A few years ago, a mind-boggling idea dawned on me. Clearly influenced by the growing cluster of health-conscious eaters, I began to very confidently bet on the success of an all-you-can-eat style buffet restaurant focussed on healthy eating and serving a nutritious and wholesome food menu. I had my business plans and financials almost worked out when someone destroyed my reverie by telling me about Souplantation.
Souplantation, also known as Sweet Tomatoes, is an all-you-can-eat-style-buffet restaurant that goes back to the late 1970s. If only I had thought of my genius idea a couple of decades ago! At any Souplantation restaurant, guests can eat to their heart’s content for just $10. For over four decades now, this simple and healthy restaurant chain has managed to win over millions of buffet lovers.
With their salad bar and dessert section literally overflowing with options, waddling through the food section at a Souplantation restaurant can be both tricky and overwhelming. With so many options to choose from, a foodaholic must have at least some rudimentary knowledge of where to start and what to eat.
Always Start at the Salad Bar
The salad bar at any Souplantation restaurant is a massive affair. From farm-fresh vegetables and freshly made croutons to pre-mixed dressings and crisp dill pickles, the salad bar at every Souplantation restaurant will have something for everyone. If you are a fitness enthusiast, making your own salad is a good idea. All Souplantation restaurant salad bars always have small decanters filled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil in case you wish to make your own customized salad dressing. House-made Ranch and low-calories New Orleans French are the two most popular salad dressings — try them. For lovers of hand-tossed salads, there are a variety of options — Vegan Wonton Happiness salad, Caesar Asiago salad, Joan’s Broccoli Madness with Bacon and Cashews, and Tuna Tarragon Pasta Salad. Joan’s Broccoli Madness and Tuna Tarragon are absolutely a must try. These salads from Souplantation have gained such popularity that the internet is brimming with recipes from food bloggers to recreate these salads at home. However, the true taste of these salads can only be savored at a Souplantation restaurant.
Grab More than Just One Bowl for the Soup
You heard it right — if you are at Souplantation, you must try more than just one type of soup. We will recommend starting with everyone’s favorite — the Yankee Clipper Clam Chowder. You can add bacon if you like. I personally love eating this soup with a piece of freshly baked focaccia bread. For people voluntarily staying away from gluten, the Deep Kettle Chilli is a good choice. To bring out its taste, eat it with cornbread. Vegetarians can relish the Creamy Cauliflower and Cheese soup. For people unwilling to experiment much with taste, the Big Chunk Chicken Noodle soup is a good choice. Depending on the cuisine being served, you will find more options at the Soup counter.
They Also Have Pasta and Pizza to Satisfy Your Epicurean Tastes
Let’s face it — some of us go to Souplantation not because it’s healthy, but because there is a lot of food to be had for a really reasonable price. If fitness comes second and the palate comes first, there is a pasta and pizza section to alleviate your carb cravings. From the simple macaroni and cheese to slightly more complex alfredo and marinara, there are all kinds of pasta to be enjoyed. That apart, trying the many different kinds of bread at any Souplantation restaurant should be a top priority. Foccacia, Sourdough, Multi-grain, Quattro Formaggio, Cheesy Garlic Foccacia, and Cornbread are some of the many options available.
They Make Healthy Desserts That Are Tasty Too
Many restaurants claim to have mastered the art of making healthy desserts. I would rather eat an orange than pay to eat a muffin from these restaurants. Souplantation is a different story — their desserts are healthy, but they are tasty too. The Raspberry Gelatin is my favorite. The Tapioca pudding comes a close second. Souplantation restaurants also serve soft serve and there is a vast counter with all kinds of fresh fruits along with your favorite toppings — caramel, granola, chocolate, sprinkles, etc.
Here are a few Souplantation Hacks
Eating at Souplantation can be tricky. Here are a few hacks to make the food at any Souplantation restaurant tastier:
- A baked potato is something almost everyone has at Souplantation. Make yours more flavorsome by adding cheese, sour cream, bacon, onions or literally anything you like. Potato is such a diverse vegetable that it goes with just about anything.
- Make your own sandwich. The sourdough bread has an ardent admirer in me. Whenever I visit any Souplantation restaurant, I make my own Sourdough sandwich. It’s quite easy. Get some freshly baked Sourdough bread and fix it with all the veggies you like. Add some sour cream or a spoonful of your favorite dressing from the salad bar and you are good to go.
Conclusion
Souplantation is one of those rare places where you can either stick to being healthy or go completely berserk. That apart, with so many choices at one’s disposal, it is quite easy to get lost and end up trying all the wrong things. Hope our recommendations and suggestions will prove to be of some help on your next visit to a Souplantation restaurant.