Arby’s has been making cool, calculated moves lately to polish up it’s menu and treat fans with favourites from years gone by. And it’s rolled out a potentially huge all-new item: Steak Nuggets… Not Burnt Ends, but maybe something better!
Saying ‘Arby’s’ is almost like saying ‘Beef’. And leave to the guys who ‘Have The Meats’ to be first in the Fast Food sector with a new delicacy like Steak Nuggets….
Perfect for the Fast Food ‘niche’
Steak Ends have actually been around for many, many years already. Though not in the Fast Food sphere, and not in quite the same presentation. Another name for them is ‘Sirloin Tips’, described by the new Google AI assistant as, “usually the [most] tender parts of the tenderloin top. They can also be sirloin tips that come from larger roasts often sold as ‘stew meat’ or, in this case, ‘beef tips’.”
Differentiation Statement:
I’m sure when some of the BBQ fans out there saw the official name, ‘BBQ teak Tips’, they immediately thought: Burnt Ends.
But these little one- or two-bite nuggets of juicy, meaty tenderness are actually carved from Prime Rib Ends. And unlike most Chicken Nuggets in the Fast Food marketplace these days, they are pieces of actual meat, not ‘mechanically deboned’ Beef reformed and extruded into uniform little, breaded, deep-fried shapes. In fact, they aren’t breaded or coated in any way.
The flavour is described as just like a luxy Beef Roast that’s been slow-cooked and showered in its own jus. This is not a BBQ dish!
Extraordinary ways to order
Steak Nuggets are being offered à la carte in 5- and 9-piece orders, and in a couple of new combos. There’s a Steak Nugget Sandwich with Havarti cheese, crispy onions, pickles, and Arby’s signature Horsey sauce on the side. And you can also get them on top of a bowl of Arby’s white Cheddar Mac and Cheese, topped with crispy onions.
See why this new delicacy rated a separate post of its own, rather than just mention in our weekly Fast Food Week feature?
Meanwhile..
Arby’s fan-fave Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Fries are back, for a limited time. The website describes them as: “crinkle cut potatoes fried crispy then topped with chopped crispy chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese sauce and drizzled peppercorn ranch.”
One online taster suggested this dish might be even better using Arby’s curly fries. But I personally feel the straight-stick crinkle cuts are better suited mechanically and logistically to spearing and scooping with forkfuls of the topping.
My take
These two well-thought-out, unique Arby’s selections are not as grand or wide-reaching as some other seasonally-themed special menu arrays currently on offer by Arby’s competitors. But they certainly do deserve a spotlight!
~ Maggie J.