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Before the year 2000, consuming extremely spicy food wasn’t as common. Ghost peppers only became popular in Western cuisine around that time, leading to a trend where people enjoy challenging themselves with high levels of heat measured in Scoville units. Fast food chains have capitalized on this trend by introducing spicy food challenges to attract customers who seek intense sensations. Arby’s is the latest restaurant to join this trend.
From now until February 6, certain Arby’s outlets are serving the “Diablo Dare” sandwich, which is a fried chicken or smoked brisket sandwich packed with the spiciest ingredients Arby’s could find. The sandwich includes ghost pepper jack cheese, a secret spicy seasoning, fire-roasted jalapenos, and Diablo BBQ sauce, all enclosed in a toasted red chipotle bun. Given how potent a single ghost pepper can be, this sandwich is not for the faint-hearted, a fact highlighted by Arby’s management.
“This sandwich is not for those who shy away from heat,” stated Patrick Schwing, Arby’s chief marketing officer. “Many fast food restaurants claim to have spicy options, but our research shows that consumers are often left unsatisfied with the level of spiciness. To meet this challenge, we have combined various types of spiciness – from hot and numbing to lingering heat – to create the Diablo Dare, truly testing your tolerance for heat.”
Are you ready for the heat of the @Arbys Diablo Dare? https://t.co/7r2oUdz4q4
— FoodSided (@FoodSided) January 10, 2022
As a gesture of goodwill, each $5.99 Diablo Dare sandwich order will include a complimentary small vanilla milkshake to help extinguish the fiery burn, provided the milkshake machine is operational. Arby’s encourages customers to record their Diablo Dare experience and share it on TikTok as part of the “Diablo Dare Hashtag Challenge,” featuring an exclusive effect filter starting on January 18.
