TAPPING TAPAS! Into

By Mike Fernandez

WHAT ARE TAPAS?

No, they aren’t tap-dancing shoes! Tapas are small appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine, like our beloved happy hour bar bites. The idea is that the table can order many small plates to share, have room for a couple of drinks, and enjoy time together. The translation of tapas is a lid. Many say that tapas came about when barkeepers began covering their customers’ drinks with a slice of bread, ham, or cheese to stop flies and dust from dropping into them. Popular legend states it began in the 13th century under King Alfonso X The Wise. Wise you were ham beer-lid guy!

Spanish tapas can be hot or cold and include cured meats like Jamon serrano, a cornucopia of cheese, croquettes, and small seafood plates, often paired with beer or wine. There’s no need to stick to the Spanish menu, but tapas in the U.S. are typically based on foreign foods or are Eurocentric, giving guests the ability to taste the world.

WHO’S TALKING ABOUT TAPAS?

My friends and I had the privilege of testing tapas throughout Spain a few years ago, and our favorite spot was 100 Montaditos. They offer 100 unique variations of bite-sized sandwiches sold for just a few dollars each. I usually spent only $15 total, but plenty of us went often, and we’re still talking about the fun we had.

MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z LOVE THEM!

People in their 20s visit restaurants more than any previous generation and have a much different taste than their parents. For Millennials, food is fun! It’s not considered sustenance as much as an invigorating social experience that ignites the senses.

Comfort foods aren’t very popular with Millennials; comfort grub doesn’t leave room for social drinking, which they like, a lot! This group of savvy eaters enjoys trying new, unique foods they can share on social media. Millennials have grown up in a tech age where they’re watching influencers break baguettes in France or friends slurp pho in Thailand, and now they want the world on a tiny platter. Tapas also fit the social lounge style that many restaurants and cafes have adopted. Posh establishments with dim lighting are the perfect place to chat while passing friends plates from around the world.

Benefits To Operators

If your center already offers bar bites, change the menu title to tapas — because that’s what they are! A simple name change can add a little foreign flare and encourage guests to order more than one plate. Remember, you provide an experience, not just food on a plate. These bites create an electric environment where people come to eat well, talk rapidly, and feed off each other’s energy. The shareability promotes human

Popular Tapas

• Croquettes (breaded, fried roll of meats or vegetables)

• Patatas Bravas (crispy potatoes in spicy sauce)

• Pan Con Tomate (flaky bread topped with crushed tomato)