Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant

[Villages PL]

I finally discovered Sweet Tomatoes. :icon_wink: I read a list of restaurants recommended for vegans one day. Then, while walking with a friend, I saw the restaurant in the distance. I said, "let's go over and get a sample menu." I thought it was a sit-down restaurant where you order from a menu. And, for some reason, I had the impression it was expensive.

We already had lunch so we just went in to look around. This was on Saturday and it was very crowded. First of all we went in the wrong door and didn't know which door was the right door. But we walked around and did some looking and no one questioned it. It seems nice.

I finally found the cash register and a woman did some explaining about the foods they offer. But now I'm wondering why the cash register is at the end of a line about 30 feet long. What's the purpose of that first line? Is it just for getting a tray, dishes, utensils etc.?

Also, I assume it's an all you can eat buffet for $11.50. Is that correct?

I'm planning on going there sometime before the end of the month and wonder what's the best day to avoid a large crowd.

[hulahips]

We love sweet tomatoes. Go during week before and you get a great deal

[Fraugoofy]

I had a coupon for 7.99 lunch. Went on Saturday right when they opened. Wondeful food. Great price. Would go back for sure.

[Villages PL]

We love sweet tomatoes. Go during week before and you get a great deal

Earlybird special?

[Villages PL]

I had a coupon for 7.99 lunch. Went on Saturday right when they opened. Wondeful food. Great price. Would go back for sure.

I have a coupon for a 7.99 lunch so I'll be using it when I go. But I noticed they don't always have coupons in the paper.

[SeaCruiser]

I get coupons via email about every two weeks? I think I just signed up online ?

[John_W]

...First of all we went in the wrong door and didn't know which door was the right door. But we walked around and did some looking and no one questioned it. It seems nice.

I finally found the cash register and a woman did some explaining about the foods they offer. But now I'm wondering why the cash register is at the end of a line about 30 feet long. What's the purpose of that first line? Is it just for getting a tray, dishes, utensils etc.?

Also, I assume it's an all you can eat buffet for $11.50. Is that correct?

If you had entered the door on the right next to Leather Gallery, you would pick up your tray, utensils and then go down a 30' cool aisle filled with vegetables, slaws, fruits, etc for a salad. Also your drink glass and pay at the end.

We signed up four years ago when we moved here and every week they email us coupons. Normally a variety of $6.99 or $7.99 lunch coupons and dinner coupons, sometimes two for lunch with drinks for $20, an assortment of different ones. We normally go for lunch and with drinks it's about $25 but with coupons about $20, it use to be $20 without coupons when we first moved here.

Normally you eat your salad first, or you can go up sooner to the hot tables which have pizza, soups, cheese macronic, baked potatoes, breads, and drink dispensers. When you finish you can make yourself a soft ice cream sundae. At lunch time it can sometimes be hard to find a table.

[Carla B]

VPL: You've been here for several years and they've been here for a few years too. Glad you finally found them. Wonderful food to please even a vegan.

Best wishes.

[Fraugoofy]

VPL: Have you ever visited a buffet before? You know the restaurants with the long displays of food? You seem like from your post that maybe you don't get out much... restaurants usually have cash registers to help the workers collect the right amount of money. Would love to meet you at Sweet Tomatoes to show you the ropes if you are confused on how buffets work...

[Carla B]

What I used to love about the South were all the cafeterias (long lines of food with cashiers at the end). In Houston, you were never too far from one that had delicious hot dishes and yummy desserts.

[EnglishJW]

Coming from New Jersey, I don't recall ever seeing a Sweet Tomatoes before TV. For us, it was a welcome and pleasant surprise. Good food, lots of choices, reasonable prices ... This would be another good addition somewhere in the southern portions of TV.

[Villages PL]

VPL: Have you ever visited a buffet before? You know the restaurants with the long displays of food? You seem like from your post that maybe you don't get out much... restaurants usually have cash registers to help the workers collect the right amount of money. Would love to meet you at Sweet Tomatoes to show you the ropes if you are confused on how buffets work...

I've been to buffet restaurants before but never saw a cash register located the way this one is located. So you start getting food before you arrive at the register. Suppose you later decide to go back to get more food? Can you do that? And will they know that you already paid when you arrive at the register again? I know, once I learn, it will be a minor point. :)

[Villages PL]

VPL: You've been here for several years and they've been here for a few years too. Glad you finally found them. Wonderful food to please even a vegan.

