The Garden Spot Soup & Salad Bar in Bakersfield, California

Garden Spot is a soup and salad bar in Bakersfield, California. It is the place to go if you want a great salad that you can put together yourself as there are more options then say the salad bar at Sizzler. I enjoy going here because I am on Weight Watchers and I feel like I have more options for healthy eating at the Garden Spot than I would at a normal buffet style place.

When you first walk into the establishment, you see the salad bar on the left hand side. There are two sides to the salad bar that are identical which is good when it's busy so you don't have to wait. You grab your tray, plate and utensils and start down the bar. There are a few lettuce options and then you can pile on mushrooms, cauliflower and broccoli, a few different kinds of beans (kidney, garbanzo, etc), tomato, eggs, olives, sunflower seeds and much more.

If you don't only want a regular salad, they have a seafood salad available, potato salad, etc at the end of the regular salad area. After that, there are several different kinds of salad dressing. To name a few, ranch, light ranch, Italian and other vinaigrettes.

At the end of the salad bar is the register where you pay. This is also where you have the option of getting a drink. The prices are amazingly good. The salad bar at lunch is only $7.95 Drinks in a cup are $1.29. If you get both, you total is exactly $10 dollars. Seniors can get the salad bar for $5.95 up to 4:30 PM. They have the usual soda selection (my dining companion was very pleased that they had Dr. Pepper as other restaurants usually just have Pepsi or Coke) and they offer regular tea, raspberry tea and some kind of mango tea.

When you leave the register, you come right across the bread counter. There are several muffin choices, corn bread, breadsticks and even miniature pizza. Right next to that area is a table that has pasta noodles and pasta sauce. Further on is the soup bar with several different soup choices. Along the wall up ahead is the fruit bar that also has pudding and jello.

There are two seating areas. One is larger and then there is a smaller area close to the exit. They only have tables and chairs, there are no booths.

The décor has never changed since I started going to the Garden Spot many, many years ago. Though it hasn't changed it still looks very clean, nothing looks faded.

The back wall has a beautiful mural that shows the ocean and the shoreline. On the shoreline is a beautiful gazebo with flowers. It is a very relaxing scene to look at as you enjoy your meal.

The food itself has always tasted good. For the most part all the items on the salad bar seem fresh. The muffins are super yummy (try the red one).

The staff itself has always been friendly. When I last went the server seemed to hover over the tables in the dining area. This was a little odd as we ate but since he hardly had any customers he was trying to fill his time and make sure that everything is up to par. He was very helpful and friendly so it wasn't an issue for us.

The Garden Spot is located at 3320 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301-3140 and their phone number is (661) 323-3236.

They are open at 11 AM until 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and from 10 AM to 2 PM on Sundays.