The EatFamous Burger - Detail - © EatFamous via dolphinsix.com

Menu Madness: Key For Success?

I read a post somewhere recently that stated independent Fast Food Joints will only survive the great sector shakeout that’s coming in the next ten years if they jump into the wacky menu item bandwagon and feature at least one signature wacky, viral dish. I’m, not sure that’s the way to go…

The EatFamous Burger - © EatFamous via www.dolphnsix.comThe EatFamous Burger. I don’t know how one is supposed to
pick it up, much less eat it without wearing it!

The monstrosity pictured above is called the EatFamous Burger. It’s from the EatFamous and Holy Chuck Restaurants in Toronto and it’s a prime example of what independent eateries are doing to build profile in an overcrowded, hectic niche. It’s a monster, by any measure: four burger patties, eight strips of bacon, four slices of aged cheddar, and fried egg. But the real, crazy, potentially viral feature of this Burger is the Bun. It’s actually two 4 in. / 10 cm mini-wheels of Brie Cheese, breaded and deep-fried to gooey perfection. I don’t know how one is supposed to pick it up, much less eat it without wearing it!

Anyway…

Are these trendy Toronto burger bars in the forefront of indie promotion or are they out on a viral limb? The post I read abo0ut this issue says constantly updated ‘ potentially viral menu anchors will get new people into your eatery and, once the see the whole menu, they’ll keep coming back. I don’t know. If I ate at Holy Chuck more than once a month, I’d weigh at least 300 lb. / 136 kg and my cholesterol would be through the roof! They have nothing on their menu that isn’t huge and dripping with Fat…

But I can see why a foodservice insider could conclude that ‘viral’ feature items would get new customers in  the door. The problem is, who knows what’s going to go viral? The Web’s a funny old place…

What do you think?

~ Maggie J.