Souplantation, the buffet-style restaurant chain, is planning a return to Orange County in 2027 at its former Fountain Valley location. The announcement was made this week via social media by Sweet Tomatoes, Souplantation's sister brand, with an Instagram post indicating “The wait is almost over, California” and displaying the year 2027.
All 97 Souplantation locations, including the Fountain Valley restaurant, ceased operations in May 2020. This closure occurred two months after COVID-19 impacted the country, leading to the belief at the time that the pandemic had significantly affected the buffet dining model.
The returning restaurant will be located at 11179 Talbert Avenue in Fountain Valley, occupying its original site after a nearly six-and-a-half-year hiatus. Marlee Lossing, director of corporate affairs for Sweet Tomatoes, confirmed the plans in an email, stating the restaurant "will be very similar to how our guests remember it."
Lossing further elaborated that while the interior will receive "a slight facelift inside with updated decor," the core experience will remain unchanged. She affirmed, "We are the exact same concept, and the best part is, all the recipes are the same."
Souplantation restaurants historically featured extensive self-serve buffet lines offering a wide array of salads. Upon payment, customers gained access to various stations for soup, bread, pizza, and soft drinks.
The first Souplantation opened in San Diego in 1978. As the company expanded, it became Garden Fresh Corp. and subsequently introduced Sweet Tomatoes for its buffet operations outside of California. Following the liquidation of its parent company, Garden Fresh Restaurants, the brands were acquired by ST Three LLC. Currently, Sweet Tomatoes operates buffets in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Regarding the selection of the Fountain Valley site, Lossing stated, "We are very selective when picking a potential site location, so it takes time to make sure it’s just right. We came across the opportunity to return to Fountain Valley, and all the pieces came together perfectly." She also expressed the company's enthusiasm about returning to California.
The Sweet Tomatoes menu includes popular items familiar to Souplantation patrons, such as Joan’s Broccoli Madness, Caesar Asiago, Tuna Tarragon, and Wildy Blueberry Muffins. Soups like chicken noodle and clam chowder, alongside mac and cheese, are also featured. The brand’s enduring popularity is evidenced by the opening of a similar buffet, Soup n’ Fresh, in Rancho Cucamonga in 2024 by a fan of the original concept, which has since expanded to a second location in Chino Hills.
