“Hey Alexa, order me a Chat GPTaco.” That’s what you could soon shout out if the recent trend of restaurants using AI to make new menu items continues.

We’re all familiar with how “restaurants are experimenting with the technology to take orders, forecast inventory, and dictate staffing needs. Some brands are even launching pilot programs to replace staff with robots.” The latest trend is using AI “to design menu options and flavors, an experiment that is becoming increasingly popular. Both national and local restaurants are testing AI-inspired recipes.” 

Even bartenders aren’t safe from AI these days, with the launch of BarGPT to go along with your Chat GPTaco.

In case you were wondering what’s in the Chat GPTaco it includes “flank steak, blackened shrimp, red chile aioli, chimichurri, crispy potatoes, grilled onion, queso fresco, jalapeño, and cilantro on a corn tortilla. The taco became the restaurant’s best-selling and best-rated taco in 2023.”

Little known fact about me, unless you follow me on LinkedIn and X, I’m a big fan of Mexican food. Did you know that: 

  • Americans consume over 4.5 billion tacos annually. 
  • The word “taco” translates to “light meal” or “snack” in English (which I can tell you I’ve never sat down to eat tacos and had a “light meal” – it’s never happened!) 
  • Soft shell tacos are preferred by 64% of Americans, while 36% prefer hard shell tacos (in other news 64% of Americans are wrong – hard shell tacos are the best!) 
  • Taco Bell is the top-selling taco chain in the United States, with a 32% market share (I’m guilty of contributing to this.) 
  • The first taco was actually invented somewhere between 1,000 and 500 B.C. (there’s a religious joke to be made here, but not by me.) 

Restaurants owners are using AI to make new menu items, like the ‘Chat GPTaco’ from a Dallas chain that became a hit with customers