On today’s menu, the Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich from Arby’s.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since Arby’s is primarily known for their Roast Beef sandwiches, and my past experience with their chicken products was hit and miss. But I’m pleased to say they hit the nail right on the head with this one.

The heart of the sandwich is pure white-meat chicken breast filet, and 100% natural. It’s not a very large sandwich to begin with, but it’s a nice size chunk of chicken. And it was cooked just right, with a thin crispy crust and a tender moist center. The crust has a light coating of black pepper. As soon as I took a bite, I rejoiced in the wonderful texture of natural chicken meat flaking away in layers. No formed or pressed mystery-meat inside. This is a very tasty piece of chicken for a fast food place, and dare I say a little similar to a Chick-Fil-A, which is a big compliment in my opinion.

Sitting atop the chicken are two thick pieces of peppered bacon. They are cooked well-done, crispy and delicious. The bacon adds as much flavor to the sandwich as the chicken. Bacon lovers will be very happy, though some hard-core eaters might find themselves wishing for a 3rd strip. Next is a slice of Swiss cheese, which unlike many fast food cheese products, actually tastes like real cheese. It’s a great anchor of subtle mild cheese flavor for the smokey spicy bacon and chicken.

Finish off with a little honey mustard for a smooth kick, and pack it all into a warm toasted sesame seed bun that’s just the right thickness to compliment the goodies inside without muting their flavor. The lack of lettuce or other veggies results in a rather plain looking sandwich, but that won’t matter once you take your first bite.

It gets even better. This sandwich contains zero grams of trans fat. With so many health experts screaming about how bad it is, and the food world making a push to get away from it, this is a welcome sign from Arby’s, and the fast food industry.

I should state that I’m a big fan of Chick-Fil-A. In my mind, it’s been the Gold Standard for years. To find another sandwich I enjoy this much is rare, but today it happened.

The $4 price tag is not cheap in the world of fast food, but it’s worth every penny. And you won’t need to eat a whole bag of these to be satisfied. Next time you want a fast food meal, look past all those $1 menus and treat yourself to something better.

The Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich from Arby’s is delicious. It has a wonderful combination of flavors, and each component is tasty on it’s own. It’s made from high quality ingredients, a cut above the average. I look forward to having it again.

Price: $3.99 / Website: Arbys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A-

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Nutrition Facts - Arby’s Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich.

Calories - 624
Calories from Fat - 264
Total Fat - 29 grams
Carbs - 52 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 68 milligrams
Sodium - 1320 milligrams