Sweet Tomatoes - "I'll Be Ripe Back" - A Promise Kept!

At last, after years of mourning the loss of Sweet Tomatoes, posting how sad you were about them closing on your social media pages, signing their petition and sending it to all of your friends, and even offering your firstborn child to bring them back, it has FINALLY paid off—or so we hope. Sweet Tomatoes is rumored to reopen this month, March 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. Sweet Tomatoes fans all over the world were devastated to learn that the company would be closing in 2020, expecting that their local Sweet Tomatoes would remain open. It was disheartening to learn that all 97 locations had been closed, with some being replaced with inferior buffets once COVID restrictions were lifted.

As someone who ate here as often as Lorelei visited Luke's Diner, I can truly say it turned my world upside down. It gave me a lot of time to think about how Sweet Tomatoes truly served our community and what it meant when people say, "You never know what you have until it's gone." To start, it was one of the best meals you could get for under $12 at the time. Click here to see the old prices. Think of how many families it impacted when such an affordable, all-you-can-eat meal was stolen from under their noses.

Another thing I noticed was that the workers varied between the elderly and even high school graduates who worked in the kitchens. It helped people who needed money after retirement to keep their homes, and it even gave people without college degrees a foot in the door. Last but not least, where else can you get the best Caesar salad, mac and cheese, wild blueberry muffins, cornbread, strawberry lemonade, chicken noodle soup, and even soft serve ice cream in one place?! It was almost criminal that they weren't allowed to stay open during the time we needed comfort food the most.

Sweet Tomatoes' Wild Blueberry Muffins

According to this article, Sweet Tomatoes COO Mike Malone has stated that we can look forward to our old favorites, even though the leadership team is completely new. Now that the restaurant is said to be opening again, let's talk about some food you can look forward to. Are you new to Sweet Tomatoes food? Have you never even stepped foot in the establishment? Well, here's the rundown and what you should expect: Sweet Tomatoes is an all-you-can-eat buffet. When you enter, they have an extensive salad bar with amazing options of vegetables ranging from chickpeas to cottage cheese, so you can build your own personalized salad.

Once you have decorated your salad to its fullest, you can slide your way to the registers to purchase your entrance to the Disney World of Buffets, along with your drink. Now, you will see everything you have been craving right before your eyes, along with the aroma of baked goods and soup—a feast for the senses! I always went immediately to the pasta section to grab an entire plate of their mac and cheese. Honestly, the star of the show, in my opinion. After that, I recommend visiting the baked section, which will meet you with the aromas of rectangle pizza, brownies, blueberry muffins, cornbread, handmade whipped butter, and more.

Sweet Tomatoes' Famous Mac and Cheese

After you have had fun in the baked section, you move on to the reason why this place is also known as Soup Plantation. The soup bar. It ranges from their famous Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup to their homemade minestrone, chili, and more. There was always a big selection of soups that would rotate out, but they always kept their Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup (a fan favorite) and their homemade chili (my mom's favorite). Once you grab all you can fit onto your tray, you can either test your limits as Superman and try to grab your drink, or you can place your tray on any table that is available (I always preferred the booths).

At your table, you will see a card that says "I'll be ripe back," and if you flip it, the other side says, "See you next thyme!" You want to keep the card flipped on "I'll be ripe back" to indicate to the workers that you don't want them to clean your table yet. Next, you will see the drink section, with delicious strawberry lemonade, fountain drinks, and even vanilla and chocolate soft serve! Pro tip: Sometimes, I would even make myself a root beer float at the end of my meal.

The Disney attractions have been seen, and now it's time to sit down and enjoy one of the most comforting meals you will ever have in your life, not to mention unlimited amounts of it. My stomach is already growling thinking about it. The best part is that you always leave feeling full and satisfied. You can then flip your coaster to say, "See you next thyme!" and leave with a smile on your face and money well spent.

That's the playbook for those who have never been and aren't sure where to start, and even a stroll through memory lane for others. I still remember going to Sweet Tomatoes every week after school with my grandparents while growing up and before every movie with my mom! I have always dreamed of taking my kids or grandchildren here to keep the tradition alive. Here's to hoping many more Sweet Tomatoes keep their word to see us next thyme and that all of us can keep our firstborn children!

Sweet Tomatoes, We Miss You!

Love, Chels