Souplantation

Nailed it. Love Souplantation and had a great meal here. Fresh salads, soups and breads. Enjoyed everything I had. Will be back again.

I’ve always been a fan of soup plantation. It was my first time back to one since I was young, I feel like the price is a bit steep for what they offer, so I feel like it deserves more of a 3.5.
Soup plantation offers all you can eat salad, soup, and pasta, etc. Most options are vegetarian so it’s mostly healthy foods. I always go for the Chinese chicken salad, which never fails me as well as their chicken noodle soup which has yummy thick noodles. Also if you love couscous like me, then you can load up in the salad line! Their loaded potatoes are also yummy, however I can usually never finish one myself. In addition, their mini cones are so cute & yummy!
This location was also very clean with a nicer seating area than some other soup plantations I’ve been to. I would definitely recommend coming if you have any coupons, otherwise, it can be a bit overpriced unless you come on a very empty stomach.

Nice healthy food! Salad bar goes for ever and you have plenty of choices for healthy food! However still there are some other choices if you are not diet freak! Good value for money.

Ok for those few who haven’t been to a SP b4, here’s the breakdown. It’s a buffet style restaurant. You start off right at the front door with the salad bar that stretches nearly the entire length of the place. There are generally 3 different types of premade salads available, which are located right at the beginning of the line, or you can choose to build your own. There is nearly an endless selection of toppings and sides, and even a few choices for kids.
At the end of the line, just b4 the register, you can buy house-​baked, packaged cookies, which are actually good and not too expensive. The best one’s are usually the chocolate chip.
Drinks range from water, hot/​cold tea, coffee, regular & strawberry lemonade, and a myriad of soft drinks (made to order in their computerized drink machine). You can also order beer or wine.
Soups usually consist of 5 choices a day that change about every 2 weeks. You also get a small variety of toppings for each soup located to the side near the potato section. The restaurant also offers baked potatoes and baked yams. Toppings include whipped butter, honey butter, margarine, sour cream, chopped onions, crumbled bacon, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses. Each month has it’s own theme and items for the menu.
You can get fresh pasta here too. The regulars are plain penne, with marinara, Arrabbiata (spicy), or meat sauce, or premade selections of the month such as vegetarian or sausage.
There’s also plenty of Mac-​n-​Cheese.
Other hot sides include focaccia pizza slices (cheese, pepperoni, or veggie), warm breads and cornbread muffins.
Desserts aren’t served b4 4pm. B4 4 one can choose from blueberry, chocolate & chocolate chip muffins, soft serve ice cream/​frozen yogurt (chocolate/​vanilla/​mixed only), and ice cream toppings (sprinkles, granola, peanuts, and chocolate or caramel sauce). You can get either a bowl or mini cone. You can also choose from fresh whole or sliced fruit, gelatin or mousse.
Hot desserts are usually some form of cake: chocolate lava, lemon, red velvet or spice. They also serve apple & apple cranberry cobbler (which are very good).
The only reason I gave this place 3 stars is because of the price. Without coupons lunch will average about $ 12 – 15 per person.

I’ve always liked souplantation but tonight I witnessed staff clean a mans table and seat someone there not once, not twice but FOUR TIMES. He even had the card out saying that he would be «ripe back». Not cool. Not even the muffins make up for that.

Any hot food including the soups are tasteless. Seems like here they are in love bacon. Three of the soups including Clam Chowder had bacons in them. This is where they already offer bacons as a side add on that you could sprinkle on your food. I asked the «chef» managing the soups, why bacon is in everything?
He said that they get the Clam Chowder soup shipped to them and that’s how they get them! Are you serious? All along I was thinking they make everything fresh in their kitchen, but apparently their clam chowder, comes in some sort of powder and they just mix it with water and makes serve your customer. Even the freaking pasta had bacon in it. One other pasta selection they had was swimming in salt I could not have more than a bite. This place definitely is not of not high quality food. Total crap!

My stomach is reserved for food that is handled with care and love. The food here is definitely not worth the money and more importantly, the calories I’m intaking! Much rather go to tender greens or urban plates for higher quality salad.

