Soup 'n Fresh - Chino Hills — Restaurant in Chino Hills

First, the reason for the 1 star. Visited a little after 4pm because we eat dinner early and the lines are long. No line today so we got in faster than I thought. Receipt said 4:11. We were told there is a 2 hour limit.

We got our first course. I got a big plate of salad and picked my way through it intending to get some of the more fun things after some veggies. Husband plowed through all 3 courses.

I finally finished and went to get some soup. I'm disabled so I sent husband back with my soup and a little pasta. We were gone no more than 3 minutes before he went back and I stopped to get one more bowl for a little mushroom soup.

I get back and everything is gone, except the glasses. Table has been wiped down, reset and the card, which I had made sure to leave in a conspicuous place away from the salt and pepper, was back in it's place. They also threw away our receipt with the time written on it so no proof of when we came or how long we could stay. I only had healthy stuff at this point we were there less than half an hour.

I was deeply uncomfortable staying at that point or getting up to get more food with my husband's help, especially with no proof that we even paid, so we left.

I asked to speak to the manager and explained and said I don't understand how that happens or what more I can do besides leave the card out that says we will be back in a crunch.

He just kind of looked at me blankly and explained what he thought might have happened. I appreciate the effort but I can guesstimate all on my own. Help me understand why it's safe to come back here and that coming back again won't mean throwing $50 out the window. Tell me it is a training issue and you'll remind staff to check for cards before assuming they're gone. Literally give me any reassurance at all that I can have an enjoyable and healthy dinner.

Nope. Didn't happen.

I might try another location, because like a lot of folks I have a deep nostalgia for Soup Plantation/Sweet Tomatoes and was so excited to get there at a time that as a disabled person I could actually get in. We've gone by 5 times before to be faced with what for me are insurmountable lines.

As for comparisons to the now defunct chains, it all looks and feels very familiar but is a poor imitation. There are familiar things like the wonton salad or the tuna tarragon, the latter I've seen at other buffets so I'm guessing it's Sysco or something like it. It tastes the same. But the plain pasta tasted strangely chemically. How? It tasted maybe like badly abused Teflon pots or something? I'm so confused how plain pasta tastes like chemicals. The carrot pineapple salad was bitter. Again, how?

There aren't as many protein options as the old chains used to have, so your only option is to load up on beans and cheeses and whatever eggs are left. They have Bleu cheese by the dressings but literally just put a tablespoon in an otherwise spotless and mostly empty tray?

The tapioca is the same. The arroz con leche is somehow super watery. The strawberry yogurt tasted terrible.

The jello was exactly what it's supposed to be. Again, nostalgic. Thankfully I only get a bite of each of those so I didn't feel like I missed out.

The garlic bread is great but I got one piece and it was gone when I wanted some with my soup. Some of the reviews say the pastas aren't good but I think that's overly harsh. I had taken a bite of my husband's to see if I wanted my own and I think the Alfredo and mac and cheese are better than any other buffet I've ever had.

Did not get to try the potato or dessert I was looking forward to because of the aforementioned issue so I can't speak to those but I can't imagine you can mess those up. Husband said the soft serve was good, he got 2 servings so it must have been. I would have liked to have tried it myself.

So if you haven't been here and have been wanting to try it, I am not sure I'd recommend it. Might be worth seeing if there is a location with better reviews and try that. *photos of reset table, minus card I had placed again in a...

Soup ‘n Fresh is the newest addition to Chino Hills. I began to feel nostalgic walking in here and remembering the last time I stepped foot in Souplantation in the late ‘90s.

Upon entry, you see a similar layout of the soup and salad buffet area. My friend and I arrived a little before 6pm last night and one side of the buffet was not in use. I was also told they usually have a long wait time especially being new; however, when we arrived, there was luckily no line.

While it’s not rocket science to figure out where to go, I feel like the restaurant prematurely launched an opening prior to some meticulous details that would’ve answered some simple questions or some signage for direction.

