“Nostalgia” is a word that’s being bandied about a lot these days when pointing to food trends. It means affection for the past, particularly relating to personal memories of a time that seemed better (it probably wasn’t better, but many people think wistfully of their childhood, and life is certainly easier when someone else cleans up after you and pays for what you need).
Millennials, born after 1980ish, and members of Gen Z, born after around 1995, are said to be in particularly nostalgic moods; it’s unclear why. But Taco Bell, which is as aware as any foodservice brand of the mood of its customers, is testing a “Nostalgic Menu” at three locations in Southern California, reprising items that date back as far as 1962, a time only remembered by Baby Boomers and the generations before them.
Will they expand to other Taco Bell locations?
I bet they will.
Arby’s is also reprising some items, but from about six years ago, and Chick-fil-A is bringing back a sandwich from last year, along with a spicier version of it, which is definitely on-trend, as well as a banana shake that hasn’t been on menus for 13 years.
Pokeworks’ Volcano Bowl has returned to its menu, too.
In another expanding trend, Cinnabon is teaming with a candy company, and Nothing Bundt Cakes is working with Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries.
Just Salad has teamed with a local company to offer cinnamon sugar pita chips.
Great American Cookies has a new churro-flavored treat, also on trend, as well as a pumpkin-spice one.
GAC sister concept Marble Slab Creamery is scooping pumpkin spice ice crème, and Krispy Kreme has brought back its annual lineup of similarly flavored items.
Norms has rolled out wings, and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, which already had wings, now has spicy ones.
Tocaya has tortas now, and Miguel’s Jr. has bowls.
Kura Sushi has taken the unusual move of upgrading its California Roll, which is traditionally made with surimi, and using actual snow crab instead.
Huckleberry’s, has a new chicken dish, Via 313 has two new pizzas, Philz Coffee has a new flavored cold brew, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature has crispy Thai pork.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
