Souplantation is one of my favorite places to eat here in the SCV. For those unfamiliar, Souplantation is a reasonably-priced buffet that features a large and extensive salad bar, soups, pastas and baked goods. Their salad bar offers freshly prepared tossed salads, fresh green lettuces, spinach or mixed greens with tons of fresh veggies to make your own salad. In addition to that they offer “prepared salads” (think potato, pasta and bean salads) some of which are also vegan. I have yet to see a vegan dish at the pasta bar but they do have several vegan soups that are available from time to time. Baked potatoes, fresh fruit, juice and tea are all available as well.
Ingredient lists for each item is available in a three-ring binder behind each buffet counter. You can view it upon request, and I have read it dozens of times. I have nearly memorized which items are vegan and which ones are not. They have these surveys that customers may fill out; so I would, and I always ask for more vegan items. I have sent e-mails making the same requests and finally I started calling their corporate phone number. Some people would say this is going a tad overboard with the whole thing, but remember that they did ask for my opinion when they handed me those surveys. Besides, for those of you whom are not willing to put yourselves out there and talk to these people then be glad that some of us are; it benefits all of us.
In my last conversation with Souplantation they told me that they have been getting lots of responses from vegans and they decided to actually add the word “VEGAN” to items in their nutritional booklets and their on-line menu. I was also told they were considering putting the word “VEGAN” to the actual name tag on the salad bar to note which items were indeed vegan. They already list “Vegetarian” on these name tags but vegetarian to them includes dairy and eggs, so if you’re not sure just check the binder. (Note: in some of the vegetarian soups there is an ingredient called “Vegetarian Base” which contains lactose, so if you see this in the ingredient binder it is not vegan).
Menu items change every two weeks and you can see what your local Souplantation is serving by checking the menu on their website. (Hint: Click “Future Menu” to see what they will be offering weeks from now). I prefer to go when there are vegan soups offered, so if I check today I can see that they are offering one vegan soup (Santa Fe black bean chili) and one vegan prepared salad (Mandarin noodles w/broccoli). Coupons are offered constantly in the paper (Sunday, L.A. Times), and you can get printable coupons e-mailed to you if you join their “Club Veg” mailing list. Coupons are usually valid up to four people so bring your friends or family and enjoy a good meal at Souplantation-Valencia.
Souplantation-Valencia is located in the Valencia Town Center @
24303 Town Center Drive, Suite 150
Valencia, CA 91351
Filed under: Buffets, Places to Eat, Soup & Salad | Tagged: Places to Eat, Santa Clarita, SCV, SCVegan, Souplantation, Valencia, Vegan, vegetarian
The best place for vegan soup in Santa Clarita is definitely the Cal Arts cafeteria. I don’t even go there, but I often find myself there and if I find myself there and I happen to be hungry I know exactly what Im getting: $1.50 cup of the vegan option soup. They have different options everyday and if you ask nicely they’ll throw a scoop of brown rice in your soup. It’s a pretty good deal.
Looking forward hearing about other cruelty-free restaurants around town.
Are there any Fresh Choices around your area? I’m not sure if all of them do this, but the ones I’ve been to, so far, specify if things are vegan. It’s pretty neat! I think it’s on the same level of Souplantation, tastewise. I get them confused a lot, actually. But it’d be awesome if Souplantation started doing this. It’s great that you’re pursuing so far.