FEBRUARY 18, 1995
“This is good roast beef,” said Constant Companion as we ate sandwiches for the first time at the new Arby’s on South Columbia Road.
I especially liked the bun that came with my turkey sandwich. The turkey was moist and tasty. We often have visited Arby’s on our travels and wished there was one in Grand Forks. Now, it’s here, with a convenient parking lot and a light, bright interior. It’s decorated in soft shades of blue, green and gray. And there are banners that say, “Go West. It’s Better Out Here.”
When you call the restaurant, you get the answer, “It’s a great day at Arby’s.”
The western theme, the roast beef, the good cheer. That’s Arby’s.
I noticed a no-smoking sign on the door as we entered. We stepped up to the counter and concentrated on the reader boards long enough to decide CC wanted a Philly Beef and Swiss sandwich ($2.89), and I wanted a Light Roast Turkey Deluxe ($2.18). I felt self-righteous eating it because it was only 300 calories.
We skipped the sauces at the condiment counter even though there is a sign that says, “Go ahead and add a little kick.” You can have Arby’s sauce, honey sauce and ketchup. We’re not much for sauces on our meat.
Each month, Arby’s has a special. We noticed quite a few customers eating the Beef ’n Cheddar sandwiches that are four for $5 through February. Arby’s also has four kinds of chicken sandwiches, ham, subs and French dip.
Manager Sharon Becker, who came here from the Bismarck Arby’s in Kirkwood Mall, says half of the business here is done inside, and the other half is drive-through. Becker was assistant manager in Bismarck, where she had worked 10 years. Long enough to know that it’s fun to work on the sandwich assembly line and not so great on the fry line.
“But then,” she says, “someone has to do it.”
She says the opening in Grand Forks in December was huge. “People were standing in line outside waiting to get in.”
The local Arby’s is the sixth in North Dakota.