My Kingdom For a Salad

Say what you will about Tender Greens (it has its haters) but I love this place. At one point I was determined to try every salad on the menu, but I gave up just because I love the flat iron steak salad (which comes with beets!!!) so much and I want it every time I go there. P.S. The BBQ chipotle chicken isn’t a bad choice either.

It’s funny I used to come here ALL the time, and then I moved around the corner and I stopped going! Anyway, I love this place, and the salads are DELISH. In fact, I’ve only ever gotten the same salad here (that would be the Tandoori salad—I get it with smoked tofu, but you can also get it with chicken) because it’s so gosh darn good and I’m afraid of trying something else and not liking it as much!

If the salad bar at Ralph’s make your cringe, then you should make your way to Mrs. Winston’s which offers an upstanding gourmet salad bar.

I know Chipotle is owned my McDonald’s and is technically fast food, but I can’t help but love the salad bowls here. In fact, I love them so much I tried to create them at home! (I even made cilantro rice!)

I used to tell people if they were looking for a Mozza-esque experience and didn’t want to spend the cash, they should go to Caioti instead— although after visits back to Caioti and Mozza, I have to say that Mozza has stepped up its game and Caioti might have to try a little harder. Anyway, Caioti gets special mention on here, because they offer a salad which is just called “THE Salad,” which supposedly makes pregnant women go into labor. So odds are if you come here you’ll see at least 2 pregnant women.

If you enjoy salads of the Mediterranean persuasion, then SDP might be up your alley. The salads here are peppered with fresh seafood, duck, smoked salmon— this definitely isn’t your mama’s salad bar.

The Alcove always seems to be packed. And while the most crowded meal to eat here is probably breakfast, they offer some great lunch options, which include a nice array of salads. The last time I was here I got the grilled vegetable salad— the prices here aren’t cheap, but the food is pretty decent.

Since Aroma is owned by the same folks who own the Alcove, you can expect the same deal here: long waits for breakfast, and decent (although somewhat pricey) salads for lunch.

Much like the Newsroom, every time I go to CCC I get the same thing because I love it so much and I know if I get something else I’ll wish I got my “usual.” And what is that “usual”? Why, it’s the California Chicken Salad with balsamic vinaigrette. SO tasty.

This is a bit off the beaten track, but I was just so blown away by the salad I had here that I had to put it on here. I got the “seafood” salad here (everything here is made out of tofu) and it was SO good! And even though everything on the menu here looked good I think I’d have the same thing if I went back— it was THAT good!

Coral Tree is a nice spot for lunch— salads, sandwiches, not to mention an awesome selection of coffee drinks and pastries for dessert. I usually get the tuna salad (no mayo) here— it’s mighty fresh and mighty tasty.

I have a hard time ordering here, because everything sounds good, and because I have a BIG weakness for plantains (which usually ends up dictating my menu choice somewhat). But when I’m with someone who ends up getting a dish that comes with plantains (that way I can sneak some off their plate), I usually get a salad because they’re HUGE and delish. I think the last time I was here I got the Roman’s Special BBQ Salad.

Bloom Cafe is one of those places that makes you squeal, just because it’s so freaking cute. And not only do I love this place because they’re super environmentally conscious, but they have a really eclectic menu, which caters to whatever mood you happen to be in. Salad-wise they have a pretty wide selection including a Thai steak salad (yum!), soba noodle and shrimp, free-range chicken with apple (which comes with dates and pomegranate seeds!), and beets with goat cheese.

This is a vegan restaurant which is actually pretty good (this is coming from a very happy carnivore) and the salads are no exception. I’ve had the Ensalada Azteca (tomato, cucumber, onion, jicama & avocado, atop quinoa and romaine, currants, pumpkin seeds with a mango-lime vinaigrette) which is YUM, and I can’t resist the Iron Yam (Steamed yam on salad greens and steamed veggies, with balsamic vinaigrette, ginger tofu & caramelized onions), because I am a HUGE sucker for yams.