Sweet Tomatoes going downhill :(

[disneysteve]

We have always loved Sweet Tomatoes. We eat there 1-2 times every trip. We've been going since they had one location on I-Drive and were thrilled when they added another at Crossroads and then a 3rd on 192 and we've been to all 3 numerous times.

On the past couple of trips, though, we've noticed a distinct decline in the experience. For one thing, the salad bar isn't nearly as big as it used to be. The bins of items used to be two deep. Now it's just a single row, meaning there are half as many items to choose from. You can still make a very nice salad but a lot of the more atypical ingredients aren't there anymore.

Last trip 2 weeks ago, we were very disappointed with dessert. We love making brownie sundaes but they no longer had brownies at the dessert bar. And no, they didn't have the chocolate muffins at the bread station either which were an acceptable substitute.

I hate when places choose to cut back the product rather than raise the price. I'd much rather pay an extra dollar or two and get the same quality and selection that I've come to expect. Instead, I suspect they've focused more on the price point and trimmed their costs by eliminating options.

The place is still a favorite and we will still continue to go back. It's just disappointing to see the changes.

 

[BippityBrittany]

I am also a sweet tomatoes fanatic! This is definitely sad to hear but I've actually experienced some of the same things. Personally, for what you now get, I believe the price is a tad to much! Again, that's just my opinion. I know it's a completely different category of food but instead of Sweet Tomatoes, if we go to Crossroads we will go to Noodles or Tom+Chee!

 

[disneysteve]

I know it's a completely different category of food

There's really no substitute for Sweet Tomatoes so we'll definitely continue to go there.

We haven't tried Tom+Chee yet. We have to get over there sometime.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I am sorry to hear this. I have made it a point to visit the LBV Sweet Tomatoes every trip and always take my Club Veg coupon with me. My state has no Sweet Tomatoes locations at all, so I've always looked forward to it.

 

[jhoannam]

That's really sad, we were looking forward to it for our October trip. Which one did you go to?

 

[disneysteve]

That's really sad, we were looking forward to it for our October trip. Which one did you go to?

I would NOT stop going there. It's still a great option. Just a little less great than it used to be. This past trip we only went to the Crossroads location.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

It has been 16 years since I worked at Disney and used to go to the Sweet Tomatoes on Kirkman Dr at least once a week. We do not have Sweet Tomatoes in my state but I have been to others in STL, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers, NC. A few years ago Sweet Tomatoes decided to switch many of their restaurants to an open concept kitchen type thing. Many locations were shut down and renovated to offer the new concept. Most people did not like the new Sweet Tomatoes and complained. There was less variety of food etc. http://archive.azcentral.com/things...30214sweet-tomatoes-field-kitchen-closed.html Last I heard customers were begging for the new stores to go back to the old Sweet Tomatoes.

 

[disneysteve]

A few years ago Sweet Tomatoes decided to switch many of their restaurants to an open concept kitchen type thing.

Interesting. I hadn't heard about that. That isn't what I'm referring to in Orlando, though. The layout and flow is exactly the same. They've just reduced the variety of items offered.

I have a feeling that some of that may actually be due to guest preferences. If they were spending time and money putting out somewhat atypical salad fixings and nobody was taking them, a lot was probably going to waste. If that's true, I guess I can understand them cutting back to reduce waste and trim costs.

Bring back the brownies, though. I need my brownie sundae!