Deploying flavor forward toppers is a smart, easy way to get creative without changing your core menu. When it comes to lunch, items like grain bowls and salads, burgers and handhelds, and even cocktails present the opportunity for creativity and customization.

Best Dressed!

Let’s talk bowls. Protein and grain bowls, in addition to salads, are shrewd choices when looking to add versatility to lunch menus — especially when you let flavor-blast toppings do the talking.

Keep the base neutral (choice of greens, grains, proteins), then give guests additional options to make the bowl their own: for example a cold soba noodle bowl, loaded with broccoli and carrots and finished with Village Garden® Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette and Magellan® Candied Nuts for a little extra crunch.

As a heartier option, Magellan Quinoa is a versatile, wholesome base. Let guests build it out with their choice of proteins, vegetables, and cheesetastic toppings like Contigo® Cotija Cheese or Nature's Best Dairy® Cheese Crumbles. Even Delancey Street Deli® Gourmet Mild Banana Pepper Rings bring in flavor, texture, and just enough personality to keep things interesting.

Think outside protein salad toppers like grilled chicken or steak. You can offer easy, high-value upgrades such as a scoop of Delancey Street Deli chicken, tuna, or seafood salad — simple add-ons that feel premium without adding prep.

Lean into toppings that bring contrast, texture, and surprise: Try dried seaweed for umami crunch, shaved jicama for freshness, or pickled mango for a sweet-tangy pop, then layer in heat with chili crisp or harissa and balance with a drizzle of tahini. Even small touches like Magellan Dried Coconut, marinated lentils, or charred citrus can completely transform the flavor.

Build a Better Burger

Signature burgers and other handhelds, like fried chicken sandwiches or veggie-based wraps, present opportunities for toppings to shine — giving guests a more customizable experience. Transform a burger to a steakhouse classic with FLAVORSMITH® Steak Sauce and crispy fried onions, or lean into bold, global flavors with a fiesta-inspired burger featuring Contigo Sliced Jalapenos, Contigo Guacamole, and Contigo Fire Roasted Mexican Street Corn.

For something even more unexpected, try layering tangy kimchi or gochuchang mayo for a Korean-inspired twist, or add fig jam and whipped goat cheese for a sweet-savory combo. You can also bring the heat with Delancey Street Deli Nashville Hot Sauce, topped with Delancey Street Deli Pickled Red Onions.

Say Cheers

The lunch cocktail menu can get in on the fun, too — flavor-forward toppers aren’t just for food. Iced tea is a peachy lunchtime sipper for punchy upgrades like peach garnishes, crystallized ginger, or a drizzle of FLAVORSMITH Hot Honey.

Including customizable bevs like a kicked up Bloody Mary can be a great way to spice up a late-lunch happy hour. Add a layer of flavor with West Creek® Barbecue Sauce or consider bringing the peppery punch Asian Pride® Wasabi Powder. Perhaps more than any other cocktail, the Bloody invites unexpected, over-the-top garnishes like beef jerky, shrimp, or Entice® White Cheddar Cheese Curds. Add fun and flavor through a spiced rim, using Magellan Five Spice Powder or Jerk Seasoning.