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All Episodes

Menu Talk — 239 episodes

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Title
1

Menu Innovation & Value Strategy with Lazy Dog Restaurants CEO Chris Simms

2

The Chef Who Once Banned Black Pepper & Lemons: Spike Gjerde

3

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne: How The Dabney Became D.C.'s Michelin-Starred Mid-Atlantic Restaurant

4

Suresh Sundas and Dante Datta innovate with Indian food & drink in D.C.’s H Street neighborhood

5

Gregg Horan builds steakhouse success in the suburbs

6

B.J. Lieberman finds work-life balance in Columbus, Ohio

7

Why Lion's Choice won't compromise on its signature sandwich despite higher beef costs

8

Nicholas Poulmentis plans distinctive Greek cuisine at his upcoming New York City restaurant

9

Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley is exactly the kind of restaurant he likes to dine in

10

Scott and Jacob Margroff discuss flavor and innovation at Strickland’s

11

Chef Sungchul Shim infuses Korean flavor into a Times Square steakhouse

12

Danny Lledó shares the nuances of paella

13

The chef behind the only Turkish restaurant in Hawaii

14

Restaurateur Billy Dec prepares to open Sunda New Asian in Detroit

15

How Technomic's 2026 trend predictions are panning out

16

Mexican spirits expert Max Reis goes beyond tequila and mezcal

17

Kevin Lee is leading a restaurant renaissance in Oklahoma City

18

David Burke discusses his new restaurant, SeaHawk Prime, while riffing on food trends

19

Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group blends front- and back-of-house expertise to deliver what today's diners want

20

Chef Te'Sean Glass brings life lessons to True Laurel

21

How Isabel Coss rose from bread baker to become executive chef at Washington, D.C.'s Pascual

22

'Top Chef' alum Nelson German embraces more African influences

23

Dutch Bros leads with menu innovation and hospitality

24

Galit beverage director Scott Stroemer discusses what Chicagoans like to drink

25

At Shake Shack, innovation begins with guest insights

26

Omaha restaurateur David Utterback offers his take on Japanese food without a proper kitchen

27

For Zaxbys' CMO Patrick Schwing, enhancing the core menu is key

28

Jeffrey Bank, head of Carmine’s and Virgil’s, shares how to succeed in high-volume dining

29

Korean restaurant Bonyeon offers 'a new way to steak'

30

BarChef owner Frankie Solarik elevates experiential cocktails

31

How Levain Bakery is leaning into treat culture through catering

32

Scott Conant chats about his new restaurant, his sauce line and his plans for a sandwich shop

33

How restaurateur Eric LeVine's 45-year career has led to health and wellness

34

Stephanie Izard on menu development, fame and her new projects

35

How Amanda Toups turned a pandemic-era response into a powerful hunger-fighting nonprofit

36

Jet Tila gets into Chino-Latino cooking

37

Seattle chef Victor Steinbrueck on high-touch hospitality in a fast-casual space

38

Douglas Keane flipped the script on Cyrus, changing the business model and dining experience

39

Raheem Sealey shares his approach to menu innovation at Kyu

40

How restaurants can build a robust revenue stream through workplace catering

41

Marc Sheehan offers his own takes on New England cuisine in Paul Revere's former copper mill

42

How Cracker Barrel chef Matt Banton is expanding the flavor portfolio

43

Chef BJ Lieberman on making a name for himself in Columbus, Ohio

44

Tyler Florence dishes on San Francisco and David Burke puts his pastrami to the test

45

Happy Hour value and summer flavors

46

The summer of spritzes

47

Oysters and value meals trend on summer menus

48

Chef Jonathon Sawyer discusses his Chicago restaurant, Kindling, and his latest TV appearance

49

The 'chicken wars' enter a new phase

50

Persian food emerges in the Middle Eastern niche

51

Cannabis drinks make a splash at the National Restaurant Show

52

Innovation rules at 2025 MenuMasters

53

The power of ube

54

How one eatertainment concept is elevating its food game

55

Limited-time offers roll out at warp speed

56

Chain chefs share menu insights

57

Wendy's rolls out new line of Frostys

58

Pickle-mania sweeps restaurants

59

Beverages catch fire

60

Chef Scott Davis on Noodles & Company's revamp, plus more menu upgrades

61

A closer look at spring's menu makeovers and fruity flavors

62

Restaurant chains roll out seafood specials for Lent

63

Starbucks welcomes spring with cherry and ube drinks

64

Exploring the first IHOP-Applebee's cobranded restaurant

65

Danny Meyer's new restaurant opens in Times Square

66

Doughnut chains go all out on Valentine's Day

67

Unexpected Valentine's Day menu promotions

68

Super Bowl specials start trickling in

69

Far-out pizza toppings and beefy limited-time offers

70

Trends in coffee and ranch dressing, plus Wingstop's multicultural new sauce

71

2025 menu predictions and Dry January news

72

L.A. dine-around, Taco Bell nuggets and oak-fired steak

73

Informa's holiday party, Yelpers' favorite restaurant and a brasserie at Grand Central

