'It's like a fever dream:' Sweet Tomatoes fans celebrate the return of the salad buffet

When Sweet Tomatoes announced in 2020 that it would be closing all locations in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were heartbroken. Four years later, it's back.

The first Sweet Tomatoes in the country to reopen held a grand opening on April 1 in Tucson. By 10:30 a.m., a line wrapped around the building as fans drove from all over the state and beyond for a taste of their favorite salads and soups.

The first person in line was Matt Burns from Long Beach, California. He said he came to the restaurant early to be first in line while the rest of his family slept in at their Airbnb.

"My whole family just loves (Sweet Tomatoes). We had one right down the street from us that got shut down," Burns said.

Sweet Tomatoes opens in Tucson and inspires a family vacation

The grand opening fell conveniently at the same time as Burns' daughter's spring break, so he and his family were able to take a family vacation together to eat at one of their favorite restaurants.

"I just love salads, that's literally why I always pushed for it," he said. "My daughter loved the aspect of being able to make her own meal."

Burns' daughter is 15 years old now, but he remembers taking her to Sweet Tomatoes from the time when she was a little kid as a family bonding experience.

He said he hopes more locations open elsewhere in the U.S.

Friends bond over memories new and old at Sweet Tomatoes

Friends Hayden Coatney and Colton Yogerst from Glendale were also among the first in line. They, too, were inspired to make the drive by memories of going to Sweet Tomatoes with parents and grandparents as children.

Coatney said he remembers his grandparents taking him to Sweet Tomatoes when he was young. The last time he visited the restaurant was when his grandpa passed away in 2018.

"We knew when there was an opening day, we were going to drive all the way," Yogerst said. "He ended up sleeping over at my house last night and then we planned it out. There was no way we wouldn't be here opening day though, because we had just been checking so long."

While Coatney and Yogerst initially planned to visit opening day because they wanted a taste of the food, they both said that the journey was the most fun part.

"It's kind of silly when you think about it, to drive all the way to Tucson, but now that we're actually here, it's like a fever dream almost," Yogerst said.

How to visit Sweet Tomatoes

Sweet Tomatoes held a grand opening celebration for its Tucson location at 11 a.m. on April 1. The restaurant is now open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Details: 6202 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson. sweettomatoes.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sweet Tomatoes reopens 1st restaurant in US in Arizona. Fans celebrate