Comfort food took center stage during the pandemic, as did internationally inspired fare. Fusing the two can not only spice up menus and satisfy consumer demand but make sales sizzle.

Consumers want to expand their culinary horizons, but comfort food will always have a stronghold. The Mexican comfort food trend soared last year and continues to be popular among diners in 2022. With the variety of comfort food dishes that Mexican cuisine offers, restaurants can get creative on every part of their menu – from breakfast to appetizers to desserts.

Bring on the Birria

Birria tacos took social media by storm last year. Videos featuring the term “birria tacos” were viewed nearly 500 million times on TikTok, and an annual search volume on Google reached 11.2 million. The juicy, savory Mexican dish paired with a side of consommé still commands attention and elevating the dish with new applications can be a great way to pique diners’ interest.

Fill them with classic comfort foods like pot roast or BBQ chicken to encourage guests to try something new. Or apply the birria concept to other classic comfort foods by layering the ingredients into a grilled cheese or stuffing them into egg rolls for some fun but familiar fusion.

Twist on the Classics

Offering modern takes on familiar comfort foods is the safest bet for diners who want to try something new, but not venture too far outside their culinary comfort zones. Consider Mexican street corn mac & cheese using Stouffer’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese, chorizo and roasted corn, jalapenos, and Cotija cheese crumbles for a fun dish with some spicy flair.

Or take your burger game to the next level with a chorizo burger topped with fresh avocado, roasted green chiles, pickled jalapenos, corn salsa, and Chef-mate ¡Que Bueno! White Queso Sauce for a flavor bomb diners will be clamoring over.

Savory Shareables

Diners love to share an app or other dish with friends over a special occasion, event, or celebration. They are craving unique, fun experiences and you can create dishes that deliver that without hurting your bottom line. Savory empanadas or jicama fries make great app additions. Taquitos are also having their time in the spotlight. No longer just a college dorm snack, operators can play on the nostalgic element and get creative with authentic fillings like barbacoa or chorizo and serve as a flight with dipping sauces like avocado cilantro crema, chipotle ranch, or salsa macha.

Tacos will always be a safe bet to satisfy diners’ cravings but elevate the classic comfort food with authentic ingredients and condiments to stand out from the competition. Consider using Nestlé Abuelita Authentic Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Mix to create savory mole carne tacos and serve with avocado crema, pickled red onion, cilantro, and fresh radish.

Decadent Desserts

Mexican dessert specialties also deserve a place on menus in May. Tres leches cake, horchata, and sopapillas are perfect to serve up authentic sweets that will intrigue the more adventurous eaters. If you’re looking for something a little simpler and more familiar, churros or fruit-filled empanadas are the perfect addition to please diners.