3.5 stars
This was my first time at this location since the renovation and I was very impressed. I love the «country» vibe and all of the small touches. I particularly like the mason jar on the tables which acted as a fork holder. The fork is right side up and used as a holder for the announcements and signs on the tables… it looks like something you’d find on pinterest and it was really cute.
I usually just get water, but my friend had a 2 for $ 22 deal which included drinks so I opted for the strawberry lemonade. I really liked it! It wasn’t too sweet, but just the right mixture of lemonade and strawberry flavor. If I wasn’t so full, I probably would have gotten a third refill!
My favorite part of Souplantation is the salad. I absolutely love their creamy ranch and all of the toppings. I was disappointed to find that they do not have hard boiled eggs at the moment. It is one of my favorite ingredients for a salad so it just wasn’t the same. I was also not super impressed with the croutons this time either, they were almost stale tasting.
I tried the jalapeño chicken tortilla soup and that was tasty! I added a sprinkle of tortilla chips and it was just right. I also had a piece of the cheese bread and focaccia bread, good as always.

This place is my go to spot for lung on those weeks I just don’t know what I’m in the mood for. Yes, it’s just your typical salad buffet but Souplantation has recently made some drastic improvements to several locations and the food choices available. They now offer gluten free and more vegetarian options.
The salad, soup, dessert rotations are changing often. The mango tea is to die for.
I highly recommend signing up for club veg, their email rewards program. It will keep you up-​to-​date on menu changes and send you nifty coupons in the mail to make those meal expeditions cheaper.
Don’t forget the vanilla mini ice cream cone to go on your way out.

This is your typical Souplantation where you can get your healthy fix on, and repeat again and get more of it. It’s awesome because it’s like a buffet, for those who want to get their grub on!
For those looking for a well balanced meal, there is plenty of salad and soup variety. and for others who prefer there is pasta, yummy pizza cheese bread, and ice cream for dessert!
The service here is pretty sweet, from the cashiers to the busser who are friendly and attentive at cleaning the tables and getting used plates off the table.
Overall good pricing, and yummy, variety here! :)

I am in love with Souplantation! Mostly because they have salads and delicious pizza and soup. Upon walking in, you are greeted with a array of assorted salads and then parts of the salad itself. Plates would be either on the right or left and take out boxes will be up front as well. You could go either right or left; kind of reminds me of a college food area but very convenient as there are two ways to go.
My aunt and I used a coupon we both found off of Google/​RetailMe — approx $ 11.29 for dinner included beverages? Thats a steal! Unfortunately didnt take any pictures ss was too busy wolfing down the food as we were both starving after working out from the nearby San Dieguito Boys and Girls club.
The drinks are by the cashiers — you would see them after paying. Lemonade and pink lemonade hidden around the corner. After completing you first dish, you could go around for more. For me, my to go is the caesar salad and the wonton salad which you see as the first thing when at the salad line. I then pack anything else that seems appealing. Second dish and after usually consists of some slices of pizza — and more returns of the salad as well as some of their soup! Their clam chowder is tasty. Chicken noodle was a bit salty today. Plus they have dessert — brownies, blueberry muffins, and ice cream!
Bathrooms are located on the opposing side of the salad — usually the other wall of the pizza. This is a healthier version than the chinese buffet all you could eat! Revamped with salad and most definitely way healthier!

Overall 4.5 stars. Located in the Vons shopping center off the 56/​Carmel Country Road exit, hubby & I love to come here after one of our crazy long double workout days or when the family gets together. Our family always use a coupon (Club Veg weekly email), we NEVER pay regular price.
Being a germaphobe, I actually hate buffets, but SoupP is an exception I’ll make (well that, and cruises lol ;) because we love veggies so much.
This is one of the better locations– EXCEPT, if you can at all avoid it, don’t come here during the «peak» dining hours… the lines are long and they seem to always be understaffed, so they’re always out of food. The last time we were there was last weekend at 7pm and holy crap it was like the apocalypse — people were all nuts in there… they were out of ALL three of the pizza breads, regular bread, a bunch of salad fixins’, chocolate lava cake and gluten free muffins. But when food is in stock, it’s always good & fresh. They just need to train the cooks to start the next batch when it’s halfway empty, so there isn’t that empty lull. I get crabby when I can’t eat lol ;)
So why the 5 (ok, 4.5) stars? Because SoupP (all locations) has the best customer service. Anytime something is less than perfect, we let them know and they always give comp meal passes to make up for it, which is excellent service… keeps us coming back. I’ve only had to «complain» a couple times in the past 20 years and they always took good care of us. We like being treated like we matter, and we like to give our patronage to places that value its customers.
In fact, today, a big group of us are going to SoupP to use our comp meal passes! This is always my 1^st choice for a big group get together. A great value. Again, just try to avoid peak, high frenzy, lots of kids running around time periods.
Thanks SoupP, you guys rock… but pretty please, make these part of your permanent menu: Gluten-​free coconut muffins (hands down THE BEST muffins you’ve ever served in the 20+ years we’ve been customers) and the potato leek soup.
TIPS: Join Club Veg and never ever pay full price.
Best time to come 3pm beats the after lunch crowd, get in for cheaper lunch prices and stay past 4pm when they bring out the desserts! We have lunch & dinner here, linner!

