For A Better Culver's Pot Roast Sandwich, Give It The Mushroom And Swiss Treatment

If you haven't been to a Culver's (there are at least 1,000 locations in 26 states, mostly in the Midwest), then know that fans regard the burger-focused chain as a step above many other fast food restaurants, praising its fresh ingredients, iconic Midwestern items, and made-to-order selections. From the signature ButterBurger to its frozen custard flavor of the day, there is plenty to order straight off the menu. But one sandwich, the beef pot roast on a toasted bun, seems to shine with just the right toppings: Swiss cheese and mushrooms. Unlike some Culver's ordering hacks that require clever cross-menu combinations, this one is right there for the ordering (and eating).

For Culver's fans on Reddit and elsewhere, the beef pot roast sandwich outranks what might be considered its nearest fast food rival — Arby's classic roast beef and cheddar (that chain did have a true pot roast sandwich, briefly, in 2003). According to the Culver's menu, its version features premium chuck roast that's been oven-roasted for eight hours, then further slow-braised with seasonings. The meat is hand-shredded and set on a toasted bun. And that's all you get, unless you add toppings. People still rave about the undressed sandwich on social media, so imagine what it might taste like if you customize it with cheese, toppings, and sauces.

This isn't really a menu hack in the way other Culver's sandwich upgrades are hiding in plain sight. After all, when ordering the pot roast sandwich online, Swiss cheese is one of three cheese options and mushrooms are one of 13 toppings available for customization. Dive a little bit into online comments and you'll find that people not only crave the beef pot roast sandwich, they love recommending their favorite topping combinations, from pickles and grilled onions to mayo, Swiss, and pickles. In fact, Swiss appears to be the cheese of choice for many fans, and it makes sense: Its rich, but not sharp, taste complements the milder, melt-in-your-mouth flavor profile of pot roast. From there, it's an easy decision to add mushrooms.

Swiss and mushrooms are a longtime popular pairing, with the subtly umami richness of both ingredients adding their nutty warmth to everything from messy patty melts and Philly cheesesteak variations to Culver's own mushroom and Swiss ButterBurger. When it comes to the restaurant's beef pot roast sandwich, it's as simple as requesting this savory combo be added. One caveat to note when ordering: Some specialty toppings, including mushrooms, cost extra. Together, the added Swiss and mushrooms might run you about $1 more, depending on the location.

In terms of other complementary upgrades, some people dip the sandwich in a side of Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce or drizzle it on top, but requesting horseradish sauce will give the whole thing the tangy bite it might be missing (and mimic the aforementioned Arby's version of the sandwich). Another upgrade worth knowing? Some people convert the sandwich into a high-protein bowl meal by skipping the bun and adding multiple toppings. Again, Swiss is the popular cheese choice.