74

Momo crawl, Black Friday in Chinatown and dinner at Baar Baar

75

Virgil's 30th anniversary, happy hour at Mermaid Inn and Christmas decorations at Pete's Tavern

76

Cocktail-inspired scents, Scotch eggs and Fado dinner

77

Worlds of Flavor, pastrami with horseradish and Cambodian food

78

Chicago taste-around, revisiting Eataly and dinner with Wonder

79

Edible glitter, tainted onions and the evolution of American sushi

80

Chef-inspired Crunchwraps, Cava's all in on ranch and a visit to Bluestone Lane

81

Whole hog barbecue, CREATE recap and 2 food festivals

82

Greek food, the Chicken Big Mac and 'The Bear'

83

ChatGPT says hello, sauces are everywhere and so is KPOT

84

Eggs in purgatory, happy hour bargains and too much spice

85

A mushroom feast, cast-iron Korean cooking, and the new Central Park Boathouse

86

Fresh dates, pawpaws and new restaurant Rokusho in Los Angeles

87

Turkish food, chicken curry and Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Tin Building

88

US Open chefs, Lebanese wines and khachapuri variations

89

Pumpkin spice season, New York's month-long 'restaurant week' and summer menu pricing

90

Kaiseki menus, Detroit-style pizza and a West African chef's pop-up

91

Thousand-hole pancakes, Alex Stupak's state of mind, family dining and fries

92

The value of inviting loyal customers for a menu preview

93

Food holidays, restaurant weeks and the magic of long-standing operators

94

Hop water, matcha and prix fixe menus

95

Fieldtrip, potato cakes, restaurant merch and rice

96

Roast pig, ancient grains and Perkins' menu mission

97

Mushrooms, Malaysian food and Pizza Hut's new pie

98

Low-alcohol beer, prix fixe steak and Laurent Tourondel's latest moves

99

Dan Kluger's newest restaurant, port pairings and Cheez-Its

100

Saucy nuggets, steak and sticker shock

101

Cardamom, caviar and other trends from the National Restaurant Show

102

An insiders' look at the 2024 MenuMasters Awards

103

Korean fried chicken goes glam, Rocco DiSpirito's star power and Mooyah's from-scratch mentality

104

High-end apartment pop-up dinners, Dan Barber breeds flavor into squash, and how Muchacho infuses salsas with unique personalities

105

Lettuce Entertain You shares new initiatives, Eggs Up Grill makes menu moves, and the dish on pizza styles and Brooklyn food

106

Menu trends at RLC, how a St. Louis chef is elevating sushi, and hot sauces and LTOs in the spotlight

107

An inside look at the James Beard Awards, McAlister's menu expansion and creamsicle drinks

108

Pepe Moncayo's food at Cranes in Washington, D.C. reflects the sum of his experience

109

So long Menu Feed, welcome to Menu Talk

110

How Gott's Roadside evolves the menu while honoring the restaurant's 25-year legacy

111

How culinary inspiration and a positive work culture share equal billing at Freight House

112

John Manion pays tribute to Brazilian cuisine at his new restaurant, Brasero

113

How well-written recipes can optimize productivity and profitability in the kitchen

114

How Vino Volo's airport wine bars create a unique oasis for travelers

115

IHOP hits the accelerator on menu innovation with Chef Arthur Carl at the helm

116

From Washington D.C. to Florida, Ryan Ratino creates memorable dining destinations

117

How Charleston's Husk restaurant stays relevant in a competitive dining city

118

How Nekter Juice Bar is breaking away from the pack in a crowded segment

119

How BurgerFi and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza are generating menu buzz

120

How Neil Doherty and Sysco's culinary team help operators meet today's labor challenges

121

How Esmé marries art and food for a Michelin-starred dining experience

122

How Philippe Massoud paved the way for Lebanese fine dining in the U.S.

123

What's impacting menus in the year ahead

124

How Bar Louie is putting a culinary focus on lunch and dinner without losing its bar vibe

125

Outback Steakhouse innovates the menu by giving equal play to food and drink

126

How Table 301's restaurants hit all the right notes in Greenville, S.C.

