It’s “dry month” once again, and as the new year begins, many of us aim to reset our diets and embrace healthier eating habits. January, a month of resolutions and fresh starts, offers the perfect chance to add more greens to your plate. To explore how salads can play a starring role in this journey, we spoke with Tracy Everett, the lovely owner of Toss Salad Bar in San Carlos—a local favorite for fresh and customizable salads.
A Salad for Everyone
One of the biggest challenges to maintaining a healthy diet is finding meals that are both nutritious and enjoyable. According to Tracy, Toss Salad Bar addresses this with its wide array of ingredients and endless customization options.
“The Toss offers so many different selections. People can create a big salad with their favorites. Our salads are totally customizable,” Tracy shared. “There’s no excuse to say, ‘I don’t like salads.’ Having a better diet is easy when it’s all prepared for you. Making a salad at home means time-consuming prep, uneaten produce, and often waste, which is a costly expense. We make it easy for you to have a large selection from many ingredients.”
Tracy Everett, Owner of The Toss in San Carlos
Advice for Salad Newbies
For those new to eating salads or aiming to incorporate more into their diet this January, Tracy encourages thinking beyond the usual lettuce-and-dressing combinations.
“Salads don’t have to be boring! Think outside the box. Try sun-dried tomatoes, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, quinoa, fennel, pumpkin seeds, arugula, spinach… We have over 20 dressings, and a few contain no sugar at all,” she said. With these options, building a salad that excites your taste buds becomes a delightful challenge.
Stories of Transformation
The power of salads to improve health is evident in the stories shared by Toss’s regular customers. While names remain private, Tracy reflected on the positive impact of incorporating fresh produce into daily diets.
“The key to a healthy diet is moderation and, of course, unprocessed foods. Fresh produce is the perfect go-to. We see regular customers on a constant basis, many a few times a week. Guests express ‘needing a salad’ after a spell of eating poorly. It’s okay to be naughty—just balance it out with some ‘good-for-you,’” she noted.
Beyond Salads: What to Try at Toss
Toss has evolved significantly over its nine years in business, adding new offerings to complement its signature salads. Warm paninis made with house-baked focaccia, seasonal baked goods, and warm bowls are just some of the highlights.
“We are brainstorming packaged ‘take-home & heat’ meals and expanding our warm bowls this winter,” Tracy revealed. The in-house bakery, led by Toss Manager Abraham, offers granola, coffee cakes, quiche, cookies, and more—perfect for gifts or special occasions.
Locally Sourced, Freshly Prepared
Toss prides itself on its commitment to fresh and locally sourced ingredients. “We get our produce from a vendor who sources locally. We do offer organic, but organic can be very cost-prohibitive. Our produce is delivered daily and is prepped on-site,” Tracy explained.
The Story Behind the Toss
A beautiful quote on the Toss website reads, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” This sentiment reflects Tracy’s own journey into the restaurant industry.
“I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, where it’s a mecca for food and wine. My parents were epicuriously adventurous and were always cooking something ethnic or new, which sparked my interest in food,” Tracy shared. “I worked in restaurants during college and loved the energy, camaraderie, and, of course, the food. I wanted to go to cooking school post college, but life led me a different direction into hospitality sales and then home-making. I never thought I would own a restaurant, but I guess it was meant to be after all.”
Your January Invitation
It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned salad lover or just starting to explore the possibilities: Toss Salad Bar in San Carlos offers something for everyone. With its customizable options, fresh ingredients, and innovative menu additions, Toss is the perfect partner for your January health goals. Visit Toss this month to start your year off with a fresh and delicious approach to healthy eating!
