From burritos at Chipotle, to pies from MOD pizza, operators know that guests seek customization. Take a took at some unique and notable spots in this highly popular vertical.
Lunch
Poke is huge right now, and there are plenty of restaurants jumping on the trend that allows you to customize this Hawaiian staple. At Spin Fish in Los Angeles, you can create your own poke bowl: choose your fish from ahi tuna, salmon, Hamachi and more, drizzled with your choice of sauce like sesame shoyu, select toppings like panko or avocado on a base of white or brown rice, mixed greens, or noodles.
Anytime
At Potatopia, the potato isn’t hiding as a side dish—it’s the star of your meal. You pick your potato, toppings, proteins and sauce. You can wind up with something like an au gratin topped with asiago cheese, sweet pepper, steak and garlic aioli or maybe a skin chip with shrimp, jalapeno, pepperjack cheese and chipotle ketchup.
Dinner
Explore flavors inspired by the south of India at Biju’s Little Curry Shop in Denver. Chow down on curry bowls like coconut curry chicken and masala beef curry. Or build your own bowl—just choose your rice, proteins like chicken and beef and pick your slaw and chutneys.
Sweets
Ice cream and froyo are not the only customizable desserts around. Let your imagination run wild at Poquet Donuts in Irvine, CA. First, choose your donut from glazed, chocolate cake, vanilla cake or vegan. Next, pick your filling from creams and butters, fresh fruit and jams. Finally, select candies, spices or nuts as your topping. If you’re not feeling too creative, choose from their signature donuts selection which include avocado, tiramisu and pistachio crème brûlée.