FOOD · CALIFORNIA

Souplantation is coming back

First new location: Fountain Valley, 2027

File photo: FASTILY / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

WHERE

Fountain Valley, OC

The first return is at its former Talbert Avenue site near Newhope Street in Orange County.

File photo: John Pearson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

WHEN

Sometime in 2027

No exact opening date yet. Menu, hours and construction timeline haven't been announced.

File photo: FASTILY / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

WHY IT CLOSED

Pandemic shut it down

Founded in San Diego in 1978, the buffet grew to 97 locations, then closed them all in 2020.

File photo: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

THE REVIVAL

Sweet Tomatoes first

The brand reopened as Sweet Tomatoes in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida.

File photo: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

WHAT'S NEXT

San Diego? L.A.?

Only one California location is announced so far. Watch the brand's Instagram for more.

File photo: John Pearson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

THE TEASE

"Stay tuned..."

On Oct. 5, the brand posted a palm-tree "Welcome to California" teaser on Instagram.

File photo: John Pearson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

THE BUILDING

About 7,800 sq ft

The old Talbert Avenue building near Newhope Street is the planned site.

File photo: FASTILY / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

AT ITS PEAK

97 restaurants

Before 2020, the chain ran 97 locations, most of them in California.

File photo: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

FULL STORY

Back to the salad bar

The full timeline, address and what we know about more California locations.

nexgenheadlines.com

Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0, CC BY-SA 4.0), shown as file photos.