9 Comfort Food Meals Everyone Will Love

How do you like to treat yourself after completing a long workday or project?

How do you prefer to heal yourself after a bad day?

Surveys say you’re not alone if you said comfort food meals!

An article in the New York Times found that people associate memories (good memories) with comfort food. Thus, it’s not uncommon or unnatural to crave a big bowl of mac n’ cheese, a slice of pizza, or a loaded baked potato when you’re feeling everything from celebratory to lonely. You may also crave a certain food that was prepared for you in the past by a loved one.

A Harvard nutritional psychiatrist calls this relationship a brain reward.

Even the smell of particular food can evoke strong memories. Thus, comfort food has the power to heal, especially when it’s high in quality. The same New York Times study also found that these foods don’t have to be rich in saturated fats and carbohydrates to trigger the same brain reward response.

What sorts of meals activate your own brain reward response?

Here are nine popular and comforting meal ideas people love.

  1. Nachos: Loaded Meal Ideas

Let’s start with the ultimate comfort food—finger foods!

What’s the first thing you think of when finger foods come to mind?

Snacks like chips, popcorn, and mini sandwiches come to mind. Yet, who can forget nachos?

Nachos are enjoyed at baseball games, restaurants, diners, and even movie theaters. You can also whip them up at home with a store-bought or homemade cheese sauce. Top off your cheese sauce nachos with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for an easy (and fulfilling) comfort meal.

  1. Junkyard Nachos

You can also ditch the cheese sauce to create a healthier version with free-range chicken, homemade salsa from the garden, sliced avocado, and a sprinkling of jack cheese.

It also makes the ideal starter at your favorite restaurant.

The Beast has its own nacho recipe with the following ingredients:

  • Housemade tortilla chips
  • Salsa (black bean and corn)
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado salsa
  • Smoked pulled pork

This mound of nachos is topped off with shredded cheese and smokey BBQ sauce for a comforting southwestern-inspired meal. You can also try the loaded fries starter as an alternative. These come smothered with short ribs, scallions, pickles, and of course, cheese!

  1. All Types of Chips and Dips

When you go to a party, what’s likely the first food you spot?

You got it! Chips and dip.

You can easily enjoy this treat at home with your favorite store-bought dip and bag of chips. You can also create your own with a can of refried beans, cheese, veggies, and other ingredients for a 7-layer dip.

  1. Chips n’ Dip: Beast Mode

The Beast also takes its chips and dips seriously with yummy grilled avocado guacamole and French onion dip.

These dips are best enjoyed with housemade potato and tortilla chips. Of course, you can always stick with foolproof parmesan fries with your choice of dipping sauces.

Don’t forget about classic fish and chips!

These types of meals are ideal for people who crave protein without red meat or chicken. The Beast’s fish and chips come deep-fried in crispy tempura batter with zesty tartar sauce and lemon on the side. Enjoy them with waffle-style fries for a delicious, comforting meal.

  1. Fresh Comfort Food Meals: Salads

Salads are typically billed as starters at restaurants and diners. You can also enjoy a small side salad with a hearty meal. Yet, salads can be fulfilling meals themselves.

You can easily whip up a hearty salad at home with a store-bought bag of salad mix, fresh chicken (or steak), cheese cubes, egg, peppers, bacon, and more ingredients. Top it all off with your favorite salad dressing, and you have a legitimate lunch or dinner.

The Beast also has a range of salads for guests craving garden-friend comfort food.

  1. Greek Salad

For example, you could try The Beast’s Greek salad if you’re in the mood for a Mediterranean comfort salad.

This salad includes the following:

  • Kalamata olives
  • Cucumber
  • Feta cheese
  • Baby gem
  • Red onion
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Pepperoni crispy chickpeas

You could add chicken, shrimp, or salmon to your Greek salad to pack a protein punch.

Protein also turns the classic wedge salad into a substantial comfort meal. The Beast’s wedge even comes with a balsamic bacon vinaigrette, along with a classic blue cheese.

Other salads include the classic Caesar and the fulfilling southwest chopped salad. The latter is a true meal, complete with roasted corn, black beans, avocado, chipotle lime vinaigrette, chorizo, and more.

  1. Classic Comfort Food Meals: Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers

What comes to mind when summer cookout season rolls around?

You really can’t go wrong with classic hamburgers and cheeseburgers fresh off the grill.

These comfort meals are so easy to whip up at a moment’s notice with friends and neighbors. Simply buy some of your favorite condiments, whip up an easy salad, and purchase some store-bought cookies for a super easy summer meal.

  1. Release the Kraken!

The Beast is known for its burgers, especially the house favorite known as “The Kraken.”

It’s a perfect name for a burger loaded with the following ingredients:

  • 5 grilled beef patties
  • Smothered American cheese (5 slices worth!)
  • Fresh lettuce
  • The Beast’s special sauce (T.E. sauce!)
  • Roasted tomatoes
  • Grilled onions
  • Pickles

Your Kraken burger is topped off with a mini octo dog for the ultimate comfort food meal.

  1. The Ultimate Double Cheese Burger and More Comfort Meal Options

If you want to take it down a notch, there’s always The Beast’s Classic T.E. Double Stack burger. This meal comes with two patties, American cheese, T.E. sauce, pickles, roasted tomatoes, and crispy lettuce.

Other burgers to enjoy include:

  • The Haystack BBQ Burger
  • Sin City Burger
  • Black Bean Vegan Burger
  • Frenchie Burger

You can always order a Patty Melt as an alternative. Enjoy this burger on thick slices of Texas toast for a fulfilling meal.

Treat Yourself to Your Favorite Comfort Food

These comfort food meals are just the tip of the iceberg lettuce salad. Browse through The Beast’s menu to discover even more comfort meals, rain or shine.

Make more memories with comfort food at The Beast.

We’re open 7 days a week. Stop in for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack. You can always book a reservation in advance.

We can’t wait to serve you!