KANSAS CITY — Globally inspired dishes are hitting menus at national restaurant chains.
Noodles & Company is debuting a Mexican street corn salad with Tuscan greens and kale tossed in cotija cheese dressing with grilled chicken, roasted corn and tomatoes, topped with avocado, feta, chipotle cheddar tortilla strips and cilantro.
A new street food-inspired menu at On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina includes tacos, tamales, elotes, quesadillas and margaritas. Mexican street corn has creamy roasted corn mixed with chiles, spices and lime, topped with lime crema, queso fresco and cilantro. Birria quesa tacos contain beef barbacoa, Mexican cheese, diced onion and cilantro in crispy flour tortillas, served alongside hot consommé for dipping. Chicken tomatillo tamales are topped with salsa verde, sour cream sauce or roasted red chile-tomatillo salsa.
“We took inspiration directly from ingredients and recipes found in the taquerias, street carts and local markets of Mexico,” said Edithann Ramey, chief marketing officer at On The Border. “This new seasonal special is big on flavors that our guests will love.”
Fast-casual sandwich shop Schlotzsky’s is introducing an Italian-inspired calzone, developed in partnership with former pop musician Joey Fatone, combining ham, genoa and cotto salami, pepperoni and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses paired with a marinara dipping sauce.