Most students at LSU are aware that spring break is only two months away. And most have started hitting the gym, hoping to lose a few pounds before squeezing into a skimpy bathing suit.
That leaves the question of what to eat. One dish that calorie counters often choose is salad, and with many eateries offering salad bars, it seems only some take it seriously and put as much effort into them as their regular cuisine.
Even on a diet food should still be enjoyable, and salad is not excluded. But where in Baton Rouge is there a decent salad bar?
Jason’s Deli
When it comes to salad bars, it is safe to say that Jason’s Deli, with locations on Siegen Lane and College Drive beat out all competition.
For a price of $5.50 customers can get the all-you-can-eat salad bar with a variety of greens, produce and dressings. The lettuce, sprouts and spinach are all fresh, as are the other ingredients.
Diners can prepare a Greek salad with olives, feta, onions and romaine, or opt for a traditionally-themed salad topped with broccoli, carrots, bell peppers and corn relish.
Homemade pasta and potato salads, muffins and garlic bread enhance the the bar along with numerous regular and light dressings.
Albertson’s
Most people think Albertson’s is like any other grocery store, but it also houses a salad bar near the deli.
The price here depends on the salad’s weight and is $3.49 a pound. Patrons can fill either large or small boxes, and a full large box can cost less than $3.
The salad bar provides four types of greens and a decent selection of toppings and dressing. The pasta salad is flavorful, and the good old “Krab” meat is delicious. But the tiny bags of croutons are unacceptable.
All in all the selection is average, but it is not overpriced.
Ryan’s
Bringing a whole new meaning to all-you-can-eat is Ryan’s on Coursey and Florida Boulevards.
The salad bar is part of the vast buffet offering steak, chicken, veggies, dessert and more.
Diners cannot order just the salad bar at Ryan’s, but for $5.99 Monday through Saturday before 4 p.m., $6.99 from then until close, customers can eat from any bar in the restaurant.
While the salad bar is average in its lettuce, toppings and dressing selections, its choice of meats surpasses all the other bars. Other locations lacked in this category, but Ryan’s provides several chopped meats along with its pasta and potato salads.
Tiger Lair in the Union
If convenience is the top priority, then this is probably the best place to find a salad bar.
However, the Union’s bar pales in comparison to off-campus locations in most areas.
For starters, the cost is either $2.05 for a small container or $4.11 for the larger one. The small one may be satisfactory for some people, but just because someone is on a diet does not mean he or she should starve.
Only two types of lettuce are provided, and the Romaine selection is in a small bin and always seems to run out. The Union also lacks in its dressings selection.
Mr. Gatti’s
At Mr. Gatti’s off West Chimes, the home of the $5 buffet with a student ID, the salad bar is all too often completely skipped because of few toppings.
The iceberg lettuce looks as if it came straight out of a bag with the tiny bits of purple cabbage and shredded carrots.
Cheese is a common pizza toppping that could easily be incorporated into the bar to make it more appealing, along with bell peppers, mushrooms, ham, spinach and olives, but none are available.
With only three dressings to choose from, the creamy, garlicky ranch outshines the boring thousand island and Italian.
Cici’s
Cici’s pizza on Corporate Boulevard has a salad bar that goes above and beyond Mr. Gatti’s cheap attempt, and also costs a dollar less.
This bar includes all the pizza toppings that double as salad ingredients with mushrooms, onions, black and green olives and lots of cheese. However, there is no protein other than boiled eggs at this bar either.
Along with the variety of vegetables there is an assortment of dressings including bleu cheese, creamy garlic Italian and French. And this buffet includes a lighter dressing with lowfat Italian.
Ruby Tuesday
At Ruby Tuesday a hearty and colorful salad awaits for only $5.99.
Immediately when patrons walk into Ruby Tuesday at the corner of College Drive and Corporate Boulevard, they are greeted with a spectacular salad bar full of fresh vegetables, clever toppings and fruit.
Mixed greens and spinach provide the basic salad fixings, but the chickpeas, pears, nuts and tortilla chips create an entirely new standard for salad bars. Cottage cheese and pumpernickel croutons also add flair to the art of salad making at Ruby Tuesday.
Shoney’s
Shoney’s is known for its large breakfast buffet, but the all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet with salad bar is not as exciting as it seems and is overpriced at $7.49.
The selection of vegetables includes the normal salad options like lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli and tomatoes. However, the veggies are barely cut up with huge tomato wedges and pieces of lettuce that cannot fit into a person’s mouth in one bite.
Shoney’s on Siegen Lane does not put pride into its extras. The potatoes are in enormous wedges and both non-lettuce salads are bland. Also, the cottage cheese looks like it is continuing to curdle under the fluorescent lights.
Salads full of vitamin-rich vegetables, meats and fruit can be a healthy start to achieve a better beach body. But heavy dressings can lead to excess calories and fat overload, making it possible to gain weight from eating salad. Going vegetable crazy is superb, but ruining a good thing with too much buttermilk ranch will make the healthy attempt pointless.