After closing all its locations in 2020, the all-you-can-eat buffet chain Souplantation is set to return to Southern California. Sweet Tomatoes, the brand's sister company, announced this week on social media that Souplantation will reopen in Fountain Valley sometime next year.
The original Souplantation restaurants, known for their extensive self-serve buffet lines, shuttered all 97 locations abruptly in May 2020. This closure came just two months after the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread across the country, leading many to believe the buffet style of dining out, which had already been seeing a decline in customers, was permanently doomed.
However, the brand did not entirely disappear. The new Fountain Valley location will return to its old address at 11179 Talbert Avenue, bringing back the buffet after nearly six and a half years. An Instagram post from Sweet Tomatoes, which teased the California return, showed the year 2027 flashing in red numerals, an interesting detail for a restaurant aiming to open 'next year.'
Marlee Lossing, director of corporate affairs for Sweet Tomatoes, stated in an email that the returning restaurant will be very similar to how guests remember it. While it will receive a "slight facelift inside with updated decor," Lossing confirmed that "the heart of the space remains the same." Patrons can expect the "exact same concept" and, crucially for fans, Lossing assured that "all the recipes are the same."
Souplantation's appeal stemmed from its long self-serve buffet lines offering a wide variety of salads. Once customers paid, they gained access to stations for soup, bread, pizza, and soft drinks, allowing for an all-you-can-eat experience that focused on fresh, customizable options.
The first Souplantation opened its doors in San Diego in 1978, growing over the years into Garden Fresh Corp. The company later launched Sweet Tomatoes to operate similar buffet restaurants outside of California. Following the liquidation of its parent company, Garden Fresh Restaurants, the brands were acquired by ST Three LLC. Today, Sweet Tomatoes operates buffet locations in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Regarding the decision to return to Fountain Valley, Lossing explained that Sweet Tomatoes is "very selective when picking a potential site location, so it takes time to make sure it’s just right." She added that the opportunity to return to Fountain Valley arose, and "all the pieces came together perfectly." Lossing concluded by expressing the company's enthusiasm, stating they are "thrilled to be returning to California and cannot wait to welcome back our guests."
The Sweet Tomatoes menu already features many familiar Souplantation favorites. Diners can expect to see items like Joan’s Broccoli Madness, Caesar Asiago, Tuna Tarragon, and Wildly Blueberry Muffins, alongside comforting staples such as chicken noodle soup, clam chowder, and mac and cheese.
Souplantation's enduring popularity is evident not just in its official return, but also in the actions of its fans. One enthusiast even opened a similar buffet concept called Soup n’ Fresh in Rancho Cucamonga in 2024. That venture proved popular enough to inspire a second location in Chino Hills, showcasing that the appetite for this style of casual dining never truly disappeared in Southern California.
