After years of absence, the scent of fresh blueberry muffins and the familiar rattle of plastic trays are slated to return to Southern California. Souplantation will reopen its doors in Orange County in 2027, landing in Fountain Valley in a location it once occupied.
The storied all-you-can-eat buffet, cherished by decades of fans for its salads, soups, pizzas, and muffins, closed all of its locations in 2020. The chain's former parent company, Garden Fresh Restaurants, cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for closing all 97 buffets, including 44 across California.
Sweet Tomatoes’ director of corporate affairs, Marlee Lossing, confirmed the revival is in motion, noting the company has been working on it since the chain’s acquisition in 2020. “We found a great opportunity to return to Fountain Valley and are so excited to welcome back our wonderful guests who have been waiting six long years for our return!” Lossing wrote via email. She added, regarding the company's deliberate pace, that they "move a little slower but very deliberately" to ensure things are done correctly. Souplantation’s owner had previously indicated that the long-standing self-serve model simply couldn't survive in the COVID-19 era.
Souplantation first debuted in San Diego in 1978, later expanding across Southern California and beyond, adopting the name Sweet Tomatoes in other states while maintaining its core recipes and staff. The company faced bankruptcy in 2016 and again in 2020 following pandemic-induced restrictions on buffet-style dining.
The news of the chain's closure sent what many described as "shock waves" through its loyal customer base, sparking thousands of comments across social media and online forums, and even inspiring multiple essays from fans. Former L.A. Times editorial page editor Sewell Chan articulated a common sentiment at the time, stating, "The first place I hoped to eat at was Souplantation." While Los Angeles magazine once labeled it “aggressively mediocre,” its simple offerings and family-friendly atmosphere fostered a deep connection with many.
Following its acquisition by a new operating company, ST Three LLC, headed by Mike Malone, Garden Fresh Restaurants’ former vice president of operations, Sweet Tomatoes began its phased return. The chain reopened outposts in Arizona in 2024, then Florida, before setting its sights on its home state of California.
The company teased its California comeback earlier this week with a cryptic video posted Monday depicting California landmarks, which drew nearly 7,000 comments from eager fans. Reactions included phrases like “there is a god,” “I’ve been in mourning since 2020,” and “I’ll give my firstborn for Souplantation y’all don’t play with me.”
Lossing confirmed that the Fountain Valley location, situated at 11179 Talbert Ave and sprawling across approximately 7,800 square feet, is just the first announced. The company is actively considering California and other markets for further expansion. While specific details on the exact 2027 opening date remain undisclosed, Lossing assured that the restaurant would resume its rotation of monthly specials. Crucially for devoted patrons, all beloved recipes—including fan favorites like Wonton Happiness Salad, Joan’s Broccoli Madness, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup, the macaroni and cheese, and its signature blueberry muffins—are promised to taste exactly as they remember.
In a 1988 review, L.A. Times Food writer Charles Perry praised the operation, stating, "A lot of restaurants could learn a thing or two from how Souplantation is run." Perry added that beyond presentation, the restaurant excelled at "making people feel good about being there."
