Mac & Cheezers from Arby’s
The commercials and PR photos for Arby’s new “Mac & Cheezers” looked very much like the item released by Jack in the Box not long ago, but I was hopeful they would be an improvement. Unfortunately, they are not. The Arby’s version has a slightly crisper coating with more bumps, ridges and crumbs, but otherwise they look, smell and taste almost identical to Jack’s. In fact, these two items are so similar that it wouldn’t surprise me if both fast food chains are being supplied by the same source.
If you remember my recent review of the Cheesy Bites from Jack in the Box, then you understand why I’m disappointed. It’s not that they’re ‘bad’… they’re just not very good. They failed to capture the real flavor of the classic macaroni and cheese dish that I’ve loved (and you too, probably) for many years. Arby’s version is the same as Jack’s. It simply tastes flat and dull. The crust overpowers the noodles and cheese packed inside, and the cheese sauce doesn’t have much flavor to begin with. It’s actually a nice crunchy shell, and Arby’s is better than Jack’s, but it’s still too much. The focus should be on the macaroni and cheese filling, not the battered coating. This is like eating a spoonful of pasta on plain toast. It’s overkill… too bland and starchy.
Deep fried mac and cheese sounds awesome, but the concept still needs work. I’m worried it might not be possible to achieve enough cheesy goodness without either making the crust lighter and thinner, or loading up more pasta and cheese inside, creating pieces that are bigger and thicker. But those changes might just create other problems, like increased cooking times, or the breading and batter not being strong enough to hold things together properly. Hopefully somebody will figure it out.
I can only recommend Arby’s Mac & Cheezers to those desperate for something new. Like I said before, they’re not ‘bad’… they are just bland and boring. You will eat them once, and probably never order them again. And if you’ve already tried the version from Jack in the Box, you can skip these completely because they’re the same thing.
Price: $2.79 (5 piece), $4.94 (10 piece) / Website: Arbys.com
Fast Food Critic Score: C
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Nutrition Facts - Arby’s Mac & Cheezers (5 piece).
Calories - 390
Calories from Fat - 158
Total Fat - 18 grams
Carbs - 50 grams
Saturated Fat - 8 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 15 milligrams
Sodium - 805 milligrams
Protein - 10 grams
I had them friday night. I didn’t notice the difference with the texture you said but the taste was same as jack box. Looks yummy but tastes bland and dry.
Needs MORE CHEESE.
How do they compare to TGI Friday’s appetizer version? That’s the first chain I remember offering these, and as I recall (from more than a year ago) they were decent. Not nearly so great as my homemade version, but tasty.
I bet they screw these up by not using enough actual cheese!
Is this real cheese or that processed can crap?
I’m not a fan of mac and cheese only because of the cheese… if its real cheese then I’d actually try this item.
They look a little moister than the Jack In The Box ones but I agree they probably come from the same supplier.
i like my mac and cheese with BBQ sauce… would they taste ANY better with some dipping sauce?
Between their roast beef, curly fries and deli sandwiches, Arby’s has such a good variety on their menu alright. I can’t imagine why anyone would go there and want this junk.
I used to get a similar (seems the same) product for my deli-cafe that came from Sysco food service, if they supply arby’s I bet it’s the same stuff
Looks to me like they just need a dipping sauce. Perhaps some kind of spicy nacho cheese.. Or wrap them in bacon even?
how hard is it to get fried mac-and-cheese right?
I’m sure they have some taste testers for their products, so I don’t know why these bad products happen.
They remind of the ones Sonic sold earlier this year. I tried them a couple of times to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. They had a metallic taste to me… That’s the only way I could describe it.
If you want really good fried mac & cheese - try Cheesecake Factory. It’s the only place I’ve found that makes them perfectly!
Has anybody tried these with any dipping sauces?
They are very hard to find a good sauce to pair them with, i dont know about you guys but i have to dip my side items or fried foods in something.
@Colleen — I haven’t had the version from TGI Friday’s, but your home-made version sounds GOOD.
@James — There is definitely real cheese in there, but it’s a cheese ’sauce’, a mixture like the Kraft blue box stuff you make at home.
@Rob — Yes, I really do believe they do. By the way, I have a photo of the JITB version that looks as moist (and messy) as the Arby’s piece that’s bitten in half above, but for that other review I ended up publishing the one slicing in half with a knife, just to get a better look at the inside noodles. I don’t feel there was any significant difference in terms of moistness, or cheesiness.
@John — Yes, I think you might be right. By the way, forgive me for not replying the first time you said that in the news post when these were announced. I remember reading your comment, but lately I’ve been so busy that I’ve forgotten to reply to some threads. Please forgive me. I will try to do a better job, and find the extra time!
@John C. / @Ratbuddy / @CaliStoner — Hey guys. No I haven’t tried them with any dipping sauces, nor were any offered. That might help. Hmmm…. BBQ sauce on macaroni and cheese….