Salad Creations

We took a group along for the ride when we went to check out one of the newest franchise restaurants to hit the Capital Region, Salad Creations. They are online at http://www.saladcreations.net/. Check them out, but make sure to come back to check this out:

J-Lam Says:

Walking into Salad Creations, located in a busy strip mall off Rt. 9 in Clifton Park, was surprising. My first impression as I entered was that the place was tiny, set up like a Chinese take-out place. But, as it turned out, it is just really small, with a section for eating-in off to the right where about three too many people sat scrunched together trying to enjoy their lunch hour. When our crew made it to the table, we boxed in the poor septugenarian (that means 70-year-old) couple who were trying to enjoy a quiet meal and immediately started harassing them with our banter.

But hey, the Terrific or Turd reputation for mindless banter means more to us than a couple of old folks' need for peacefully relaxed digestion, so we refused to apologize.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We walked in and I found myself in the midst of the lunch rush with seven people ahead of me in line. I automatically assumed I would be there a while and cursed the fact that I had to drive 15 minutes to get there. But, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Subway-esque server-line working like a well-oiled machine.

The menu contained a large, but easy-to-follow, array of choices. I decided to go with a chopped Romaine base and the "make-your-own" small-size option, which allowed me four toppings. I went with chickpeas (which provided some free protein, as opposed to paying extra for meat,) green peppers, red onions and black olives, then topped it off with an interesting-sounding Cucumber Wasabi dressing.

They threw a very generous helping of my concoction in a chilled metal bowl, added dressing until I said "when", and sent me down the line in around thirty seconds, leaving me very impressed. I found my self squeezing in shoulder-to-shoulder with Grandpa less than three minutes after having stepped through the door.

The salad was very good. Fresh, both in taste and in looks (an area most fast-food salads sadly de-emphasize) and delicious. The Cucumber Wasabi was a welcome change from the norm, but I would guess a classic Ranch or Italian dressing would have been just as scrumptious on that well-made Salad Creation.

It's my first of what I'm sure will be many visits, and there are plenty of other menu items (such as soups and wraps) that sound interesting, not to mention the virtually unlimited combinations available using their roughly 40 salad topping options. I don't need to hesitate at all before giving Salad Creations an enthusiastic

TERRIFIC!

B-Com Says:

After surveying the numerous available options in the few moments I had to scan the menu, I ended up going with one of the prepared formulas they offered, the Greek Salad. I asked my server to skip the tomatoes and croutons, and was very pleasantly surprised when she offered to let me choose two substitute toppings instead! And she didn't even give me the "Oh for the love of God!" expression the dude at Burger King saves for me every time I order the Whopper "my way." That's very gracious in my book.

In under three minutes, I had my salad and a fountain drink in hand and was headed to my seat having spent less than $7. Not a bad price at all for a high-quality, healthy and satisfying fast-food lunch.

One bone of contention: the fountain drink selection was limited, consisting of the standard sodas, one diet cola option and Tropicana lemonade. No unsweetened iced tea, which, beyond being my personal preference everywhere I go, seems a natural selection to partner with the low-calorie lunch Salad Creations specializes in.

That one point aside, however, I definitely agree with J-Lam on this one. Salad Creations earned a solid

TERRIFIC!