Best wishes.

Actually, I did see their sign in the past but never paid it much attention. Now I feel like I just discovered it because I actually took the time to check it out. It likely never would have happened if we weren't going for a walk. Usually, whenever I went to the shopping center in the past I had something definite in mind that I needed to buy and I never seemed to have the extra time to consider anything else. Lately, my friend has been getting tired of the Golden Corral so that helped in my decision to try something new.

Thanks, Carla, and everyone for all the information.

[dbussone]

What I used to love about the South were all the cafeterias (long lines of food with cashiers at the end). In Houston, you were never too far from one that had delicious hot dishes and yummy desserts.


I love the "meat and threes". Select your meat and the 3 veggies to have with it. Not many left.

[Bonanza]

I have a coupon for a 7.99 lunch so I'll be using it when I go. But I noticed they don't always have coupons in the paper.

So go and pay the reglar price.

[Villages PL]

I finally ate at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. So now I understand that it's a vegetarian buffet. I wonder why no one ever said that - I mean no one ever said it was vegetarian. It's almost vegan except for ice cream and some other small items like bacon bits etc..

That doesn't mean it's totally healthy-eating; there are loads of unhealthy processed foods. It's like any other buffet: If you want to eat healthy, you have to carefully pick and choose the healthiest unprocessed items.

Personally, I think Golden Corral has a slight edge over them.

[TheVillageChicken]

Is "vegetarian buffet" the new term for "salad bar"? I don't think it approaches vegan. They have pepperoni pizza, butter, sour cream, chili, meat based soups, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, tuna and chicken salads, etc.

[Fraugoofy]

I finally ate at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. So now I understand that it's a vegetarian buffet. I wonder why no one ever said that - I mean no one ever said it was vegetarian. It's almost vegan except for ice cream and some other small items like bacon bits etc..

That doesn't mean it's totally healthy-eating; there are loads of unhealthy processed foods. It's like any other buffet: If you want to eat healthy, you have to carefully pick and choose the healthiest unprocessed items.

Personally, I think Golden Corral has a slight edge over them.
We're you confused on which end to start? Did they make you pay when you went back for seconds? How did they know you already paid? Did you use a coupon?

[Barefoot]

I finally ate at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. So now I understand that it's a vegetarian buffet. I wonder why no one ever said that - I mean no one ever said it was vegetarian.

Is "vegetarian buffet" the new term for "salad bar"? I don't think it approaches vegan. They have pepperoni pizza, butter, sour cream, chili, meat based soups, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, tuna and chicken salads, etc.

They seem to offer a lot of vegetarian choices, but also turkey taco salad!

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes : Locations & Menus (http://www.souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.aspx?store_id=126&store_name=Lady_Lake)

[batman911]

I believe the early bird special and The Villages resident discount are about the same. At any rate, the salad is good and the soups are even better. Price includes desert. They also have pizza, breads, baked potatoes, etc. Good meal for the money.

[MikeV]

We're you confused on which end to start? Did they make you pay when you went back for seconds? How did they know you already paid? Did you use a coupon?

No subsequent trips are free. They know by the way you enter the line. I bring my receipt just in case they are super busy.

[Villages PL]

Is "vegetarian buffet" the new term for "salad bar"? I don't think it approaches vegan. They have pepperoni pizza, butter, sour cream, chili, meat based soups, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, tuna and chicken salads, etc.

I didn't see any of the above items except one soup had something in it that was supposed to be meat, according to my friend. I tried some and it didn't taste like real meat; it might have been soy. There were no hard boiled eggs, no tuna and chicken salads, etc. No pepperoni pizza. The chili didn't appear to have any meat in it. Where were the cheeses? Oh, I think there was a salad dressing that included tiny little slivers of something that resembled cheese - could have been imitation cheese.

[Bogie Shooter]

The tuna salad is on the line...................

[TheVillageChicken]

I didn't see any of the above items except one soup had something in it that was supposed to be meat, according to my friend. I tried some and it didn't taste like real meat; it might have been soy. There were no hard boiled eggs, no tuna and chicken salads, etc. No pepperoni pizza. The chili didn't appear to have any meat in it. Where were the cheeses? Oh, I think there was a salad dressing that included tiny little slivers of something that resembled cheese - could have been imitation cheese.

