Sweet Tomatoes, on the corner of International Drive and South Kirkham Road (Junction 78 off the I-4) is a vegetarian’s delight. How they manage to prepare and serve such healthy, appetizing food at such a low cost I will never understand. The place is good value for money but cost aside, it is a great place to eat for veggies and non-veggies alike. They do serve some chicken but everything is clearly labelled so there is no confusion.
One thing that sets Sweet Tomatoes apart from some inexpensive buffet style restaurants, apart from good quality food is the high level of cleanliness. As for the cost, under $10 a head for adults and less for children, I am sure that if I went to a supermarket and bought all the ingredients I would not be able to feed my family for the same low price. This is very unusual when eating out and would not normally be the case. I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years and there have been occasions when we have dined out (in the UK) and I have ordered the veggie option, when the dish arrives I realise I’ve left a better meal at home for the kids and babysitter than I am being served. This was particularly obvious when I once ordered Penne with Mediterranean vegetables. When the dish arrived all I had on the plate was Penne in tomato sauce and hardly another vegetable to be seen. Well this is NOT the case at Sweet Tomatoes. You make your choice from a vast selection at their sumptuous buffet.
A tip – something which always amuses me on my way through the restaurant – take a look at the plates on the other diner’s tables. It’s amazing how many different variations of colour and combination people manage to get from the same buffet choices. There is some kind of metaphor on life here - how we all make something different when given the same original choices. You have some people with plates piled high like huge colourful volcanoes, others with neatly arranged patterns of food as though they have decided to colour coordinate their meal. The differences in arrangement and colour are amazing. I have never seen so many variations on a theme.
After the buffet selection at the entrance there is a soup section, pasta and pizza section and a fresh bakery bar. For dessert there are fresh fruits, muffins and puddings with ice cream to choose from.
Don’t take my word for it. Sweet Tomatoes is a must on your next trip. Our kids insist we pop in at least twice on each vacation and everyone we have taken there (non-vegetarian) has agreed that it’s a great place to eat for choice and value.
One thing that sets Sweet Tomatoes apart from some inexpensive buffet style restaurants, apart from good quality food is the high level of cleanliness. As for the cost, under $10 a head for adults and less for children, I am sure that if I went to a supermarket and bought all the ingredients I would not be able to feed my family for the same low price. This is very unusual when eating out and would not normally be the case. I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years and there have been occasions when we have dined out (in the UK) and I have ordered the veggie option, when the dish arrives I realise I’ve left a better meal at home for the kids and babysitter than I am being served. This was particularly obvious when I once ordered Penne with Mediterranean vegetables. When the dish arrived all I had on the plate was Penne in tomato sauce and hardly another vegetable to be seen. Well this is NOT the case at Sweet Tomatoes. You make your choice from a vast selection at their sumptuous buffet.
A tip – something which always amuses me on my way through the restaurant – take a look at the plates on the other diner’s tables. It’s amazing how many different variations of colour and combination people manage to get from the same buffet choices. There is some kind of metaphor on life here - how we all make something different when given the same original choices. You have some people with plates piled high like huge colourful volcanoes, others with neatly arranged patterns of food as though they have decided to colour coordinate their meal. The differences in arrangement and colour are amazing. I have never seen so many variations on a theme.
After the buffet selection at the entrance there is a soup section, pasta and pizza section and a fresh bakery bar. For dessert there are fresh fruits, muffins and puddings with ice cream to choose from.
Don’t take my word for it. Sweet Tomatoes is a must on your next trip. Our kids insist we pop in at least twice on each vacation and everyone we have taken there (non-vegetarian) has agreed that it’s a great place to eat for choice and value.