In the food world, what has big bowls to fill, a variety of flavors, different ingredients to choose from, and an exciting array of toppings? One may think this is referring to the popular yet potentially caloric self-serve yogurt bars that now appear on almost every block in Southern California; but that is not the solution to this riddle. The unforeseen answer is none other than Downtown Los Angeles’s very own Simply Salad – a fresh, fast, and flavorsome salad joint. 

Tucked away on Ninth Street near F.I.D.M. (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), office buildings, and fitness centers, it is no wonder that around lunchtime the line in Simply Salad sprouts beyond the door.

Upon entering, customers are guided to follow three steps to “Build Your Own” salad. First, customers choose from five different lettuce options for the base of their salad. Next comes the selection of toppings--an array of more than 65 choices. These toppings include almost every type of vegetable, protein, dried fruit, nut, and crouton. Customers can pick from more than 25 dressing options ranging from “The Usual” Greek, honey mustard or ranch dressings, to “Something Different” like wasabi, cilantro lime or horseradish, or “No Worries,” the low fat and fat free alternatives.

Simply Salad will undoubtedly please a wide range of eaters. There are vegetarian options such as quinoa, seafood, beans, cheese and even tofurky, while the meatiest meat-lover can choose from crispy bacon, barbeque chicken or roasted turkey, among many other options.

For those in a rush or merely indecisive, there is a list of pre-recommended salads put together by the Simply Salad connoisseurs. These range from the classic “Cardini’s Ceasar” ($6.50) to “The Hipster” ($9.75) — a mix of romaine, grilled chicken, candied walnuts, dried cherries and toasted goat cheese — which, by the way, is Paris Hilton’s favorite. Each signature salad comes with two dressing recommendations, but salad-goers are not just confined to those.  The “Thai It Up!” salad ($8.00) is a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and crunch — a blend of smooth peanut dressing, fresh grilled chicken, and beans sprouts mixed with the perfect amount of crispy wontons (still maintaining its healthy appeal).

What makes Simply Salad stand out from other eateries is how they mix their salads. The salads are finely prepared by a semicircular, custom-made knife from France called a Mezzaluna (translation from the Italian: "half moon") right in front of your eyes. This double-bladed, extremely sharp tool is used to chop and dice the ingredients of each salad — a technique that allows for a distinct taste of each ingredient in every bite. 

The saying “save the best for last” holds true at Simply Salad. Customers can watch their personal creation be chopped, mixed and served. The only thing standing in between the customer and the action is a pane of glass, contributing to the personal experience and excitement that Simply Salad has to offer.

While frozen yogurt places may finish the swirl with a “cherry on top,” Simply Salad has their own added bonus atop each creation — a crispy homemade pita chip, the perfect crunchy accompaniment to any salad. 

Reach Erika Ostroff here.