Arby’s Brought Back Its Fan-Favorite Lineup and Added a Brand New Item Just in Time for Summer

Most drive-thru BBQ is an afterthought — reheated, rushed, and forgettable. So when a fast food chain claims its meat is smoked low and slow for up to 13 hours, it’s worth paying attention. Arby’s has just relaunched its slow-smoked summer lineup, and this year it comes with a brand-new item that’s turning heads before the season even officially begins.

A Chain with a Long History Of ‘Having The Meats’

Arby’s has built its reputation on meat-forward meals, from its iconic roast beef sandwiches to chicken, ham, and turkey options. While most fast food chains compete on burgers and fries, Arby’s has always carved out a different lane. The brand’s menu is notably diverse, making it one of the few chains that can credibly attempt a slow-smoked BBQ menu without it feeling completely out of character.

The Slow-Smoked Lineup Is Back for Summer

As temperatures rise, Arby’s is leaning into barbecue season. The chain has brought back its fan-favorite slow-smoked lineup just in time for summer, with the full menu now available across its locations. This isn’t a rushed roll-out. According to the brand, the returning items have been a consistent crowd-pleaser, and the timing aligns with when demand for smoky, hearty flavors is at its highest.

The Pulled Pork Sandwich

Leading the lineup is the returning Pulled Pork Sandwich, made with a quarter pound of pork that is hickory-smoked at low heat for four full hours. The slow process allows the fat to render and the smoke to penetrate deep into the meat. Served on a toasted brioche bun with pickles, it’s a straightforward build that lets the quality of the protein take center stage, without distractions.

The Chopped Brisket

New to the lineup this year is the Chopped Brisket Sandwich. The beef is smoked for 13 hours, a timeline that would put many backyard pitmasters to shame. After smoking, it’s chopped to combine the tender inner meat with the smoky outer bark, creating a layered flavor profile in every bite. Like the pulled pork, it’s served on a toasted brioche bun with pickles.

The Mac Bowl Is a New Addition Worth Noting

Rounding out the lineup is the Mac Bowl, a completely new menu item that combines creamy white Cheddar mac and cheese with a choice of either the pulled pork or chopped brisket on top. Crispy onions and either sweet or spicy Arby’s BBQ sauce finish the dish. It’s a heavier, comfort-forward option that leans into the indulgence of BBQ season rather than competing with lighter summer fare.

Customers Were Genuinely Shocked Last Year

When Arby’s debuted its slow-smoked menu in 2024, the reaction on social media was one of genuine surprise. On the r/arbys subreddit, one user wrote that the pulled pork had completely blown them away. Another asked, “When did Arby’s get this good?” and described the sandwich as juicy and tender, with visible smoke bark. These aren’t paid testimonials, and that authenticity is part of what made the campaign resonate so strongly.

The Brand Says It Doesn’t Cut Corners On BBQ

In a press release, Arby’s pushed back directly against the fast-food BBQ stereotype. According to the brand, most fast-food chains don’t take the time to do BBQ right, but Arby’s does. The claim is backed by the cooking timelines: four hours for pulled pork, 13 hours for brisket. Whether or not you take a chain’s word for it, those numbers are harder to fake than marketing language alone. And you might want to hurry for this good deal. 

This Lineup Won’t Be on The Menu Forever

Arby’s has made clear the slow-smoked items are a seasonal offering, not a permanent menu addition. Once they’re gone, customers will have to wait for the next cycle to try them. That scarcity is part of the appeal, and it’s a familiar fast-food strategy. But for fans of the pulled pork who missed it last year, or anyone eager to try the new brisket, the window is open now and won’t stay that way.

Slow Food at Fast-Food Speed

Arby’s slow-smoked summer lineup challenges a simple assumption: that drive-thru and quality BBQ can’t coexist. The reaction from real customers last year, combined with the cooking timelines and the addition of a new brisket option, suggests the chain is serious about this category. Whether this eventually becomes a permanent fixture on the menu or remains a seasonal event is still an open question. For now, the smoker is on.