Yeah, I made all that stuff up.

[njbchbum]

I have a coupon for a 7.99 lunch so I'll be using it when I go. But I noticed they don't always have coupons in the paper.

Sign up on-line for their loyalty program and you will have all of the coupons you want!

[Barefoot]

...

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I finally ate at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. So now I understand that it's a vegetarian buffet. I wonder why no one ever said that - I mean no one ever said it was vegetarian. It's almost vegan except for ice cream and some other small items like bacon bits etc..

That doesn't mean it's totally healthy-eating; there are loads of unhealthy processed foods. It's like any other buffet: If you want to eat healthy, you have to carefully pick and choose the healthiest unprocessed items.

Personally, I think Golden Corral has a slight edge over them.

I would love to be able to track how much time you spend shopping, selecting, reading about and preparing food. It must be a full time job.

And God Bless you if that's what you enjoy doing and feel that it's keeping you in the best of health.

[Carla B]

We love most all vegetables; but I would imagine the two hardest things about being a vegan is the labor involved in preparing a meal and then still feeling hungry afterward.

As it is, it's not unusual for me and/or my husband to spend two to three hours a day in the kitchen just fixing three normal meals, nothing fancy.

[Villages PL]

They seem to offer a lot of vegetarian choices, but also turkey taco salad!

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes : Locations & Menus (http://www.souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.aspx?store_id=126&store_name=Lady_Lake)

I didn't see any turkey taco salad. I didn't see any meat dishes at all.

[Villages PL]

I would love to be able to track how much time you spend shopping, selecting, reading about and preparing food. It must be a full time job.

And God Bless you if that's what you enjoy doing and feel that it's keeping you in the best of health.

Here, I'll make it easy for you:

Shopping for food twice per week: Total time spent about 45 minutes.
Reading about health, food and nutrition etc. about 1 to 2 hour per week.
Preparing meals: About 1 & 1/2 hours per day.

Here's why people are often so wrong: Once a routine is established it doesn't require a lot of thought, same as for those who eat a poor diet routinely.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I would like to track how much time you spend making false assumptions about others. It must be a full time job.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend it just seems like a lot to make sure that everything is totally vegan and no processed foods and correct salt content and whatever else.

I wasn't trying to put you down or insult you, it just really seems to me to be a lot of work.

But, like I said, if that's what makes you happy, God Bless you.

No offense meant.

[Barefoot]

I didn't see any turkey taco salad. I didn't see any meat dishes at all.

Yeah, I made all that stuff up.

Yeah, I made all that stuff up too.

If you look at the link I posted (to the menu), you will see meat dishes on the menu.
You wondered why no-one told you it was strictly vegetarian --- that's probably why.
Also, didn't you mention bacon bits?

[dbussone]

I love bacon - bits or whole.

[OpusX1]

Mmmmmm bacon. Everything is better wrapped in bacon we love bacon wrapped grilled asparagus.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The third item on the menu is Zesty Turkey Taco Salad.

Under Prepared Deli Salads you can see Tuna Tarragon and Joan's Broccoli Madness with Bacon & Cashews.

Under soups I see, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle and Yankee Clipper Clam Chowder with Bacon.

Under hot pastas there is Macaroni & Cheese.

And under desserts I see Quattro Formaggio Focaccia.

So it's obviously not a vegan restaurant and depending on whether you consider tuna, chicken and clams as "meat" you couldn't really call it vegetarian either.

Here's the menu:

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes : Locations & Menus (http://www.souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.aspx?store_id=126&store_name=Lady_Lake)

[Villages PL]

Yeah, I made all that stuff up too.

If you look at the link I posted (to the menu), you will see meat dishes on the menu.
You wondered why no-one told you it was strictly vegetarian --- that's probably why.
Also, didn't you mention bacon bits?

Yes, I read your link. You believe the link more than you believe someone who just ate there?

Bacon bits and ice cream yes. That's why I didn't say it was strictly one type restaurant or the other. It leans more toward vegetarian. No one is going to sit down and eat a whole dish full of bacon bits.

