8 of the tastiest healthy options for dining out in Phoenix
Guilt-free dining doesn’t have to mean flavor-free.
Geri Koeppel
February 16, 2024
It’s not easy to find health-conscious options when eating out. Greasy burgers, fried foods, and salads heaped with fatty meat and soaked with high-fat, calorie-dense dressing are everywhere.
But it can be done if you know where to look. When you want something that tastes good and is good for you, check out these eight metro Phoenix eateries.
AZ Pho and Grill
3 locations: Chandler and Gilbert
If you’re craving Asian food, skip the deep-fried, sugar-drenched orange chicken in favor of a plate of vermicelli, which is low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and a good alternative for people with gluten sensitivity. It comes with lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, carrot-daikon pickles, green onion, crushed peanuts, fish sauce, and grilled meat (get the shrimp). They also have incredible chicken-broth and veggie-broth pho; get it loaded with fresh, crisp veggies—bok choy, Napa cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas—and toss in the mint, bean sprouts, and jalapeño peppers for a vitamin wallop.
Cafe Lalibela
Tempe
The heady aromas and flavors of Ethiopian cuisine come from a dizzying array of spices used to jazz up heaping platters of high-fiber vegan dishes like misir wat (red lentils), gomen (collard greens), azifah (brown lentils) and tikil gomen (carrots, cabbage, and potatoes), to name a few. Even better, the spongy injera bread used to scoop it all up is gluten-free and contains protein, magnesium, iron, and calcium.
Earth Plant Based Cuisine
Phoenix
Eating vegan doesn’t have to equal sacrifice. This hip Grand Avenue cafe will satisfy your less-than-healthy cravings with faux meat dishes like soy chorizo nachos, seasoned mushroom “carnitas” tacos, a pulled seitan BBQ sandwich, shredded “chicken” chimichanga with cotija cheese, and much more. It allows you to indulge in familiar flavors and textures sans globs of grease. If you’re feeling a little naughty, save room for a “milkshake.”
FnB
Scottsdale
James Beard Award-winning Chef Charleen Badman is a sorceress with local, fresh produce and other meat-free ingredients—she’s so savvy with them, her Instagram account is even @veggiebadman. She gussies up humble plates of broccoli, butternut squash, radishes, red beans, and on and on, adding nuts, relish, pesto, vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and more to tease out the best qualities of each ingredient. Yes, she makes a few superb-quality fish and meat dishes, but it’s easy to order a nutrient-packed, plant-based meal and feel more than satisfied. Wash it down with an Arizona wine; the list features many of the state’s top purveyors.
Green Corner
Chandler and Mesa
The Mediterranean diet is all the rage, and fast-casual Green Corner is one of the best places to try it. Its dishes are rich and hearty without leaving you weighed down, thanks to chef-owner Ebrahim Takkem’s Levantine cuisine, a culinary heritage found across Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Nutrient-rich eggplant in the baba ghannoug, high-antioxidant stuffed grape leaves, and marinated lean chicken kababs are a few of the best options.
The Market by Jennifer’s
Phoenix
This fun, eclectic Arcadia gem is the place for elevated, clean comfort food. Some items have more of a health boost than others, such as the maple-mustard glazed tri-colored carrots or salmon (rich in omega-3) glazed with agave, chili, and garlic. Jennifer’s website proudly cross-promotes other local products she uses in her cooking, including fresh milk from Danzeisen Dairy, minimally processed flour from Hayden Flour Mills, and traditional O’odham crops from Ramona Farms.
Perfect Pear Bistro
2 Tempe locations
If you’re craving fresh greens, nuts, fruit, and other goodies but want to skip the goopy, high-calorie dressing, head to Perfect Pear Bistro. Its extensive list of entree salads offers a choice of baby spring mix or a house blend of baby kale, spinach, and arugula. Dressings are homemade vinaigrettes. You can’t get much better than the Perfect Pear Classic with pears, dried cranberries, mint, red onions, gorgonzola, and toasted hazelnuts tossed with cider vinaigrette. The menu bursts with other guilt-free options as well, including seasonal soups and quinoa bowls stuffed with vegetables of all stripes.
Source
Gilbert
Acclaimed Italian-born chef Claudio Urciuoli came to the Valley about two decades ago and has been stunning diners ever since, thanks to his insistence on honest food and impeccable sourcing. This casual yet chic showcase opened in Epicenter at Agritopia in late 2022. Airy, tangy artisan bread is the star of the show. It is made with organic flour and long fermentation so it doesn’t sit in your stomach like a rock. Wild smoked salmon, wild shrimp, farro bowls full of health benefits, and a knockout hummus—made with chickpeas imported from Campania, Italy—are other standouts, all at a level of quality that belies the everyday price points. Even better, a stellar selection of natural wine is easy on the wallet.
