# Platted Mexican Meals Del Taco's New Platos Provide Consumers with a More Comprehensive Meal By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-10-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/platos References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2016/10/del-taco-debuts-new-platos.html) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/deltaco/photos/a.10150742019956411.464778.33436041410/10154579037846411/?type=1&theater) While there is a growing demand for [snack-sized dishes at fast food restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-grande-nachos), there are still a great deal of customers who are looking for a sit-down meal that features their favorite entree and side dishes. [Del Taco](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mucho-meal) is catering to this specific type of customer with its new Platos meals. 'Plato' is the Spanish word for plate, thus the new Platos meals are appropriately served on full-size plates meant for dining in. The plates are compartmentalized into sections with one section for the main entree and two smaller sections for [beans and rice](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bean-rice-and-cheese-burrito). As far as entrees, customers can choose many of their favorite Del Taco dishes, including the Carne Asada Wet Burrito and Two Beer Battered Fish Tacos. The Platos also come with a side of chips and salsa for a complete dining experience. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - 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 ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Demand for Comprehensive Meals:** Opportunity for fast food restaurants to cater to customers looking for sit-down meals featuring their favorite entree and side dishes. - **Customizable Plated Meals:** Potential for restaurants to offer plated meals with different entree options and customizable side dishes. - **Enhanced Dining Experience:** Opportunity to provide customers with a complete dining experience by serving meals on full-size plates with compartmentalized sections and accompanying sides. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Food Restaurants:** Fast food chains can expand their menu offerings to include plated meals catering to customers looking for a more comprehensive dining experience. - **Mexican Cuisine:** Mexican restaurants can adopt the concept of plated meals with compartmentalized sections to enhance the presentation and variety of their menu. - **Convenience Stores:** Convenience stores can introduce pre-packaged plated meals with customizable options, offering a convenient and fulfilling dining option on the go. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Affordable QSR Meal Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mucho-meal.md) - [Value-Minded Tex-Mex Meal Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/del-taco-el-big-boxes.md) - [Snackable Value Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-meal.md) - [Personalized Mexican Cuisine Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tocaya-buildyourown-meals.md) - [Ingredient-Packed Value-Minded Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/del-taco-classic-burritos.md) - [Summery Tex-Mex Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tijuana-flats-taco-meal-deal.md) - [Savory Mexican-Style Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epic-tortas.md) - [Cunchy Queso-Topped Tostadas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/queso-chrunchtadas.md) - [Taco-Inspired Tater Tots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loaded-totchos.md)