My grandmother used to make Italian Beef in a slow-cooker that would have you dreaming about it months later. There’s something magical about the tender pieces of broth-soaked beef mixed with the tanginess of the giardiniera and the heat of the pepperoncini peppers. Naturally, when I learned Arby’s latest sandwich is an Italian Beef Dip, I couldn’t wait to try it.
Arby’s took the classic Italian Beef and turned it into a beef dip. The “slow roasted, thinly sliced roast beef topped with Swiss cheese, and giardiniera” comes on a roll alongside a cup of zesty au jus. The sandwich is delicious! The au jus brings the sandwich to another level of juiciness, and my only regret was that I didn’t have some of those seductive curly fries for dipping into that belly-warming broth.
Whitney Leavitt, of “Mormon Wives” and “Dancing with the Stars” fame, even teamed up with Arby’s for a commercial to announce the Italian Beef Dip. Leavitt’s spunky personality and upcoming Broadway debut in “Chicago” are a cute fit for showcasing the sandwich and its Windy City roots.
The House of Italian Beef
To launch the new sandwich, Chain, a company co-founded by B.J. Novak that creates immersive events, is hosting the House of Italian Beef in Manhattan this week at Studio 525 in Chelsea. I had a chance to check out the sold-out event and loved the two fun cocktails on offer. There was the Peanut Butter Wedding, a savory bloody mary made with au jus and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and the Wet, Hot & Sweet, a spicy margarita made with a giardiniera rim and, Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, and a sport pepper that gave it an extra-spicy pop.
The pop-up has some interactive exhibits, an au jus tasting, merchandise available to purchase, and, of course, plenty of the new Italian Beef Dip. To get in on the fun for future pop-culture events from Chain, follow them on Instagram @eatatchain. And, to try the new Italian Beef Dip, just head to an Arby’s while the limited-time sandwich is still on the menu.
