Taco Bueno has become the latest restaurant chain to offer customizable bowls.
The Mexican fast-casual chain says its new line of Bueno Bowls, which debuted last week, “takes customization to new levels for Taco Bueno restaurants, while feeding the growing consumer appetite for healthier options.”
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Boston Market also recently began offering a $6.99 limited-time Market Bowls item, and concepts as varied as Chipotle, Freshii, KFC, Pollo Tropical and Taco Bell have one-bowl meals on their menus.
Taco Bueno chief marketing officer Kim Hennig said the new offering appeals to customers on several levels.
“Our own research bears out that guests overwhelmingly want both healthier options and the ability to customize the meal to their personal tastes,” Hennig said in a statement.
“For example, the Chicken Salad Bowl with flame-grilled, all-white-meat chicken, pico de gallo made fresh daily in-store, black beans, romaine lettuce mix and one ounce of Chipotle Citrus Vinaigrette is less than 350 calories,” she said. “In fact, of the thousands of possible combinations of freshly made ingredients, over 50 percent have less than 400 calories.”
Bueno Bowls start at $3.99 for the veggie bowl and $4.99 for chicken or taco meat. A steak variety is priced at $6.49. Sour cream can be added for 39 cents; guacamole, 79 cents; chips, 79 cents; crumbled bacon, 99 cents; and queso, $1.29.
Customers can select from warm cilantro-lime rice or romaine salad mix for the base of the bowl. The basic version features vegetarian black beans, pinto beans or refried beans. Toppings include corn salsa, pico de gallo, grilled onions and peppers, romaine lettuce mix or shredded Cheddar cheese. Two dressings are offered: creamy Jalapeno Ranch or low-calorie Chipotle Citrus Vinaigrette.
“This range of options allows guests to create everything from low-calorie or low-carb options to traditional Mexican food favorites like taco salad,” the company said.
Taco Bueno was promoting the item with a $2 Bueno Bowl discount with coupons offered through its Facebook page or mobile app. The discount is scheduled to end on Sept. 25.
Dallas-based Taco Bueno, privately owned by Palladium Equity Partners, has more than 180 units in seven states. The majority of those are in Texas and Oklahoma.
Contact Ron Ruggless at ronald.ruggless@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless
