Disclaimer: The Wife and I ate at Noodles & Company for free and received two other free passes for food as well as two other giveaway items as part of a company sponsored promotion. Please take the following review/giveaway text with as much salt as you deem necessary following this government mandated disclosure.
ENTERING THE GIVEAWAY: Comment below for one entry, “like” and/or “share” on Facebook for up to two entries, and re-tweet on Twitter for another. A total of FOUR entries can be made per person by doing so. You’ll be in the running for two free Noodles & Company Summer Salads, a Noodles & Company branded wooden cutting board, and bag.
Last week while we were on vacation I received an e-mail from a local PR company helping Noodles & Company do a promotion for their “Summer Salads” offering. They asked if I would be interested in trying them out on Noodles. I replied that I would be happy to take four free passes (two for us and two for readers) and write about our experience here. When we arrived home I found a box on the doorstep which included the four passes as well as a Noodles & Company bag and small wooden cutting board. We used two of the passes and intend to give away the rest to one lucky reader who posts below.
It is no secret that I abhor Noodles & Company. Their generally awful offerings pander to the tastebuds of Americans who wouldn’t know it’s an abomination whenever they eat it at their favorite Americanized Thai restaurant (on a good day) and a complete and utter load of garbage when they eat it at a fast-casual chain restaurant which began in 1995 and spread like the plague across America appealing to every single family who pretends to love Asian food but is too scared to eat off a menu where they use ‘scary’ names and might be served by someone whose first language is not English. The only times we have eaten at Noodles & Company in the last 5+ years are when we get to do so for free–and yesterday was no different.
The freebie coupons were for one each of their new Summer Salad options:
- Backyard BBQ Chicken Salad
Pulled chicken breast with fresh-cut corn, roma tomatoes and red cabbage over mixed greens with a smoky coleslaw dressing - Chili Lime and Ginger Salad with Seared Chicken
Mixed spring greens in sweet chili-lime ginger dressing with hand-cut mint, peanuts, crunchy wonton strips, rice noodles and seared chicken - Spinach and Fresh Fruit Salad
Strawberries, pecans, bacon and blue cheese over spinach with balsamic fig drizzle
We ended up choosing the first two with The Wife noting that she didn’t much care for fruit on her salads regardless of dressing. Even though the BBQ Chicken Salad is geared towards the tastes of men according to Noodles’ PR, The Wife chose that one while I went with the Chili Lime Chicken. The obvious trend of men going with the BBQ Chicken Salad was evident when the server brought our meals to our table and expressed surprise when I grabbed the Chili Lime Chicken from across the table after the server set it down with The Wife instead of me.
Both the salads were extremely bright and fresh. While other restaurants seem to have a real problem delivering meals with red tomatoes, Noodles & Company definitely did not. The chicken on the Backyard BBQ Chicken Salad was abundant and the size of the salad was a good one. As a whole the salad was good, certainly better than their usual offerings but definitely not enough for me to go out of my way to eat there and definitely a departure from their traditional offerings. The Wife agreed with my assessment and said that she thought it was fine but definitely didn’t see it as something she’d want to order unless she was at Noodles & Company for some other reason.
The Chili Lime and Ginger Salad with Seared Chicken came as described but came with cilantro instead of mint. Described to me by the PR person as a deconstructed spring roll, they hit the mark there–a generally flavorless canvas which was better with some sort of accompaniment such as Sriracha. I got a very light hint of chili but absolutely no acid from the lime. The rice noodles were undercooked and were almost as crunchy as the wonton strips but the additional veggies (bell peppers, carrots, etc) were a nice touch and worked well once I kicked it up to something acceptable with a good bit of chili sauce. The Wife noted that it was more in line with Noodles’ other offerings (being that it had noodles and an Asian theme) but it still wasn’t enough to draw us in when there are so many other fantastic Asian restaurants in town–especially across the street at Satay2Go. That said, I would eat it again if I was in the mood to spent $8 for a salad, something I never am.
The third salad, which we did not get an opportunity to try, is apparently America’s favorite but definitely doesn’t do it for either of us.
Overall, while both of the salads we tried for free were fine, they are $8 salads at a restaurant which we just don’t frequent. However, if you’re a big Noodles & Company fan and are looking for something a little different than their usual offerings, these might be for you. Of the two we had today, I would definitely rank the Backyard BBQ Chicken Salad as the best and the Chili Lime as something I would only get if I didn’t care for the other options or was trying to stick to the Asian theme.
Have you had Noodles & Company’s Summer Salads? If so what did you think? Which one did you like best? Do you think Noodles & Company is worth a visit when there are other decent Asian restaurants in town? What do you normally order when you go there? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on below to get entered into the contest. You can also “like” the link and/or “share” it on Facebook and RT (retweet) it on Twitter for additional entries (up to four possible!) So go ahead and get those done and good luck!
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July 30th, 2012 at 8:21 am
We’ve eaten at Noodles for lunch a couple times over the past couple of years, mostly because it’s a different choice form Arby’s/Wendy’s/Cluver’s/Subway/etc./etc. that we hit regularly. Funny, though, I’ve never thought of Noodles & Co as an Asian restaurant, rather I think of it as a pasta place.
For lunch, and for a group with different tastes, it’s a decent option, and the fact that I can add a side salad for just $1 makes it a decent price, too.
July 30th, 2012 at 8:35 am
I’d much, much rather eat at Noodles & Co or Chipotle than the “traditional” fast food outlets. Sometimes that’s what’s available/works within your time limit/practical so it’s nice to have some new stuff to eat there.
