Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development
Picture for Clear Winner: Clean Slate
Ember Kitchen | Austin, Texas
Picture for 2023 Best of Flavor
This special “Best of Flavor” issue features 100 entries—arranged in no particular order—highlighting the flavor-forward innovation taking place in menu development today.
Picture for Top of the Class: Seared Ribeye Burger
UMass Amherst | Amherst, Mass.
Picture for Smoke Signals: Pollo Ahumado
Bombo | Los Angeles
Picture for Lavender Fields Forever: Honey Lavender
Salt & Straw | Based in Portland, Ore.
Picture for Hon Bon: Zimmer Honey Challah
River And Wood | Boulder, Colo.
Picture for Carolina Claw: Low Country Crab Rice
The Jones Oyster Co. | Greenville, S.C.
Picture for Big ‘Dila: Four Cheese Steak Quesadilla
Taco John’s | Based in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Picture for All Choked Up: Roasted Artichoke Chutney
Aurum | Los Altos, Calif.
Picture for Starring Roll: Housemade Milk Bread
Taru | New York
Picture for Summer Lovin’: Strawberry Lemonade Pie
Polly’s Pies | Based in Placentia, Calif.
Picture for Havana Good Time: Cubano
Johnston’s | San Diego
Picture for Pretty in Pink: Pink Burger
Pink Love Donuts & More | Miami Beach and Oakland Park, Fla.
Picture for Sandwich Überhaul: The Marisol
Hannah’s Bretzel | Three locations in Chicago
Picture for Next-Level Tacos: Lobster Taco Platter
Border Grill | Las Vegas
Picture for Squash the Competition: Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Pomella | Oakland, Calif.
Picture for Sweet on Brunch: Crème Brûlée French Toast
The Bungalow Kitchen | Tiburon, Calif.
Picture for Sip, Sip, Hooray!: Red Velvet Cream Cold Brew
TIM HORTONS | Based in Toronto, Ontario
Picture for Smash Hits: Pebble Rebel Smashed Donut
Yonutz! | Based in Sunrise, Fla.
Picture for Flaming Success: Double Duck Wings
International Smoke | Locations in San Francisco and Las Vegas
Picture for Double the Fun: Double Rainbow Sushi Bowl
Pacific Catch | Based in Corte Madera, Calif.
Picture for Potatoes Do Pastry: Miso-Honey Butter Donut
Downstate Donuts | Chicago
Picture for Vegan for the Win: Mushroom Carnitas Tacos
Love Life Café | Miami
Picture for Ok, I'll Bite: Masala Papad 
Mortar & Pestle Sports Lounge | Based in San Francisco
Picture for Bowls of Summer: Summer Seared Ahi Salad
Modern Market Eatery | Based in Denver
Picture for Thali Order: Tulsi Thali Combo
Tulsi Indian Eatery | Based in Los Angeles
Picture for Stunning Sipper: Aji Alegre
Ruka | Boston
Picture for Butter Half: Honey Butter Toast
Interstellar | Santa Monica, Calif.
Picture for Sticking Power: Sumac-marinated Chicken Shashlik
Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen | Miami Beach, Fla.
Picture for Morning Shift: Breakfast Carbonara Pasta
North Italia | Based in Calabasas Hills, Calif.
Picture for You Had Me at Hollandaise: Barbacoa Quesadilla Benedict
First Watch | Based in Bradenton, Fla.
Picture for Up in Smoke: Chipotle-Honey Wings
Jailbird | Based in Pasadena, Calif.
Picture for Top-Shelf Tots: Potato Pavé Tots
The Vault Steakhouse | San Francisco, Calif.
Picture for Super Bowl: Seared Ahi Tuna Bowl
Urbane Café | Based in Ventura, Calif.
Picture for Pasta Rustica: Lamb Ragu With Spinach Pappardelle
Tre Vele | Based in Sandy Springs, Ga.
Picture for One Fell Scoop: The Fiegster
Kith Treats | Based in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Picture for Clove-Struck: Toasted Garlic White Pizza
Lantern Pizza Co. | Downers Grove, Ill.
Picture for Just Stew It: Lahm-bi Ajine
Mamnoon | Seattle
Picture for Nacho Average Pizza: Double Bacon-Cheddar Pizza
Papa Murphy’s | Based in Vancouver, Wash.
Picture for Shanks for the Memories: Chamorro De Cordero
Colibrí Mexican Bistro | San Francisco
Picture for Street-Food Fave: Bombay Sliders
Saffron | Locations in San Carlos and Burlingame, Calif.
Picture for Dumpling to Talk About: Fufú Gnocchi
Mariel | Boston
Picture for She Sells Seashells: Concha French Toast
Calaca Mamas Cantina | Anaheim, Calif.
Picture for Play Ball: Spicy Meatball Skillet
Twin Peaks Restaurants | Based in Dallas
Picture for Meat Me in Paris: Raclette Burger
Left Bank Brasserie | Four locations in Northern California
Picture for Dynamic Duo: Churrasco-Style Steak “Frittes”
Shula’s Steak House | Based in Richmond, Va.
Picture for Deep Purple: The Beautiful Ones
High 5ive | Oakland, Calif.
Picture for Tropical Tipple: Weekend in Palm Springs
Soulmate | West Hollywood, Calif.
Picture for Timeless A-Peel: Graceland
Blue Jay Bistro | Littleton, N.C.
Picture for Southern Charmer: Ruby Trout
Henley Modern American Brasserie | Nashville, Tenn.
