What’s the R B in Arby’s

Arby’s is the phonetic pronunciation of the letters R and B. Silly me, I always thought it stood for Roast Beef – as in their iconic sandwich. Turns out it’s short for Raffel Brothers, the founders of Arby’s Restaurant.

I can remember when my family first moved to the outskirts of the tiny hamlet of Florin – once that Strawberry Capital of the world. There was nothing nearby – not even a school. We were in the sticks. By the time I was in high school, we could walk to the mall, and pick from a couple of fast food restaurants, including an Arby’s.

One of my best friends in High School was a girl named Suzie. Her parents were functioning alcoholics. They managed to hold down jobs, but when not working they were drinking. Suzie liked to come to our house for dinner because we ate home-cooked meals. I liked to go to her house because her parents gave us money to eat out. Eat out – something my parents did on very special occasions. I can remember many a day after school walking up to Arby’s for the most amazing non-fast food fast food ever!.

Back then, Arby’s was on the expensive side. And it has remained so through the years. These days the nearby Arby’s looks deserted most times. It took them forever to reopen after that lock downs of Covid. I’m amazed the chain managed to survive.

I’ve tried recipes that claim to be Arby’s Copy Cats. They aways fell a little short. Delicious, but not quite right. This recipe is amazing. I hope you give it a try.

Arby’s Slow-Cooker Deli Roast Beef Sandwiches
1/4 White Onion
3 lbs Deli Roast Beef
1 cup Beef Stock
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 envelop Onion Soup Mix
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
3 tablespoons Arby Sauce
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
8 Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
4 tablespoons Butter
Arby’s Sauce as desired
Arby’s Horsey Sauce as desired

Peel and dice onion, set aside. Stack roast beef in the slow cooker insert. Shake to loosen meat and allow liquid to surround the beef.

In a 2-cup measuring cupp, whisk together beef stock, brown sugar, soup mix, garlic powder, Arby’s Sauce, salt, pepper and diced onions. Pour mixture over the roast beef. Cover, cook on LOW for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Heat griddle to medium heat. Brush buns with butter, toast on the warm griddle. Use tongs to life roast beef from the liquid. Pat with paper towels to remove excess liquid. Pile roast beef on the bottom bun. Top with Arby’s Sauce or Horsey Sauce as desired.

For a true Arby’s Presentation, serve with Curly Fries and enjoy.

---

Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!