2019 Flavor Trends Report | Full report available upon request
By Kerri Adams, Foodable Network
Today’s foodie isn’t always interested in the cuisine they are used to. It’s really a great time to be a diner, especially for those who want to try different flavors. The restaurant market now offers an array of diverse cuisines, many of which are at affordable price.
Middle-eastern cuisine, in particular, is on the rise. We are seeing more of this style of food now be served in the fast-casual format.
Another trend we have seen over the last five years are that food cart and mobile concepts expanding to brick-and-mortar stores.
The chain Halal Guys have been a part of both movements, appealing to customers looking for Middle Eastern tastes while also expanding from a wildly popular NYC food cart to a fast-casual chain.
We decided to take a closer look at the Middle Eastern concept and its evolution from a food cart to a fast-casual chain.
The Beginning
In 1990, the three founders aka “The Halal Guys” Muhammed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka, and Abdelbaset Elsayed opened up a modest hot dog cart on West 53rd & 6th Avenue in New York City.
But, the founders soon realized that the last thing NYC needed was another hot dog stand. So in 1992, the cart switched over to a new menu and officially became The Halal Guys.
Their target demographic at first were individuals who recognized Middle Eastern cuisines, specifically Muslim cab drivers looking for a quick bite in between rides.
The brand quickly became famous for its chicken and gyro over rice platter and the red and white sauces.
Guests wait in the long line to get The Halal Guys’ grub | YELP
The cart would often have a long line of patrons, but cabbies weren’t the only ones waiting for the Middle Eastern street fare. Tourists and locals working in NYC would flock to the stand and battle out the crowds.
Now their carts are all over NYC and other cities.
The founders told “Entrepreneur Magazine,” that their customer base is 95% non-muslim and that they consider themselves as “American Halal food.”
But the interesting thing is the concept didn’t enter the brick-and-mortar arena until much later. In after almost 25 years in the food cart business, the founders opened two NYC corporate stores in 2014.
Then the chain decided to go into franchising in 2015. Now, there are a number of stores worldwide, including in New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Nevada, and California in the U.S., and even in Canada and South Korea.
The chain announced that it had franchising deals for 225 new units within its first year of franchising.
So, it’s safe to say that The Halal Guys has an aggressive growth plan.
You first and foremost visit a restaurant to eat, but let's face it– there so many more elements of a restaurant that impact the culinary experience. How was the service? How is the cocktail and beer menu? Is the sitting comfortable?
But, the first impression for a guest is the restaurant's atmosphere.
This sets the stage for the entire dinner experience. Aesthetics like the restaurant's lighting, music, decor, spacing, and more– all play a role in creating a restaurant's ambience.
Some restaurants take their atmosphere to the next level.
The city of Miami has a vibrant culinary scene with not only an array of different cuisines, but also restaurants with some of the coolest spaces.
With that in mind, we decided to take a look at a few restaurants in the city that have some of the most unique atmospheres.
Barton G
Dining at this restaurant is guaranteed to be one of the most unique culinary experiences you will ever have.
The restaurant is known for its over-the-top presentations. The Mac and Cheese comes with a mousetrap. The Laughing Bird Popcorn Shrimp comes with an entire popcorn machine. The Lobster Pop-Tarts come in an actual toaster. The Blooming Sea-bass comes with a garden. The Carnival Fun Cakes comes with a carnival shooting game. The Chocolate Indulgence dessert comes and in a treasure chest and everything including the sand is edible.
Read more at Foodabletv.com
Speakeasies became wildly popular in the U.S. during the Prohibition era. Also known as a blind pig, these sinful establishments quickly disappeared once Prohibition ended.
Today we are seeing concepts channeling the speakeasies of the past as trendy hidden bars.
For those locals and tourists looking for something much different than the swanky Miami club scene, these speakeasies are sultry, yet comfortable bars often with prohibition-style cocktails and good eats.
We are rounding up some of the most unique bars with speakeasy vibes in Miami, that may be easy to miss, but that’s part of the fun!
The Foxhole
Located in South Beach in a back alley, a block off the infamous Alton Road in South Beach, is The Foxhole. Like its sister concept, Drunken Dragon, right next door, it’s not easy to find. There’s no signage, only a dim red light over a door.
You have no idea what to expect and I don’t want to give it all away, but the first room features a casual area with a pool table, some arcade games, a jukebox and a “I Found Foxhole” sign. The main area is modern with a centralized bar surrounded by comfy couches and tables against the walls. There’s a second floor that looks down at the first floor bar. There are more couches, a second smaller bar, and a VIP section upstairs. Guns and weapons ornament one of the walls upstairs and the TVs often play old gangster movies, when a big game isn’t on.
Read more on Foodabletv.com
The coffee trend is on the rise all over the nation. Just in Broward county, there are 20+ Starbucks stores.
Who doesn’t love a PSL? (Pumpkin Spice Latte) But, this national coffee chain isn’t the only concept on the rise in the area.
There is now an array of other spots in Broward to get a tasty caffeinated coffee that offer much more than just beverages.
Since coffee shops or coffeehouses where first introduced in Europe during the 17th century, they were always places to relax, learn, work, read, and meet others. Often they provide more than coffee and a warm inviting atmosphere, they usually have serve snacks or baked goods.
But what sets each coffee shop apart from the others is their style. With that in mind, here are a few Broward gems, each with their own flair elevating the coffee scene.
The Grind Coffee Project
The owners of this coffee shop are on a mission to create a coffee-centered community. They started as a mobile caffeine service on the patio of the speakeasylike cocktail lounge, Stache and then moved inside once it opened.
Grind owner Yoni Martin was catering events with his pop-up café and shared the Stache space until opening the official Fort Lauderdale store.
Read more at Foodabletv.com
The Wynwood Art District is not only just the home of 70+ galleries and museums, but it has also emerged as an area with an especially unique foodie scene.
Besides being the home of culinary gems like Coyo Taco, Kush, and Beaker & Gray– there are an array of bakeries to visit– whether it be for a treat after lunch or to get something special to bring to a party.
I decided to take the ultimate foodie adventure by walking to four different Wynwood shops, all of which with delicious pastries.
So if you have a sweet tooth, prepare to drool.
Stop # 1: The Salty Donut
If you are a local, you have likely heard of this place. It's not uncommon for the donuts to sell out even before they close.
I went on a Thursday at around 2 pm and there was quite a line, but it moved fast. It was difficult to pick, but I went for the Nutella flavor, a "24 hour raised brioche donut with Nutella filing, cocoa glaze, topped with crushed hazelnuts," which is available year-round and then I also ordered the seasonal Strawberry & Lemon donut.
They were almost too pretty to eat. Luckily, they were as tasty as they looked.
Read more at Foodabletv.com