[RUCdaze]

Another over reaction. I love Sweet Tomato, but regardless, why does big government have to tell us where we can or can not eat? So much for free enterprise.

[Carla B]

So sad to see Sweet Tomatoes go. But hope cafeterias can make a comeback, especially a Luby's (of Texas origin). So much better and more healthful than a deli or diner.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by RUCdaze

Another over reaction. I love Sweet Tomato, but regardless, why does big government have to tell us where we can or can not eat? So much for free enterprise.

Yes it would be quite lovely eating out with no Health Department standards & inspections. Let's bring in all types of food from other countries without regulations. Yum Yum.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by kendi

Healthy food definitely. And it is nice to be able to create your own salad. But buffets are not healthy because they are so easily contaminated. Kids putting serving spoons in their mouth as they go through the line, people touching food But not taking it, multiple hands touching the same serving utensils, etc.

The threat of becoming sick from using buffets are GREATLY exaggerated for the healthy. They have been around a long time and if it was a significant problem health departments would have banned them long ago. Personally I have never gotten sick from buffets. You can not avoid contamination whether you are picking up a salt shaker, opening a door, touching a table top or are served dishes mishandled by the server or cook. And don't you remember all the stories of ice in restaurants being more contaminated than toilet water?

I am more than willing to take the risk and it should be my choice. Besides it is well known that being exposed to bacteria and germs to a certain extend improves you immunity system. That is why in third world countries with poorer sanitation it is believed that they have stronger immune systems. It is called adaptive immunity. That being said I do agree that they should be shutdown as long as we are in a pandemic since this is such a highly contagious disease.

But by far the biggest risk of buffets is that they are usually comprised mostly of unhealthy foods which contribute greatly to heart disease and diabetes.

[waynehal55]

Originally Posted by mydavid

Never heard of Sweet Tomatoes

We loved Sweet Tomato, it was totally different than Golden Corral. The latter was cheap mass produced fattening foods.You could eat healthy at S.T, plenty of salad and soup if that's all you're interested in, a lot better than Panera and price was very reasonable.

[waynehal55]

Originally Posted by greenflash245

no one really needs buffets. creates over indulgence

No one needs a million dollar house either.

[DeafDeaf]

Simple solution - do the buffet style at your home and no worries about the pandemic!

[ithos]

Originally Posted by DeafDeaf

Simple solution - do the buffet style at your home and no worries about the pandemic!

But then you have to worry about parasites and bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella if you prepare it yourself. So do take out.

[mabreyjk]

Any suggestions on organizing a neighborhood group to help Sweet Tomatoes weather the storm?

We have not had an unpleasant experience in 4 years. Matter of fact, it is probably the BEST soup 'n salad buffet that I have ever visited.

[ficoguy]

Actually in the last 2 years it got sloppy and funky. Not refilling the soups, especially the chicken noodle, where you had to dig to find some actual chicken. Tables not bussed and left piled up with dirty dishes and you had to sit right next to them. It had all the signs of a deteriorating franchise...

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by ficoguy

Actually in the last 2 years it got sloppy and funky. Not refilling the soups, especially the chicken noodle, where you had to dig to find some actual chicken. Tables not bussed and left piled up with dirty dishes and you had to sit right next to them. It had all the signs of a deteriorating franchise...

It was like that the first time I ever went and never returned since.

[Hplaw]

Originally Posted by greenflash245

no one really needs buffets. creates over indulgence

Freedom of choice in where and what to eat. No need to police how much anyone eats. Good heavens!

[Hplaw]

Originally Posted by theruizs

Stand by and watch the goings-on at a busy buffet for about an hour. If what you see doesn’t turn you off to buffet food, then go for it. But for us, the extra cost of menu pricing is worth it to have far fewer hands on and around our food before we eat it. And we decided that long before covid-19.

What goes on in some of the kitchens where you can't see is truly frightening. They are no cleaner!

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Hplaw

Freedom of choice in where and what to eat. No need to police how much anyone eats. Good heavens!

Bingo!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by mabreyjk

Any suggestions on organizing a neighborhood group to help Sweet Tomatoes weather the storm?

We have not had an unpleasant experience in 4 years. Matter of fact, it is probably the BEST soup 'n salad buffet that I have ever visited.

I think it is too late. Apparently, all 97 of the restaurants are company owned and they are closing all of them.