As Memorial Day weekend kicked off the unofficial start of summer a couple weeks ago, AFS team members fired up their grills and enjoyed classic cookout fare. A recent poll surveyed employees on their favorite main dishes, sides, and desserts for the annual holiday celebration.
Favorite Main Dish:
- Grilled burgers – 70%
- BBQ ribs – 12%
Hot dogs – 4% - Grilled chicken – 8%
- Vegetarian/vegan options – 0%
- Other (e.g. tri-tip) – 6%
The clear favorite main dish for AFS team members on Memorial Day is grilled burgers at 70%. BBQ ribs are the next most popular at 12%. Very few prefer hot dogs (4%) or vegetarian options (0%).
Popular Side Dishes:
- Potato salad – 56%
- Coleslaw – 4%
- Baked beans – 22%
- Corn on the cob – 42%
- Pasta salad – 24%
- Watermelon – 34%
- Deviled eggs – 10%
- Chips and dip – 56%
For sides, potato salad and chips & dip tied as the most popular at 56% each. Corn (42%), watermelon (34%), and pasta salad (24%) were also common choices. Coleslaw (4%) and deviled eggs (10%) were less favored.
Favorite Dessert:
- Apple pie – 8%
- Brownies – 20%
- Ice cream – 38%
- Fruit salad – 14%
- Cupcakes – 6%
- S’mores – 4%
- Other – 10%
Ice cream was the runaway dessert favorite at 38%, followed by brownies at 20%. Fruit salad (14%) and other desserts like popsicles (10%) were moderately popular. Very few preferred apple pie, cupcakes, or s’mores.
In summary, AFS team members overwhelmingly love classic American summer cookout foods like grilled burgers, potato salad, chips, corn, and ice cream for Memorial Day celebrations. They skew toward mainstream dishes rather than less traditional, like vegetarian or vegan options.