R.I.P Souplantation (bankrupt, food, buffet)

[SandyCo]

I'm very impressed that they decided not to go for COVID-19 federal aid. They tried to see a way to still stay in business but in this environment a buffet business wasn't sustainable and they saw no reason to waste that money.

[V8 Vega]

How about the displays in grocery stores where you handle the fruit's and vegetables compared to self service buffets?

I wonder if all you can eat buffet style might open where like Electrician 4 you mentioned post 3 like Subway or Panda Express where you are behind glass and can see what your selecting but a sever doles it out for you. As busy as Soup Plantation was you'd be waiting in line for the server.
Olive Garden has all you can eat salad, soup, and bread but a waitress brings it to you.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

Olive Garden has all you can eat salad, soup, and bread but a waitress brings it to you.

Awesome. Maybe we can put Olive Garden in the ground too.

My only sadness in seeing places like Hometown Buffet, Golden Corral, etc go under is that they tend to serve people at the lower end of the economic scale and it eliminates that as an option for people to feed their families inexpensively. But I digress. That is a very different conversation.

[mingna]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Awesome. Maybe we can put Olive Garden in the ground too.

My only sadness in seeing places like Hometown Buffet, Golden Corral, etc go under is that they tend to serve people at the lower end of the economic scale and it eliminates that as an option for people to feed their families inexpensively. But I digress. That is a very different conversation.

You couldn’t beat Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes’ children price of $4.99 for 6-12 yrs. for quality alone. I know mine always out ate me.

The quality of Olive Garden’s bottomless salad is very poor compared to SP.

[ObserverJC]

Not one of my go-to restaurants but my mother and her friends like Souplantation a lot. They are going to have a hard time finding a suitable replacement.

[V8 Vega]

there is a 5 page thread on this in economics. I'm heartbroken that their closing.

[Fisherman99]

Originally Posted by thenext88

We used to go once a week to the Brentwood location. Getting a healthy meal topped off with a guilt-free ice cream and warm chocolate brownie for like $10 was a great deal. I'm really bummed about this, especially since my infant really liked going there as well.

Haven't been there much but do remember those excellent warm chocolate brownies with vanilla soft serve iced cream!! Will miss them!

[Taiko]

Originally Posted by mingna

RIP Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes

I used to go to the one in Torrance when I lived in the area in the very early 90s. Wasn’t trying to be healthy, but enjoyed the variety and value. It balanced out the other times we went to Pizza Hut in Lomita.

Now, I live elsewhere and went regularly with my family. It was one of our favorites when I didn’t feel like cooking, but still wanted the kids to eat something healthy. We also found most of their soups very tasty and well made.

Don’t know why, but our whole family found this news very surprising and sad. Maybe because it signals things will not be returning to normal post-pandemic.

Didn’t know about their financial troubles. The one near me was always busy, sometimes requiring people to wait at the register until a table opened up. But I noticed they replaced more pricey ingredients with cheaper ones (e.g. sprinkles and cookie crumbles instead of nuts at the ice cream section). And they steadily increased prices in recent years. Then they spent money to renovate when they didn’t need to, so it leaves you wondering why, if they had such money problems.

The next restaurant to the north, first in Marina Del Rey which then moved to a smaller location in the Culver City Hughes Center closed and thus those who wanted to go either went down to Torrance or further north to the Beverly Grove

[V8 Vega]

I saw a article in the newspaper that they are definitely closing. It also said they will not honor gift cards, you may dispute the charge with your credit card co. if bought with a credit card.

[CaminoDelAvion]

[quote=TR95;58057242 troubles pre-date the Covid era. They had financial troubles in 2008/2009 and again in 2016/2017. This just ended it for good this time.[/QUOTE]

It hurts to see them go but like you said it has been in a death spiral before Covid.