If you run a sandwich shop or small cafe, it can be hard to create a menu that stands out in a sea of lunch and dinner options. Today’s customers are looking for specialties that stand out, and ingredients that are unique. Leveraging a combination of gourmet meats, artisan breads, and interesting additions like kimchi can help elevate your sandwich menu beyond the same old standards. Here are four ideas for spicing up your menu. 

4 Suggestions for Upgrading Your Sandwich Menu

1. Invest in Your Ingredients 

Specialty ingredients can be a key appeal to customers. Look for locally made meats and cheese to include, as well as organic or heirloom produce being grown in your area. Higher-end ingredients like imported Italian mortadella, thick, maple-cured bacon, lumpfish caviar, or truffle aioli are rarely found paired with the lowly sandwich and can give your customer something unique they’ll come back for. Mix up the type of breads that you use as well. Artisan breads come in many different flavors, each of which can add a whole new flavor profile to your sandwich.

2. Draw From Other Cultures

Cultures around the world have their own portable lunch options, from empanadas and tortas to Vietnamese banh mi. If you’re worried about your audience’s willingness to try new things, begin by looking for foreign versions of old favorites. The French Croque Monsieur is essentially a grilled ham & cheese. But instead of the simpler American version, this sandwich uses gruyere and is dipped in an egg mixture before frying, like a savory French toast. It’s unique, but just familiar enough to entice new customers.

3. Experiment with Textures

Don’t underestimate the importance of texture, especially when it comes to sandwiches. A good sandwich provides different flavors and sensations in every bite. From chewy artisan bread to crunchy nuts and vegetables, you want to break up the monotony of creamy fillings like tuna or egg salad. Flash-pickled vegetables, like carrots, radishes, or cucumbers, are a great way to add crunch and spice without overwhelming the main ingredients. 

4. Always Offer Meatless Options

Including vegetarian and vegan options lets you offer an inclusive menu, but it’s also important to take a creative approach. Too many vegetarian and vegan customers are used to seeing similar plant-based options wherever they go. Try out new combinations of vegetables and experiment with different meat substitutes to give your customers something they’ll keep talking about.

EuroPan, based in Hialeah, FL, is a wholesale bakery specializing in artisan breads and pastries. Their expert bakers provide fresh, delicious loaf bread and croissants to a wide range of businesses throughout the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas, from restaurants to coffee shops and grocery stores. To find out more about their gluten-free bread options, call (305) 392-5555 or visit them online for more information.