Patio Fillers – 5 Summer Dishes To Keep Your Venue’s Patio Busy This August

As the warm late-summer weather embraces Chicago, venue owners have a golden opportunity to make the most of their outdoor patio spaces. Keep your patios busy through the final weeks of August with these enticing summer patio dishes. Complete your orders here and check out these 5 unique summer patio dishes that will tempt diners to soak up the summer sun.

Grilled Mango Jerk Chicken Skewers

Elevate traditional chicken skewers by infusing them with the flavors of summer.  Marinate succulent chicken pieces in a jerk spice and fresh mango puree. The sweetness of mangoes perfectly complements jerk seasoning spiciness, creating a burst of tropical flavors.

Ingredients:  Boneless Joyce Farms Chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces.  Jerk seasoning (a blend of allspice, thyme, garlic and onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and ground nutmeg).  Scotch bonnet pepper (adjust quantity based on desired spiciness), pureed ripe mangoes, olive oil, salt & pepper, and skewers.

Combine the jerk seasoning, Scotch bonnet pepper (finely chopped or blended), mango puree, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.  Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated.  Cover bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.  Place skewers on a preheated grill and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through with a slight char on the edges. Consider offering sides of coconut-lime rice or vibrant fruit salsa to complement the flavors.

Citrus and Herb Marinated Seafood Kabobs

Impress seafood enthusiasts with this dish that captures the essence of fun summer outdoor dining.

Ingredients: Assorted seafood (shrimp, scallops, fish filets), fresh lemon & lime juice, chopped basil and cilantro leaves, minced garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper, skewers.

Combine fresh lemon/lime juice, chopped basil, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper.  Mix well to create a zesty marinade.  Place seafood into the marinade.  Cover bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Thread onto the soaked skewers, alternating between different pieces for an appealing presentation.  Grill the kabobs approximately 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through with a slight char. Pair these kabobs with a refreshing citrus-infused salad or a bowl of seasoned rice. 

Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow-cooked, smoky BBQ pulled pork sliders are a guaranteed hit for your patio’s summer menu.

Ingredients:  Boneless pork shoulder or butt, BBQ rub (a blend of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper), BBQ sauce, slider buns, pickles, and coleslaw.

Season pork shoulder with the BBQ rub.  Cover all sides, pressing the rub into the surface to enhance flavor.  Cover meat and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Cook the pork low & slow until tender and infused with smoky goodness.  Serve on soft slider buns with coleslaw to create a mouth-watering combination.

Offer these sliders with classic barbecue side dishes like baked beans, potato salad, or cornbread to create a satisfying summer feast for patio diners.

Tandoori-Style Grilled Lamb Chops

Bring an upscale, exotic touch to your patio menu with Tandoori-style grilled lamb chops, combining tender meat with an aromatic blend of spices.

Ingredients: Lamb chops (rib or loin chops, preferably with some fat for added flavor),

plain yogurt (Greek or regular), Tandoori spice blend (a mixture of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, garlic powder, ginger powder, and cayenne pepper), lemon juice, chopped cilantro leaves, salt & pepper, vegetable oil (for grilling).

Combine plain yogurt, tandoori spice blend, lemon juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.  Adjust spice level to your preference, adding more cayenne pepper for extra heat.

Marinate chops in the blend of yogurt and Indian spices.  The yogurt tenderizes the meat while infusing it with rich flavors.  Grill the chops, and to complement the Indian-inspired theme, consider serving with basmati rice or garlic naan, along with cooling cucumber raita or mint chutney on the side.

Chicago-Style Italian Beef Burgers

Celebrate Chicago flavors with a combination of classic Italian beef sandwiches and burgers.

Ingredients: Ground beef (80% lean recommended), Italian beef seasoning blend (a mix of oregano, basil, thyme, garlic & onion powder, and red pepper flakes), salt & pepper, buns (preferably Italian or ciabatta rolls), provolone or mozzarella cheese slices, Giardiniera (pickled Italian vegetable mix, available in jars), sweet or hot peppers (sliced, optional), olive oil (for drizzling).

Season ground beef with Italian beef seasoning mix plus salt & pepper.  Form into burger patties of desired size and thickness.  Grill patties for approximately 4-5 minutes per side.  Place slices of provolone or mozzarella on each patty to melt slightly.

Top patty with a generous helping of Giardiniera, allowing guests to customize spiciness to their taste.  Optionally, add sweet or hot pepper slices for extra flavor and a Chicago-style kick.  Drizzle olive oil over the toppings to enhance the Italian flavors.

Make The Most of Great Summer Weather

Remember, the key to a thriving patio business is to offer an enticing and diverse menu of summer patio dishes that captures the essence of summer.  Contact our team at Northwest Meats to order from our top-tier wholesale meat and seafood cuts selection.