Arby's Steak 'n Mac Bowl Meal

About the Steak 'n Mac Bowl Meal

Comfort food fans get the Steak 'n Mac Bowl Meal at Arby's for $14.99, a combo of a steak and mac bowl, fries and a drink that totals 1,280 cal.

At the heart of the tray is the Steak 'n Mac Bowl: creamy white cheddar mac and cheese topped with tender smoky steak nuggets and a scatter of crispy onions, plus a sauce of your choice. The bowl costs $10.49 by itself and lists 680 cal with 37 grams of protein.

Texture carries this dish. Soft, cheesy noodles sit under chewy steak bites, and the onions add a salty crunch on top that keeps each forkful from turning heavy. The white cheddar sauce clings to every noodle, so the mac holds its own against the smoky beef instead of disappearing under it. Your sauce pick shifts the mood again, from tangy to sweet.

Of the Steak 'n Mac Bowl Meal calories, the bowl claims 680 cal and the rest belongs to the fries and cup. Compared with the Steak 'n Potato Bowl Meal at the same $14.99, this mac version starts from a lighter bowl with more protein. That makes it the smarter pick of the two bowl combos for anyone watching numbers.

What does the combo upgrade really buy? It covers an order of fries and a fountain soda. A small Curly Fries ordered alone starts at $2.29, and a small soda starts at $2.29, so the pair costs a few cents more when rung up one by one. Those numbers belong to an Austin, TX Arby's, and stores in other cities can charge more or less.

This combo works for a rainy day lunch, a kid who loves mac and cheese but has graduated to grown up portions, or a late dinner when a sandwich feels like too much bread. Since the bowl is eaten with a fork, it travels well to a desk or a break room.

Budget shoppers have options. The Meat & 3 Box runs $7.99 with a sandwich at its center, though no bowl is offered in it. The Value Menu covers smaller cravings.

To round it out, an Unsweet Tea keeps the meal from getting too rich. Dessert lovers can add a Jamocha Shake.