As a crisp chill settles into the air, there’s nothing quite like the arrival of fall to awaken our appetites for something special. This season brings more than just pumpkin spice; it ushers in a delicious parade of limited-time menu items that celebrate everything we love about autumn.
Restaurants are pulling out all the stops to capture the spirit of the season on a plate. From Oktoberfest feasts to game-day bites to Halloween-inspired plates that are almost too spooky to eat, fall’s culinary landscape has something for everyone. Plus, chefs everywhere are showcasing seasonal ingredients at their peak, like fresh apples and warm spices
In this blog, we’ve rounded up five crave-worthy and crowd-pleasing menu trends for the season. We hope you feel inspired to bring these trends into your kitchen. Let’s explore what’s cooking this fall!
Menu Trend #1: Oktoberfest
While Oktoberfest started as a royal wedding celebration over two centuries ago in Germany, it has since evolved into the world’s largest folk festival, highlighting the rich Bavarian culture. German cuisine is a staple at Oktoberfest celebrations, from savory sausages to tangy sauerkraut to crispy schnitzels. Enjoy the following food creations using Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls that are fit for an Oktoberfest feast!
Cledis @lovecledis | Nashville, TN
Cledis in Nashville, Tennessee, put everything we love about Oktoberfest into one, savory burger. Their smash burger is topped with grilled onions, pepper jack cheese, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and spicy brown mustard. You better believe that no other bun but a Martin’s Potato Roll can handle this stack!
Holy Grail Burgers @holygrailburgers | Hackensack, NJ
What is Oktoberfest without bratwurst? This brat, created by Holy Grail Burgers in Hackensack, New Jersey, is taken to another level with sweet and savory layers of caramelized onions and mustard, all placed atop a Martin’s Long Potato Roll.
Menu Trend #2: National Breakfast Month
While National Breakfast Month may be a lesser-known hallmark of fall, it’s still important in the eyes of restaurants. For the month of October, burgers become an acceptable breakfast meal, (and we sure aren’t complaining about that!).
Maria’s Bread Sandwiches @mariasbreadsandwiches | Collingswood, NJ
Maria’s Bread Sandwiches, a café nestled in Collingswood, New Jersey, created a breakfast burger we wish was on the menu all year round! Classic breakfast essentials, like crispy bacon, hash browns, and a runny fried egg, are combined with a handmade beef patty, sharp white American cheese, and chili aioli.
Menu Trend #3: Fall Flavors
If there’s one thing we love most about fall, it’s the comforting flavors that warm us up as the air gets cooler. Seasonal ingredients are paired together to create cozy dishes that perfectly capture the essence of autumn.
Bravas Food @bravasfood | Fort Wayne, IN
Caramel Apple Burger, anyone? Bravas Food in Fort Wayne, Indiana made the ultimate fall burger in collaboration with other local businesses. Get this: a cheesy smash burger topped with salted caramel, pickled apples, and smoked bacon, all served on a toasted Martin’s Potato Roll.
Butter Smashburgers @buttersmashburgers | NYC
Fall flavors are literally jam-packed in this burger by Butter Smashburgers in New York City. The star of the show—sweet fig jam—is spread on top of crispy beef bacon, melted pepper jack cheese, and a premium beef smash burger.
Menu Trend #4: Game Day
Game day food has evolved from simple stadium fare into a cultural phenomenon that has transformed restaurant menus across America. These game day-inspired menus embrace bold flavors, generous portions, and foods that are easy for customers to eat while socializing and cheering for their favorite team.
Black Tap @blacktap | New York City, Vegas, Anaheim, Nashville, Dallas
Game day burgers at Black Tap are always a touchdown! Their chili cheeseburger features a prime beef patty coated in Mexican chili, melty queso, and crunchy fried onions, served together on a Martin’s Potato Roll. It’s the perfect balance of spicy, cheesy, and crunchy elements that we all crave on game day.
SOB Sliders @sobsliders | Texas
Party packs of sliders are perfect for game day! Son of a Butcher locations in Texas offer slider party packs so their customers can be the MVPs of watch parties. Customers get to choose the game plan for their slider boxes by customizing the sliders, sides, and drinks. What a creative idea!
Spark @eatatspark | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Why tailgate at the game when you could go to Eat at Spark? Their tailgate burger is sure to kick up the heat on game day! This burger is piled high with chimichurri, pico de gallo, jalapeño cream cheese, grilled jalapeños, and swiss cheese, and served on a soft Martin’s Potato Roll.
Menu Trend #5: Spooky Season
Restaurants across the country embrace the spooky season by transforming their menus into playful, macabre culinary experiences. Festive menus encourage a sense of seasonal celebration, proving that Halloween has become much more than a single night.
Hammer Burger @hammer.burger | Santa Ana, CA
Hammer Burger in Santa Ana, California, created a spooky burger that features a delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory ingredients. The burger is topped with grilled onions, chipotle mayo, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and drizzled with special ghost pepper hot honey barbecue sauce.
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