Drive-Thru Gourmet: Back off, Reuben, it’s Ladies Day at Arby’s
This week I reached out for a new Turkey Rachel, a distaff version of the Corned Beef Reuben, at America’s roast-beef-sandwich specialist, Arby’s, with 3,400 restaurants across the U.S., Canada, Qatar and — get this for synergy — Turkey. Eating turkey in Turkey would be a moment of zen … with mayo.
I had never heard of a sandwich called a Rachel. The only Rachels I know are MSNBC talk host Rachel Maddow and Jennifer Aniston’s haircut on “Friends.”
Here is the Rachel blueprint at Arby’s: sliced roast turkey, big-hole Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing on thick-cut marble rye bread. This isn’t the classic marble rye from Schnitzer’s, as seen on “Seinfeld.” But Arby’s take is thick-cut and a big, wide mouthful.
Total calories: 720. Fat grams: 33. Sodium: 1,850 mg. Carbs: 66 g. Dietary fiber: 5 g. Protein: 40 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $4.99.
For an extra buck, you can get double the turkey. Which is a pretty good play, since Arby’s slow-roasts whole turkey breasts. This is one hunk of meat, not some chopped and formed (chewed ‘n’ glued) turkey roll nonsense found in lesser sandwich joints.
The Rachel is the dance partner of Arby’s more traditional Corned Beef Reuben, which has sauerkraut instead of coleslaw. Six of one … but given a choice, I’d go with kraut.
Even though it’s not afraid to show its feminine side, the Turkey Rachel is a heavy-duty belly-sinker. It has more calories, fat, sodium and carbs than a Quarter Pounder with Cheese at McDonald’s.
The marble rye is the culprit in the carbs department. Each slice is about an inch thick — the signpost of a Market Fresh Sandwich at Arby’s. And darn, the bread is delicious. But if you’re looking to cut out, or at least cut back on, bread, the Rachel is not for you.
You could get the guts of the Rachel in a bowl, leaving out the marble rye, but then you’re spending big bread for no bread. And that goes against everything we stand — technically, sit — for in the drive-thru.
Bottom line on the Rachel: If you don’t mind spending $5.99 for a fast-food, double-meat turkey sandwich on super-thick bread, the Rachel will satisfy you, and then some.
While you’re waiting for your sandwich, try to memorize all nine meats in Arby’s slogan, “We have the meats.” Smoked brisket, Angus steak, corned beef, roast turkey, roast beef, pepper bacon, chicken, ham and fish.
I would argue whether fish belongs on a list of meats … but my Rachel is ready.