Last month, Arby’s introduced its latest limited-time offering: its take on the famous Philly cheesesteak (or as people from Philly simply call it, a cheesesteak). It looks good in the photos: a quarter-pound of Angus beef tossed with American cheese and grilled peppers and onions atop a long bun (or as people from Philly call it, a hoagie roll) coated in a creamy garlic spread.
Arby’s offering diverts from the traditional cheesesteak recipe. If you go to Philly you won’t find bell peppers on a cheesesteak—just onions. You won’t find American cheese on it either—it’s Cheez Wiz or provolone. And you certainly won’t find “creamy garlic spread” anywhere near it. Ketchup, however, is acceptable.
But not everyone is a purist. Many people online are loving Arby’s take on the east coast staple! And just as many are loathing it.
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One Redditor put their opinion succinctly: “The cheesesteak is amazing.” They accompanied a photo of their sandwich—ordered with double steak and stretching the roll to its limits. The sandwich here looks like it does in Arby’s promo materials, albeit in worse lighting. Commenters echoed the positive sentiment. “It was a bit messy and very filling,” one wrote. Exactly how a cheesesteak should be.
Another Arby’s fan posted a less-appetizing photo of their cheesesteak (presumably not ordered with double meat.) Nonetheless, they still enjoyed it. “It was pretty good,” they wrote. “Looks perfect,” someone commented. Perhaps they need their eyes checked.
Another Redditor posted a photo of a mammoth of a sandwich, packed with so much meat it’s falling out of the roll and onto the foil. It’s exactly what a perfect cheesesteak should look like. However, they were anything but pleased. “I had to toss it as it looked so foul,” they scathingly wrote. “I think I’m done with Arby’s.”