Preston Eats: Who has the best salad?
By Preston Hall | Staff writer
The new year is upon us, with that brings the trusty New Year’s resolutions and while many people set off to the gym, I will be looking for a salad.
Last year my job was simple, find the best milkshake, chicken sandwich and other local goodies. This year I wanted to start off by changing it up just a little. I wasn’t going to overdo it by going straight to the gym but instead ease myself into better eating habits and starting my healthier 2022 with the leafy greens.
Just like the rest of my travels, the goal is to stay in the Augusta, Ga., area while looking for these foods, hence the goal “best in Augusta.”
The first stop was to a favorite chicken joint, you may know it, Zaxby’s. There I ordered one of their titled Zalad’s, I got the Buffalo Chicken Zalad. On it was the normal mixture of greens and other natural toppings, but was capped off with a cut chicken tossed in a zesty buffalo sauce. It was a great overall salad, made even better by the addition of blue cheese dressing. I would rate this a solid 8 out of 10. You can try this out for yourself if you visit any Zaxby’s location.
The next place I visited was Jason’s Deli, located at 2907 Washington Road. There you will find a few made to order salad options alongside a fully stocked salad bar. I did not venture to the salad bar this time, but I have in the past and it was a nice experience.
They have a well kept up buffet with multiple options to chose from. This time, however, I chose a menu-based salad, the Chicken Club Salad. This salad contained grape tomatoes, sliced avocado, cheddar, asiago and bacon on mixed salad greens. This was a great salad that was finished off with the use of my trusty ranch dressing. This salad I would rate a 7.5 out of 10.
The last place I visited on this journey was Groucho’s Deli which can be found at 758 Broad Street. Normally when I visited this small restaurant, I go for the Apollo Dipper for it is made fantastically but that is not the mission on hand. This time I am there for a salad as you should know by now. As I fought the urge to order the famous Apollo sub, I kindly asked the person behind the counter for a Feta Cheese Salad with a vinaigrette-based dressing. Well, that was the best choice I made on this trip. The salad was made fresh, all the other ones had been, but this salad was bounds and leaps ahead of the others. The crisp lettuce and feta cheese made this salad an easy number one choice. I would rate the Feta Cheese Salad a 10 out of 10.
This was slightly different than things that have been done in the past but was I surprised at how much I enjoyed this, yes. I will now be implementing a better diet regimen that includes a bunch of greens and salads just like these but without the ranch and blue cheese options. As always, stay hungry, Augusta.
At top of page, Preston Hall tries Zaxby’s signature Zalad. (photo by Preston Hall)
Contact Preston Hall at prhall@augusta.edu.
This story is published in the Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 print edition of The Bell Ringer.
