They want to taste the same dishes as they had before. If the food falls short, then that blows their whole experience. Other Top 100 operations take a slightly different tack to preserve menu traditions and chefs' creativity. In summer, entree sides could be heirloom tomato salad, organically grown spinach, asparagus with warm lemon vinaigrette. In winter, there might be hard squash or winter vegetable ratatouille.
Customers appreciate and know the difference.
One small change at Clyde's of Reston has netted big profits. Adding duck tacos, egg white omelets and focaccia sandwiches came as the result of his keeping abreast, or ahead of, local taste trends. The location has shops and cafes, restaurants and impromptu outdoor entertainment offered by magicians, troupes and musicians. With plenty of benches and bike racks and proximity to Santa Monica Pier and beach, the Broadway Deli's corner location makes it a meeting place for locals, tourists, families, couples and solos. It reflects location and mix of customers.