Toad in the hole voted best comeback dish

With so many potential customers stuck indoors, home cooking is on the rise, prompting masses to reminisce about their all-time favourite dishes and which ones they want to see when they return to your pubs and restaurants.

But amid classics such as shepherd’s pie, chicken casserole and stew and dumplings, the traditional English meal made up of sausages encased in Yorkshire pudding batter takes top spot, according to data by Tastecard.

Top 10 dishes Brits hope will return to menus:​

1. Toad in the hole
2. Stew & dumplings
3. Shepherd’s/cottage Pie
4. Chicken Kiev
5. Liver & bacon
6. Pasta bake
7. Chicken casserole
8. Goulash
9. Quiche
10. Egg & soldiers

Home comfort

The research shows there is plenty of opportunity for operators to take advantage of classic dishes when preparing takeaway or delivery food services, and for when sites can eventually reopen, especially as many of those surveyed are still yet to try all the stalwart classics.

It showed 85% of us have never tucked into the traditional Cornish dish – Stargazy Pie – made with pilchards and potatoes, and four out of five of us have never tried jellied eels – a dish that is apparently favoured by the likes of EastEnders​ star Danny Dyer.

Although pease pudding is a favourite dish for Geordies, more than one in six Brits have yet to try it.

And most respondents admit they much prefer dishes from current times than those they enjoyed in their childhood.

Tastecard CEO Matt Turner said: “We always encourage people to try new and exciting foods, from different cuisines to different styles but these traditional dishes are definitely a home comfort and they’re packed full of flavour.

“It’s good to see classics like toad in the hole making a comeback and, who knows, we could see modern reinventions appearing on the menu when the lockdown is lifted.”