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Stellar Black-owned businesses in Atlanta to shop, eat, and try in 2024
Support our city’s most distinctive Black-owned businesses this year.
Atlanta has always paved the way for showcasing and celebrating Black culture and achievement. We are fortunate to boast a plethora of Black-owned enterprises spanning various categories, including charming boutiques, standout restaurants, upscale spas, and lively entertainment venues. This Black History Month (or any time of year, really), be sure to support these distinctive Black-owned businesses that contribute to the vibrancy of our fabulous city.
Boutiques
Often found at pop-ups on the Beltline near Ponce City Market, Kamawe sells all-gender (and totally unique) brass and copper jewelry. There’s a great selection of bold architectural pieces as well as many understated—but still eye-catching—options. Inspired by the founding husband and wife duo’s trips to Nairobi, Kenya, each piece is handmade by Kenyan artisans with skill and quality.
Souk Bohemian is located in Ponce City Market and features a unique aesthetic influenced by world travel and exploration. Started by two best friends, the store is full of moody yet minimal clothing and accessories, transportive coffee table books, and items focused on mindful living, self-care, and culture.
The Village Retail is essentially a store made up of stores. Also located in Ponce City Market, the bazaar-style shop is made up of dozens of brands that sell Black-owned clothing, beauty products, accessories, home decor, and health and wellness items. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for all of your Black-owned needs.
Restaurants
Embodying the best of Southern cuisine since 1947, Busy Bee Cafe has a beautiful story with dishes and flavors to match. Serving classic down-south delicacies like chicken and waffles, fried chicken, fried catfish, baked mac and cheese, collared greens, and more, this community-supporting Atlanta staple has never tasted more authentic.
Specializing in raw vegan cuisine, Tassili’s Raw Reality is best known for its hearty, healthy, colorful kale wraps. They also have raw vegan desserts, juices, and snacks. A staple in the West End, Tassili’s does an amazing job of convincing skeptics that raw vegan meals can be absolutely delicious.
Wellness
Take care of your body and mind at The Wellness Spot in East Point. The fitness and day spa offers Barre, Yoga, HIIT, and dance fitness classes to get active. For relaxation-seekers, they offer facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures for men and women (ask about their packages and private events!). Whether you’re popping in for a class or treating yourself to a beauty treatment, you’re sure to leave rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed.
Inspired by nostalgia and storytelling, Windy City Scents is a luxury candle and fragrance company. With scents like Bergamot + Matcha, Birch + Black Pepper, Persimmon + Lemongrass, and more—their hand-poured, natural candles and room sprays are the perfect way to set the tone in the home or give as a gift to share an elevated aromatic experience. Order online or stop by The Village Retail to check them out.
If you’re in the mood to move your body, ATL Kula in Atlantic Station is a Black-owned wellness studio featuring Yoga, Pilates, Barre, and Tai Chi classes. They focus on bringing awareness and respect to movement practices from all over the world for holistic health.
Coffee/Tea Shops
Established as a premium roaster among its peers, Portrait Coffee’s new location in the Historic West End honors the legacy of coffee and community. Not only is their coffee delicious, but the shop is a great place to hang out, chat with a friend, and get in tune with the neighborhood.
Just Add Honey, with locations along the Beltline in Old Fourth Ward and the historic Sweet Auburn Market, is a locally-owned tea shop that offers a home-like feel. Their unique loose-leaf tea blends are great to enjoy hot or iced in-store, brewed at home, or as a gift to a loved one.
Essentials
Sevananda: Natural Foods Market is a Black-owned cooperative grocery store located in Little Five Points. Like most grocery stores, it’s full of fresh produce and grocery items, although Sevananda has more of a holistic, healthy spin with an expanded section of vitamins, teas, and tinctures, plus bulk grains and dried herbs and fruit. They also have a hot bar and a to-go food section with yummy vegetarian and vegan options.
True Laundry is a locally-owned laundry detergent and fabric softener vendor based in Atlanta. It’s a great alternative to the big-box companies and offers products for sensitive skin. Order online or find their products in Sevananda.
Music and Entertainment
Little Five Points wouldn’t be the same without Moods Music and Bookshop. Full of records and CDs, the music shop and bookstore have nostalgic cultural tunes and collections to buy and cherish. The L5P staple is small but mighty and always feels like a warm hug as you walk in, ready to explore the record bins and shelves with locally-made gifts.
If you’re feeling grown-up and have sexy vibes, TEN ATL is the place to be. Located on Flat Shoals Ave in East Atlanta Village, this hotspot features local and traveling musicians and offers a full bar. The intimate lounge doesn’t have many seats, so be sure to reserve a spot, especially for Monday Night Jazz.