Oh Souplantation! 3 stars because you’re delicious — but you’re not for everyone. Let me explain: I’m a 30 something who lives the neighborhood with no children. If I was a 30 something who did have a family Souplantation would SO be my jam.
As it is, I eat there a couple times a month, but at this location I generally take my foods TO GO. Why? Because it’s a zoo of adorable babies, and while I’m a huge kiddo fan and have a solid 104.5 baby fever, on a busy week night (Or go forbid a Friday) you’re liable to step on a few or stare on sadly as they eat all the mac and cheese. I’m just saying, get that salad and soups and all the breads, but watch out! Family friendly dining is the name of the game here. I love Unilocal because reviews are from personal perspectives of real people based on their own circumstances: And my circumstances are kidless and hungry. If you’re that too — I bet you feel three stars tells a perfect tale. If you’re something else, maybe this is your perfect 5 star place.
The BF and I stopped to dine in recently cause we’re trying to eat healthier but we had a busy evening. As one of the few quality salad bars/​buffets left in the world — Souplantation was the answer and near our home. The line was out the door, the kids in front of us in line were spooning up beets like they meant it (C’mon kid, you know and I know that you’re not gonna eat those, you just like em cause they’re purple) the tables were PACKED and the little ones were running rampant. It took a good 15 — 20 minutes to get through the Salad Line and pay and then another few to be seated. Once were were at out table, we practically had to gorilla crawl to the soups and hot food station.
Each time one of us left the table we looked across to the other affectionately and said that if we did not return, that we’d always hold our time together in our hearts. Before heading on a mission to attempt to get some soup, I gave him the list of who to bequeath my shoe collection to and some instructions on the flowers for my wake just in case I didn’t make it. I saw him head to the pasta station and watched as children literally swarmed his giant body, covering him like ants on a piece of fruit.
I loved my salad creation — fresh veggies and delicious. I’m a sucker for the spicy red pasta sauce and guilty of trying a scoop of practically every soup offered — but it wasn’t without risk. Worth it, but be prepared for a dine– in adventure.
PROS:
Delicious
Fresh
Cheap: Especially if you sign up and get the email discounts
Family Friendly
CONS:
Family Friendly (For some people, this is a con!)
Loud
Very Busy
Bring the kids, heck, they might already be there.

I frequent this revamped/​remodeled location quite a bit. It’s hard to beat an $ 7 AYCE lunch sometimes (make sure you sign up for their Club Veg thing b/​c that’s where all the prime coupons are!). I rarely visit Souplantation without using one of those coupons.
This location is nice, modern, and clean. I like the set up but do agree with others that the line gets long. Since the revamp, they took out the chicken from my beloved Chinese Chicken salad. The trick is to go to the soup section and use the chicken from the Chicken Noodle Soup (it won’t taste the same but that chicken will be probably the only gratis protein you will find there). They now have an option where you can pay for a chicken or steak skewer (see pic).
I recently went to their Eat with the Farmers event and I must say that meeting the farmers, who supply the produce and veggies to them, was a great experience. I didn’t realize that Souplantation worked with local SD farmers to source their veggie/​fruit inventory.
They now serve wine and Mother Earth craft beer (I just googled Mother Earth and they’re in Vista).
I’d suggest visiting before peak times (before 12 noon and after the 5:30p dinner rush). My last visit wasn’t the best as they wouldn’t honor a coupon I had but oh well — even paying full price for lunch isn’t the end of the world right. Regardless, this location is nice and the food has been consistently fresh & healthy for me.

