Tuesday, 21 September 2010 02:21

Salad Bowl Cafe: cheap, fast, healthy food in Beverly Hills

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Last week I got a taste of the offerings of Salad Bowl Cafe, a franchise that recently opened their doors in the heart of Beverly Hills. I got the Big Create Your Own salad and was allowed to choose 8 out of the 50+ toppings; I asked for mixed greens, spinach, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, walnuts, jalepeno peppers, chickpeas, cucumber, and avocado. I opted for the suggested raspberry vinaigrette, but made the mistake of not asking for it on the side - it was way too much and made the entire salad too heavy. There were also too many jalepenos, which made the salad too acidic. Yet, I really enjoyed it and was impressed at the massive portion and value - salads range from $7.95 - $12.95, which is inexpensive for the quantity.

Overall, I was impressed with the wide variety of vegan options, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly staff. The meat and cheese is kept far from the produce, and they use separate tongs. The main downside is that little, if none, of their produce is organic, though some is local. And, the only green thing about the restaurant is their vegetable selection (and delivery vehicle) - they haven't figured out a way to be eco-friendly and cost effective at the same time (unfortunately, this is a common problem). Their to-go containers, cups and eating utensils are plastic. Although, if you dine-in your salad will be served in a metal bowl.

The bottom line: you'll love Salad Bowl Cafe if you're on a budget and looking for a healthy meal while in Beverly Hills. However, if you're willing to pay a little more for an organic salad in an biodegradable take-out container, I recommend Greenleaf Chop Shop down the street.

(310) 858.8432
350 N. Canon  Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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Read 8355 times Last modified on Monday, 14 May 2012 08:51