Healthy Eats | Eat it Charlotte

Location: 4125 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209 Hipster vegans and upper class yuppies can rejoice; there is a new eatery to stop by after a hard Yoga class! Chopt Creative Salad company, a restaurant that has locations in many other cities such as New York and Washington D.C., has made its way to Charlotte. All joking aside, this is a spot that will attract all walks of life and delivers up some pretty good salads. Although a restaurant chain, (and may feel that way at times), there is a lot I like about this restaurant. Not everyone may enjoy it, but judging from the crowds it is here to stay. The Good: I have to admit I heard a lot of buzz about Chopt, but really I wasn't all that interested. A salad restaurant isn't something I am going to normally go out of my way to get to. With this being said, once I did visit, I enjoyed it. First and foremost, the salads are actually pretty good. I have tried a couple of different items my latest being the Palm Beach Salad with Chicken, which was very tasty. This salad, like all of them, are chopped up right in front of you (hence the name), which gives it a nice texture. The sheer size of the salad is also impressive, not like I had trouble finishing it, but it does satisfy my hunger. The salad selection is vast, with the steakhouse salad being the next on my list. Another thing I like about Chopt is they put the calorie content right on the menu. This is helpful to the man who may have reviewed five different pasta dishes in the week prior. The Service has it's pluses and minuses, I am not a huge fan of the "breadline style" of food delivery, but the people who make the salads make them quickly and keep the line moving. They also have always been very friendly, not a small feat, since the crowds are almost overwhelming. Most of the meals there are fairly inexpensive, especially considering who they are catering to. I usually get out there for less than $20 for two salads, with a protein, surprisingly that is a lot cheaper than most salads I get in the Charlotte area. The Bad: If you are going to visit Chopt I hope you like Salads, because that is really all you are offered. Granted, there are many different types of salads, but really besides the occasional soup, that's all that's on the menu. A little variety would be nice, especially if you are basically tagging along with a salad eater. The atmosphere isn't great and restaurant isn't someplace I would necessary go if I were to meet friends on a Friday night. It's more like a quick, healthy Tuesday night option or a place to eat after a workout. The Ugly: The ugliest thing about Chopt is the chaotic feel I get whenI walk into the restaurant. First, the line is usually 20 people deep and every table is filled. Being on the line makes me feel like I am in the thunder dome, it is such a hectic process that I can't help to feel a little stressed. The way the service is set up adds to the hectic nature. The entire line queue reminds me of an extremely busy Subway Sandwich shop (with much better food). By first glance, you would think they were giving away free money, it is packed at all times. It is so crowded at times I wonder if I need to get the food tested for an addictive substance. While this says something about the popularity of the food, this further lends to this idea of a corporate fast food place, as a opposed to a restaurant to get a sit down meal. The Verdict 6 4 out of 10: Like it or not, Chopt Creative Salad Company isn't going anywhere. People really like it and, to tell the truth, so do I. Taken for what it is, an eatery that offers a quick, healthy option, it is definitely a place I will continue to visit. By no means will Chopt change the Charlotte food scene, but it is nice to have a inexpensive, healthy staple in the rotation. Update: As one of my readers pointed out, Chopt changed their menu. What used to be a great deal/salad turned into anything but this. They have cut their portions in half, while raising the price. I HATE when restaurants do this...therefore I am lowering the score. To save $2 worth of salad they lost a regular customer.