Best of 2000: Best Soup-And-Salad Buffet

Souplantation
9158 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa
(619) 462-4232

Though this budget chain of all-you-can-eateries has closed several San Diego locations, its surviving outlets are entrenched in their respective neighborhoods and always filled to capacity for dinner. The La Mesa branch is one of the few that sometimes has banana pudding and vegetarian chili soup, as well as the usual bottomless salad bar, freshly prepared pasta, baked potatoes, and muffins. Lunch and dinner, $6.69 and $7.99.