Salad Creations offers leafy greens, veggies fast

Location opens in northwest area

Larry Cruikshank/ViewMike Destefano prepares a meal at Salad Creations, 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 130. Advertisement

Salad Creations, a fresh, fast-casual dining concept founded in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has made its way to the Las Vegas Valley.

Serving up more than 40 salad toppings and 16 premium dressing options for diners to customize their own meal, Salad Creations now has two local restaurants open -- an outlet in the food court at the Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson since Nov. 15, and the month-old shop in northwest Las Vegas in the Shadow Mountain Marketplace, 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 130.

Owner and southwest area developer Pete Smith said business has been good so far.

"People are looking for a healthy alternative to fast food, and this is the perfect concept to fit that," he said. "We've had a very positive response so far (at the mall) and at the new store."

Smith and his brother, Dave Smith, a local orthodontist, had been looking for a strong franchise to get involved with since Pete moved to Las Vegas more than a year ago.

"My background is in food, and we were looking at different opportunities, but we wanted to get away from fast food," Pete Smith said. "We've been doing better than anticipated, even at this brand new store because this center is so new and there are other businesses opening up soon. This center is perfect for us. Our goal is to grow to around 25 stores in Southern Nevada."

Salad Creations was founded by Jeff Levine about 5 years ago in Florida, starting with a made-to-order salad kiosk in Boca Raton.

Rapid growth has led to more than 80 franchises sold and around 40 stores currently open.

The northwest restaurant is as simple as the concept seems, Smith said.

A large, bright dining area accommodates two spacious preparation stations where chefs prepare patrons' orders, whether they are custom-made or choices from a menu, including featured salads, wraps, breadsticks and soups.

"The most popular is definitely the create-your-own-salad option, because there are so many choices," Smith said.

Diners first choose their favorite greens (iceberg lettuce, romaine, spring mix or spinach) then move on to toppings, including fresh vegetables, cheeses, croutons, chicken, tuna and other meats, then select a dressing and decide whether they want their salad chopped or tossed.

Do the endless options lead to some crazy combinations?

"It doesn't matter. If they want it, they can have it," salad chef Mike Destefano said.

Featured salads range in price from $4.99 to $7.99, wraps go for $6.99 and soups for $3.99.

Salad Creations on Decatur Boulevard is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.saladcreations.net.