The Detroit Free Press has a popular column by Matt Helms about Cheap Eats. This article he wrote was on a place in Detroit called “House Of Reuben”. I looked everywhere for a picture of the House of Reuben but couldn’t find one so you’ll have to be content with a borrowed pic of a Reuben Sandwich. Anyhow, I have a soft spot for diners and while sit-down restaurants are always more expensive (because of tip, drinks not coming with meals, etc.) I’m often willing to sacrifice just a teeny bit of dough if it’s a good enough diner setting with good enough food. This one sounds pretty good, though it’s all the way in Michigan. They feature Reuben Sandwiches, as the name implies.

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True cheap eating requires some sacrifices. Or at least they’re sacrifices to most people. I think one of the greatest inflators of restaurant bills are drinks. And never mind the horrors that will be afflicted upon your tab if you get ALCOHOLIC drinks. Damn expensive. Well, at least those get you buzzed. I’m talking about the average soda, iced tea, orange juice or god forbid mineral water. If the price of your lunch is say 5 dollars and you get a dollar soda, you’ve just increased your bill by 20%. Don’t fall into that trap, especialy at a sit down restaurant. Ask for water if it’s available. Or if you aren’t embarassed, bring a drink from home.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking an all you can drink soda is a good bargain at a fast food joint. In actuality, this is where they really clean up on. Sugar water. You’re basically paying a dollar for sugar and water. The average person is only going to get one drink plus a 1/2 cup refill anyhow, unless they’re deliberately trying to waste it. They’re dealing in volume anyhow so it’s not going to hurt them if you drink above the average. Why do you think that combo meals exist? To try and get you to pay for that drink. Skip it.

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People who’ve been to Souplantation® before will note that this is not the usual Souplantation graphic that is used on the stores. Why? I couldn’t find a handy graphic to use. The only one I could find is the parent company which is Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. who also owns a franchise called “Fresh Tomatoes”, whatever that is.

From the Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp site:

Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. was founded in 1983 and currently operates over 90 salad buffet restaurants in 15 states. The Company seeks to provide fresh wholesome food with a strong emphasis on salads, which are featured on two 55 foot bars that include a wide range of salad offerings featuring three freshly tossed salads as well as a large assortment of fresh cut produce, dressings and toppings and several signature prepared salads. Various offerings include made from scratch soups, a hot pasta bar, a bakery which serves a variety of hot muffins, focaccias and other breads and a dessert bar centered around a frozen yogurt station with toppings complemented by fresh fruits and puddings

I’m almost sad to run Souplantation through the Cheap Eats grinder, because except for COST they hit nearly every other thing that makes a buffet restaurant great squarely on the head. First, it’s damn healthy because the main fare consists of salad and soup. Their salad selection is extensive and their soups have improved beyond the always popular Chicken Noodle and Clam Chowder to include specials and seasonal items like Gumbo and Turkey Pot Pie.

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