Best "BIG" Salads in TO???
Just call me Elaine. I'm looking for BIG, fresh and healthy salads in TO for those days when I need something healthy and I either don't want to make lunch and/or dinner. Yup, I'm looking for the BIG, well-rounded take-out salad. Buffets are okay as well, as long as I can do take-out. I live uptown, but it would be great to have a good cross-section of places to choose from in the GTA. Thanks!
-
-
re: lamaranthe
pescatarian
Nov 22, 2007 12:35 PM
I respectfully disagree. I like the eggs, the meat, and other items I've had on the menu at Centre Street Deli, but I've never enjoyed a salad there. I really dislike the dressings they use and I find the produce in the salads to be boring.
I feel the same way about most of the fast food type salads mentioned in salad lad's post. Making a salad big, doesn't make it good. They can be convenient also, so they are not a total waste, but I don't find most of them to be satisfying.
-
-
Il Fornello has a good salad
lettuce also is good for its veggies and dressings
I also would recommend Dominion if you're on a budget. They have some great deals and they are always fresh- as advertised!
Salads shouldn't be outrageously priced, but they often are. Stay away from Yorkville. Bloor Street Diner has some smaller "salads" like taboulleh and pasta salads that are reasonable and delicious.
Wendy's taco salad is cheap and good for you. (minus the tortilla strips)
Even Pizza Pizza now has some decent salads, but they can be hit or miss, depending on the location. The one with goat cheese is great.
Keep an eye on what lettuce everyone uses, though. Iceberg is cheap and only good for you in small amounts- a good salad has other lettuces and greens.
Even Spinach. Maybe we should also hunt down the best Spinach Salad in town!!›1 Reply-
re: salad lad
vorpal
Dec 5, 2007 08:56 AM
I have to disagree with the Pizza Pizza salads. The concepts behind them are great, but I've never gotten one that wasn't 90% lettuce. I do eat their mandarin chicken salad from time to time, but I'm always disappointed at how much lettuce lies under the small number of other ingredients.
-
-
-
-
re: jen2202
Ooooh... DEFINITELY second this salad! A relative took me to the English Bay (waterfront) Milestone's in Vancouver and we were both more than pleasantly surprised by this one!
I'll also add my vote in for the Pickle Barrel salads. I usually order the Cobb-style salad because the boys loving sharing the extras!
-
-
-
s0memale
Oct 16, 2007 09:28 PM
can't you just order to regular sized salads and put them in a big bowl?
›3 Replies -
Recyclor
Oct 16, 2007 07:53 AM
Hi Moimoi, the Sandwich Box definately fits the bill, they have a few locations, one at Queen + John that I've been too, but expect to pay around $12 for the salad you want, they have a ton of great ingredients for you to choose from and they assemble it for you, price is by wieght...or One of a Kind Pasta further west on queen before Bellwoods park, I have never been too impressed by their pasta's but they have a salad called (something like) the chef special salad, a great deal at $10 and has a grilled chicken breast & some large plump shrimps with mixed greens, plus other stuff like olives and I think bocaccini too...it's not on their take-out menu so ask to see the eat-in version, they don't mind...
›1 Reply -
-
re: pâté chinois
pescatarian
Oct 16, 2007 07:58 AM
You know, I love Fresh on Bloor/Queen - for it's smoothies, iced lattes, for the bowls of noodles and tofu and veg, for the vegan carrot cake - but whenever I have a salad there - it looks good, but seems to be lacking something - maybe it's the dressing that's missing something - definitely large portions and fresh veg though.
-
-
pinstripeprincess
Oct 15, 2007 05:53 PM
perhaps an odd suggestion, but the mill st brewpub in the distillery district has very large salads. they're upwards of $10 but are stacked with items and absolutely gigantic. the steak cobb salad came with strips of perfectly cooked to order steak and was impossible to finish.
›1 Reply-
re: pinstripeprincess
Perhaps another odd suggestion, if you're in the Bloor West Village area, Dr. Generosity's (2197 Bloor St. W) (what an awful name for a restaurant!) has really great big meal-size salads. I really like the Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Salad with lemon basil vinaigrette and the Grilled Beef Salad. They offer a take-out service, as well.
-
-
-
Full tummy
Oct 15, 2007 05:30 PM
I like the spinach salad from Costco. Baby spinach leaves, egg slices, grated cheese, grape tomatoes and two packs of Renées poppy seed salad dressing. It's large and satisfying, and I think it's pretty healthy, as salads go.
-
pescatarian
Oct 15, 2007 05:29 PM
I agree with LaurenLemon - if you get them fresh, the salads at the Pickel Barrel are pretty good.
Fresh - Commerce Court Concourse, near the escalator to the CCW building
Again, if you get it when it's fresh - the salad bar at Sierra Grill (formerly Sunshine's) at Bayview Village is good - don't recommend anything else on the menu though.
If you are looking for big - Dr. Deli at Dufferin and Steeles - southeast plaza.›2 Replies-
re: pescatarian
Moimoi
Oct 15, 2007 09:50 PM
Funny, but the old Sunshine's is what made me think of this query. I had just done an IKEA stop and I was starving, but had that feeling in my stomach that said green and fresh... I believe they used to have an awesome salad bar. I actually drove past the Sierra Grill tonight and thought about dropping in, but it looked like it might be a bit pricey and I wasn't feeling like spending a lot of dough. Will check out all though - I'll be also dreaming about Dr. Deli. Thanks to all!
-
re: Moimoi
pescatarian
Oct 16, 2007 06:09 AM
Sierra Grill left the salad bar pretty much identical to when it was Sunshine's. I find the quality varies. I've been there when it was very fresh and great - and other times not so much. It's best not to go to late in the evening when it's not being turned over a lot. Once in awhile it's still a great salad bar though.
Enjoy ;-)
-
-
-
A topic close to my healthy heart!!
Uptown:
Salad Spa (Eglinton east of Yonge) is make-your-own, great unlimited veg choices and lots of dressings and greens to choose from. take out or eat-in.
Some people on the board also like Lettuce Eatery (Yonge north of St.Clair) which is the same deal, pricier and only 4 choices for toppings. Not a fan myself.
And, I'm just putting it out there....Pickle Barrel. Eat-in has a huge variety, and the takeout location in the Yonge/Eg centre has some good pre-packaged ones too. Luau Chicken is a fave.
Midtown:
I have had good non-lettuce salads at Whole Foods Hazelton Lanes salad bar and the Noah's lunch counter in the Bloor/Spadina, the former pricier than the latter, but well, well worth it. Oh man the artichoke hearts kill me. I also don't mind packaged/deli salads from Summerhill Market, and even Loblaws, Dominion and Sobey's in a pinch.
That should get your started...›1 Reply-
re: LemonLauren
What-a-Bagel, Y&Eg, has good 'make-your-own' salads. I find them expensive, though. Should you want something healthy and crunchy for lunch, in the same area, why not cross the street and go to Dominion's? They have ready-made salads with sauce in a container. Not cheap, compared to what you could make yourself at home.
-
