The Return of Arby’s Smoky, Savory Pork Belly Sandwich

In May 2017, Arby’s made waves by debuting a sandwich featuring a trendy meat rarely seen on fast food menus – pork belly. This succulent, fatty cut more commonly found at upscale restaurants quickly became a hit The Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich sold out rapidly across the country. After a summer hiatus in 2018, Arby’s delighted fans by bringing back the sandwich in May 2019 Now in 2023, the iconic sandwich is returning for another limited time.

A Brief History of Arby’s Pork Belly Sandwich

• May 2017 – Arby’s launches the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich systemwide to great fanfare. It sells out in many locations within weeks.

• August 2017 – The limited time sandwich disappears from menus after an overwhelmingly popular summer run.

• May 2019 – By popular demand, Arby’s re-releases the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich for another limited time. Once again it’s met with enthusiasm and brisk sales.

• May 2023 – Two years after its last appearance, the cult favorite sandwich makes its third debut to the joy of Arby’s devotees nationwide.

In four short years, the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich has gone from never-before-seen menu item to a highly anticipated seasonal special that fans mark on their calendars. Its impressive repeat popularity shows no signs of waning.

What Is Pork Belly and Why Is It Special?

Pork belly comes from the underside of a pig, where the succulent meat is layered with streaks of creamy fat. It’s used to make bacon but is far less processed. This results in meat that is tender, unctuous, and richly flavored when cooked.

Some key traits that set pork belly apart from typical pork products

• Ultra-tender – The fat content keeps pork belly incredibly moist during cooking so it turns out meltingly tender This is why it shreds apart so easily

• Fatty yet meaty – You get decadent fatty texture contrasted with the meaty taste of pork. Each bite offers the best of both worlds.

• Intense smoky essence – Arby’s pork belly is smoked for 13 hours with hickory wood. This imparts deep smoky nuances you won’t find in their other meats.

• Touch of saltiness – A subtle pleasant saltiness from the curing process gives pork belly an appetizing savoriness.

No other cut of pork can replicate the experience of pork belly’s luscious fat and flesh, smoldering wood smoke, and kiss of salty flavor. It’s a truly unique protein.

Composition of the Sandwich

So what exactly is between the buns of the famous Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich? Here are the details on each component:

• Pork belly – Two 1.6 oz slices of hickory-smoked pork belly
• Smoked cheddar – Two slices of creamy, smoked cheddar cheese
• Crispy onions – Fried onion straws for texture
• BBQ sauce – Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
• Mayonnaise – Classic mayo for moisture and richness
• Toasted specialty bun – A unique star-topped bun specifically for this sandwich

Every ingredient plays an integral role. From the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly to the crispy onions, tangy BBQ sauce, and soft toasted bun, it’s a perfect symphony of flavors and textures.

Why the Sandwich Was an Instant Hit

The Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich became an overnight phenomenon for several smart reasons:

1. Unique, on-trend protein

Pork belly was having a major moment at high-end restaurants when Arby’s debuted it. Bringing this premium meat to the masses at a fast food chain was genius.

**2. Universal flavor appeal **

Smoky, salty, crispy, saucy – the sandwich contains something for everyone. From bacon lovers to BBQ fans, its mass appeal clicked with broad demographics.

3. Clever marketing

Arby’s PR team hyped up the sandwich launch across social media and with an engaging YouTube series focused on the pork belly. This built buzz and awareness.

4. Scarcity factor

As a limited time offer, the sandwich felt exclusive and prompted urgency to try it before it vanished. This “FOMO” effect drove customers in droves.

Thanks to its calculated blend of flavor, trendiness, and marketing, the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich was an overnight success story.

Why Customers Crave Its Return

The sandwich has returned twice now due to rabid customer demand. What exactly has people clamoring for its periodic comeback?

Novelty – Trying new, creative proteins like pork belly at familiar chains holds strong appeal.

Indulgence – The rich yet refined flavor provides a satisfying indulgence.

Nostalgia – Fans have fond memories of “discovering” this limited item, prompting cravings.

Fear of missing out (FOMO) – The limited availability creates urgency to enjoy it before it’s gone.

Change in routine – The sandwich provides an exciting temporary departure from regular menu options.

Social media buzz – Seeing Arby’s promote the return on social media reignites interest.

Given these motivational factors, it’s no wonder customers get so excited each time the pork belly sandwich reemerges.

