Meatloaf is Back in the Wave of Modern Comfort Foods

2021 is proving to be the year of modern comfort foods.We've seen a big uptick in unique fried chicken creations along with other stick-to-your-ribs foods like mac and cheese and innovative pizzas. And while there's an increased interest in healthful foods, that's not slowing down the desire for comforting indulgence.With this trend has also come a renewed interest in, you guessed it, meatloaf! I grew up having bacon-wrapped or ketchup slathered meatloaf at least once a month, and according to recent trend research there's a good chance you did too.With nostalgia (particularly of the late 90's and early 2000's) driving comfort food trends, meatloaf is the next logical platform for innovation. So, let's see who's doing what with this protein powerhouse.

Modern Comfort Food Trends: Meatloaf

Haywire

Let's start with a more unique take on the classic. Haywire Restaurant out of Plano, TX. Their savory loaf is made from house-ground Texas Wagyu and Cherrywood bacon.The meat is seasoned with panko, eggs, celery, onions, spices, and chipotle peppers, then brushed with chipotle ketchup. Sliced cold, each serving of meatloaf is grilled to order, giving it a touch of smoke and char.

Boston Market

Boston Market has long held meatloaf as a menu staple. They offer a more classic approach, featuring ground beef mixed with special seasonings, onions, tomato puree, and toasted breadcrumbs.But, to add a little excitement to the proceedings, it's smothered in zesty, hickory ketchup. The tangy, smoky flavor works perfectly with the savory profile. And if you're feeling extra zesty, sauce it up with their zesty BBQ sauce.

Lazy Dog

Lazy Dog Restaurants chooses to really up the ante with their BBQ Bison Meatloaf. Made with all-natural Durham Ranch grass-raised Wyoming bison and flavored with smoked bacon and seasonings, it's just the right amount of change to be modern, but still classic.For the perfect finishing touch, the bison loaf is slathered in smoky BBQ sauce. It's enough to get your mouth watering just thinking about it.

Urban Plates

To keep up with trends we had to include at least one plant-based meatloaf, and no one is doing it better than Urban Plates.Their "Meatless Loaf" features a plant-based loaf of garden veggies, black beans, and organic quinoa. It's finished with a generous serving of tangy homemade tomato jam. It's all the comfort, sans the meat.

Just Like Mom Used to Make

Or not. Really, it's up to you. That's the fun part about modern comfort food trends, they're all about inspiring nostalgia rather than replicating it. So, grab a slice of meatloaf, slather it in your favorite tomato or BBQ sauce, and relax in the feelings of times past. We won't judge.