SALAD DAYS

Griddled Goat Cheese Salad at The Steer.

Labor Day has passed. School is back in session. Pumpkin spiced everything has hit your local coffee shop and beyond (Pumpkin spiced pet shampoo or conditioner anyone? Unfortunately- it’s a real thing). Fall is upon us. Or is it? With the outside temperature still hot and steamy our new fall sweaters and cozy boots need to wait a bit longer to make it into rotation.

Let’s not rush things. We have plenty of time before old man winter pays us a visit and overstays his welcome, as usual. Lettuce take advantage of the fresh ingredients still at our disposal and romaine within our salad days a bit longer.  

At Lake Effect Diner and The Steer Restaurant And Saloon, we take greens pretty seriously all year round. All dressings are made in house, and fresh seasonal local produce are used whenever possible. Both restaurants offer an assortment of salad choices, many which are large enough to enjoy as a main meal.

Over at Lake Effect Diner the specialty salad selections are: House, Caesar (add chicken for a little extra), Hearts of Romaine, Falafel, Souvlaki, and Chopped. The most popular salad on the menu would have to be the Souvlaki Salad. Fresh romaine and leaf lettuce with red onion, tomato, black olives, cucumber, pepperoncini, and topped with imported Greek feta cheese. It is served, of course, with grilled whole-wheat pita. You may order it with The Diner's own classic Greek dressing or mix it up a bit and choose between the other house made dressings: balsamic vinaigrette, house honey mustard, ranch, or blue cheese, 1000 Island, or oil and vinegar. (I say if you’re going to go Greek, just go all out Greek) Also, for a small extra cost, you may choose to add on grilled vegetables, chicken, or beef. It is a hearty meal choice for dinner or lunch.

Another Lake Effect special salad is the Falafel Salad: The Diner’s own seasoned and fried chickpea patties atop a generous helping of greens with Tzatziki, hummus, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber and carrots. It is a huge portion. This salad may also be upgraded with a choice of Souvlaki chicken or beef- I would highly recommend sharing or planning on taking some leftovers home.

The Chopped Salad is my personal fave. It’s an explosion of flavors with diced leaf and romaine lettuce, house smoked ham and turkey, crumbly blue, cheddar cheese, green pepper, tomato, red onion, carrots, celery, croutons and bacon bits- all chopped and tossed in your choice of dressing. For this one, I usually go with blue cheese dressing. Who am I kidding anyway? This is not a slim salad, so why lie to myself and pick a vinaigrette? I love a good salad induced food coma.

For a few other choices in the mixed greens department-head on over to The Steer. Of course, like at The Steer’s sister restaurant the Lake Effect Diner, you will find a House Salad, as well as a Classic Caesar-plus all of the dressings are made in house as well. Craving a badass burger, but not feeling the carb heavy bun and fries? Try the Topless Burger salad. Three types of The Steer's Badass Burgers (beef, chicken, or veggie), any style (15 to choose from!), served on top of the Balsamic Dressed House Salad.

Maybe it’s been a long weekend of bad decisions and you need a remedy, or you are just looking for a powerhouse bowl of healthy fuel?  Then the Detox Salad Bowl is for you: Quinoa, beets, Thunder Mountain Micro Greens, peas shoots, spinach, romaine, tomato, carrot, chick Pea, Sprouted white bean hummus, with The Steer’s Hemp Ranch Dressing. This is one meal that will get you on the right track.

Or maybe you are feeling a bit cheesy? Griddled goat cheesy to be exact. The one salad I can never get enough of is The Steer’s Griddled Goat Cheese Salad: Beets, house greens, tomato, carrot, onion, cucumber, croutons, griddled goat cheese (imagine, a medallion of fresh goat cheese that is tossed onto the hot griddle and crisped just on the outside, while the inside stays firm but warm…) topped with house made Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing. It’s my jam…or at least my salad…

So enjoy these final days of summer, eat a little greener, and feel a little healthier, because in no time at all we will be going from snacking on Pumpkin Spiced Oreos to passing the Eggnog flavored gum….

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