Arby's Is Putting a Hamburger on the Menu for the First Time Ever

Mike Pomranz
·2 min read
4

Arby's slogan is "We have the meats," and they've sold plenty: duck, venison, elk… even a "carrot" made out of meat. But among the pantheon of fast food brands, Arby's has actually never offered the most popular meat out there: hamburger. Yes, the chain boasts that they sell "premium Angus beef sandwiches." But what about ground beef between a bun?

Today, Arby's announced they are finally adding a burger to the menu for the first time in their 58-year history — and as the king of meats, they've decided to go upmarket, using Wagyu beef for a new limited-edition Wagyu Steakhouse Burger.

Using "our meat expertise," Arby's claims that this new burger is "the highest-quality burger" the fast food market has ever seen, featuring a blend of 52 percent American Wagyu (as opposed to Japanese Wagyu) beef and 48 percent traditional ground beef. The resulting 6.4-ounce patty — touted as 50 percent larger than McDonald's Quarter Pounder — is then cooked sous vide style leaving "mouthwatering marbling, rich flavor, and buttery tenderness."

Finally, the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger is topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion, and "a special burger sauce" before being sandwiched in a toasted brioche bun. If that's not enough, customers can also add bacon and ranch for what Arby's describes as "a more unique, indulgent flavor."

Arby's Wagyu Burger
Arby's Wagyu Burger

Courtesy of Arby's

"Instead of focusing on making billions of mediocre burgers, we're taking a stance on high-quality meat that deserves to be cooked properly," stated Patrick Schwing, Arby's chief marketing officer. "As the meat experts, we've spent over two years of dedicated research and development to deliver a premium burger that redefines what's possible from a drive thru. Overdone burgers are over and done."

But can Arby's really pull this off, taking meat "normally reserved for the finest steakhouses" and "bringing it to the masses" with the same level of quality? The chain says burger fans can find out at participating locations nationwide from May 23 to July 31. Prices start at just $5.99, but may vary by location.