20 places for satisfying salads in metro Phoenix

We all could use more greens in our diets, especially with the season of holiday indulgence just around the corner. That doesn't mean pale, watery iceberg chunks with a soggy tomato wedge doused in Catalina dressing. Here are 20 Valley restaurants with salads that impress and hit the spot.

PHOENIX

Essence Bakery Café

Who needs croutons when petite grilled cheese will do fine? In the greens, pears and mini blue cheese sammie salad ($8.75), greens are tossed in zinfandel vinaigrette and finished with caramelized onions, pecans, warm red-wine poached pears and those crunchy sandwich bites.

Details: 3830 E. Indian School Road. Phoenix, 602.296.4958. Also, 825 W. University Drive, Tempe. 480-966-2745, essencebakery.com.

Culinary Dropout

Every veggie in the kitchen sink makes the happy-hour chopped salad ($6) a creative bargain. A hodgepodge of whatever is sliced, diced and ready to go is tossed together. Sugar snap peas, cauliflower, roasted beets, corn, almonds and avocado are among the usual components. Available 2-5 p.m. weekdays.

Details: 5632 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-680-4040. Also, 149 W. Farmer Ave., Tempe, 480-240-1601, culinarydropout.com.

Southern Rail

The New Orleans favorite graces the menu here in the chopped shrimp remoulade ($14), with a healthy mound of creamy shrimp salad topping a bed of butter lettuce, shaved radish and pea tendrils.

Details: 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-200-0085, southernrailaz.com.

The Tavern

At this Mark Tarbell spot, citrus and smoky flavors play together nicely as Boston Bibb lettuce in Arizona honey-citrus vinaigrette is topped with avocado slices and grapefruit wedges in the avocado and grapefruit salad ($13).

Details: 3209 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-9463, tarbellstavern.com.

Luci’s Healthy Marketplace

Fuel up with the quinoa goji berry super salad ($9.99): Goji berries, pecans, dried cranberries, rainbow quinoa, tomatoes, field greens and herb goat cheese are tossed with a citrus vinaigrette dressing.

Details: 1590 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix. 602-773-1339, lucishealthymarketplace.com.

NORTHEAST VALLEY

Mad Greens

The Southwest-inspired Doc Holliday ($8.95 small, $9.95 large) is an Arizona menu exclusive — oranges, red grapes, red onion, mad spice pumpkin seeds and grilled citrus chicken are tossed with miso soy vinaigrette.

Details: 14418 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 602-283-3806. Also, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 602-314-8386. Other locations at madgreens.com.

Fresh Mint

Fresh, clean and exotic in one bite, the lotus salad ($7.95) combines crisp lotus shoots, cucumber, carrot and fresh herbs tossed with tofu and the house lemon vinegar, with a peanut sprinkle to finish it off.

Details: 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-443-2556, freshmint.us.com.

The Herb Box

Crispy shrimp and toasts smeared with creamy avocado add texture to the serrano-avocado shrimp salad ($15). Arugula, fried fennel and pancetta are in the mix that gets a lemon-honey vinaigrette drizzle.

Details: At Southbridge, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale. 480-289-6160. At DC Ranch, 20707 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480-289-6180, theherbbox.com.

Local Bistro

This sophisticated Italian eatery makes a pretty mean seafood salad ($17), with crab, calamari and shrimp adorned with mixed greens and orange vinaigrette.

Details: 20581 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-302-6050, localbistroaz.com.

Kale and Clover Mindful Kitchen

An exotic shift on the pasta salad, the Thai noodle ($10) incorporates a citrus soy dressing to bring together buckwheat noodles, snap peas, shiitake, carrots, radish, bok choy and broccoli. Fresh cilantro and mint add to this Asian salad.

Details: 20511 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-568-8707, kaleandclover.com.

Ironwood American Kitchen

A play on the traditional melon-and-prosciutto combo, the peach and burrata ($15) pairs the creamy cheese with marinated peaches and cured ham. It’s finished with aged balsamic, basil, Maldon salt and lime zest.

Details: At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.

SOUTHEAST VALLEY

Isabel’s Amor

Meat lovers can get their fix with a Latin flair in the asado salad ($10). Choice of pollo asado, carne asada or grilled shrimp accompanies chopped romaine, corn, black beans, cucumber, tomato, sliced avocado, crispy tortilla strips, Cojita cheese and citrus vinaigrette.

Details: 1490 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert. 480-290-7060, isabelsamor.com.

House of Tricks

The gooeyness of a soft-cooked egg combined with warm pancetta vinaigrette creates richness around shaved brussels sprouts, roasted beet, shallots, blue cheese and hazelnuts ($11).

Details: 114 E. Seventh St., Tempe, 480-968-1114, houseoftricks.com.

Cuisine and Wine Bistro

How do you make luscious Brie even better? Fry it until golden to a crunch and serve it with a side of jam. The greens tossed in house vinaigrette next to it makes this salad a crowd pleaser ($11).

Details: 1422 W. Warner Road, Gilbert. 480-497-1422, cuisineandwinebistro.com.

D’Vine Bistro and Wine Bar

The classic Nicoise flaunts seared ahi, fingerlings, hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes, green beans and anchovies over greens ($14).

Details: 3990 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-782-5550, dvinebistrochandler.com. Also, 2837 N. Power Road, Mesa. 480-654-4171, dvinebistromesa.com.

Salut Kitchen Bar

Listed under tapas, the hummus-stuffed avocado ($9.50) also qualifies as a salad. Avocado halves are filled with hummus, chicken, red onion, tomato and feta, served on a bed of spinach and quinoa in the house citrus vinaigrette.

Details: 1435 E. University Drive, Tempe. 480-625-3600, salutkitchenbar.com.

WEST VALLEY

Vogue Bistro

The Vogue salad ($9.90) starts with frisee and arugula, before Gorgonzola, dried cranberries, pecans, pumpkin seeds and applewood-smoked bacon bits join the party. A warm sherry vinaigrette brings them all together.

Details: 15411 W. Waddell Road, Surprise. 623-544-9109, voguebistro.com.

Betty’s Nosh

A pistachio garnish makes the usual Caprese salad ($14) worth a double take here. Tomatoes and fresh mozzarella are drizzled with aged balsamic and extra-virgin olive oil with fresh basil leaves.

Details: 6685 W. Beardsley Road, Glendale. 623-561-6674, bettysnosh.com.

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

The powerhouse-sized Vino Bambino ($7.69 regular, $10.39 large) lets you feed a carb craving too. Corkscrew pasta is tossed with romaine, olives, pinto beans, green onion, cilantro and Parmesan. Wine-marinated chicken, sauteed onions, red bell peppers and sundried tomatoes provide the grand slam.

Details: 6738 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 623-223-1150. Other locations at oreganos.com.

Arrowhead Grill

A steak-house classic, the spinach salad ($8.99 small, $11.99 large) offers tender spinach leaves tossed in warm red wine vinaigrette, with sliced eggs, bacon, shaved red onion and mushroom trimmings.

Details: 8280 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale. 623-566-2224, arrowheadgrill.com.

Yard House

Grilled salmon is paired with a bevy of flavors and textures from greens, kale, tomatoes, edamame, carrots, radish, egg, blue cheese, avocado, corn and bacon ranch dressing in the grilled salmon cobb ($16.95).

Details: At Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-3900. Other locations at yardhouse.com.