SOUTH RENO SALAD SEARCH

I discovered chopped salads years ago while working in downtown Chicago.  About once a week, some gal pals and I would mosey over from our office in the Wacker-Randolph Building to what was then known as the Chicago Apparel Center.  A small deli there served the most amazing salads with greens, meats, cheeses, carrots and other veggies chopped into the most itty-bitty pieces — so you'd get a forkful of wonderful flavors and textures in every bite.  The name of that deli escapes me and the building is now known just as 350 North Orleans.  But isn't it funny how some of our favorite foods can evoke such vivid memories? 

Here in South Reno, I haven't seen chopped salads on a lot of menus, so I decided to make a return to Yosh's Unique Deli (85 Foothill Rd., #8), which was covered in my blog on Sept. 28, 2012. 

Whereas I'd only tried —and loved — soup and a sandwich here before, I was intrigued by Yelp reviews praising the salads at Yosh's.  Those people knew what they were talking about! 

The Italian Chop Salad ($7.99) at Yosh's is as delectable as it is prettily presented.  

I would have liked the leafy greens and cucumbers to be chopped smaller, but this outstanding mound of salad also featured a satisfying mix of salami, provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, kalamata olives and chickpeas, with a perfect basil vinegarette dressing.  This was one of the best restaurant salads I have found in a long time. 

If you're cost-conscious and/or in a hurry,  Subway (with various South Reno locations including one on South Meadows Parkway, one on Steamboat Parkway and another at The Summit) has also added chopped salads to its menu.  For a cheaper ($5-6) fast-food version of a chopped salad, it's quite good. 

While it is not listed as a chopped salad, I have also enjoyed the Santa Fe Salad with Blackened Salmon at BJ's Brewery and Restaurant, 13999 S. Virginia St., in The Summit shopping center.  

This large salad at BJ's  (sorry, I don't remember the price and it's not listed online), includes Romaine lettuce, red onions, roasted peppers, Jack and cheddar cheeses, avocado, corn, tomatoes and tortilla strips.  It has lots of colors and flavors going on simultaneously, topped with a spicy dressing.  You can also get this salad with blackened chicken, Cajun shrimp or flame-broiled chicken. 

Note: Both Yosh's and BJ's offer take-out, too.

For more info on Yosh's Unique Deli, call (775) 853-YOSH (9674) or visit  http://yoshsdeli.com/ .

The phone number for BJ's in South Reno is (775) 853-7575 or visit  http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/ .