Get Greens on St Patrick’s Day
13 healthy fast-casual restaurants to indulge in over the holiday
On a day most celebrated by squeezing those not adorned in emerald and drinking beer saturated with food coloring, fill your belly with greenery that sham-ROCKS! Luckily, the trend of healthy fast-casual options is growing across the nation faster than a rainbow and finding your own tasty pot of gold is easier than ever. Sample the fresh fare at any of these spots this St. Patrick’s Day to avoid getting pinched on the inside.
Modern Market
Modern Market has one mission: To serve amazing, healthy food to as many people as possible. With 30 locations sprinkled through Arizona, Colorado, DC, Maryland, and Texas, it seems they are doing just that. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are filled with natural, farm to table ingredients and items are enjoyed on site or via takeaway/delivery.
Tender Greens
Tender Greens is a 27 location restaurant chain spread throughout California, Massachusetts, and New York. Each location is controlled by its own personal chef. Their website boasts Sustainability is at the core of all the choices we make, from our food to our planet to the future of farming. Enjoy their food at a location or order through their website and app.
Honeygrow
Honeygrow features a menu of stir-fry, salad, snacks, and cold pressed juice. Most items are available for vegan or gluten-free preparations and all meats are antibiotic and hormone free. Most honeygrow stores have a delivery option. Started in 2012, the chain has planted more than 25 honeygrow locations and 3 minigrow locations, with more coming soon.
Grainmaker
The humble grain is the star at Grainmaker in Boston. Pick from bowls, salads, and street food favorites or build your own at this 100% dairy free restaurant. Every Meal served embraces the deeply rooted connection between humans and nature through organic grains, locally sourced produce, and humanely-raised meats, available to order ahead through the website for enjoyment in store or for takeaway. Through a fresh approach, Grainmaker connects with the community using food as the common language.
UFood Grill
Located primarily in airports, Air Force bases and universities, UFood Grill has approximately 16 stores in which all menu items are 700 calories or less. If you’re traveling this weekend through Boston Logan International, Dallas Fort Worth, Salt Lake City International Airports, grab something light before your flight!
Chopt
Mostly East-Coast based Chopt restaurants offer a creative selection of salads (that can be made into wraps!!), soups, sandwiches, and more. This is not your average salad bar as it features an array of 20 dressings because lettuce shouldn’t worry about what to wear. Order online through various third-party services dependent on location.
Blue Lemon
Utah is home to all 6 of Blue Lemon’s upscale family-friendly locations. They hope to leave a small environmental footprint by supporting sustainable farming and using recycled materials. Although Blue Lemon does not currently offer online ordering, they feature a drool-worthy menu of appetizers, fresh salads, artisan sandwiches, gourmet entrees, and even a kids menu.
Flower Child
Flower Child invites everyone to join them on the journey to food enlightenment. They promise to serve healthy food for a happy world which includes many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options with produce guided by the wisdom of the Environmental Working Group. Flower Child has cultivated locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, and Texas, with new ones sprouting up this spring, summer, and fall.
Lemonade
Situated in multiple cities along the California coast, this juicy chain of 28 stores features a seasonal menu of more than just the cold-pressed juice its name implies. Lemonade squeezes out a diverse selection of salads, bowls, sandwiches, meat and seafood, various hot dishes, and dessert. Their eats are California focused and seasonally driven with blended selections of comfort food and Asian inspired dishes and many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, all available for order online.
Sweetgreen
Founded in 2007 as a destination for simple, seasonal, healthy food, sweetgreen has blossomed across the US faster than.. well, greens. Each location is modeled for the individual community in which it resides, making each store is distinctively different and special for its patrons. This scratch cooking fast-casual establishment’s warm bowls and salads are built with partnerships from local growers and taking pride in sustainability and food safety.
grabbagreen
grabbagreen was founded in 2013 and has bloomed into a massive nation-wide franchise with a vision to lead the charge in making fast food healthy and standing behind every word. In addition to their bowls, wraps, soups, smoothies, and elixirs, this franchisor founded the Grabbagreen Foundation. The non-profit supports local charities that promote healthy lifestyles and children’s health initiatives.
B.Good
Rooted in making connections with farmers as well as the people they serve, B.Good has grown into an international brand. Their downloadable app allows customers to order food, enjoy the perks of a great loyalty program, and donate to multiple charities through the click of a button. B.Good even restored a farm in Boston where customers volunteer and donate 75% of the harvest, benefiting a summer camp for at-risk youth. The B.Good Family Foundation gives micro-grants directly to individuals looking to improve their neighborhoods. Oh, and their bowls, salads, burgers, and sandwiches are pretty delicious too.
Zoës Kitchen
Boasting fresh made Mediterranean, Plano, Texas-headquartered Zoës Kitchen has been spreading the gospel of the Mediterranean diet across the country for over 20 years. Although some locations do cater, offer food to go and even delivery, they prefer for you to enjoy your meal within one of their 250 locations spread over 19 states.
Our list may not make you kiss the Blarney Stone, but our tummies sure did a joyful Irish jig. Have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!
Thank you for reading. Appetite is the official blog of Appfront, the data-driven solution bringing your food to the table. A tasteful blend of Restaurant Marketing, Customer Loyalty, and Online Ordering.
