Monday lunch is rarely thrilling. Somewhere, someone is staring at a drive-thru menu, thumb hovering over an app, hoping for a small win.
On Monday, October 12, Arby’s offered one. The chain rolled out three new chicken cheesesteaks at participating restaurants nationwide. The launch says as much about last summer’s beef sandwich as it does about chicken.
The Lineup, Sandwich by Sandwich
According to Arby’s announcement, the base sandwich is simple. The Chicken Cheesesteak combines seasoned chicken, melted American Cooper Cheese, and caramelized onions on a toasted sesame roll.
The Chicken Deluxe Cheesesteak keeps all of that and adds crisp shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Arby’s calls it a “fresh, flavorful twist” on the classic.
The Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak starts with the base sandwich and adds a spicy glaze for diners who want “a bit more heat.” Three sandwiches, one foundation, three moods.
The Chicken Gets Its Own Backstory
Arby’s says the chicken is marinated in a spice blend that includes garlic, onion, and paprika. It then sears, slices, and cooks the chicken sous vide to produce what the company calls its juiciest Chicken Cheesesteak.
Sous vide is a gentle, low-temperature cooking method. It is a technique you might expect from a fine-dining kitchen, not a drive-thru lane. Whether that shows up in your first bite is a matter of taste, but it is a deliberate step.
How a Beef Sandwich Opened the Door
This lineup did not appear out of nowhere. In June, Arby’s moved its Angus Cheesesteak to the permanent menu after a limited-time run the previous summer. In a company release, Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Baker said last summer’s cheesesteak became one of the company’s most popular items.
Baker also said the team “traveled to Philadelphia to understand what makes a great cheesesteak.” That trip is a small, human detail in a story about marketing calendars. It also suggests the brand wanted the sandwich to feel more than borrowed.
The new chicken versions share the Angus cheesesteak’s signature pairing of American Cooper Cheese and caramelized onions. Arby’s describes the chicken trio as another way to enjoy that combination.
A Philly Tradition, Reimagined
Chicken may seem like a stretch for a sandwich so tied to Philadelphia. According to Tasting Table, the cheesesteak traces back to Philadelphia in the 1930s. Chopped beef and onions first went into a hoagie roll, and cheese joined the following decade.
The chicken version came much later. Tasting Table says it is hard to pinpoint exactly when or who started it, though it names Philadelphia’s Ishkabibble’s as one of the pioneers. In other words, Arby’s is joining a tradition, not inventing a detour.
A Reviewer’s Reality Check
What does it taste like? Tasting Table’s Michael Palan tried all three, using samples Arby’s sent ahead of the launch. He noted the sandwiches arrived by delivery and were not fully warm, so he reheated them in a toaster oven.
He called the standard Chicken Cheesesteak a solid sandwich. He wrote that the chicken was chewy and still juicy. He was pleasantly surprised by the Deluxe, saying the lettuce and tomato added a needed break from the dense, savory build.
On the Spicy version, Palan described the heat as restrained but pleasant. He compared it to a mild hot-sauce kick and said it was not overpowering. He also confessed that his own cheesesteak go-tos are lots of pickles and extra raw onion. He wished for a cup of ranch to cool the Spicy one down.
Those are one reviewer’s opinions, and your lunch may land differently. But it is a refreshing reminder that even a nationwide launch comes down to one person, one toaster oven, and one honest bite.
What to Know Before You Go
The company says the sandwiches are available for a limited time at participating Arby’s restaurants nationwide. Tasting Table adds that they last “while supplies last.” You can order in-store, at the drive-thru, online, or through the Arby’s app.
Tasting Table’s review lists prices of $7.49 for the Chicken Cheesesteak, $8.49 for the Chicken Deluxe Cheesesteak and $7.99 for the Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak. Prices vary by location, so check your local restaurant for current pricing and availability.
The Bigger Bite
Arby’s has called the chicken trio limited-time, with no word on anything longer. That’s how the Angus Cheesesteak began, before it earned a permanent spot. Whether history repeats itself depends on customers and the brand.
For now, the premise is easy to picture. A familiar sandwich, a new protein, and a Monday lunch with options. If you could build the perfect chicken cheesesteak yourself, what would you put on it?
