One of the glaring changes (and bright spots) for restaurants in 2020 has been the exponential growth in takeout. According to market research firm Technomics and as summarized in a recent article in The Washington Post, there has been a spike in off-premise dining in the second quarter of this year. This should not come as a surprise....

Of all the qualities of fried foods, crispiness is almost always at the top of the list. In fact, many diners will even request certain fried menu items to come out “extra crispy.” So how is this best achieved in our commercial kitchens, and what are some of the basic tips operators should consider? Let’s...

Over the past few decades, chicken has become the most popular protein in the United States. According to the Economist, “the birds now account for 23 billion of the 30 billion land animals living on farms.” There are more chickens than any other type of bird. There are even more chickens than humans. In the past...

With a lot of state fairs being cancelled this year we are missing our fried favorites from funnel cakes and fried dough, to the crazy conceptions of fried butter and fried alcohol. Pitco would like to give cooks and chefs from all over the chance to enter into our own fried fair food competition, we’ve...

Eating gluten-free is a popular trend, particularly amongst Millennials who are looking to live a healthier lifestyle and are concerned about eating “clean.” You may hear them describe themselves as “gluten-avoiding” when they ask whether a particular menu item contains gluten. Other terms you may hear include gluten-sensitive and gluten-intolerant. It’s important to know the...

Jalapeño poppers are a ubiquitous menu offering at a wide range of eateries, from low-key bar and grills to high-end restaurants. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that jalapeño poppers have become one of the most popular snacks in America. We would like to take a closer look at just what makes a jalapeño popper a jalapeño popper, as...

Fried foods tend to gain cult-worthy followings. While French fries are commonly thought of as the ultimate fried potato option, there’s another dish that is one of America’s favorites. Tater tots. But how did this recipe come about, and what caused it to gain global fame? Where did tater tots originate? As the world adjusted...

When it comes to both popularity and variety, there are few foods that can compete with chicken. As a staple in the diet of billions of people around the globe, chicken is enjoyed and revered primarily because of the many ways it can be cooked. Whether it be grilled, broiled, or fried, the possibilities are...

Chicken wings are a true staple of the American diet. From sporting events to casual get-togethers with friends and family, there’s a high probability wings will be involved. In today’s environment, in large part because there’s been a shortage in sporting events such as March Madness, there’s actually an overabundance of wings. They’re available at...