Potatoes a Top Menu Performer in 2024 as Younger Tastes Shift to Global Flavors

Potatoes remained a top menu performer in 2024, appearing on more than eight in 10 U.S. menus, according to MenuTrends data by Datassential. The data show potatoes still have an enduring appeal to consumers of all ages and taste preferences, even as younger consumers show interest in potato dishes that incorporate sauces and global flavors.

Where potatoes show up most on menus

Potatoes are versatile, complementing many dishes and flavor profiles across different cultural backgrounds, which is one reason they appear on the majority of menus across the U.S., no matter the region. However, there are slight differences in how much different foodservice segments put potatoes on the menu:

• Fine dining: 90.5%
• Casual: 88.2%
• Midscale: 85.6%
• Fast casual: 71.7%
• Quick-Service: 73.7%

Potatoes appear most often on entrée and side menus, usually as part of a combination or multi-protein item with chicken, hot sandwiches and egg dishes. And while they are less common among appetizers, they still appear on nearly half of all appetizer menus.

New and Trending Dishes and Flavors

Over one-third of potato offerings are traditional American fare, but Gen Z (ages 18-28) has shown a stronger affinity for diverse, global flavors. Some trending new tastes for this age group include:

• Classic Mexican flavors like chamoy and Tajín
• Asian cuisine staples like gochujang, black vinegar, eel sauce and ponzu
• Spicy flavors like chili crisp, diablos sauce and Nashville hot

While fries in general continued to be the most prevalent potato dish on menus, appealing to all consumers, trending varieties included Greek fries, Italian fries, carne asada fries and topped varieties like truffle fries, loaded fries and buffalo chicken fries. However, the most loved type of fries across all generations were classic, curly, seasoned, crinkle cut and home fries.

The Enduring Appeal of Comfort Food

Several of Gen Z’s most loved potato dishes are comfort food classics that also appeal to older generations: traditional mashed potatoes as well as garlic and loaded varieties, loaded baked potatoes, potato skins, and twice-baked potatoes.