According to Technomic’s "2009 Flavor Consumer Trend Report" 66% of US consumers would return to a restaurant and try a dish that originally hooked them with a new flavor. I not exactly sure what constitutes a new flavor, but there is a sample chart that indicates grilled and herbal is the preferred flavor combination of both genders.
Steak with chimmichurri? Lemon and oregano-infused whole fish? I suppose I could go for those, though I’m more of a spicy and sweet person. Really, spicy, sweet and fatty--pork belly with Thai basil and chile springs to mind--but that wasn’t an option.
More interesting, perhaps, are the "less broadly established ethnic cuisines" that are of interest to US consumers. Maybe the avante garde is becoming mainstream: 72%, the highest number of respondents, are interested in Spanish food followed by American regional cuisines like Hawaiian (71%) and Tex-Mex (69%). Really? Nearly two-thirds of this country has yet to discover chili and fajitas?
For what it’s worth, Greek, Caribbean (both 66%) and Mediterranean (62%) follow closely behind.
From my days in Baltimore, many parts of America are lucky to have Taco Bell to represent Tex-Mex cuisine. I remember I ordered a gyro once. It was basically some form of meat with slight hint of garlic pressed into a thin strips and supermarket pita breads.
I also love (skirt) steak with chimmichurri. I could eat for days. ummmm.
Posted by: Duk Bok Gi | October 27, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Duk Bok Gi: I've only been to Baltimore once and noticed a neighborhood with a small cluster of real Mexican restaurants but I was under the impression that that was a fairly new development.
Posted by: Krista | October 29, 2009 at 04:29 PM