# The SDMB Salad Bar-what's in your's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101 "2004-09-12T02:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/1 "2004-09-12T02:44:24Z")
Or, pretty much, what do you put in your salad? Mine: Lettuce, preferably leaf or romaine. A little bit of shredded carrot Diced tomatos Chopped mushrooms Minced onions chick peas red bell pepper Cheddar or American Cheese (the good kind, the kind you get fresh-sliced at the deli counter) homemade croutons (although I’ve found that in a pinch, crushed up crackers will do just nicely) A touch of dressing, just enough for flavor. (Italian, Caesar, or some kind of Vinegrette) ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/2 "2004-09-12T02:55:17Z")
Aha! A subject that, oddly enough, I am eating right now!: Sliced tomatoes. Lettuce. Shredded carrot. Chopped Mushrooms. Sliced cucumber. Topped with Brianna’s vinaigrette dressing! Excuse me, back in a minute…. (munch… munch)… ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/3 "2004-09-12T02:55:36Z")
romaine lettuce chick peas green pepper red pepper mushrooms tomatoes pickled beets pinnapple plenty of cheese, preferably old/xold chedder semi-soft croutons (if that makes sense) cucumber The Pickled Beets are eaten seperately, I only added them because I get them every time I’m at the salad bar. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/4 "2004-09-12T02:58:30Z")
Everything already mentioned with the exception of pickled beets(_shudder_) I would also add fresh spinach leaves, and crumbled feta cheese. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/5 "2004-09-12T02:59:59Z")
Mine: Iceberg Lettuce Spinach Carrrots Diced tomatos Chopped mushrooms Chick peas Broccoli Croutons A vinaigrette dressing Sometimes I enjoy a variation with olives, red onions, and feta. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/6 "2004-09-12T03:03:28Z")
(munch… munch) (looks carefully at bowl) Ooops! I forgot to add: Cilantro! And bits of radish. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/7 "2004-09-12T04:17:40Z")
Heh! Mine can only be called a salad because it comes off of a salad bar, I’m afraid. Lettuce (doesn’t really matter what kind…there’s only between five and ten pieces anyway, to add some thin justification) Cottage cheese (loads!) croutons bacon bits shredded cheese vinegar. Just vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/8 "2004-09-12T04:35:07Z")
iceberg Lettuce shredded carrots crumbled bleu cheese diced ham and turkey shredded chedder cheese bacon bits avacado mushrooms small crunchy croutons smother with roquefort Heck, that’s a Cobb without the egg. Mmm. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/9 "2004-09-12T04:47:36Z")
Romaine Lettuce Spinach Onions Green Olives Shredded carrots Raw Cauliflower Cheese (Cheddar and Blue or Feta) Bacon or Turkey Croutons Blue Cheese Dressing Note the lack of tomatoes. Tomatoes are evil. StG ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/10 "2004-09-12T04:50:36Z")
[ol] [li] Spinach[/li][li] Red onion cut into thin strips[/li][li] Cucumber, sliced[/li][li] Whole green olives with pimento[/li][li] Roma tomatoes, seeded, and cut into eighths[/li][li] Orange bell pepper, cut into strips[/li][li] Toasted tortilla, cut into thin strips[/li][li] Crumbled feta cheese[/li][li] Toasted sunflower seeds[/li][li] Balsalmic vinegar[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/11 "2004-09-12T04:58:35Z")
Give me all your croutons and nobody will get hurt. Lettuce (mostly romaine and those other pretty lettuces that actually taste like something, with a tiny bit of iceberg for contrast) Pickles Cheese Boiled egg bits Croutons A little chopped-up ham or turkey Croutons A good vinaigrette or thousand island dressing Croutons. “A little salad with your croutons?” My mom always asks. ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/12 "2004-09-12T06:14:45Z")
My ideal salad: Lettuce (any kind- I’m not picky) Baby tomatos Ranch or Thousand Island dressing Croutons Olives Almonds or Peanuts (but not both at the same time!) I absolutely detest most kinds of cheese in general, and I abhor it on my salad. I also don’t care for cucumber slices. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/13 "2004-09-12T06:42:20Z")
Feta or gorgonzola, crumbled Black olives grape tomatoes Romaine artichoke hearts ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/14 "2004-09-12T15:27:59Z")
That bud light commerical. Ground Beef Refried Beans Gaucamole Cheese Sour Cream and if there’s any room, a few shreds of lettuce. Seriously, I love taco salads. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/15 "2004-09-12T15:42:05Z")
Mostly everything listed so far I call “The Basics.” Some delectable additions not mentioned, once you already have the lettuce/spinach, tomatoes and cucumbers: Cubed Kiwi fruit Black olives Feta stuffed olives Blue cheese stuffed olvies Dried tomato stuffed olives Marianated whole stuffed mushrooms Fresh chopped chives Shredded roast chicken Georgia Vidalia onions Red, yellow, orange and green bell pepper strips Celery strips Pickled pearl onions Sliced radishes Dash of oregano, cilantro, coarse black pepper and/or tarragon Pepperidge Farm garlic and cheese croutons ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/16 "2004-09-12T16:52:49Z")
Spinach Sliced Mushrooms Sliced Red Onion Black Olives Bacon Bits Blue Cheese Crumbles Cherry Tomatoes Bell Pepper Slices and, if I can get it, Poppyseed Dressing Yum! Oh, and maybe some Artichoke Hearts, if I’m feelin’ fancy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/17 "2004-09-12T17:34:12Z")
Base is always spinach. Tastier and healthier than lettuce, and it even looks better. If there is real lettuce available, I’ll also add that. But under no circumstances will I adulterate a perfectly good salad with iceberg lettuce. I’ve recently discovered an edible weed called purslane, which has a very distinctive flavor, and which is apparently very high in omega fatty acids. So let’s toss in some of that. Tomatoes if they’re in season, vine-ripened, and garden-grown. Otherwise, I might toss in one or two cherry tomatoes for color, but that’s it. And a little of everything else available, including but not limited to: Carrots (preferably shredded) Broccoli Cauliflour Onions Black olives Cabbage Alfalfa sprouts Mini-corn Peas Garbanzo beans Ham bits Bacon bits Cheese Hard-boiled egg Sesame seeds Peanuts Croutons Chow mein noodles For dressing, I usually go with ranch, but occasionally I’ll use Thousand Island or Bleu Cheese also/instead. In any event, the dressing must not be low-fat. The exception to all of this is if I’m having dandelion salad, in which case I use my gramma’s recipe: Dandelion greens, hard-boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, and onions, in a dressing made from bacon, cider vinegar, and sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/18 "2004-09-12T17:47:06Z")
A couple square inches of lettuce covered by a gigantic pile of Bacon Bits. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/19 "2004-09-12T18:06:32Z")
The salads I make at home (I usually have one every night) are kinda boring: 4 to 6 oz. spinach 1/2 oz. feta cheese (occasionally I’ll get gorgonzola) aged basalmic vinegar I do’nt do salad bars all that often because I always eat way too much but I like all the veggies (except olives, I loathe olives) with light dressing. I never eat iceberg lettuce tho’, it just feels like a waste… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101/20 "2004-09-13T02:04:57Z")
At salad bars, I love those french-fried onion pieces. And there are usually these little seeds-they look like tan sunflower seeds, but I don’t know what they are. Just that they’re yummy. I don’t like to smother my salads in dressing. Just enough to mix it and get a touch on everything. Otherwise, it overwhelms the flavor. Parmesaan or Romano cheese is also good. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-salad-bar-whats-in-yours/264101.md?page=2)