Buona, the famous Chicago-based restaurant chain, is adding two new variations on its Original Italian Beef Sandwich, which it has dubbed 'the Cheesy' and 'the Saucy.' As Don Buonavolanto, one of the company's founding brothers explains, "Despite our growth, our focus is still on finding new ways to bring our family recipes to yours; which is also why so many of the menu items – including both the Saucy and the Cheesy – feature Buona family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation."
Starting February 28, all 26 Buona locations will add the Cheesy and the Saucy to its permanent menu. The Cheesy option starts with a base of gourmet pub cheese spread, which is then topped with two layers of shredded cheddar cheese and two layers of Italian Beef. As for the Saucy, this sandwich consists of provolone cheese layered with Italian Beef, melted mozzarella cheese, and a housemade marinara sauce.
Image Credit: Buona Companies
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Gourmet Fast Food
- Innovative sandwich variations featuring gourmet ingredients and unique flavor combinations offer fast food restaurant chains the opportunity to elevate their menu offerings and appeal to new customers.
- Family Recipes
- Including family recipes in menu items can create a unique selling point for restaurant chains, while also helping to strengthen customer loyalty by providing a sense of tradition and heritage.
- Customizable Sandwiches
- Allowing customers to customize their sandwiches with unique and innovative ingredients can provide fast food chains with a competitive edge and attract a wider audience.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fast Food
- Fast food restaurants looking to break away from traditional menu items can incorporate unique sandwich variations as a way of offering more sophisticated and diverse options.
- Family Owned Restaurants
- Family owned restaurants can leverage their heritage and traditional recipes in menu items as a way of standing out from the competition and providing customers with an authentic experience.
- Casual Dining
- Incorporating customizable sandwich options into casual dining menus can provide customers with a more personalized experience and drive repeat business for restaurants.