Green plants sprout in spring
Strawberries redden on vines
Sweet strawberry scent.
Mmm… Scent of chocolate chip cookies is in the air. Pretty Souplantation girl approaches with cookies. Scent is stronger now. Cannot resist. Somebody says Toll House cookies. All I notice is the warm cookie sliding past my lips. The delightful sound of crunching cookie. Chocolate melts in my mouth and covers my tongue. The scent is everywhere. The flavors electrify my taste buds. I enjoy the bliss of fresh baked cookies for timeless moments. My friend Faye gives me her cookies so the pleasure lasts and lasts… :-)
I also tried a few other things. Chicken noodle soup had good broth and tender pieces of chicken breast. The fat noodles had a starchy flavor to them. Chicken breast skewers were grilled tender but didn’t have much smoky flavor. They are good as long as you like rosemary or teriyaki flavor. The fresh fruit was very fresh and delicious. I especially loved the strawberries. The sweet scent draws me in and taste almost as good as the fresh Carlsbad strawberries I buy at the local farmers market. Vanilla soft serve was not as thick and rich as I like. Dairy Queen & McDonald’s make it thick and rich the way I like it.
The place looks new and shiny. Employees were friendly and helpful. Was cool meeting the CEO John Morberg during the celebration for the farmers they buy from. Next time I’m gonna eat less other things and more cookies. :-)

I found a worm in my mushroom soup at the Carmel Valley souplantation. Seems I am not the only one with this type of experience — 7 reviews down from my original one, someone talks about the bug they found in their salad at this location!

This is actually a great Souplantation that is always modern and very well kept. This must be some sort of a test kitchen or something as this place is always ahead of the curve when it comes to offerings and new menu items. Like the other locations, the food here is super fresh and the selection is absolutely awesome… Who can complain about making your own salads/​soups etc. Overall, I recommend this location to anyone looking for a fresh and healthy meal at a decent price.
Pros–
Clean
Menu options
Service
Location
New items
Modern amenities
Coke machine
Cons–
Crowded at lunchtime
Menu never really changes
Expensive without coupons

I came here with three vegetarians, and two of them were very excited to come here since everything is very well labeled gluten-​free/​vegetarian/​vegan. Lots of choices in the soup/​salad territory, however their gluten-​free labeled items were very much not so which earns an instant 1 star from me. You don’t mess around with allergies, especially when you claim something is ok.
Coming in, we went down the line, got our salad, got a drink, and sat down. I got up to get some soup since San Diego was being historically cold on us. I got the gluten-​free chili and the (labeled as such) gluten-​free muffins. The muffins were so good, I got three more of them!
However, about a half hour later I was ridiculously sick. I can only assume the muffins actually contained gluten, and I was just mainlining gluten into my system. It took me 36 hours to get over that meal.
Food is fine here taste-​wise, and you know what you’re getting (as long as you know it may be glutenous) with the soup/​salad thing. But really, why label something gluten-​friendly and not have it be?

I came here on a special day. You bring a can of food and get a free meal. There was a ton of cans donated that day and it felt nice to be apart of that. Also there was a photo booth and a wheel to spin. I went with my sister and two nieces.
It took a little while to get in and it was pretty crowded inside. So you had to be careful not to bump into someone and there was almost always a line for the drink machines.
I have to admit when I go to soupplanetation I usually don’t get a lot or any of the salad or I leave it over. This time I got a little of this and that and it turned into a huge salad plate. It was delicious all those little pieces turned into a really good salad.(and yes I ate all of it)
I liked everything I got it was really good. They even have one of the soda machine with more choices than you will ever try and tea.
I don’t go to buffets to often but this place is really good and I thought it was cool that they did this day to help gather food to donate.

I LOVE SOUPLANTATION! I’m a Sweet Tomatoes/​Souplantation lover. I think it’s some great food for a great price. If you’re with a group of people, it’s a nice place to just hang out for awhile and eat.
I love their premade salads and some of their cold pasta dishes on the salad bar. My favorite soup is the clam shower and their blueberry muffins are DELICIOUS! Their focaccia bread is also amazing. use it to eat with the clam chowder or maybe some pasta — you own’t regret it! I love that they have the little ice cream cones; grab some ice cream to go on your way out!
This location is also one of the nicest locations I’ve been to in San Diego (besides Chula Vista and Mission Gorge). Glass dishes, fancier flatware, and just all around more lavish looking décor. They have some high rise tables which are really nice to sit at and add a nice touch to the entire place.
We come here often for lunch and there is NEVER a rush or a line. Multiple times we have arrived between 12:00 and 12:15 and there has never been a crowd and there is always tons of seating available.