Salata lovers now have another way to enjoy their freshly tossed-to-order salads. The Houston-based company has opened its newest location — and the chain's first stand-alone restaurant— at 10898 Westheimer Road in the Westchase business district with a bonus feature for car-crazy Houstonians: Drive-through service.
As at Salata's 11 other Houston locations, customers can choose from nearly 50 different ingredients, including an array of lettuces, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, seeds and nuts. The salads come with unlimited toppings for $10-$12. For a small upcharge, customers can add pesto-, chilpotle- or herb-marinated chicken breast, shrimp or salmon.
A variety of made-from-scratch dressings are available; the Chipotle Ranch dressing has a nice "kick" that lingers just long enough to savor with each bite. The herb-marinated shrimp with mixed greens, cucumber, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, corn, blue cheese and the ginger-lime vinaigrette is my personal favorite combo.
Salad wraps, rolled in a fresh flour tortillas, come in cool cucumber, wheat, Texas barbecue, Thai ginger or Southwest choices ($7 each). Freshmade soups, sliced breads and desserts round out the menu.
Through Saturday (July 20), Salata is donating a portion of its proceeds at the Westchase store to Kids Meals Houston, a community-based organization serving healthy lunches to more than 1,700 preschool-aged children living in poverty.
Company officials hope to expand the stand-alone concept in Houston and other markets. Dallas-Fort Worth is home to eight Salatas, with one franchise in Los Angeles.
Salata features tossed-to-order salads with dressings made from scratch.