July 30th, 2012 at 8:40 am
I like some of the mac and cheese dishes.
July 30th, 2012 at 8:56 am
If fast food is my only option, shame on me, then I have options that I can tweek to meet my family’s needs at Noodles & Co.
July 30th, 2012 at 9:46 am
I second what Greg said, I’ve never thought of Noodles as an Asian restaurant. I love the macaroni and cheese.
July 30th, 2012 at 10:03 am
I have never eaten at noodles and company. I too never thought of them as Asian food, and I don’t love noodles/pasta whatever. I would try a salad if I won free passes!
July 30th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I love their Mushroom Stroganoff and the BBQ Chicken Salad. They are a little pricy for fast food, but a nice change from the regular fast-food once in a while.
July 30th, 2012 at 10:37 am
I have eaten there one time with my taste challenged, but otherwise fine daughter.
Oddly, I remember ordering, sitting down and waiting for my food. I even remember what we did before and after we ate there. I even remember that my daughter got the Mac & Cheese. I can honestly say I have no idea what I had to eat that day, and I know I did eat…
Count me in for the contest, I know my kid would be just fine with a freebie.
July 30th, 2012 at 11:24 am
I don’t really like Noodles and Co but seem to eat there somewhat regularly because other people want to go there. I never thought of it as Asian, and since I don’t really care for any of the noodle dishes I usually get a salad there. I actually had the Spinach and Fresh Fruit Salad last night. I thought it was pretty good. It was way better than the Chinese Chop Salad which is what I usually get (for lack of better choices). The strawberries were pretty fresh, it had a lot of pecans, and the dressing wasn’t too sweet. I will definitely eat it again the next time someone else chooses for me to go to Noodles. I will say that I do like N&C a lot more since they got the Coke freestyle machine. Mostly I love caffeine free diet soda. And yes, sadly, I am the kind of person that would eat somewhere based on soda selection.
July 30th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I like Noodles.. though I think their portions are a little small sometimes for what you pay for. I’ll take a freebie though! :)
July 30th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
The menu at N&C is divided into American, Mediterranean and Asian flavors. Included on the menu are pad thai and curry. I don’t think Bill said they are an Asian restaurant.
I’ve tried most of their salads and the BBQ chicken is my favorite. It’s oddly named though as there is no BBQ flavor.
July 30th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Ozzie, I think they were trying to go for “Backyard Barbecue” in the sense of you’re eating corn, pulled chicken, etc. Not necessarily for the BBQ flavor although the chicken we had did have a mild BBQ sauce flavor.
July 30th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Free food? Sign me up.
July 30th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Haven’t had the Noodles & Co salads yet… And I probably would get the one with the fruit.
July 30th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
That place IS the “salt” of the earth…… There was so much salt in the beef
stroganoff that I was swollen for three days.
July 30th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Free = good. Otherwise?
I don’t care for Noodles. Their pasta dishes are lame, and I can make 90% of them at home for a lot less money and more flavor. I never thought of them as an asian/thai place.
July 30th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Overpriced but acceptable solution when my friends and I want some carbs while doing snow removal.
July 30th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
If I win I’ll give the free food certificate to a homeless person.
July 30th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Spam alert! Check links on sidebar above referencing this post.
July 30th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Nevermind, my post just blew it away.
July 30th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I see nothing that is spam in the comment history. The closest thing, which isn’t spam, might be “Carrie @ Season It Already!”
July 31st, 2012 at 7:14 am
Being drawn to pasta like a moth to a flame, I have never eaten a salad at N & C, but would certainly make use of the coupon if I won one.
July 31st, 2012 at 7:50 am
Wow…didn’t know they had salads! The few times I’ve eaten there, I’ve gone straight for the pasta. (Like Wendy above, I was also drawn to pasta like a moth to a flame until I got ordered on to a low carb diet 3 months ago.)
August 12th, 2012 at 10:48 am
This is one of two fast food joints that I will eat at, but along with JimmyJohn’s, those prices have keet going up, while the quality kept sinking…
August 13th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Who won this thing?
August 13th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Not you. That’s for sure.
August 15th, 2012 at 8:56 am
Congrats to Chapter&Verse, he is the winner. Dude, I’ll be in touch via e-mail. Thanks to everyone who entered.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:48 am
FTW!!!
I’m gratified and humbled (not)… two time winner!! As I don’t eat at this establishment and I know someone close to me who does… I’m giving it away to a deserving soul.
FTW!!!
August 15th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
You should trade it for a Lola Pizza. Everybody wins.
August 15th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
I’d rather eat at Noodles.
August 15th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
I am going to pretend you are still whacked out on Ghost Peppers after reading that idiotic statement.
August 15th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Heh.
August 15th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Bill, you ARE whacked out from too much capsaicin! No one, NO ONE, other than you, would rather eat at Noodles over Pizzeria Lola! No One!
August 15th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Oh, and by the way ghost peppers (Naga Bhut Jolokia) are no longer the hottest. http://www.webcitation.org/67J3MeXUF
August 15th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Yes, we know. Thanks for the lesson in that which you do not know ;)
August 15th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Yes, I’m a wuss when it comes to heat. I stop at 100K SHUs. I like to taste the flavors instead of having a numb mouth.
August 15th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
And again, you show your ignorance.
August 15th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
OK, Bill, I’ll stop digging now…
August 16th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Congrats to C&V on comment #500!