FSR February 2023

TRENDING ON THE MENU // Side Dishes

MENU ADOPTION CYCLE: SIDE DISHES INCEPTION Trends start here. Found in mostly fine dining and ethnic independents, inception-stage trends exemplify originality in flavor, preparation, and presentation. MENU EXAMPLE: Beef Sobaghetti: Japanese-style low-fat lo-mein yakisoba noodles with sauteed vegetables and a tangy yakisoba sauce. Kokoro // SAN DIEGO, CA LO MEIN Coming from the Cantonese phrase for “stirred noodles,” this dish is made with egg noodles and can be paired with a main entrée or by itself in larger servings. It often contains vegetables, soy sauce, and is sometimes served with wontons. CONSUMERS Know It Have Tried It 80% 66%

COLESLAW This well-known side uses dressing or may onnaise and is characterized by crunchy ingredients like cabbage, carrots, and onions, with some variations fea turing red cabbage and other vegetables. CONSUMERS Know It Have Tried It 92% 79% MENU EXAMPLE: Turkey Key West Sandwich: Turkey, Swiss cheese, pur ple coleslaw, and Thousand Island dressing. Whale’s Rib // DEERFIELD BEACH, FL

1. Spaetzle 2. Tostones

3. Yuca/Cassava 4. Ratatouille

ADOPTION Found at fast-casual and casual indepen dents, adoption-stage trends grow their base via lower price points and simpler prep methods. Still differenti ated, these trends often feature premium and/or gen erally authentic ingredients.

1. Succotash 2. Cilantro Rice

3. Sweet Potato Tots 4. Coconut Rice

ELOTE

RATATOUILLE

PROLIFERATION Proliferation-stage trends show up at casual and quick-service restaurants. They are adjusted for mainstream appeal. Often combined with popu lar applications (burgers, pastas, etc.), these trends have become familiar to many.

3. Hand-Cut Fries

1. Brussels Sprouts 2. Waffle Fries

4. UBIQUITY Ubiquity-stage trends are found every where—these trends have reached maturity and can be found across all sectors of the food industry. Though often diluted by this point, their inception-stage roots are still recognizable.

3. Mac and Cheese 4. Rice Pilaf

1. Garlic Bread 2. Rice and Beans

ADOBE STOCK (2)

46

FSRMAGAZINE .COM

FEBRUARY 2023