I’ll just give you a run down of what to expect here upon entry:

STEP 1: GRAB A TRAY AND DISH WARE. Grab a tray, plate(s), and/or soup bowl(s). They have large and small size plates; and only one size of bowls.

STEP 2: SELECT FOOD ITEMS. This is where it got sorta “messy” because the left side had the soup and hot items while the right side had the salad and cold items. With people walking from different directions, some signage hung from the ceiling would’ve worked in this scenario. Anyway, pick a side you want to get food from. I picked the cold side (salads first) and fill your plate(s). Now go to the other side and select what you want, if any.

STEP 3: GRAB YOUR UTENSILS. There is a utensil tray at the end of the cold food items with soup spoons, smaller spoons, forks, and butter knives.

STEP 4: ADD DRINK(S) & PAYMENT There is a register next to the utensils where you can decide to add on any drinks to your payment. The cost is dependent on whether it is Lunch or Dinner. As of March 2025, this is what I paid before taxes: Adult Dinner $19.99 Fountain drink $3.79 If you purchase a drink, this is the time the cashier will hand you a fountain cup.

STEP 5: GET SEATED One of the workers will find an open table for you or your party. They have booths, tables, and a combination of both. When the space is filled, it’s pretty tight in the restaurant. Especially with people walking back up to the buffet.

STEP 6: Repeat STEP 2 if you want to go back for seconds, thirds, etc.

Notes: Drinks are to the back side of the hot food items, toward the restroom. They have Men and Women restrooms here with at least 2 stalls in the women’s restroom. You (and your party) get 2 hours to dine after payment. If going back up for seconds, thirds, etc., be sure to place the little card on your table that says you are just getting food at the buffet to ensure no one takes your table. Be sure to leave a tip for your server!

My experience was decent, food was okay, I enjoyed the nostalgia (and the company) more than the food.

My favorites were: Mushroom Soup (I went back for seconds for this soup); Arroz con Leche; Tapioca Pudding; Grapes; 3/4 Arnold Palmer + 1/4 Strawberry Lemonade; and Making my own salad (the pre-mixed Caesar and Asian salads were too soggy-looking for my liking).

Our server, Nico, was great! I was impressed to receive such great customer service from a buffet. He kept working diligently and checked on our table often - taking away any trays, dirty plates, and asking how we were doing. I also liked how they had extra napkins at the table. We gave Nico a nice tip! :)

Overall, it took me back to my last Souplantation visit. I really enjoyed Soup ‘n Fresh especially their Mushroom Soup (yum) and the Chili was a close second, as is their Alfredo pasta. The salads were fresh too. I would love if they offered fresh avocado, even for an extra surcharge. It would complete my salad. Again, I think some signage hung from the ceiling to direct first-time customers would be an added benefit. Also, I’d love if they had Caesar dressing as one of the options as opposed to an already-dressed...

The Chino Hills location is similar to the Rancho Cucamonga location in terms of food choices and food quality.

What's better about Chino Hills: I will say I actually think the cream of mushroom soup is a little better at the Chino Hills location. It is creamier and more flavorful. I also think the servers are more friendly and attentive. They introduce themselves and don't stay in the background as much as the servers at the Rancho Cucamonga location. I know it probably has to do with a different management style, but I like it better.

What's better about the Rancho Cucamonga location: I like that you can your own hot water for a cup of tea. Everything is self serve which works better for me. At the Chino Hills location, a server needs to get a cup of hot water for you because of the set up. The machine is located around the counter in the servers' kitchen and not in the main public dining area. I also think the set up for the food is easier to navigate at the Rancho Cucamonga location. At Chino Hills, the plates and bowls are located at the beginning of the line, so everyone grabs one and makes a line to go get soup. It's not as easy to go get the soup you want without feeling like you're being "rude" by not waiting in the line. That's because there is limited space to work with at The Chino Hills location. The Rancho Cucamonga location has more room to navigate around the restaurant to where you want to get your food. I'm sure this situation will work itself out once they have been open for longer.

All in all, both locations are great. These observations are minor, but I wanted to let people know since nobody else has really mentioned these. I will support...