Slideshow: Innovative sweet and savory menu items
Restaurant tastes are still evolving as sweet partnerships and internationally-inspired dishes occupy greater space on menus.
Yelp, a restaurant rating network, identified the top ten food and beverage trends for 2023 by compiling trending keywords and phrases in November 2022. Yelp observed that nostalgic alternatives like frozen drinks were becoming more popular, with searches for “slushies” rising by 77% and for fast food by 90%.
Restaurant tastes are still evolving as sweet partnerships and internationally-inspired dishes occupy greater space on menus.
Yelp, a restaurant rating network, identified the top ten food and beverage trends for 2023 by compiling trending keywords and phrases in November 2022. Yelp observed that nostalgic alternatives like frozen drinks were becoming more popular, with searches for “slushies” rising by 77% and for fast food by 90%.
Del Taco revived its orange and cream shake in response to fan petitions that had been pending for eight years. The Fanta Orange and vanilla limited-edition shake will be available at Del Taco until the middle of April 2023. McDonald’s is also bringing back a beloved fan favorite from the past. The 1980s original cheese Danish is being brought back by the fast-food restaurant.
Sweet partnerships are also popular on menus as foodservice establishments team up with manufacturers of consumer packaged products.
For the first time, Krispy Kreme, Inc. expanded its donut brand to include the Biscoff line to US outlets. Three Biscoff cookie and cookie butter-inspired donuts are part of the range, which was developed in association with Lotus Bakeries.
Global Chief Brand Officer at Krispy Kreme Dave Skena stated, “Our donuts made with Lotus Biscoff are popular around the world and it’s definitely time for our US fans to get a taste.” “This delicious combination will amaze lovers of donuts and cookies alike.”
In additional joint ventures, Papa Johns and Mondelez International’s Oreo brand introduced Oreo Cookie Papa Bites, a dough filled with chocolate cookie crumbs and presented with a delicious dipping frosting. A range of Kit Kat Duo-themed products was also introduced by Carvel thanks to a collaboration with the Hershey Co. Two Sundae Dashers—made with strawberry or mint soft serve and topped with chopped Kit Kats, whipped cream, and hot fudge—were part of the line.
On the savory side, menu items with globally inspired flavors are taking off. The market research firm Datassential is predicting a rise of Asian-inspired flavors as part of its annual FoodBytes report.
Zaxby’s Asian “Zensation Zalad” is making a limited time return to menus. The salad features fried or grilled chicken tenders, mixed greens, red cabbage, carrots and wonton strips, which is then topped with Asian slaw, honey sesame Teriyaki glaze, and served with a citrus vinaigrette dressing and a vegetable egg roll.
“The Asian Zensation Zalad is one of the most requested products from guests and a salad that you just can’t find anywhere else,” said Patrick Schwing, chief marketing and strategy officer at Zaxby’s. “So, to start 2023, we are bringing back this fan-favorite, complete with an egg roll on the side.”
Additionally, Latin American influences are predicted to trend in 2023, according to Datassential. The market research agency forecasted continued demand for birria, a classic meat stew from the Mexican state of Jalisco. In 2021, Yelp noted a rise in demand in the dish, and birria has continued to be shown on menus ever since.
Rapid assistance Qdoba, a Mexican restaurant, debuted their version of the dish using slow-cooked beef birria that is marinated in chiles and garlic for ten hours. Customers have the option to construct their own combos with the birria or select between the quesabirria burrito and quesabirria quesadilla.
Executive chef of Qdoba Katy Velazquez said, “My travels throughout Mexico inspired me to create the flavorful and tender brisket birria dish and bring the authentic and delicious flavors of Mexican street food to our restaurants.” “Anyone’s birria craving will be satisfied when they combine our flavorful brisket birria with our Signature 3-cheese queso, which is unique in the industry.”