“Food fast doesn’t have to be fast food. Nugget Markets’ salad bar always gives me a healthy alternative to anything from a drive-through. It’s fresh, reasonably priced (around $8.99 per pound), and loaded with veggies, proteins, toppings, homemade dressings, and several pasta and grain salads. You can’t beat it—plus it’s prepared by the person I trust most: me!” nuggetmarket.com

“Buttercup Pantry Restaurant in Placerville has offered their classic, no-fuss salad bar for years. Whether you want to make-your-own side salad in addition to ordering a regular entrée ($7.99 for one trip) or choose it as your meal ($9.75 for all-you-can-eat), the variety of fresh fruits and veggies, selection of side salads, fresh-baked breads (the cornbread muffins are to die for) and piping hot soups (all made in-house) always satisfy. The best part? The set price means you can pile it as high as you want—weight be damned!” 530-621-1320

“Whether you’re craving pork carnitas, kung pao chicken, pizza and pasta, or pastries aplenty, Waterfall Buffet at Red Hawk Casino delivers. But it’s their salad bar that always turns my hangry frown upside down. Full of a seasonal fruit display, assorted cheeses, prepared salads like cranberry-apple with candied walnuts, plus an impressive assortment of condiments and dressings, it’s an easy way to pack in your daily dose of produce. Just don’t forget to come hungry and wear stretch pants!” redhawkcasino.com/dining/waterfall-buffet

“The build-your-own salads at Jack’s Urban Eats are like a (healthy) choose your own adventure. Pick your lettuce, dressing, and six toppings, then wait for the staff to perfectly mix everything, as the flavors meld together in perfect salad harmony. My go-to is mixed greens with roasted beets, blue cheese, maple-glazed walnuts, quinoa, Fuji apples, and sun-dried cranberries with house-made balsamic vinaigrette. But no salad from Jack’s is complete without a side of Urban Fries—crisp French fries topped with spicy chili oil, blue cheese, and chili flakes.” jacksurbaneats.com

“Though I go to Raku Sushi for the made-to-order, all-you-can eat rolls, nigiri, maki, and seriously addicting (still warm) donuts, their salad bar is not to be missed. While waiting for the main event (i.e., the sushi), I always load up on edamame, seasoned cucumbers, seaweed salad, salsa-topped mussels, cabbage slaw, and perfectly al dente green beans. Talk about a tasty way to begin a gluttonous feast.” rakurestaurant.com 

“Every time I step foot in Whole Foods Market I’m like a kid in a candy store. For a vegan, their salad bar is a dream come true. With offerings like sesame tofu that my meat-loving husband also loves, plus a rainbow of organic, fresh-picked produce—all precisely sliced and diced—nuts aplenty, and a mouthwatering lemony avocado dressing, it’s the ultimate in next-level lunching.” wholefoodsmarket.com