Last night my good friend Erica and I braved the thunderstorms to catch up and celebrate her birthday a little early. We headed out to Designer Greens in Waterford Lakes. I had never been but had heard great things.
Designer Greens was actually opened by a UCF alumnus, and it currently has two locations: one at Waterford right by UCF and one across the street from the University of Florida.
Their concept revolves around offering fresh ingredients to assemble your own custom salad, or you can choose from one of their own suggested concoctions. They also offer soups and flatbread paninis.
Erica ordered the Waldorf salad, which had grapes, granny smith and gala apples, candied pecans and goat cheese. She received raspberry dressing on the side. The fruit looked really fresh. They chop up all the ingredients for your salad as you order.
I should also add that this is a half order. Their portions are pretty big.
I opted for their half and half special, which includes a half order of any salad and a half panini sandwich. To continue the avocado kick I’ve been on, I ordered the avocado sandwich and the spicy buffalo panini.
The avocado salad had chunks of avocado (duh), hard boiled egg, mandarin oranges, red onion, corn, candied pecans and goat cheese with citrus dressing. The panini came with Boar’s Head buffalo chicken, tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, gorgonzola cheese and a lot of buffalo sauce.
Everything was really delicious and fresh. I liked that you could see them assemble everything in front of you. Despite all the healthy fats and protein in my salad, it was surprisingly light and refreshing. The spicy buffalo sauce with the warm, melted cheeses in the panini was a great combination.
I left feeling really content with my meal but not overstuffed like is often the case when eating out.
What is your favorite salad ingredient? I’m such a sucker for any candied nut or hard boiled eggs. I pretty much like hard boiled eggs anytime.
Oh my lordy– I am a HUGE Designer Greens fan. Whenever my mom comes to visit me up at school she always makes a special request to go there.
I always get the “create your own salad” and I end up paying $12 for the salad plus my extra toppings. Worth every penny
Designer Greens sounds like such an awesome concept! I wish that we had a place like that where I live!
The avocado salad and the buffalo panini look delicious!
YUMMMM. My favorite salad ingredients are fruit, nuts and goat cheese. So good.
Delicious!!! I always add chickpeas to my salads! Sometimes I go with the red onion and raisin combo too! Happy Friday!
That sounds like a really neat place. I would like being able to see them prepare my food like you.
I love cucumbers and feta cheese in my salads. Yum!
Designer Greens is so expensive so I usually hit up Hummus House, but I hear good things about it.
Favorite salad toppings – oh man. I love beets the most. But I also love hard boiled eggs and craisins. Not necessarily at the same time.
I’ve heard so much about Designer Greens! I wish there was one near me!
Your meal looks great! My favorite toppings in salad are candied pecans, goat cheese, corn, and hard boiled eggs.
You know I love Designer Greens. Or you should know I do! I think they are better than Greens and Grille (but not as good as Hummus House).
I usually get their Bruschetta salad — minus the feta, plus goat cheese. Which is my favorite salad ingredient. Mmmm.
Mmm, both salads look awesome. I love when places offer “half and half” options, whether it’s salad and sandwich or soup and sandwich. I can never decide on one or the other.