If you're not breaking the mold with your salad choices, brace yourself for a disappointing graze through a sea of lettuce that sadly lacks the creative zing to qualify as a full meal. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I stumbled upon Saladworks in my city, a culinary delight I'm quite animated to yak about!
Saladworks may not have been around since the dawn of time, but it's certainly been making waves since its humble beginnings in 1986. Picture this - Cherry Hill, New Jersey in the 80s - neon lights, jogger pants, Whitney Houston on the radio, and nestled amidst it all, John Scardapane was firing up the first Saladworks. From then till now, they've been increasingly turning heads with their smorgasbord of over 60 fresh toppings, 10 dressings, and plentiful options to pimp your salad. It's like playing dress-up, but with food.
The Wonder that is Saladworks' Growth
Which got me thinking - just how many Saladworks joints are there anyway? Turns out, the answer lies somewhere north of 107! Their titanic franchise has managed to slice and dice its way across 13 states. What's more, the numbers continue to grow, proving that healthy greens aren't just a passing fad.
What sets them apart is their ability to appease every palate, moving effortlessly across an array of global cuisines. Whether you prefer Asian sesame noodles, Thai chicken, a Mexican fajita or an Italian pasta salad, they've got you covered. It's like taking a world tour from one table!
A trip to Saladworks makes you ask yourself - is it possible for something healthy to be this good? A mouthful of their Farmhouse Salad had me convinced. This soul-satisfying bowl has a fantastic combination of 5 grams of fiber, just 420 calories, and diverse, robust flavors.
The salad begins with staple greens like romaine lettuce and baby spinach leaves and then ventures into the exciting territory of grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, held together by everyone's favorite crouton. Dressed in an Italian vinaigrette dressing, this formidable salad gets the final gourmet touch with a choice of grilled chicken or salmon, feta cheese, and gorgonzola cheese. Who knew healthy could be this tasty?
Saladworks' Star Dressing
Among the many salad dressing stars of Saladworks, Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette steals the show. This blend of lemon and olive oil hits the sweet spot between tangy and salty, making it a divine accompaniment for any salad you craft. As a side note for vegans - it's friendly territory for you too!
Impressions of the Tivoli Salad
If there's another customer favorite that needs highlighting, it's the Tivoli Salad. With a tempting mix of radiatorre pasta, roasted turkey, tomatoes, provolone cheese, and an iceberg and romaine blend – not to mention, ham to top it off - it's a hearty masterpiece. This open-faced salad opens up a world of possibilities for endless and creative toppings.
Super Greens at Saladworks?
Visiting a salad bar, you'd expect their green game to be strong, right? Well, Saladworks doesn't disappoint. An intimate chat with their chef left me delighted as they listed their inventory of supergreens that included spinach, kale, broccoli, arugula, and my bae, romaine lettuce. What's better is that all of these are organic and non-GMO. Toppings are where it gets even more exciting - organic chicken, black beans, mangoes, cranberries, almonds, and the list goes on!
Grain Bowl at Saladworks
While I'm generally a salad person, their grain bowl proved equally irresistible. Imagine indulging in a medley of roasted butternut squash, roasted onions, feta cheese, warm organic quinoa, and avocado. Add to that your choice of toppings and dressings, and you've crossed over to foodie heaven! The balsamic vinaigrette dressing is also safe for gluten-intolerant souls.
Unicorn among Salads - Saladworks!
There's a reason why Saladworks is different. Whether it's their customizable salads or the six specially-curated salads with proteins like grilled chicken and shrimp, Saladworks does not make you compromise on your health or taste. They walk the extra mile by introducing dairy-free options to the princely world of delicious dressings.
It's intriguing to trace its origins back to 1982, when a bright idea of serving up salads with pre-made ingredients was born in a small restaurant in Florida, thus paving the way for Saladworks.
Organic or not - What's the deal, Saladworks?
The question of whether Saladworks sources organic ingredients doesn’t have a plain vanilla answer. Their veggies are a mixed bag, coming as they do from local farms across the country, some of which are specific about organic farming while others aren't necessarily certified. But, rest assured, all ingredients are methodically cleaned to part ways with any residual pesticides or herbicides.
Wrap Your Hands around Saladworks' Wraps
My exploration of Saladworks brought me face to face with their delightful wraps. Customers are spoiled for choice between the grilled chicken caesar and smoked BBQ crispy chicken. These wraps are brimming with romaine lettuce, red cabbage, baby kale, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, and artichoke hearts. Parmesan cheese? Yep, they've got that too. For those preferring something different, an Avocado Cobb Wrap, adorned with corn kernels and black beans on a bed of romaine lettuce, is a delectable alternative.
Pros:
- An extensive range of fresh toppings and dressings.
- Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
- Wraps and grain bowls are an exciting alternative to salads.
- Incomparable diversity in salad choices.
Cons:
- Not all ingredients are organic.
- Tricky for complete beginners to balance their salad.