Global inspiration frequently comes in the form of a unique sauce that’s easy to add to a menu. More and more chains are discovering that ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce is the solution.

When Datassential polled consumers on what they craved during the pandemic, the resounding response was that they craved global entrees and appetizers like no other. Thus, for one hot sauce with a flavor inspired with Mexican goodness that can transcend several menu applications, ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® is a natural solution.

Datassential found that global flavors topped the chart of consumer cravings during pandemic lockdowns.

A case in point is Velvet Taco, a 17-unit chain whose fast-casual positioning is based on global inspirations. Its beer-battered cauliflower uses ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® to spice up its queso blanco and avocado corn pico, then adds Texas Pete® Dust Dry Seasoning to spice up its candied pepitas all inside a flour tortilla.

Velvet Taco uses ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce in its Beer Batter Cauliflower.

Queso blanco was a good call by Velvet Taco as it is one of the fastest-growing Mexican-inspired items today with a +28%* rise in menu penetration over the past four years, just behind the rise in street and breakfast tacos on menus.

Mexican-inspired items with the most significant menu penetration growth in the past four years.

Overall, menu mentions of Texas Pete® sauces grew by 44%* in the past year even while some operators cut back on their ingredients. “We’re seeing more interest in ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® by chains as they look for a uniquely inspired global flavor,” says Nikki Green, Garner Foods National Accounts Manager. The secret to that flavor is a blend of sauteed garlic flavor and a hint of cumin in the formula.

“While ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® is inspired by Mexican flavor, it’s versatile, add a few ingredients to create an extraordinary signature sauce for a burger, chicken sandwich, or dipping sauce for any restaurant menu. It could be an additional point of difference that can make your menu special,” Green notes. Find the ¡SABOR! Secret Sauce recipe on the Texas Pete® foodservice site.

“¡SABOR! by Texas Pete®’s vibrant taste, with an average Scoville heat level of 600, will complement any menu creation,” Green explains. The hot sauce is available in ½ gallons for back-of-house as well as 5 oz. bottles for tabletop and 7g packets for takeout and delivery.

*Datassential, 2022