While many buffet restaurants get a bad rap for tacky decor and soggy food wilting under heat lamps, regional chain Sweet Tomatoes breaks the mold.
It offers soup, pizza, pasta, focaccia bread, and its legendary chocolate lava cake, allowing diners to eat well and get ahead financially .
Sadly, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2020, shutting the doors of its 97 locations throughout the West, Southeast, and Southwest.
Loyal diners everywhere were devastated. Luckily, three years later, Sweet Tomatoes is mounting a comeback. Here’s what you need to know about the iconic chain and its fresh restart.
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The back story
CL-Medien/AdobeSweet Tomatoes opened its first location in San Diego in 1978. It was dreamt up by a pair of surfer friends who wanted an endless supply of healthy food.
While the food was all serve-yourself, it was a far more elevated experience than your typical buffet.
Over the decades, the chain grew its footprint to 15 states. At its peak, Sweet Tomatoes had 110 company-owned stores, although headquarters remained in California, where the chain is branded as Souplantation.