How Long Will It Be Around in 2023?

If history is any indication, the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich will likely only be back for 4-6 weeks. Arby’s has treated its return as a short term “flash” promotion to maintain exclusivity.

Based on its mid-May debut, fans can expect the sandwich to remain on menus through late June 2023 at the latest. Arby’s has not confirmed an exact end date.

To avoid missing out, customers would be wise to indulge in the pork belly goodness sooner rather than later. With every fast-selling limited return, there’s no guarantee if or when it will be back again.

What Fans Are Saying in 2023

Across social media, Arby’s followers have been abuzz with excitement about the pork belly sandwich coming back. Here’s a sample of reactions:

• “Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you @Arbys for bringing back the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich. My prayers have been answered!”

• “The Smokehouse Pork Belly sandwich is easily one of Arby’s best LTOs ever. I’m so hyped they brought it back!”

• “Arby’s pork belly sandwich is my ultimate fast food guilty pleasure. Can’t wait to get my hands on one this week!”

• “That beautiful glistening pork belly is BACK at @Arbys! Cancel all my plans, I know what I’m having for dinner.”

• “The limited pork belly sandwich is the only reason I go to Arby’s. So glad it’s back for May!”

• “Pork belly at Arby’s is trendy and delicious. But tiny pro tip: replace the BBQ sauce with Arby’s sauce to make it next level!”

The outpouring of Twitter comments, Reddit threads, Instagram stories, Youtube reviews, and real-life conversations proves just how passionate people are about this sandwich.

Nutrition Information

While certainly an indulgent menu item, the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich still fits reasonably into a balanced diet. Here are its nutrition facts:

• Calories: 670
• Fat: 44g
• Carbs: 36g
• Protein: 29g
• Sodium: 1510mg

Compared to many competing sandwiches and bacon cheeseburgers, Arby’s pork belly creation is lower in carbs and calories while providing ample protein. Just be mindful of the high sodium level.

How to Make the Most of Its Limited Release

Here are some tips to take advantage of the sandwich while you can:

• Find it fast – Search Arby’s menu boards, app, and website to confirm your location has it. New items take time to roll out.

• Schedule a reminder – Plug a calendar reminder to visit Arby’s for a pork belly sandwich before it disappears. Don’t risk forgetting!

• Order two – Since the sandwich comes and goes, double up and indulge in two pork belly sandwiches per trip.

• Try both versions – The Smoke Mountain packs three meats while the original highlights the pork belly. Enjoy each to decide on a favorite!

• Ask for extra sauce – Request additional Arby’s or barbecue sauce on the side if you want to add more flavor.

• Eat it fresh – For the best experience, consume shortly after purchasing to prevent the crispy onions from getting soggy.

• Freeze extras – If you can’t finish both sandwiches, freeze the other to enjoy later and extend the pork belly goodness.

• Follow Arby’s social accounts – Stay in the loop on any promos, giveaways, or extension announcements.

With smart planning, you can maximize your limited time with the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich before it vanishes again. Don’t miss out!

Is This the Last Hurrah or Will It Return?

The big question every Arby’s fan wants answered – will the pork belly sandwich return again down the road or is this latest limited run its swan song?

There are arguments on both sides of the debate:

The case for retirement:

• It’s already made 3 separate appearances in 4 years. Arby’s may want to retire it before it loses novelty.

• Its continuous limited status helps preserve theexclusive allure.

• Rolling it out every May could make it seem more permanent and mundane.

The case for its comeback:

• Despite 3 releases, it still creates huge buzz and a sales spike each return.

• Fans practically demand it every spring now, and Arby’s likely wants to appease them.

• Arby’s limited Thanksgiving turkey sandwich has returned for multiple consecutive years.

At this point, the odds seem reasonably solid the Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich will resurface again based on its performance. But its fate ultimately lies with Arby’s management. Fans will be crossing their fingers for this beloved sandwich to make a reappearance in 2024.

Enjoy Arby’s Take on the Trendy Pork Belly

The Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich represents an innovative, successful risk by Arby’s. They took a meat popping up on gourmet menus and made it accessible and craveable to the masses. The result is a uniquely decadent sandwich fans can’t get enough of year after year.

While it’s only back for a short period in spring 2023, this hotly anticipated Arby’s special is not to be missed. Sink your teeth into the tender, fatty bliss of smoky pork belly while you have the chance. It’s a worthy splurge and just might have you counting down until next May!