May is National Salad Month! What’s your fave local salad?
“The BG’s Wedge at Meritage at the JW Desert Ridge Resort & Spa redefined the wedge salad for me when I first tried it a few years ago. Never seen bacon cut that thick before, that nicely caramelized. That said, Bernie Kantak’s Original Chopped needs to be our official state salad.”
— Craig Outhier, editor
“I love crunch, so my favorites are the Brussels sprouts salad at Postino (Brussels, kale, bacon, marcona almonds, Manchego, dried cherries, lemony Manchego dressing) and the Chifa chicken salad at Toro (crisp veggies, crackly quinoa, spiced peanuts and maple-mustard dressing).”
— Leah LeMoine, managing editor
“I’m kind of obsessed with the DIY concept of Salad World, where you can choose from more than 50 different ingredients to build your own souped-up, decked-out salad. I love that they offer plant-based chicken; texture options like pepitas, sesame sticks and sunflower seeds; and don’t skimp on avocado or dressing.”
— Madison Rutherford, associate editor
“I don’t know how I can not say the Original Chopped Salad by chef Bernie Kantak! It’s been holding steady on the menus of his restaurants since its inception at the since-closed Cowboy Ciao more than 20 years ago. Its colorful ensemble features creamy smoked salmon, poppy couscous, arugula, toasty pepitas, tomatoes, Asiago and yummy dressing. I crave it constantly!”
— Mirelle Inglefield, art director
“Hanny’s has a delicious side house salad! I was surprised when I first had it because it looks simple, but the flavor is all there and some more.”
— Angelina Aragon, managing art director
