Souplantation restaurant chain, founded in San Diego, closing for good

[left-of-center2012]

Souplantation, the all-you-can eat restaurant chain founded in San Diego 42 years ago, hung on through a 2016 bankruptcy but couldn't survive the coronavirus pandemic. The company is closing its 97 buffet-style restaurants, 44 of them in California, which will put 4,400 employees out of work, the San Diego Union- Tribune reported Thursday.

Garden Fresh Restaurants, the parent company of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, had closed the eateries in mid-March due to the spread of COVID- 19, characterizing the move as temporary.

"The FDA had previously put out recommendations that included discontinuing self-serve stations, like self-serve beverages in fast food, but they specifically talked about salad bars and buffets," Garden Fresh CEO John Haywood told the newspaper. "The regulations are understandable, but unfortunately, it makes it very difficult to reopen. And I'm not sure the health departments are ever going to allow it."

The serve-yourself model of the Souplantation chain, which grew out of a single location that opened in San Diego in 1978, resulted in steep losses in business as the coronavirus crisis rapidly worsened in February and March.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/report-souplantation-restaurant-chain-founded-in-san-diego-closing-for-good

[progree]

1. Yup, I've been there a few times, the one in Mira Mesa (about 15 mi N. of San Diego)

The buffet had a very wide offering. Sad to see it go.

Back home, in Golden Valley, MN (first suburb west of Minneapolis), the Lunds & Byerlys long has had a hot foods and soup bar and a salad bar .. it was always irresistible (though the price was high: $9/pound so could get real expensive if one went overboard) .. but has been gone for a few weeks now for obvious reasons. I'm wondering if it will ever be back.

[left-of-center2012]

2. I lived in 'North Park' San Diego for years

Near El Cajon Blvd and 30th.

I think we ate at a Souplantation in San Diego in the 1970‘s - 80‘s, but can’t recall where.
There was a Souper Salad in Hillcrest we went to a few times.

Here in Albuquerque we have Furr’s, and Golden Corall, neither of which should pass a health inspection.
Clue: the rest rooms are filthy!

[BigmanPigman]

3. I live in Hillcrest/University Heights

but I worked at an elementary school in Mira Mesa. The teachers would go there for lunch on early dismissal days. I loved their soft ice cream machine with mini cones to fill yourself. I had a Summer job at Dairy Freeze and was able to make giant "mini" cones.

The Chicken Pie Shop in Hillcrest moved to El Cahon and 26th St. I think they will stay in business since they are doing take out and delivery during Covid.

[left-of-center2012]

4. The Chicken Pie Shop in Hillcrest moved to El Cahon and 26th St.

Yep. (El Cajon) I lived about 2 blocks north of the pie shop.
It used to be at 5th and Robinson.

I took classes at the Buddhist Temple on Park, near Adams, in the late 90's.

When we first moved there in the 70's from CT we'd ask the bus drivers if they went to the towns of
"El Ka-john" or "La Joy-lah".

They'd laugh and say "You new here?"

[BigmanPigman]

5. When The Pie Shop moved it was the end for "Hillcrest quaint".

Then they got rid of Mayfair Supermarket across the street and The Guild Movies. Next The Gap and Starbucks came to take their place. Nunus the dive bar is still down on 5th Ave, across from my first S Diego apt.

[left-of-center2012]

6. Mayfair Supermarket

I remember that. They had a big machine out front where you could buy water.
I think it dispensed it into a gallon jug?

We took a photo of it (around 1978) and sent it back east to friends.

They said it was the stupidest thing they ever saw,
people buying water in a bottle, when there's tap water at home.

Times have changed.

I don't remember 'Nunus', but was never a bar person. Usually too loud and too smokey (back in the day).
You probably remember Sears off University near 10th, where Ralph's is today?

[BigmanPigman]

7. Yes, I walked to Sears

since I chose Hillcrest for its "artsy" atmosphere and you could walk places (I never needed a car in the cities I had lived in). The first time I went I got a jaywalking ticket as I crossed 6th and Univ. In other cities, like NYC, this was normal pedestrian practice. Now I call it Hellcrest since there is NO parking and is an "in spot" to visit and is crowded (before Covid that is).

[left-of-center2012]

8. jaywalking

On about our third night in San Diego (around ‘78) we jaywalked across 5th near University and got stopped by a cop in a squad car, lights flashing.

We told him we’d just moved there from CT, and everyone jaywalked back east.

He asked for our ID’s and when he saw our CT driver’s licenses he let us off with a warning.
........................
"In other cities, like NYC"

Living in Hartford, I'd take the train to NYC and spend 3 day weekends in Manhattan (late 60's to mid-70's).

[BigmanPigman]

9. You got a nice cop while I got a $30 fine.

I like your guy better.