There’s something incredibly alluring about tableside guacamole. Consumers adore it and you can charge a premium for it. That said, not all establishments have the time, staff or space to do it right. And even though we can make the avocado part a lot easier, the extra effort that a tableside offering requires might take it off the table for you.
This got us thinking. What is it about the tableside experience that draws so many diners in? And is it possible to recreate what consumers love about it in a more simplified format? We set out to answer these questions by digging into the appeal behind tableside offerings to better understand what diners really want.
In-Person Dining Is Far From Out
While takeout and delivery are still trending higher than pre-pandemic levels, in-person experiences are what consumers crave most1. In fact, 84% say going out to restaurants is a better use of their leisure time than cooking and cleaning up2.
Consumers also prefer a more traditional approach to dining where they can engage with wait staff and enjoy other human touches2. That tells us personal interactions are paramount when it comes to restaurant dining, whether it’s offering thoughtful menu recommendations or creating the perfect ambiance for diners to socialize with family and friends.
Simply put, the secret to winning diners over is as much about the experience as the delicious food you serve. Guacamole will always be a comforting favorite, but the whole tableside interaction is a big deal too. For you, that means now is the time to find new ways to engage your staff and create more unique and memorable dining experiences.
Make It Personal
Part of elevating restaurant experiences is catering to your diners’ personal preferences1. Back in 2021, a McKinsey study showed that 71% of consumers said they expected companies to deliver personalized interactions. We think that number has only gotten higher with the adoption of more advanced restaurant technology.
That’s not to say a digital overhaul is necessary to keep track of what diners want. But the more you can meet their personal demands, the more satisfied and loyal they will be1.
Consider adding more customization options to your menu, like a make-your-own guacamole offering where diners can choose additional ingredients, spice levels and so on. Or try a mix-and-match appetizer platter with a flight of different salsas and guacamole toppings to accompany those chips.
Any customizable offering or “build your own” station will give your diners the impression of more personalization without the added challenges of a tableside prepared dish. And we think that’s a win-win for you and your guests.
How We Can Help
The more you can do to deliver a personal approach, the better the dining experience will be. We can help with a variety of authentic sauces, pepper pastes and hand-scooped avocados that simplify your back-of-house complexity. That way you can spend more time focusing on creating an alluring environment.
Want to add more authentic Mexican flavor to your menu? Partner with us and we can help make it a little easier. All MegaMex Foods ingredients are thoughtfully crafted to save you time and labor without sacrificing quality.
1 QSR, 2022
2 NRA, 2023
3 McKinsey 2022
