beef and one Beef ‘n’ Cheddar–anyone know why those sandwiches were so sweet? It was something in the cheese, I think. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/79 "2013-06-12T19:53:41Z")
The red sauce on the bottom bun is basically ketchup with the sugar and vinegar dialed up to 11. ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620/80 "2013-06-12T20:47:37Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > The few Arby’s that I know of near where I live are going strong, from the looks of things. > > On the other hand, Togo’s and Quizno’s have been closing left and right - in a number of cases, less than a year after they opened. However, there’s nothing new about this; Togo’s stores were closing almost as fast as they were opening almost 20 years ago. There’s no Togo’s in my area. A few Quizno’s have shut down, but I’m pretty sure there’s a few new ones too. The 2 Arby’s that I used to eat at have both closed. There’s a new one in a nearby suburb. I thought that was the only one left, but I looked it up and there’s currently 13 restaurants in the metropolitan area. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arbys-going-oob/660620.md?page=5)