[Villages PL]

I finally discovered Sweet Tomatoes. 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]

Originally Posted by hulahips

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

Earlybird special?

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

...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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

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.