6 build-your-own bars feeding the customization craze

New build-your-own bars continue to go beyond the typical salad and taco offerings as operators introduce fresh ways for diners to assemble and customize their meals. Here are six recent debuts.

Greenville County Schools in Greenville, S.C., offers a range of different bars for students. At its build-your-own chicken wing bar, students can choose from classic chicken wing flavors such as Buffalo and Memphis BBQ, as well as globally inspired options including teriyaki and sweet Thai chili. 

After a school’s student council asked for breakfast options at lunch, Linette Dodson—director of school nutrition for Carrollton City Schools in Carrollton, Ga.—introduced a brunch bar at the district’s high school. Students can choose from either whole-grain pancakes or biscuits, plus a variety of sides including grits, scrambled eggs and fruit. 

This year, Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., is expanding its selection of create-your-own bars on campus to include a poutine bar offered on Wednesdays, where students will be able to create their own version of the classic Canadian dish.

Along with its chicken wing bar, Greenville County Schools also offers a DIY grain bowl bar. Students can top a bowl of brown rice with their choice of Korean BBQ or Alaskan salmon, plus other accoutrements such as kimchi, jalapenos and pickled onions. 

The vegan station inside the newly opened Village Dining Hall at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles includes a Mediterranean bar. Along with pasta salads, students are able to select different items to create their own Mediterranean plate, with offerings such as hummus, greek olives, baba ghanoush, artichokes and marinated sun-dried tomatoes. 

A potato bar is also on the menu for high school students at Carrollton City Schools. Students using the bar can top baked potatoes with hearty options such as chili or lighter ingredients like broccoli.