As the weather warms up, consumers flock to local eateries to enjoy a meal and drinks with friends outside. Patio season is a boon for operators—marking an uptick in traffic and a time for innovation to entice curious diners looking for something exciting, seasonal and interesting. For operators, the chance to offer unique appetizers can mean big business—and by incorporating diners’ preferences for hot appetizers, it is a great way to boost menu appeal.
What diners want
According to Datassential, 78% of consumers report having an appetizer with dinner at least once a month, and hot appetizers are their top picks—51% prefer hot appetizers, and 72% recalled the last appetizer they had being a hot appetizer. Additionally, shareability and signature items are desired when ordering—42% said shareability of an app is the top trait they look for, and 60% of Gen Z consumers said they prefer to order a ‘signature’ app. In short, hot appetizers that are great for the whole table and have a unique, signature spin are going to be big sellers.
Perfect apps for patio season
Shareable apps, such as dips with veggies, chips or pita are a great option, as are loaded fries topped with trending ingredients that fit the season.
For instance, try offering:
- Elote Dip: Made with Land O Lakes® Queso Bravo® Cheese Dip, this dip inspired by Mexican street corn blends together zesty queso, corn and jalapenos, cotija cheese and fresh cilantro—perfect as an alternative to or in conjunction with guacamole. Serve with chips as an appetizer or add it to entrees for a small upcharge during summer months.
- Korean-Inspired Pub Fries: Kick things up for the summer by topping fries with Korean-inspired ingredients such as spicy ground beef, gochujang queso made with Land O Lakes® Extra Melt® White Cheese Sauce, kimchi, green onions, pickled red onions and cilantro. Loaded fries are already familiar to diners, and adding trending ingredients such as gochujang adds a new level of interest.
- Chorizo Flatbread:Perfect for sharing with the whole table, flatbread topped with cooked chorizo, red and yellow bell peppers, red onions and a sauce made with Land O Lakes® Extra Melt® White Cheese Sauce and chipotle peppers in adobo is a great summer option that will have diners coming back for more.
Land O’Lakes Foodservice offers high-quality cheese and queso products that operators can use to create an endless amount of appetizers, sides, entrees and more. To learn more, visit https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/category/performance-cheese-sauces/
This post is sponsored by Land O'Lakes Foodservice