Weird History Food is getting some roast beef action with the History of Arby's. While Arby's "have the meats" in July of 1964, the first-ever Arby’s opened its doors in Boardman, Ohio— exclusively selling roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and soda. Arby's has gone through many different phases during the franchise's timeline - some good, some not so good - but always with delicious roast beef