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Nearby Cortland Locations
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The 8 best Black-owned restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth
In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements of local chefs and entrepreneurs who enrich the Dallas culinary scene for all.
Dallas has always boasted a rich and diverse food scene, with a seemingly endless supply of talented chefs and not-to-be-missed hotspots. Since Black History Month is upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore some of the very best Black-owned restaurants Dallas has to offer. From soulful comfort food to innovative fusion cuisine, these exceptional establishments (and the entrepreneurs behind them) are a celebration of flavor and culture.
Bam’s Vegan
2301 N O’Connor Rd, Irving, TX 75062
Located just west of Dallas and fueled with flavor, Bam’s Vegan offers an array of plant-based plates and beverages. The once humble food shack at the Dallas Farmers Market has expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant with a menu featuring plant-based nachos, smoothies, burgers, lasagna, and more. Owner and chef Brandon Waller has proven that it is possible to create high-quality vegan dishes that are both appetizing and accessible.
Bottled in Bond | Frisco
5285 Dallas Pkwy Ste 420, Frisco, TX 75034
Visit Bottled in Bond for upscale charm and an American menu with Southern and Caribbean influences. Sample dishes like salmon fritters, scallion and cheddar potato beignets, and herbed panko-crusted cod, or indulge in toffee bread pudding paired with a whiskey flight. Check out the menu and plan your visit during happy hour for $7 vintage cocktails, wine, and bites. If you prefer late-night vibes, venture into their speakeasy, The Parlour, offering small plates and seasonal drinks. The Parlour welcomes guests until midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays and until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Kessler Baking Studio
1129 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
Don’t miss Kessler Baking Studio, a not-so-hidden gem near the Bishop Arts District. Indulge your cravings for both sweet and savory treats with expertly crafted, made-from-scratch baked goods from Clyde Greenhouse, a 2020 James Beard Nominee for Outstanding Baker. Try the signature Texas Pecan Shortbread Cookies, the popular Kessler Cinnamon Rolls, or the tempting Kesslerdoodle. For those looking to share the goodness with a loved one outside of Dallas, you’re in luck. Select baked goods are available for nationwide shipping and delivery.
Krab Kingz
917 North Hampton Road Ste 101, Desoto, TX 75115
Just south of Dallas, the lively Krab Kingz offers fresh seafood and authentic Cajun cuisine. Snow crab, fried catfish, oysters, and stuffed shrimp are just a few options you’ll find on the menu, along with well-seasoned seafood boils. They also have a hookah bar full of fruity flavors and lots of signature cocktail offerings. Check out their weekly food and drink specials before heading that way.
Pangea
6309 N President George Bush Hwy Ste 8101, Garland, TX 75044
Chef Kev Ashade has mastered the art of true global fusion. Pangea Dallas offers diverse flavors with an elevated aesthetic for both brunch and dinner, with options like brulee French toast, birria eggs Benedict, and jerk-roasted lamb shank. Fun fact: French-trained Chef Kev was featured on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” where he won with the dish “Have Merci,” a delicious braised coq au vin that you can try for yourself when you go.
Reggae Jerk Hut
7001 S Custer Rd Ste 600, McKinney, TX 75070
Reggae Jerk Hut is the first restaurant in McKinney to serve authentic Jamaican cuisine accompanied by a variety of island-inspired cocktails. Your tastebuds will transport you to the islands with dishes like oxtail or curry goat with rice and peas, red snapper, and conch fritters that are cooked to perfection. They also have imported Caribbean beverages like Tropical Rhythms fruit punch and sorrel ginger juice on the menu.
Roots Chicken Shak
7800 Windrose Ave, Plano, TX 75024
Located in Legacy Food Hall and famous for their duck-fat fried chicken, Roots Chicken Shak is a must-try. Their made-from-scratch menu includes good old-fashioned Southern offerings like duck-fat fried chicken wings, creamy banana pudding, and the perfect Southern-style Kool-Aid that will flood nostalgic memories and bring a smile to your face. Roots Chicken Shak is run by Chef Tiffany Derry from Food Network and is a sister restaurant to Roots Southern Table.
Smokey John’s
1820 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75235
Just minutes from Love Field Airport, the aroma of mouthwatering barbecue from Smokey John’s BBQ greets you before you even arrive. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of juicy, tender cuts of meat, including brisket, smoked chicken, ham, and turkey, all ready to be devoured. On the side, enjoy flavorful staples like candied sweet potatoes and mac ‘n cheese. And for those with a sweet tooth, be sure to save room for the renowned Butter Bomb Cake.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the dining landscape in Dallas is serving up a feast of flavors through its outstanding Black-owned restaurants. Celebrate diversity and entrepreneurship within the DFW community while treating yourself to a remarkable culinary experience.
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