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Top Round, AKA Fancy Arby's, Is Going To Become A National Chain
The sammies at the retro-inspired Top Round on Olympic and La Brea may seem like an Arby's order at first glance—you can get roast beef sandwiches, curly fries and horseradish sauce—but unlike the fast food staple, they are prepared with choice roast beef that's slow-roasted over 10 hours. In addition to using quality cuts, they opt for a butter-toasted onion kaiser roll with a generous shake of seasoning, homemade cheese whiz, and Top Round sauce.
As one of our editors said, "It reminds us of how we remembered Arby's as a kid." Now as an adult, no amount of horsey sauce can save the abysmal flavor of their roast beef sandwiches. And Arby's never offered a version with bleu cheese and caramelized onions or with a bun topped with sea salt and caraway seeds.
Soon, folks in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Washington D.C. will be able to enjoy this updated version of one of our favorite fast food classics. Founders Steven Fretz (The Church Key), Noah Ellis (Red Medicine), Anthony Carron (800 Degrees), and Jamie Tiampo have franchised it nationwide alongside Upside Group Franchise Consulting—a group who's done everything from full-service and fast, casual restaurants to automotive, home repair services.
So sometime soon, folks from all over will be able to enjoy their delicious "concrete" shakes and frozen custards.