[Barefoot]

Yes, I read your link. You believe the link more than you believe someone who just ate there?

Oh, don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins.
You are now arguing with the menu, not with me!!

[Villages PL]

The third item on the menu is Zesty Turkey Taco Salad.

Under Prepared Deli Salads you can see Tuna Tarragon and Joan's Broccoli Madness with Bacon & Cashews.

Perhaps there were very small bits of tuna etc in some of the salads. With all the mayonnaise you couldn't really tell by looking at it.

Under soups I see, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle and Yankee Clipper Clam Chowder with Bacon.

I remember many years ago people complaining that they couldn't find the chicken in "Chicken Noodle Soup". I looked at the Big Chunk Chicken Noodle soup. What it had was big chunks of noodles. I didn't see any chicken in it. I think chicken means chicken flavored.

Under hot pastas there is Macaroni & Cheese.

I saw that one. Not sure if the cheese is real cheese or imitation cheese.

And under desserts I see Quattro Formaggio Focaccia.

I have no idea what that is. Is that a pudding? I saw a pudding. I tasted a little of it and it was so sweet it was sickening.

So it's obviously not a vegan restaurant and depending on whether you consider tuna, chicken and clams as "meat" you couldn't really call it vegetarian either.

And I wouldn't call it a restaurant for meat eaters either. If you like meat, bring your magnifying glass so you can see it.

[Villages PL]

Oh, don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins.
You are now arguing with the menu, not with me!!

The menu is misleading.

[dbussone]

The menu is misleading.


How can the menu mislead? The menu is the menu. I'm sorry but I don't understand.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Just got back from my first and probably last visit.

First of all, I have to agree with VillagesPL. It is very confusing when you first go in. It appears to be a cafeteria style buffet where you load up and then pay at the end of the line. I didn't realize that there is another whole buffet station after you pay.

I will say that the food was very good, but this exemplifies the problems that I encountered when I tried to go vegetarian. The entire menu is highly carbohydrate based. After the salad bar, there is basically pizza (which they call focaccia) and pasta. There is also a lot of bread and potatoes.

We tried a few of the soups and they were good except that the chilis were basically thin soups and not thick chilis that I'm used to.

I also think that VPL is right about the menu being misleading. There is an item called roasted eggplant. Turns out that it's penne pasta in red sauce with a little bit of eggplant which I could not find.

It's a great place if you want to load up on carbs, but I have to agree with VPL once again. Other then the plain salad ingredients, there is nothing healthy here unless you want to dine on lettuce, cucumber and broccoli.

Not a place for me. Glad I had a coupon for 20% off, because it would take me forever to eat $15.00 worth of lettuce.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

And I wouldn't call it a restaurant for meat eaters either. If you like meat, bring your magnifying glass so you can see it.

Not a restaurant for those of us trying to maintain a low carb diet either. Like I said, unless you want to stick with lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli and a few other vegetables, you're pretty much stuck with bread, pasta and potatoes.

[Teachers Pet]

Yeah, I made all that stuff up too.

If you look at the link I posted (to the menu), you will see meat dishes on the menu.
You wondered why no-one told you it was strictly vegetarian --- that's probably why.
Also, didn't you mention bacon bits?

A little research goes a long way.

[Villages PL]

Why must you dissect everything??? You are such a crepehanger.

I have been to Sweet Tomatoes many times and in many cities.
Yes. There are chunks of chicken in their chicken noodle soup and they aren't stingy about the chunks;
the noodles are handmade -- very much like spaetzle.

Quattro Formaggio Focaccia is four cheese focaccia. It isn't a dessert.
I guess you don't know what focaccia is. Look it up!

Who cares what the menu says?
It's a buffet and you can see everything you eat -- before you eat it!

I'm not dissecting, I'm just saying I didn't see any of the items that some people are telling me about. That's dissecting? Why are you dissecting my posts?

[dbussone]

I think you might be able to take a course in reading comprehension at Leesburg community college.

My comprehension is fine, thanks. And I also went to their website to review things.

[Villages PL]

Not a restaurant for those of us trying to maintain a low carb diet either. Like I said, unless you want to stick with lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli and a few other vegetables, you're pretty much stuck with bread, pasta and potatoes.