Picture for Morning Squash Game: Truffle Squash Benedict
Oeb Breakfast Co. | Based in Calgary, Alberta
Picture for Gold Star Barbeque: Carolina Goldmine Sandwich
City Barbeque | Based in Dublin, Ohio
Picture for Fish Upon a Star: Whole Fish Cha Ca
Bodega SF | San Francisco
Picture for Crab Collab: Crab Rangoon Pizza
Happy Joe’s Pizza Ice Cream | Based in Davenport, Iowa
Picture for Thigh High: The Firebird Sandwich
The Crack Shack | Based in San Diego
Picture for Spuds With Seoul: Loaded Bulgogi Fries
Bonchon | Based in Addison, Texas
Picture for Pure Gold: Saffrodesiac
Soif | Chicago
Picture for Everything All at Once: Everything Avocado Toast
Robeks | Based in Los Angeles
Picture for Command Performance: Tamarind
Sajj Mediterranean | Based in Menlo Park, Calif.
Picture for Char-Baa-Cued: Lamb-spiced Ribs
Andros Taverna | Chicago
Picture for Bet on Birria: Brisket Birria
Qdoba Mexican Eats | Based in San Diego
Picture for All About That Base: Super Shroom Pizza
Mod Pizza | Based in Bellevue, Wash.
Picture for Winning Formula: Halibut Marsala
Rosalie Italian Soul | Houston
Picture for Walk This Way: Walking Taco Topper Pizza
Toppers Pizza | Based in Whitewater, Wis.
Picture for Shrimp-ly Delicious: Thai Shrimp Bowl
Tender Greens | Based in Los Angeles
Picture for New Vieux: Banshee Queen
The Whistler | Chicago
Picture for Gimme the Blues: Blueberry BBQ Sauce
4 Rivers Smokehouse | Based in Winter Park, Fla.
Picture for Flying High: Cedar Waxwing
The Meadowlark | Chicago
Picture for Animal Attraction: Bison Ribeye
Urban Hill | Salt Lake City
Picture for Afghani Inspo: Chicken “Afghani”
Lore | Brooklyn, N.Y.
Picture for Winner Winner: Southern Bird Sandwich
Kowbird | Oakland, Calif.
Picture for Second Chances: Spanish Fried Chicken
Lírica | Chicago
Picture for Milk Bread Marvel: Lobster Sando
Adrestia | Sunnyvale, Calif
Picture for Maafe Your Way: Maafe Peanut Stew
Yum Village | Based in Detroit
Picture for Flex Your Mussels: Moules Frites
Venteux | Chicago
Picture for Fine and Dandy: Bacon-wrapped Pork Tenderloin
One Market Restaurant | San Francisco
Picture for A Spud-tacular Moment: Ultimate Loaded Barbecue Baker
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit | Based in Dallas
Picture for A Brunch With Punch: Banana Split Brioche French Toast
Hash Kitchen | Based in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Picture for Bacon Your Way: BLT Quinoa Bowl
Morrison Healthcare | Based in Atlanta
Picture for Bowl’d Choices: Fajita Del Rey
Tocaya Modern Mexican | Based in Los Angeles
Picture for Fritter Away: Famous Indonesian Corn Fritter Bites
E&O Kitchen and Bar | San Francisco
Picture for Pickled Blue: Seared Scottish Salmon
Mad Honey Culinary Studio in partnership with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council | Grand Rapids, Mich.
Picture for Shake-a-delic: Caramelized Pineapple Shake
Gott’s Roadside | Based in St. Helena, Calif.
Picture for Sole Satisfying: Petrale Sole Meunière
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar | San Francisco
Picture for A Jammin’ Burger: Tremendo Burger
Pincho | Based in Miami
Picture for Sweet Stack: Campechana
The Mexican | Dallas
Picture for Shaking Things Up: Palo Mandarina
Cavaña | San Francisco
Picture for Seas the Opportunity: Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl
True Food Kitchen | Based in Phoenix
Picture for Salad MVP: Newk’s Favorite Salad
Newk’s Eatery | Based in Jackson, Miss.
Picture for Raw Fusion: Citrus-Yuzu Hamachi Sashimi
Rōzu | Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Picture for One for the Ages: Boulevardier
Sol Restaurant at Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina | Redondo Beach, Calif.
Picture for Mediterranean Melting Pot: Ahi Tuna Crudo
Estiatorio Ornos | San Francisco
Picture for Macha Made in Heaven: Tostada De Atún
El Fish Marisqueria | New York
Picture for Belly up to Brunch: French Toast Sandwich
Boots & Bones | Jersey City, N.J.
Picture for A Star is Born: The Cadillac
Via 313 | Based in Austin, Texas
Picture for Whey To Go: The Milwaukee
Chez Francois Poutinerie | Naperville, Ill.
Picture for Waffles FTW: Holy Chicken
Bruxie | Based in Orange, Calif.
Picture for Tender Moments: Bo’s Chicken Tenders
Bojangles | Based in Charlotte, N.C.
Picture for Something to Taco 'Bout: Brisket Tacos
R&R BBQ | Based in Midvale, Utah
Picture for Powered by Pastrami: Lardon Reuben
Lardon | Chicago
Picture for Matchmaker: Crispy & Spicy Cucumber Salad
Chi and Spy C | New York
Picture for Fajitas 2.0: Jerk Chicken Fajitas
Dos Coyotes Border Café | Based in Davis, Calif.