Salad Shop Offers Basic (But Customized) Fare

Each week, Patch picks a restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice, recommended by a reader:

Overview: Located in both the Bridgewater Commons Mall and in the Hillsborough Promenade, branches of this salad franchise serve salad, soup and sandwich entrees.

Décor: Don’t let the restaurant’s narrow entry and ordering area deceive you when visiting the Hillsborough store. It opens to a large seating area with booths and tables, decorated in a modern style. If you’re not familiar with the chain and its menu, it might be worth it to snag a menu when entering. While SaladWorks displays its salads and sandwiches in a glass case, it can be hard to see if there’s a line. And a word to the worker bees and laptop luggers—the Hillsborough location doesn’t have WiFi (though those eating at the Bridgewater Commons can pick up the mall’s signal), so if you’re looking to tap out some emails over lunch, you may want to look elsewhere.

The Drinks: Like most franchises, SaladWorks stocks fountain beverages—mostly soda—and a few bottled beverages.

Entrees: Though the name implies a focus on vegetables, croutons and dressing, SaladWorks isn’t limited to rabbit food. There are a number of fusion sandwiches, Panini, wraps and soups on the menu too. Not feeling adventurous? Stick to the fusion sandwiches—with ham and turkey continental, chicken Monterey and fajitalicious, it’s easily the most basic menu item.

Those looking for adventurous wraps will be disappointed though. The chain’s wraps are basically the same as its salads.

The dishes that give the chain its name have the idea of health on their side—we’ve all heard about how salad toppings can ruin an otherwise healthy salad. Luckily, SaladWorks allows patrons to customize salads, whether it’s entirely from scratch or a modification of an existing salad.

Customization is the key though. Most of SaladWorks’ fare, while tasty and healthier than other options, isn’t terribly adventurous or distinct. Luckily, it means there’s little room for error or for picky eaters to snub—the locations feature savory options, like the baked ham, turkey and swiss in its bently salad, or the southwest flavors in its fire-roasted cabo jack salad (chicken, lettuce, corn and beans, red peppers, Monterey Jack cheese, tortilla strips). Those looking for something sweeter can snag a mandarin chicken salad or a Sophie’s salad, which has green apple, chicken, dried cranberries and candied pecans.

Address: 30 Falcon Rd, Hillsborough; 908-281-6199

OR

400 Commons Way, Bridgewater; 908-526-3155

Cost: $

Website: saladworks.com