Saladworks - Richmond

This is the best place to enjoy a salad packed with protein. They offer a variety of signature salads that are expertly crafted, or you can customize your own salad to your liking. Highly recommended!

I was not impressed by my first visit to Salad Works. My salad had barely any cheese, the bacon was completely raw, and I had to remove it all. The portion size was small, and I found both the taste and presentation lacking. It cost $12 plus tip, and given that lettuce is so inexpensive, I expected a substantial serving with properly cooked bacon. I would much rather go to Chopt, which was fantastic.

Despite there being ample seating inside, my visit today during lunchtime found the restaurant completely empty, which has been the case during my recent visits. The biggest issue for me has been the staff. They often create the impression that they view customers as a burden. There's rarely anyone at the front to greet you when you enter. Instead, employees usually emerge from the back, giving the impression you’ve interrupted them—perhaps while they were engrossed in TikTok? When you place an order, one person prepares your meal while another rings you up, often yelling out the next order before finishing yours. Plus, instead of asking whether you’re dining in or taking out, they just toss your meal in a bag and hand it over. The unspoken message is clear: "Here’s your salad, now please leave." I ended up eating my meal in the car, where the atmosphere was honestly more pleasant. I don’t know if it was because I wasn't wearing a mask in the empty restaurant, but the staff's condescending attitude made me feel unwelcome each time I walked in. Is this really necessary at this point? As for the food, it was decent, and I’ll give it an extra star. It's hard to mess up bacon—even in a salad! However, I was shocked to find that a restaurant specializing in salads doesn’t offer romaine as a greens option. Lastly, I don’t want a response that suggests giving them another chance. I've seen enough reviews to know that I’ve already given this place more opportunities than it deserves. Honestly, this review should have been written after my sixth visit. I wish them luck, but I really don’t want to see this business in the area any longer, given my experiences here compared to the Short Pump location. The current staff is not representing the company well at all.

I really like this place. When I'm in the mood for good salad, I come here. They give ample portions and all their ingredients and salads are fresh. Salads are prepared in front of the costumer. I haven't been disappointed yet. A little pricey but well worth it. A clean, pleasant no thrills atmosphere. Parking can be a little tight and limited around lunch time.

This is a perfect example of why I should always read reviews before visiting a restaurant. I echo the one star ratings from most recent reviews. I paid over $10 for a side salad with a great deal of wilted, soggy lettuce. I left hungry and angry. Oh, and with diarrhea.