We realize the last thing most people in the south want to read about is a list of the best salads.
And quite frankly, some salads can lack inspiration and be pretty boring if they are made by someone trying to punish the diner for not ordering their cheeseburger or chicken wings.
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But hear us out; these salads are anything but ordinary. With a focus on the right mix of quality ingredients, a salad can truly be an exciting meal.
5 Salads That Are Anything But Ordinary
1. CHOPCHOP
Visiting CHOPCHOP gives you the feeling you’ve traveled to a healthy, trendy, hipster spot in Nashville, but really you’re in a strip mall on University Drive.
You have the option to build your own salad or choose from their menu. The Mexican Elote Bowl has been our go-to with warm quinoa, arugula, spring mix, roasted corn, roasted peppers, local goat cheese, spicy sunflower seeds, cilantro, tomatoes, and shredded cabbage all finished off with a tangy lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette. Add a kombucha to your meal and your body will thank you.
2. Cyn Shea’s
Cyn Shea’s is one of the best spots near downtown Huntsville to stop in for lunch and enjoy a salad. With such an extensive menu of delicious sandwiches and brunch items, you might think it would be difficult to choose a salad here.
However, that’s not the case when you’re dealing with options as tasty as the Vermont Maple Salad. Dried cranberries, applewood smoked bacon, walnuts, white cheddar, organic baby greens, romaine, and maple balsamic come together to form an indulgent salad that will make you feel like you’re treating yourself while still eating your veggies.
3. Mason Dixon
Even before looking over the menu you can assume a health-conscious, gluten-free bakery is going to have a killer salad, and sure enough, they do. No, this salad isn’t full of crazy ingredients you’ve never heard of. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
The simplicity of high-quality ingredients consisting of mixed greens, red onion, fennel, apples, and candied pecans with a flavorful vinaigrette really makes this salad shine.
And don’t worry, we won’t judge you if you add a side of mac and cheese.
4. Zoe’s Kitchen
The Live Med salad from Zoe’s is one of the more unique in the bunch mainly because it’s heavy on veggies other than the usual lettuce.
The large zucchini ribbons on top of a bed of spinach are what make this salad so appealing to us.
It’s then topped with farro, lupini beans, grape tomatoes, red onion, parmesan cheese, and Calabrian pepper dressing which makes for a hearty and filling meal.
5. Whole Foods
When we think of Whole Foods the first thing that comes to mind is the variety, and that’s no different when it comes to their salad bar.
Pile on all the fresh, organic ingredients you like for a salad that is truly your own. From tofu to watermelon radishes and everything in between, the Whole Foods salad bar represents a good value for those who appreciate quality ingredients.
Props to you. You’ve made it to the end of a post about salad!
Let us know if you’re on team salad like we are or if you still need more convincing.

Guest blogger for We Are Huntsville. Are you interested in writing a post for our site? Email katelyn@wearehuntsville.com.
Love Salad!!!