Along with working out, eating better is generally a major goal of the New Year mentality and a big part of Detox January. But if you’re not ready to give up on socializing completely, there are healthier options that allow you to get out of your kitchen and out on the town. Here’s how to enjoy the local restaurant scene while making better choices and sticking to those resolutions.
Salads
Salata – With over 50 toppings to choose from, no matter how opposed to veggies you are, Salata has something to please even the pickiest of palates. Simply select a base lettuce mix, produce, cheese, nuts, fruits, proteins, and dressing to make a customizable bowl packed with flavor.
Jason’s Deli – Our homegrown chain has arguably the best salad bar in town with dozens of mix-ins, mini muffins, and creative sides like chicken salad, tuna salad, ham, and turkey breast to customize your concoction. For more of a protein punch, you can add wild salmon, steak, or chicken. And if you’re feeling naughty or need to reward yourself for sticking to your resolutions, there’s always the free soft serve for dessert.
McAlister’s Deli – If you’d prefer a premade salad mix, you can’t go wrong with either a chopped, chef, Southwest, Caesar, or harvest chicken salad from McAlister’s. Having a hard time choosing? Their “you pick two” combo will let you try multiple options so you’ll know which you like next time.
Chuck’s Sandwich Shop – Chucks’ has sandwiches, burgers, and baked potatoes, but the stuffed tomato filled with chicken salad or tuna fish is one of the more unique healthy options.
Monica’s – Monica’s 10+ ingredient cobb is another signature dish sought out by many. Topped with free-range organic chicken, purple hull peas, butternut squash, bacon, feta, toasted pecans, poached egg, avocado, cranberries, apple vinaigrette, and cornbread croutons, it’s a whole meal in a bowl.
Poke / Sushi
Koi Japanese Sushi Bar & Lounge – Sushi isn’t that bad for you in the grand scheme of things as long as you stick to rolls that aren’t slathered in sauces, covered in flakes, or heavy in rice. Koi has a variety of sashimi they call “tapas with a twist” like tuna melon, red snapper Crudo, and sweet salmon for a low calorie, tasty meal.
Hawaiian Poke Bowl – DIY poke bowls, simply choose your base (if you want to be really good opt for lettuce over rice), protein (like shrimp, tuna, or salmon), mix-ins (edamame, onion, corn, etc.), sauce (ponzu, chile, eel) and crunch (wasabi, ginger) and enjoy a healthy a raw fish bowl. Whether you prefer sweet or spicy, toppings like seaweed are rich in essential minerals and fiber.
Tokyo Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar – While the hibachi side of Tokyo might clog your arteries, the sushi rolls don’t have to. Specialty creations like fried asparagus and chicken tempura put a creative twist on classic dishes. For the photogenic foodies, a few rolls like the dragon and caterpillar actually look like the aforementioned creatures.
Veggie Burgers and Wraps
Novrozsky’s – Primarily known for their hamburgers (with beef locally raised by hall-of-famer Nolan Ryan), what you may not know is Novrozsky’s also offers diet-friendly salads, sandwiches, and wraps. They have a variety of black bean and turkey burgers along with chicken, shrimp, and mushroom wraps.
Creative Veggies and Heavier Plates
Green Light Kitchen – American comfort food with a twist, Green Light’s Thai salad, citrus fish taco salad, greek steak, and kale & quinoa salads keep it lean and green. For a more filling entree, the salmon and veg or impossible burger won’t tip the scale too much. And be sure to order the crispy Brussel sprouts – they’re to die for.
J. Wilson’s – Fried asparagus topped with lump crab and flank steak salad are two of J. Wilson’s lighter yet insanely cravable appetizers. For a larger portion, seared snapper, artichoke and feta stuffed chicken, and herbed rainbow trout will fill you up while keeping the calories down.
Katharine and Co. – The pecan-crusted chicken salad is one of the most cravable and filling salads around, but Kat & Co. is also known for their creative, veggie-forward sides like the kale, feta, pecan, and cranberry mix, green bean, edamame, olive, and artichoke salad, broccoli salad, and black-eyed peas and corn.
Tea
Happy Time Tea Lounge – Happy Time Tea Lounge just opened in time for the New Year to help you curb your coffee addiction. Specializing in traditional bubble teas and milk teas from Taiwan, they’ll also be selling this beautiful botanical blooming flower tea (pictured).
Cha Cha Teahouse – A Boba and juice bar right in the mall, Cha Cha Teahouse has both sweet and refreshing beverages like honeydew and strawberry milk tea for a quick pick me up while you’re out running errands.
Smoothies
Smoothie King – Crafted with fitness and wellness in mind, Smoothie King’s creative flavor combinations are a nutritious labor of love. Specific keto blends were created to curb cravings and crush goals, while other combinations were designed to help you fuel up or recover faster.
FIT Juice – A juice bar, smoothie shop, and acai haven, their bowls are packed with fruits, granola, peanut butter, Chia seeds, and Goji berries for maximum health benefits. If you want to kick your goals up a notch, FIT has fresh-pressed juices for 2,3,4,5 or 7-day cleanses along with specialty juices you can take as health supplements.
Corfefe Café – Ironically named after President Trump’s mistweet, Corfefe is a new coffee shop meant to drive community conversations. Specializing in Vietnamese coffee, boba tea, and fruit smoothies, the shop was opened by a veteran on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. They have a variety of healthy teas, but if you’re looking for something different, give the avocado, green tea matcha, or taro smoothie a try.