Some of the most successful menu ideas start with flavors consumers already know and love. With the right protein foundation, familiar combinations can be seamlessly adapted across categories, dayparts, and service formats, offering endless opportunities for menu inspiration.
At a recent photoshoot in our Food Discovery Center, our team put this approach into practice by developing two distinct concepts featuring Deli Star fully cooked proteins.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Mashed Potato Bowl
This modern comfort food concept combines the bold flavors of a Chicken Bacon Ranch (CBR) sandwich with the warm, satisfying appeal of a loaded mashed potato bowl.
Fully cooked and pre-diced for easy assembly, our Seared & Sous Vide Chicken Breast was layered over red-skinned mashed potatoes and topped with crispy bacon, fresh chives, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Together, the juicy pieces of whole-muscle chicken and creamy mashed potatoes provided a hearty foundation for the classic pairing of savory bacon and zesty ranch. With its fork-friendly format, this entrée-style bowl offers an easy way to expand beyond traditional handheld applications.
Italian Grinder-Style Sandwich
This cold sandwich concept captures the signature flavors of a warm Italian grinder in a streamlined build that supports efficient preparation at scale.
To create our version of this classic Italian sub, we started with three types of Deli Star deli meats: Italian-Style Capicola, X Salami, and Pepperoni. Piled high on an Italian roll with creamy mozzarella cheese and sliced tomato, they delivered layers of savory flavor in every bite. In place of the traditional grinder salad, we added fresh lettuce and onion and finished it with oregano, olive oil, and vinegar.
Balancing rich deli meats and tangy toppings, the finished sandwich offered a lighter take on the traditional Italian grinder. Its familiar flavors and simple assembly make it an easy fit for a variety of sandwich programs
Let’s Build Something Craveable
From comfort food entrées to deli-inspired sandwiches, Deli Star’s fully cooked meat and poultry products provide a versatile foundation for menu innovation. Backed by an experienced team of culinary and food science experts, our custom protein solutions help operators transform ideas into scalable menu offerings.
Have a sandwich idea in mind? Connect with a Deli Star protein expert to get started.
