Sweetgreen is a popular quick-service eatery for soups and salads as well as hot grain bowls. The three founders wanted to create a healthier option in the fast food market. They started Sweetgreen in 2007 in Washington, DC a couple of months after graduating from college.
They began with the idea of delivering local produce and salads to offices but quickly realized their concept was better suited for restaurants. Sweetgreen now has locations in most major U.S. cities and is expanding internationally with locations planned for London and Abu Dhabi.
What's So Special About Sweetgreen?
Sweetgreen is a restaurant chain that serves real food in order to improve the community. Three college kids wanted to create a place where people could eat healthy, balanced meals without breaking the bank.
Their idea was so popular, it spread like wildfire and now has locations all across the country. But what makes Sweetgreen different? Well, for one thing, the Sweetgreen menu is always recording according to the season and what is locally available.
You'll never find any of those tired old salads here--these are vibrant, fresh salads with ingredients sourced from local farms across America. And did we mention their dressings are all-natural? That's right!
Greek yogurt tzatziki has the lowest amount of sodium and calories, so it's a great choice for those looking to maintain their weight or lose some. Lemon Tahini dressing is next. Mexican Goddess is about on par with the other two.
Which Dressings at Sweet Green Are Vegan?
The Sweetgreen menu has a number of vegan dressings for its salads. They also have a dipping sauce that is vegan and gluten-free, so you can dip your broccoli or other salad ingredients in it. The garlic dressing is their most popular vegan dressing.
If you like creamy dressings, the kale Caesar and the citrus ranch are both great options. If you're looking for something on the sweeter side, try the strawberry vinaigrette or the pineapple pomegranate vinaigrette. They also have a honey mustard dressing if you want something with more flavor than just vinegar and oil.
Where Does Sweetgreen's Lettuce Come From?
California Earthbound Farm (EB) is one of their partners and a leader in sustainable agriculture, which means they can be sure that their ingredients are grown without the use of toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
EB supplies them with organic baby spinach, romaine lettuce, and mesclun mix for our salads. All these ingredients are sourced from within 500 miles of Sweetgreen locations to ensure peak freshness and flavor.
What Does Sweetgreen Use For Their Bread?
Clark Street Bread is the company behind the delicious and wholesome bread for Sweetgreen. They offer a variety of bread options for different diets, including vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Clark Street Bread also offers organic and whole wheat options.
They use extra virgin olive oil to make all of their dressings, sauces, and dips. The highest quality olive oil is extra virgin olive oil. It's made from only fresh olives, which are crushed and pressed at a very low temperature.
Does Sweetgreen use Pasteurized Cheese?
One of the main components in their salads is cheese - but do you know how they make sure it's safe to eat? All of the cheese at Sweetgreen is made from pasteurized milk, which kills any harmful bacteria that might be lurking inside.
Is Balsamic Vinaigrette a Vegan Dressing?
Vegan dressings are the perfect option for vegan eaters. Balsamic vinaigrette is a great dressing on its own, but when paired with another salad dressing, it can be an all-around win.
Drizzle some balsamic vinaigrette over your salad for an extra punch of flavor, or mix it in with your favorite creamy dressing to make it tangier. While many dressings contain dairy products, this one does not and is therefore suitable for vegans.
Can You Recycle the Bowls From Sweetgreen?
There is an ongoing debate about whether or not the bowls from Sweetgreen can be recycled. While some say yes, it isn't possible because of their plastic lining, others say no because the bowls are made of paperboard. So who's right?
The answer lies in what kind of recycling program your city has. Paperboard recycling programs and plastic recycling programs are different, so if you live in a city with a plastic recycling program, it's possible to recycle the bowls from sweet green. If not, then you'll have to find another way to dispose of them responsibly.
Should I Tip at Sweetgreen?
Many Sweetgreen locations do not take cash. If you have cash, you may be able to give your tip in cash. If there's no table service at your location, all gratuities are handled online through the kiosk or app after you order. On the other hand, if there is table service, tipping may be included in the bill after your service.
Does Sweetgreen Put the Dressing on the Salad or on the Side?
Most people don't even consider the question of where to put the dressing, but it's actually a very important decision. Dressing is the one thing that can make or break your salad.
If it's too heavy on the dressing, you might find yourself with a soggy mess of wilted vegetables and leaves in front of you. But if it's not enough, then you're just eating dry leaves (which are not appetizing). It also all depends on what kind of salad dressing you like—some dressings have more calories and fat than others, which is something to take into consideration when ordering.
So, should dressings go on top or on the side? Generally speaking, oil-based dressings will be best suited for drizzling over the top of your salad; creamy dressings are better suited for being served on the side.