That's a good point, there were loads of starches. I think the starches might be the main attraction. There were baked potatoes, potato salad with mayonnaise, bread, muffins, rice and pasta with mayonnaise etc. It's a starch lover's dream. I wouldn't mind so much if they used whole grain, but they don't. Even then I wouldn't eat that much of it, maybe one serving.

The first dish I filled up with lettuce, beans, peas, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, beats, etc. and I really enjoyed it. Where I got into trouble was trying out other items like soups. Putting health concerns aside, I just couldn't stand the high sodium taste. The first few mouthfuls
were tasty, but by the time I got halfway finished I felt like I had a mouthful of salt. When I make soups at home I just salt very lightly or sometimes not at all.

My friend told me she thought the soups were made from scratch by the restaurant. If that's the case, why were they as salty as the standard restaurant soups that come out of a can? I never eat restaurant soups but I tried it this time because she told me how great it was. Ugh!

[Villages PL]

Some restaurants, like Golden Corral, add extra items after 4:00 p.m. for the more expensive dinner. Eight dollars versus $11.99 or $11.50 They add steak and crab legs etc. We went to Sweet Tomatoes in the afternoon for $7.99. That might explain the difference.

[Polar Bear]

...Where I got into trouble was trying out other items like soups. Putting health concerns aside, I just couldn't stand the high sodium taste...
Mark your calendar, VPL...we agree on something! :)

I cut down on my salt intake a very long time ago, and I just can't eat most Sweet Tomatoes soups.

[Carla B]

So, why can't one just fill up on salad and not eat the other things? You can have more than one trip to the salad bar, can't you? That way, you don't have to eat their starchy carbs, the salty soup, and sugary desserts.

[Shimpy]

So, why can't one just fill up on salad and not eat the other things? You can have more than one trip to the salad bar, can't you? That way, you don't have to eat their starchy carbs, the salty soup, and sugary desserts.

Last time I was there you were limited to one trip to the salad bar and I was behind many people loading up 2 plates for their one trip thru the bar.
You enter the salad bar and fill you're plate then come to the cashier to pay. Everything after that is all you want but not the salad bar.

[Polar Bear]

...You enter the salad bar and fill you're plate then come to the cashier to pay. Everything after that is all you want but not the salad bar.

I'm not so sure about that. If so, I've broken the rule a few times and never been called on it.

[Shimpy]

I'm not so sure about that. If so, I've broken the rule a few times and never been called on it.

Maybe I should give it a try Polar Bear the next time I'm there.

[Polar Bear]

I was so curious about this, I decided to call...

Yes...everything is all-you-can-eat at Sweet Tomatoes, including the salad bar before the cash registers. :)

[Villages PL]

So, why can't one just fill up on salad and not eat the other things? You can have more than one trip to the salad bar, can't you? That way, you don't have to eat their starchy carbs, the salty soup, and sugary desserts.

Good advice, Carla. Next time, if there is a next time, I'll be ready for it. Now I know what to concentrate on and what to avoid.

I say "if there is a next time" because my friend likes red meat. She may not want to go there again; it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Villages PL]

Last time I was there you were limited to one trip to the salad bar and I was behind many people loading up 2 plates for their one trip thru the bar.
You enter the salad bar and fill you're plate then come to the cashier to pay. Everything after that is all you want but not the salad bar.

Thanks for the information, I was wondering if two plates were allowed at the salad bar. I filled up one plate about as high as I could. Two plates would be less limiting and easier.

[Villages PL]

I was so curious about this, I decided to call...

Yes...everything is all-you-can-eat at Sweet Tomatoes, including the salad bar before the cash registers. :)

Good to know! In that case, I'll start with one dish and then go back for more.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

So, why can't one just fill up on salad and not eat the other things? You can have more than one trip to the salad bar, can't you? That way, you don't have to eat their starchy carbs, the salty soup, and sugary desserts.

That's certainly an option, but number one, a lot of the stuff on the salad bar is things like potato salads and pasta salads. Secondly, I'm not interested in paying $15.00 plus tip to eat lettuce, cucumbers and broccoli.

Like I said, the food there is good, it's just not what I'm interested in eating. They advertise themselves as a sort of health food place and as far as I can see, there is very little healthy food there.