The sight of Soup ‘n Fresh’s entrance is always decorated with the cheerful white and green logo as well as the winding line that is ever-present outside of the Chino Hills establishment. Come rain or shine, devoted customers and eager consumers of Soup ‘n Fresh are always willing to wait in the daunting line for a taste of their favorite foods. Chino Hills locals have graciously and thankfully welcomed the restaurant back to its rightful place in their community.
Soup ‘n Fresh is connected to a complicated history. In the past, their Chino Hills location was home to Souplantation, also known as Sweet Tomatoes outside of Southern California, and was owned by a parent company called Garden Fresh Restaurants. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the health regulations and measures taken made the self-serve buffet model for their restaurant impossible to sustain. On May 7, 2020, the permanent closure of all 97 restaurants was announced, leaving many devastated and forced to say goodbye to their precious food spot.
Chino Hills thought that was the last they would see of the iconic, beloved salad bar and tear-inducing chocolate muffins. So, it was shocking to all when on February 28, 2024, in Rancho Cucamonga, Soup ‘n Fresh was opened in the same exact building Souplantation used to inhabit. The surprise quickly turned into uncontainable anticipation until Soup ‘n Fresh opened its doors in Chino Hills on February 14, 2025.
A common misconception since its opening was that Soup ‘n Fresh was the relaunching of Souplantation. Soup ‘n Fresh is in no way affiliated with the corporation, Garden Fresh Tomatoes, and is instead a family-owned business. The new owners were inspired by the popularity of Souplantation and created the dupe with the intent to leverage the nostalgia factor to gain customers.
Soup ‘n Fresh boasts an almost identical restaurant to Souplantation. The trays used as you slide down the build your own salad section, the steaming clam chowder with crackers, and the soft serve ice cream are all of the treasured aspects of Souplantation that have made their comeback. Even the layout is exactly as the community has remembered, with the perks of using the same building as Souplantation. The vibes of the establishment are perfectly replicated, with dim lighting and a constant chatter, achieving a dynamic, family-friendly atmosphere.
Yet, some divergences from the past restaurant are present. Customers have noticed some small discrepancies, such as the renaming of menu items or the higher pricing. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is due to the incredible popularity of the copycat restaurant. The limited locations available, Chino Hills being one of only two restaurants, have resulted in many customers outside of Chino Hills traveling far to get a taste of the past, making every day extremely busy. The line outside is handled in an orderly fashion, with shade provided for the grueling hot days, and a worker counting the parties to maximize efficiency. Inside, there is a two-hour time limit for all customers, and a card is featured on each table to indicate if a group has left. The time problem is definitely a hindrance to the overall experience, but it is drowned out by the overwhelming positives.
A little over a year since its opening, Soup ‘n Fresh’s popularity has yet to die, and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. The Chino Hills community adores the establishment that has allowed them to relive their younger days through the revival of their old favorite restaurant that they never gave a proper farewell to. With soups, sweets, and salads galore, no Chino Hills resident is ever hesitant to brave the line and enjoy the unique experience that Soup ‘n Fresh has to offer.
