Have you ever been to Arby’s? If so, you know what we’re talking about. The restaurant chain is well known for its hues of orange, and we mean bright orange in both their food and dรฉcor. They even have a drink named after them, Arby’s Beer. Now what if we told you that this popular eatery’s secret to success was something that you could incorporate into your own restaurant? We’re not talking about the bright orange color scheme, we’re talking about the fish that you’ll catch and grill there. Arby’s uses a type of fish called Cero Real, which is native to the Rio Grande. What is it about these fish that makes them so popular, and are there any similar fish that you could try at home? Let’s find out.
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Why Are They Called Cero Real?
Because of the way they look when they’re cooked. Arby’s describes the texture of their fish as being juicy and moist, just like the cero real. At first glance, this may not seem like a significant difference in flavor, but when you compare it to other types of fish, it almost makes sense as to why Arby’s’ customers have chosen them over the years. Let’s take a look at how you can cook these popular fish to bring out their true flavor.
COOK THEM RIGHT!
You could say that cooking the fish at the right temperature is the key to its taste bud tantalization. This is why most restaurant recipes call for grilling or baking rather than frying, as the latter comes with it’s own set of challenges. The fish is usually served cold, and it’s highly recommended that you serve it even warmer as soon as you pull it off the grill. This way, when the diner starts biting into the fish, the juices will be piping hot, just like Arby’s restaurant. Of course, you don’t need to go that far โ only your nose knows best when it comes to fishing, and you should always follow its lead. In any case, this is best determined by smelling the fish rather than looking at it, as the former gives you an idea of its freshness โ if it doesn’t smell right, then it probably isn’t fresh either. The worst thing that you can do for the fish is to over or under cook it, since the texture will suffer greatly, and it could even be unsafe to eat. So make sure that you grill or bake the fish until the center is no longer pink, and the outside is lightly charred. This way, you’ll ensure that the flesh is tender and moist, just like Arby’s does when they serve it, and you’ll capture that authentic fish flavor that makes their customers so happy.
MAKE SURE TO OFFER ACCOMPANYING SAUCES!
We’re not talking about just plain old grilled fish here, we’re talking about the most delectable and satisfying fish appetizer you can make. It may seem like a given, but serving the fish with lemon wedges and chopped tomatoes is only half the battle. When a customer receives a plate of grilled fish accompanied by a spicy tartar sauce and crunchy tartar flakes, they’re going to be quite frankly floored. Make sure that your fish is served with whatever accompaniments the restaurant provides, and if they don’t have something that you think will go well together, then create something yourself. If you’re not sure what else to serve the fish with, then simply follow the instructions that came with the filets when you bought them. There are always so many options when it comes to the kind of accoutrements you can choose for your food โ from grills to tableside preparation, to what kind of bedding the fish are served on. So, don’t be afraid to get creative, and offer what the client wants to see most when it comes to fish.
PUT A RING ON IT!
We mentioned that the fish at Arby’s is served cold. For some clients, this may be the key to savoring the experience of eating there. Putting a ring on it is a way of drawing attention to the food, and it can help with cutting through the ice when the fish is served cold. We recommend putting the ring on the thickest part of the fish, just below the head, and leave it there until you remove it before serving. This way, the diner will be able to feel the texture of the fish as they bite into it, and the ring will add a little burst of flavor to each bite. It’s a simple yet effective way to draw attention to your food, and it’s not something that you’d normally think to do when cooking at home, but it could be quite beneficial for your bottom line.
WHAT SIZE SHOULD I GET?
We always recommend our clients to get the largest size that they can handle. It makes little difference what size the filet was meant to be, since the cook will always trim off some of the excess, so you may as well go for the largest size that you can eat comfortably. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fish, as you don’t know what kind of fish may have been in the water where you caught it. Sometimes the flesh can be a little bit on the tough side, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution and get the larger size. The worst thing that can happen is that you serve the client a fish that isn’t fully cooked, and they end up having to throw it away, which is a waste of food and money, especially if you’re aiming for perfection.
So there you have it – the key to preparing fish like Arby’s. It’s not necessarily complex, and it doesn’t call for esoteric ingredients that you can’t find at your local grocery store. All it takes is some common sense and the willingness to learn a new skill. Thanks for reading! We hope this was helpful.