# California-Inspired Summer Menus Chopt’s Newest Menu is Dubbed 'Destination California' By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2022-05-27 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/destination-california References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/chopts-latest-destination-menu-based-california) & [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CdtBUDigj26/)  The [popular salad chain](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-salad1) [Chopt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiery-feta-dressing) is helping you take a trip to the West Coast this summer with its new '[Destination](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/destination-dessert-collection) California' menu. With sunny days ahead, it makes perfect sense for Chopt to draw on one of the sunniest states for menu inspiration. The new Destination California menu features three tasty options that are packed with fresh flavors. First up is the Spicy Sonoma Caesar Salad, which combines romaine, kale, and purple cabbage with chipotle chicken, avocado, parmesan quinoa crisps, pickled cherry peppers, and a Creamy Caesar dressing. Next up is the Verde Pork Pozole Bowl, which starts with a base of warm grains or cauliflower rice drizzled with Chimichurri Ranch, and topped with verde pork pozole, pickled red onion, radishes, red hot blues tortilla chips, a cabbage and cilantro blend with Chimichurri Ranch, and hot sauce. Finally, there's the Umami Noodle Bowl, which combines sesame ginger rice noodles with marinated kale, snap peas, broccoli, mama lil's spicy peppers, rainbow carrots, crispy shallots, and a Creamy Vegan Yuzu dressing. Image Credit: Chopt ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **West Coast Food Trend:** The popularity of California-inspired summer menus provides an opportunity for other food chains to draw inspiration from other sunny U.S. states, such as Florida and Hawaii. - **Plant-based Meal Trend:** With the Umami Noodle Bowl featuring a Creamy Vegan Yuzu dressing, plant-based meals are trending as people shift towards healthier and more sustainable food choices. - **Mexican-inspired Bowl Trend:** Chopt’s Verde Pork Pozole Bowl showcases the potential for Mexican-inspired bowls to enter the mainstream market with a unique, fusion twist. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast-casual Dining Industry:** The use of fresh and innovative ingredients in Chopt’s Destination California menu opens up opportunities for other fast-casual restaurants to incorporate unique, trend-setting ingredients in their own menus. - **Sustainability-focused Industry:** The emphasis on plant-based meals and healthier, more sustainable food choices in Chopt’s Destination California menu highlights the growing interest and demand for sustainability-focused options across the food industry. - **Mexican Cuisine Industry:** With Chopt’s Verde Pork Pozole Bowl, there is an opportunity for restaurants specializing in Mexican cuisine to explore fusion dishes and unique, innovative takes on traditional Mexican recipes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Warming Hatch Chile Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chopt-creative-salad-co.md) - [Mediterranean-Inspired Salad Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiery-feta-dressing.md) - [Southeast Asian-inspired Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chopt-x-omsom-menu.md) - [Spiced Street Corn Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elote-chop-salad.md) - [Tiered Restaurant Rewards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chopt.md) - [Energizing New Years Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-year-new-you-new-chop-stop.md) - [Online-Exclusive Chicken Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moores-buffalo-chicken-salad.md) - [Hybrid Cuisine Restaurant Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tocaya-salads.md) - [Elevated Salad Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entree-salads.md)