Colton
Colton, CA · Food & Drink
USA TODAY
Beloved buffet chain is finally reopening in California. Here's where
A beloved chain known for its all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet that served favorites such as Tuna Tarragon, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup and Joan's Broccoli Madness is planning to reopen in California next year. Souplantation, also known as Sweet Tomatoes, said on social media that it would be reopening in Fountain Valley, California, in 2027. The chain, which had closed all its locations during the peak of the pandemic, has already started to reopen in other parts of the country. While Sweet Tomatoes was out of business for several years, the restaurant said all the recipes will be the same as you remember. In addition to the tuna, soup and broccoli, expect such longtime popular dishes such as focaccia bread, Wonton Happiness and cornbread. More: Popular buffet restaurant chain Souplantation to likely close all its restaurants permanently Sweet Tomatoes, which is known as Souplantation in California, first opened in San Diego, California, in 1978, and closed in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic. At the time, John Haywood, the CEO of Garden Fresh Restaurants, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and said the company would likely have to permanently close all 97 locations after pandemic guidelines on self-service stations.
CBS LA
Temecula's Battle of the Burgers draws hundreds to Pechanga for delicious eats
Temecula's annual Battle of the Burgers drew hundreds of people to Pechanga Resort Casino over the weekend to taste some of the city's most delicious burgers and loaded fries, with the help of local chefs and culinary arts students.
longbeachize.com
Famed Balboa Island sweet shop Sugar ‘N Spice to open Long Beach location
One of Orange County’s most enduring beachside sweets traditions is heading to Long Beach—and giving one of its signature treats a neighborhood makeover. Sugar ’N Spice, the Balboa Island institution whose history stretches back to 1945, is opening at 5269 E. 2nd St. in Belmont Shore, taking over the former European Wax Center space. Its famed hand-dipped frozen bananas will make the trip north. And its Balboa Bar? Here, it will become the Belmont Bar, a nod to the neighborhood welcoming the longtime Newport Beach business.
KESQ News Channel 3
Luchador Brewing Company Stops By Eye On The Desert
gotodestinations.com
Why This Beach-Themed Grill Has Diners HOOKED on Retro Charm, Smoky Ribs, and Burgers in Grand Terrace, CA
Woody’s Classic Grill brings a generous dose of beach-town nostalgia to Grand Terrace, pairing a playful retro setting with a menu made for serious appetites. From morning coffee cake and hearty skillets to burgers, barbecue, and homemade desserts, the restaurant gives diners plenty of reasons to return. Its welcoming...
Marisol Ochoa
You Keep Topping Up the Drip Coffee Maker, but NSF International Found Yeast and Mold in 50% of Surveyed Families’ Reservoirs
In Riverside, as of mid-September 2026, my old reflex with the drip coffee maker is familiar: add water to the reservoir, brew, and figure the heat has taken care of the whole machine. I have treated topping it up as ordinary kitchen upkeep, not as a reason to stop and think about the container holding that water.
sanbernardinonewsdaily.com
Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens New San Bernardino Location
Ono Hawaiian BBQ, the popular family-owned fast-casual restaurant brand known for its Hawaiian-inspired Plate Lunches, freshly grilled meats and welcoming aloha spirit, celebrated the grand opening of its newest San Bernardino location October 6th. Located at 539 North H Street at 5th Street Gateway, the new restaurant brings Ono Hawaiian...
decorhint.com
This Southern California Restaurant Has An Entirely Gluten-Free Kitchen And Diners Travel From Far And Wide To Try It
Eating out with a gluten restriction can involve more detective work than dinner should require. Sauces need checking, fryers raise questions, and even a promising menu can come with a long conversation before anyone orders. One restaurant takes much of that uncertainty off the table by operating an entirely gluten-free...
franchisetimes.com
Denny’s Franchisees Bringing Slim Chickens to Southern California
Franchisees Yasir and Aleeza Nadeem operate several Denny’s restaurants in Southern California and will next develop a trio of Slim Chickens restaurants in communities north of Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Slim Chickens, which has nearly 300 units, signed a deal with existing franchisee Roper Foods to open six...
redlandscommunitynews.com
Citrus Blossom Market highlights fall's arrival
Fall was in the air, or at least it was at the Citrus Blossom Market last Saturday. Held at the historic Edwards Mansion, the quarterly vendor market had much to offer with handmade crafts, food and even a good old-fashioned bake-off. Samantha Kitchen is the director. “Citrus Blossom Market is a place to discover handmade treasures and meet the people who make them,” Kitchen said. “Every purchase supports a small family business and the dreams growing behind it. Come shop, connect, and help our local makers blossom.”
nrn.com
Souplantation, Hangry Joe’s, and Wagamama
Sweet Tomatoes — or actually Souplantation — is coming back to California. The buffet chain that was born in California as Souplantation once had hundreds of locations across the country, though outside California it was known as Sweet Tomatoes. Then COVID killed the buffet concept, and what was then 97 locations shuttered in 2020. But after the brand’s intellectual property was acquired out of bankruptcy, Sweet Tomatoes was born again, first in Tucson in 2024, with a second unit in Florida. On Instagram this week, the chain said it is coming back to the West Coast next year with a unit in Orange County, just south of Los Angeles. And — as it once was — that location will be named Souplantation, though it is the same concept.