Must-Have Bowls
Better in a Bowl
Serve an item in a bowl, and it takes on a new persona. Food in a bowl is comforting, fun, versatile, easy to eat, easy to serve, and to some – even better tasting. Because of this, multi-layered, multi-textured meals-in-a-bowl are trending with both diners and operators. BONUS: Bowls are well-suited for both dine-in and off-premise.
A basic breakfast menu can be refreshed with a ‘bowled’ modern approach. Bowls lend themselves to creativity and a variety of ingredients.
ENDLESSLY VERSATILE
- Make beautiful signature bowls with local and or seasonal ingredients
- Vary bases – use vegetables, grains, beans, greens, etc.
- Vary egg preparation styles – scrambled, poached, fried, soft boiled
- Give bowls a “healthy” halo – use lots of veggies, limit carbs
- Mix up proteins – from sausage to seafood and everywhere in between
- Go global – elevate with ingredients and flavors from around the world
- Simple to assemble; easily customizable
ANCHOR WITH EGGS
Eggs not only offer nearly universal appeal, they’re a great base ingredient for bowls, as well as being an exceptional topper.
On the bottom
Scrambled eggs are a perfect base for a breakfast bowl. With their neutral flavor, they blend well with other ingredients. And a base layer of eggs can remain plain or serve as a blank canvas for flavorings from sauces and seasonings to veggies and cheeses.
Additional Benefits
- High in protein, nutritious.
- Portable and hold well.
- Customizable with choices of meat, plant-based protein, veggies, shredded cheese, sauces, herbs, spices, etc.
Over the top
When eggs top a bowl, they add to its visual appeal and flavor profile. In this instance, bases can be any variety of ingredients – grains, greens, lentils, stews, veggies – the possibilities are vast.
Additional Benefits
- When broken, a beautifully placed fried or poached egg on top of a bowl becomes a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Grains, greens, and veggies used as a base lend themselves to more options incorporating global flavors.
- Artfully made bowls can be offered as brunch menu items.
TIP: OFFER PREMIUM INGREDIENTS (Like avocado/guacamole, smoked salmon, roasted mushrooms) for an upcharge. Provides customization options while increasing check totals.
BOWL MUST HAVES
Create bowls with a variety of flavors and textures to cater to all types of customers.
THOUGHT STARTERS
- Use scrambled eggs as the base. Offer any breakfast burritos on your menu with a bowled option. (Low-carb diners will appreciate this.)
- Start with grains as the base – they’re a nutritious, neutral flavor profile upon which to build.
- Cater to vegetarians with a bowl with greens as a base.
- Consider adding a heartier bowl, using a soup or stew as the base.
- Incorporate a variety of trending ingredients like avocado, pickled red onion, spicy sauces, mole, etc.
- Offer global varieties, such as Mediterranean, Persian, or Mexican. In fact, Shakshuka is one of the fastest-growing breakfast menu items. It’s easy to prepare and a great global option.
- Obviously, anything “instagrammable’ – a beautiful bowl shot from the top is a great addition to your menu. Consider a deconstructed bowl like this bibimbap.
Read More: How to Make
Sandwich Must-Haves
Nearly every restaurant offering breakfast sandwiches has a variation of one or all of these.
Signature Sandwiches
Differentiate your restaurant with something no one else has.
Must-Have Bowls
Food in a bowl is comforting, fun, versatile, easy to eat, easy to serve, and to some – even better tasting.
Signature Bowls
Three things are essential in creating craveable bowls: flavor, texture, and color.