127

Local Kitchens' partnerships help existing restaurants grow and new ones start up

128

The 'customer is chef' at Pepper Lunch, a growing fast casual with Japanese roots

129

How Beatrix nails the all-day restaurant format with its chef-driven menu

130

How Yia Vang became the leading voice for Hmong cuisine and culture

131

How Alon Shaya is bringing a family's culinary memories to life through 'Rescued Recipes'

132

Noodles know no boundaries with Nick Graff leading R&D at Noodles & Company

133

How Firebirds Wood Fired Grill stays ahead of the culinary curve with its polished casual menu

134

Chef Paul Fehribach showcases the Midwest's culinary diversity through 100 recipes

135

How Sip Fresh is refreshing the beverage segment with mixology-inspired juice drinks

136

How Hilton is redefining what hotel food and beverage can be

137

How Chicken Salad Chick is shaking up the menu with its first warm sandwich

138

How Eileen Andrade transformed her grandmother's Cuban diner into an elegant fine-dining restaurant

139

How a new Margaritaville transformed foodservice at a Louisiana campground in mere months

140

How CEO Jeff Carcara is taking Sixty Vines to 'wherever the wine drinkers are'

141

As director of culinary for US Foods, Scott McCurdy is a 'constant student of restaurants'

142

How Mike's Hot Honey sparked the sweet-heat menu trend, starting with Paulie Gee's Brooklyn pizzeria

143

How Eric Gabrynowicz gave Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar a menu refresh while staying true to its roots

144

How Spike Mendelsohn is changing up healthy eating in the fast-casual and snack spaces

145

How True Food Kitchen reimagined its menu with a focus on hyper-seasonality and comfort

146

How Fabio Viviani is expanding his restaurant empire into the sweet side

147

117 chefs share their secrets to running a successful kitchen and restaurant

148

How Robert St. John turned Hattiesburg, Miss., into a dining destination

149

How Yogurtland's flavorologists push the envelope on what frozen yogurt can be

150

How Ford's Garage innovative menu and vibe draws guests of all ages

151

How Jonathon Sawyer’s live-fire cooking passion ignites the menu at Kindling

152

How craveability, sustainability and the guest experience drive Avi Szapiro's menu mission

153

How Starbird's recipe for perfect fried chicken is powering the fast casual for growth

154

How food hall pioneer Anna Castellani is transforming community dining

155

How Jared Galbut turned his Florida-born taqueria into a dining and nightlife destination

156

How 3 chain restaurant execs put menu innovation front and center

157

Qdoba chef Katy Velazquez taps her travels in Mexico to innovate the menu—but will never touch the chain's signature queso

158

How Aaron Taylor and Atlas Restaurant Group are revitalizing fine dining in Baltimore

159

How Rush Bowls stands out from the crowd with a scratch-made menu and local vibe

160

At Planta, Steven Salm harnesses the power of plants

161

How Adenah Bayoh is positioning Cornbread Farm to Soul for fast-casual expansion

162

How Chef Ron Yan transformed the menu at Parcelle Wine Bar from popup to brick-and-mortar restaurant

163

How Panda Express’ Jimmy Wang spreads Chinese culture through food

164

How STATE Grill & Bar’s menu honors its location in the Empire State Building

165

How Gavin Kaysen defines his role as chef-CEO as he expands his restaurant company in new directions

166

How Sonic’s Mackenzie Gibson integrates culinary and marketing to drive innovation

167

How Amy Alarcon gave Popeyes the edge in the chicken sandwich wars

168

How Scott Randolph is elevating IHOP’s status as the breakfast leader while innovating across the menu

169

How Rick Petralia is pushing the envelope on flavor at Freddy’s

170

How Arthur & Sons is the culmination of Joe Isidori’s family legacy and culinary journey

171

How climate change is impacting your menu

172

How Cristina Suarez evolved from ‘bargirl’ to corporate beverage director of Kush Hospitality Group

173

How cold coffee is heating up the menu at Caribou

174

How 2 cousins from Maine turned the rest of the country on to lobster rolls

175

How Marc Forgione continues to grow his culinary legacy and restaurant cred

176

How Sam Polk is making healthy meals accessible and affordable in food deserts across the U.S.

