Healthy eateries
Tired of celery sticks and almonds? Check out these satisfying, healthy alternatives!
May 17, 2015
Sometimes you get a craving for a savory, juicy In-N-Out burger that can only be sated by a fresh double-double with a side of fries. But other days, all you want is something that will fill you up in a better way. Certain foods leave you feeling good after you eat them, but sometimes quality healthy food can be hard to find when you’re not at home, unless you order a salad.
So if you ever get tired of lettuce, these restaurants will bring a healthy, happy smile to your face with their satisfying meals.
Spike’s Fish House
30465 Avenida De Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita
Full plate – This plate from Spike’s Fish House is stocked full with healthy options: a steamed assortment of veggies, tasty brown rice, a lemon pesto sauce and wonderfully grilled salmon.
Sweet treat – What’s a good meal without a side? These delicious sweet potato fries are the perfect alternative for French fries. The sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A.
This quick and easy stop is a great place to go for a late lunch. Even if you’re not a fan of ocean-dwellers, you can order some grilled chicken as an alternative and still enjoy your meal. This restaurant is also close to SMCHS, so if you’re feeling hungry after the many hours since first lunch, head over to Spike’s for truly satisfying seafood. When you’re waiting in line to place your order, you can read up on the health benefits of fish, which are posted on a board in the front.
Recommended menu items:
- Salmon (Atlantic)
- Grilled Chicken
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Lemon Pesto Sauce
Thasos Greek Island Grille
3940 S Bristol St, Suite 113, Santa Ana
Beautiful bowlful – This Santorini bowl with chicken from Thasos Greek Island Grille is a colorful display with equally mesmerizing tastes.
Dolmades, please! – This lovely Greek appetizer from Thasos Greek Island Grille is a wonderful way to start your meal. Tasty and soft lemon rice is delicately wrapped in saturated grape leaves to create this masterpiece.
Moussaka (not from Lion King) – This fancy lasagna dish from Thasos Greek Island Grille is made without the carb-loaded pasta strips but rather substituted with layers of grilled eggplant, zucchini, potato and a delicious meat sauce.
A little cup goes a long way – I always like to end a nice meal with a cup of coffee because it helps me fight through unwarranted food comas. This picture-perfect Lavender Latte from Euro Coffee was right across the way from Thasos Greek Island Grille.
Though it might be slightly out of the way for some SMCHS folks, I highly recommend a trip to this restaurant. The service here is impeccable and they also have a happy hour special from four to six every day during which appetizers are half off. Talk about cheap eats! The Dolmades from here are so delicate and the flavors of lemon and grape leaf and oil are mixed together impeccably. The rest of the food also exceeds expectations. All the menu options are as authentic as a Greek restaurant in America can get.
Recommended menu items:
- Dolmades
- Lemon Chicken Rice Soup
- Moussaka
- Santorini Bowl
Luna Grill
23625 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest
Wrap it up – The Gyro Wrap from Luna Grill looks lovely next to some crisp sweet potato fries.
Warning: I plugged this address into Google maps and it lead me to the Chipotle off of El Toro Rd, but Luna Grill is in the neighboring parking lot. Even with the slight mix-up, Luna Grill was a delightful destination. The restaurant is surprisingly chic, with cute lampshades made out of different utensils. On top of the modern design and welcoming environment, Luna Grill has delicious food. The menu is easy to read and the combinations you can get are numerous. It’s a lovely place to go to catch up with a friend, seeing as it’s not a large venue so it has an intimate feel. Overall, this is a lovely place to eat and it’s quick and easy to get to.
Recommended menu items:
- Gyro Wrap
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Ground Sirloin Kabob
Native Foods Cafe
2937 Britsol St, Costa Mesa
Lineup – Native Foods has a wonderful presentation of its delicious foods.
Nacho’ normal nachos – These Native Nachos from Native Foods are a pleasure to snack on.
Best of both worlds – The Portobello Burger from Native Foods is a scrumptious substitute for the meaty original.
If you’re looking for an afternoon of splurging, head over to The CAMP, next door to The LAB Anti-mall. You can shop till you drop at any one of The LAB’s unique stores and, when you simply cannot continue, you can rest your feet at Native Foods and treat yourself to an amazing meal. One of the best vegan places in the county, Native Foods prides itself on all-natural, homemade ingredients that taste as good as they sound. Plus, this restaurant gives back to the community in more ways than just providing healthy food. Native Pals is the name dubbed to all the non-profit organizations that Native Foods has paired with including the Surfrider Foundation.
Recommended menu items:
- Moroccan Bowl
- Native Nachos
- Portobello Mushroom Burger
Greenleaf Gourmet ChopShop
234 E 17th St, Costa Mesa
Well rounded – This bowl seems to hold the tropical Holy Grail: the Lemongrass Salad from GreenLeaf Gourmet ChopShop is filled with pineapples and coconut.
The combo of a lifetime – Half a panini and a bowl of soup for under $10? Please and thank you, GreenLeaf Gourmet ChopShop.
Though slightly far from SMCHS, this delicious restaurant is a wonderful place for a lovely lunch with friends. With a beautifully designed venue and complementary valet, the ChopShop is an easy stop on your way to or from a Newport beach day. Especially in the fast approaching summer weather, the patio is an easy and breezy place to dine. With a plethora of menu items that all follow the ChopShop motto “Eat well. Live well.” it is clear why this restaurant has been named one of L.A.’s best places for health-conscience people to dine at.
Recommended menu items:
- White Bean & Turkey Bacon Soup
- Chicken Avocado Panini
- Lemongrass Salad
The Stand
238 Thalia St, Laguna Beach
Stuffed – The Veggie Burger from The Stand is stacked high with delicious combinations.
Little slice of home – The laid back vibe from The Stand at Laguna Beach makes it all the more welcoming on a sunny day.
A little blip on the map, this hole-in-the-wall is the perfect place to visit if you’re craving a healthy snack while perusing Laguna Beach. Though tiny, the food here has huge flavor. The made-to-order vegan food with fresh ingredients can be enjoyed at the little tables set up outside, or you can head down to the beach and enjoy your meal on the sand. The menu has a lot of variety, too, with options for soups, sandwiches, salads, Mexican or Chinese food. Even with an unassuming location, The Stand’s barn-like appearance gives the food an even fresher vibe.
Recommended menu items:
- Gourmet Sprout Sandwich
- Avocado Sandwich
- Veggie Burger with Soy Patty
- Guac