In the U.S., “comfort food” is often shorthand for fries, pizza, chicken noodle soup, and other fast-casual staples. But that list is growing by the minute. Globalization has expanded taste buds, takeout and delivery have made a larger variety of food easily available, and the COVID-19 pandemic heightened comfort food cravings.
Many of the dishes that are starting to earn their status as comfort food in the U.S. are far from new, but they do represent a new era of comfort food—one which recognizes the great range of cuisines that bring consumers joy. Restaurants should diversify their menus by exploring these comfort food offerings.
Breakfast Nachos
Perhaps more than any other daypart, breakfast is all about comfort. Some chefs have discovered how to maximize comfort by bringing foods typically reserved for later dayparts to the breakfast menu.
A key example is breakfast nachos—sometimes called “brunchos.” They’ve seen a nearly 50 percent jump on menus over the past four years, according to Datassential. The typical toppings of beans, cheese, chorizo, and peppers can stay. To satisfy morning cravings, add on eggs, bacon, sausage, and other breakfast staples.
Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
With so much mania around fried chicken sandwiches, it’s hard not to wonder when the bubble will burst. But then again, some predicted the trend would peak in 2016. Instead, the pandemic transformed the trend into a war. Once the dust settles, consumers will likely continue to crave the sandwiches.
To stand out from the crowd, restaurants often draw on spices and global flavors. This innovation could result in consumers refining their chicken sandwich preferences and seeking out specific variations like gochujang, Nashville hot chicken, or chicken adobo.
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The crunch of pizza crust, the gooeyness of grilled cheese, the long spirals of spaghetti—some things never get old. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for new favorites or remixes of old classics. In this new era of comfort food, spice and global flavors will be increasingly sought out when consumers need a bite of solace.
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