ARBY’S: 175-15 Horace Harding Expwy. (East-bound),
Fresh Meadows; 888-0444

Cuisine: Specialist in roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce. Many other meals and side dishes available including drinks (thick shakes), fries and “Market Fresh” sandwiches boxed to go.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Parking: adjacent lot

Ordinarily, I haven’t the patience to line up for anything, much less fast food. I made an exception with the newly opened Arby’s, however, because I relished one of their Roast Beef sandwiches with a special horseradish sauce I remember enjoying some 20 years ago.

Arby’s in Fresh Meadows is only a few weeks old, but it is already popular. The parking lot was full and there were cars lined up at the drive-through window. The inside is spacious with plenty of seats including an area with booths and large windows for viewing outside.

The overhead menu behind the order station with cash register offers many choices both as complete meals and individual orders such as sandwiches, fries and drinks. Market Fresh boxed dinners are offered in roast chicken, ham, beef or turkey. Individual sandwiches are $3.99 and croissant sandwiches are $1.59.

We settled for the Arby’s Melt (roast beef and cheese) for $1.29 and their classic Arby’s Roast Beef for $2.39, with two medium sized chocolate shakes. The bustling cooks had our order (number 40) at the pickup station in just a few minutes. From there, we went to the service station for our choice of pump-delivered sauces, salt, pepper drink, sugar, napkins etc. before choosing our table with a view of the atrium mural and the passing traffic.

Supervisor Nevenka, although busy expediting orders and personally serving some customers, said the new location is already busy. She mentioned that menu additions for breakfast and longer hours might be forthcoming at a later date.

We welcome Arby’s to New York and wish them continued success.