Lighten Up! Fresh & Tasty Salads in Delco

If a bowl of fresh veggies is what you crave, nothing hits the spot like a colorful, bountiful salad. There are practically infinite variations on salads — with all kinds of greens, veggies, proteins, cheeses and garnishes to choose from, a salad can be so much more than a side dish.

When you’re looking for delicious ways to incorporate more fresh produce into your day, a salad for lunch or a light dinner is a slam dunk. Luckily, there are tons of fantastic salads to be found in Delco! You’ll find creative, satisfying salads in so many local delis, fast-casual cafes and full-service, sit-down restaurants. 

Ready to discover your new favorite salad? Check out one of these Delco spots, and dig in: 

Dom & Mia’s

Italian and Italian-American dishes are the focus at Dom & Mia’s, a comfortable, hometown restaurant with a great bar program and a menu packed with classics, like chicken parm and Margherita pizza. Though the salad section of the menu isn’t too extensive, we love how the main options (Caesar, traditional, burrata and harvest) can be customized with the addition of protein add-ons. Choose from fire-roasted chicken, grilled shrimp, seared salmon, or mini crab cakes to upgrade any of the salads into a full meal.  

145 Saxer Ave., Springfield; (610) 808-6381.

 

Soprano’s Trattoria & Caterers

Have you ever noticed that great pizza places often also make stellar salads? This is definitely the case at Soprano’s Trattoria, a cafe and catering company on West Chester Pike. In addition to an extensive selection of apps, brick oven pizza, sandwiches, pasta and more, there are 16 salads on its menu to choose from! Many of them are familiar Italian-American favorites, like tomato-mozzarella and chicken Caesar, though we encourage you to order the house specialities. The Soprano Salad, with grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, artichokes, feta, almonds, spring mix and a balsamic vinaigrette, is vegetarian heaven; for a heartier meal, try the Chicken Cutlet Bruschetta salad, piled high with free-range chicken and tangy tomatoes.

3072 West Chester Pike, Broomall; (610) 359-9355.

 

Upland Diner

Diner menus are known for comfort foods, like patty melts and pancakes — not necessarily healthy, fresh dishes like salads. But at Upland Diner, you’ll find not just one or two, but a whole selection of salads to choose from. Why stick with a simple green salad, when you could try the Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberry Salad with homemade poppyseed-cherry vinaigrette, or the Blackened Shrimp Salad Bowl with fire-roasted corn, poblano peppers and tomatoes with chili lime dressing? Gluten-free diners may also appreciate the more robust salads, like the Chicken Cheesesteak Salad Bowl and Beef Taco Salad.

1000 Upland Ave., Chester; (610) 872-6545.

  

Civera’s Deli

Every salad at this easygoing neighborhood deli is made to order! All the classics are there, from Turkey Cobb Salads, Grilled Steak Salads and a generously loaded Antipasto Salad (with Italian tuna, roasted peppers, olives, salami, hot ham capicola and sharp provolone), or you can go off-script and create your own custom salad, choosing from Civera’s selection of fine deli meats, cheeses, dressings and other toppings. 

2214 State Rd., Drexel Hill; (610) 259-9138.   

 

House Restaurant

Every town in Delco needs an all-day cafe like House, a place where you can pop in for brunch on a weekday, or enjoy a quick, nourishing midday bite. One of the best deals is the Half & Half lunch special, with the option to combine half a panini or sandwich, soup, salad, or all three. You can’t go wrong with any of the specialty salads, especially the King Khan, with spicy chicken salad, caramelized onions, gorgonzola and sriracha, or the Greek Lady salad, with whipped hummus, olives, roasted peppers and chevre. 

110 S. Jackson St., Media; (610) 566-2505. 

 

DiFabio’s

The inspired salads at DiFabio’s are all the proof you need that this local restaurant/market/catering company is passionate about food! Its menu features over a dozen deluxe salads, as well as protein add-ons, like blackened chicken and lump crab meat. Wine lovers will delight in the Sangria salad, topped with apple chips, dried cherries, Merlot-soaked pears, red-wine-braised cheese and citrus; the Brisket Wedge, with blue cheese, tomatoes, onion straws and house-smoked brisket, is channeling old school steakhouse vibes in the best way!

1243 N. Providence Rd., Media; (484) 444-0850.

 

Tuscany Cafe

Though Tuscany is known for its great breakfast/brunch options (the crêpes are fab), its lunch options are also a must-try. In addition to panini and deli sandwiches, there are a handful of exceptionally fresh salads, many of which have gourmet twists. For instance, the Tuscany Salad includes quinoa, beans, radishes and grilled eggplant over a bed of romaine, and the Tuscany Plate is an unique mix of veggies (olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), proteins (hummus, hard-boiled eggs, feta) and meats (prosciutto and salami). Bonus: All salads are served with a tasty garlic roll! 

803 West Chester Pike, Havertown; (484) 453-8363. 

 

Aria Mediterranean Restaurant

Aria is a casual, no-frills family-owned Mediterranean restaurant, featuring dishes from Afghanistan, Greece and the Middle East. Alongside various kebabs, curries and spreads, like tzatziki and hummus, find authentic, vegetable-driven salads. Highlights include the three-bean salad with cilantro vinaigrette and the cucumber-tomato-onion salad with herbed dressing. Sweet tooths: Don’t leave without a slice of baklava!  

405 Dartmouth Ave., Swarthmore; (610) 543-2701.

 

Wolf’s Superior Sandwiches

For a place known for ribeye cheesesteaks and wildly inventive hoagies, it’s nice to see that the salads at Wolf’s also benefit from the owners’ creativity. Yes, there’s the obligatory wedge, Caesar and house salads, but there’s also The Winterfell (arugula, dried cherries, blue cheese, red onion, candied walnuts and champagne vinaigrette) and the Chef’s salad-esque Aston Spin (baby spinach, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, bacon, goat cheese, toasted almonds) to try. Plus, every salad can be topped with a long list of proteins, including steak, ham, shrimp, or even Nashville hot chicken.  

4417 Pennell Rd., Aston; (484) 480-3181.

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Find us at 1501 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA, 19063; (610) 565-3679 or online.

— Emily Kovach 

 

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