What is your restaurant FAMOUS for?

I live in an adorable seaside town outside of Dublin city called Skerries. It is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and stretches of wonderful beaches, but the most famous thing about the town? The chicken wings. Blue Bar and Restaurant has a reputation for some of the best chicken wings in the county. Every time I mention where I live to a new acquaintance, they usually reply “Oh yes, Skerries. I’ve been to Blue for the wings!”

This reputation has earned Blue Bar such a buzzing business that you have to make a reservation every single night of the week. In a town with a population of 10,000 and 28 other cafés and restaurants, that is an amazing feat.

So what is your bar or restaurant is famous for? What gets your customers talking and sharing? Everything you serve should be delicious, but it can be an incredible business strategy to create one iconic dish or drink that drives word of mouth marketing.

If you currently serve awesome food and drinks, but you want to be like Blue Bar (who also do an excellent seafood, burger and cocktail trade), it isn’t too late. Look around and see what your competition is doing. While there may be local venues that have cornered the market for the best pizza or margaritas in town, is anywhere offering the best fish and chips? Cheesecake? Pancakes? Steak?

Identify a dish that works well with your current menu, and workshop and compare it with other local offerings. Keep finessing and taste testing until you have something that will get your customers talking, sharing and lining up!