7 New Menu Classics: Proven Crowd-Pleasers Sure to Sell

Niche Hits That Have Become Menu Must-Haves

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Otto’s Uptown Kitchen (Oakland, CA) Image credit: Carly Hackbarth

Every operator knows the power of a proven crowd-pleaser. Caesar salad, burgers, chicken parmesan—these are the dishes that drive consistent revenue because they work across demographics and concepts.

We’ve identified seven dishes that have made the leap from specialty item to modern menu staple. These plates began in niche concepts— a trendy Brooklyn spot, a high-end sushi bar—but now appear everywhere from Korean BBQ joints to casual dining chains. They’re the new Caesar salads: dishes so universally appealing that operators treat them as revenue insurance.

Here’s what’s driving checks—and why these seven dishes have staying power.