177

How Steve Sturm puts the wood-fired grill front and center

178

Checking in on mid-year menu trends with Technomic’s Lizzy Freier

179

How DIG on 4th merges fast casual and full service into a welcoming all-day cafe

180

Menu maven Nancy Kruse shares her take on emerging and evergreen trends

181

How Graze Craze is spreading charcuterie across the country

182

How La Palapa is still going strong after 20 years, with Barbara Sibley at the helm

183

How All Day Kitchens marries culinary and tech to create a successful union

184

How Chicago’s Revival Food Hall is revving up for its next chapter

185

How Mawa’s Kitchen is making its mark on Aspen’s restaurant scene

186

How restaurateur Rohini Dey is empowering women to break through the gastro ceiling

187

How Vitality Bowls sets itself apart in a crowded fast-casual field

188

How celebrated chef David Burke keeps creativity flowing after decades in the business

189

How to innovate the menu by amplifying and enhancing 2021 trends in 2022

190

How Lettuce Entertain You’s Thomas Mizuno-Moore is taking the ‘mock’ out of zero-alcohol cocktails

191

Why Technomic is calling 2022 ‘the year of the climb’

192

How a bubble tea fan became a master franchisee who is ‘brewing happiness’ across the U.S.

193

How Modern Market’s chef brings a farm-to-table ethos to a growing fast casual

194

How KFC's head chef taps his food science, nutrition and culinary expertise

195

How Modernist Cuisine’s Francisco Migoya is changing the pizza world

196

How Playa Bowls turned a blender and a dream into a growing fast-casual concept

197

How food futurist Liz Moskow sees the year shaping up

198

How Baar Baar’s modern take on Indian food aims to change Americans’ perception of the cuisine

199

How ghost kitchen 2 Korean Girls is growing a fan base one bowl at a time

200

How Smokey Bones diversifies the menu to please many palates and control meat costs

201

How Passavant Community engages senior-living residents with menu innovation and creative connections

202

How Piada Italian Street Food puts a ‘chef’s touch’ on every menu item

203

How The Melt Shop evolves its menu in sync with today’s tastes

204

How Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is blazing a trail in casual dining

205

How Culver’s evolves its menu while staying true to a core of customer favorites

206

How Another Broken Egg wins the breakfast, brunch and lunch crowd with a craveable menu

207

How Just Salad keeps innovating the menu while moving its sustainability mission forward

208

How Bartaco refreshes the beverage menu in tune with its Mexican beach vibe

209

How Chicago’s Avec continues to evolve while staying true to its roots

210

How Mighty Quinn’s menus authentic barbecue in an urban fast-casual setting

211

How Cura Hospitality’s senior-dining program is building on 2020’s successes

212

How Gumption Coffee differentiates itself to compete with the giant brands

213

How Torchys Tacos created a ‘craft-casual’ niche in the competitive fast-casual space

214

How First Watch’s Shane Schaibly is evolving and energizing the menu for 2021

215

How Gibsons corporate chef is crafting menus for success amid COVID-19

216

How Bob Raymond puts his ‘crazy ideas’ to work at Commonwealth Senior Living

217

How Market Tavern’s blend of British pub food and rock ‘n’ roll is the right vibe for these times

218

How a farm-to-kitchen scratch menu elevates casual dining at Whiskey Cake

219

How an innovative chef is taking comfort foods to the next level

220

How a Louisiana restaurant honors deep-rooted traditions through its menu and community outreach

221

How Morrison Living is navigating the ‘next normal’ in senior dining

222

How chef Ahktar Nawab touches every corner of the industry with restaurants, food halls and more

223

How chef Sarah Stegner has built strong community ties to keep Prairie Grass Cafe thriving

224

How a chef engages customers with unique at-home dining experiences

225

Brethren Village Retirement Community engages residents with takeout and delivery innovations

226

How restaurant brand Chick N Max is keeping guests engaged

227

How comfort food, convenience and value are powering Fazoli’s through the pandemic and beyond

228

How a fast-casual chicken concept is changing its menu and marketing to keep guests engaged

229

How independent restaurant Saigon Sisters is adapting to the coronavirus crisis

230

How the Lettuce Entertain You team is meeting the coronavirus challenge

231

How Aloha Poke diversified its menu to boost traffic and sales

232

How restaurant trends are impacting dining in senior living

233

How Corner Bakery stays on top of the trends as consumer needs change

234

How Spanish tapas restaurant Boqueria is evolving its menu as it grows

235

How senior living menus are shifting

236

How Ocean Prime is changing up the menu to meet today’s dining style

237

What food trends are on tap for 2020?

238

How Galit’s seasonal menu expands diners’ vision of Middle Eastern food

239

How fast casual Antique Taco found success with catering