1.) The Protein Bar: The Protein Bar offers high-protein blended drinks, quinoa bowls, salads, and signature PROTEIN BAR-RITOs. Founder, Matt Matros, opened the first restaurant after shedding 60 pounds by following a high-protein diet. He created the eatery as a place where everyone can access healthy food that is affordable and delicious.
Located: Chicago, Washington D.C. and Colorado
Yum factor: Their Signature Grilled Protein Bar-ritos have half the calories of most burritos since they use warm organic quinoa instead of rice and a low-cal whole wheat wrap instead of a flour tortilla.
2.) Pizzeria Locale: Considered to be “the Chipotle of pizza,” Pizzeria Locale’s secret partner is Chipotle. Pizzeria Locale is a contemporary Neapolitan quick-serve pizzeria serving pizzas based on the traditions of Napoli, Italy. They are made with house fresh dough, slapped thin and quickly cooked by the flames in a wood fire oven.
Location: Denver, CO
Yum Factor: The traditional margherita pizza looks as if it has the perfect balance of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil. They also have a great build your own option with endless toppings and can their pizzas can be made with gluten free crust.
3.) Burger 21: From the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants comes a modern-fast-casual burger restaurant that offers a unique variety of up-scale burgers in a hip environment.
Located: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Virginia
Yum Factor: The Ahi Tuna, Tex-Mex Haystack and The Skinny turkey burger and the Bananas Foster and Key Lime Pie shakes were just a few of the items on their menu that intrigued me.
4.) Nutelleria: No joke, this is an entire restaurant dedicated to delicious hazelnut spread we all love: Nutella. At the Nutelleria you can find a quick, nutritious and authentic sweet snack that will satisfy any craving.
Located: New York
Yum Factor: I can’t decide between the Nutella-bacon-banana waffle sandwich, the grilled cheese cinnamon swirl sandwich and the breakfast pizza with fresh fruit, whipped cream, Nutella and coconut.
5.) Jason’s Deli: Jason’s Deli is all about healthy food. Their food has no high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or MSG. Whether you’re hungry for a fresh salad, stuffed potato, sandwich or dessert, you will certainly find something here.
Located: Over 240 locations across 28 states (but unfortunately not Wisconsin)
Yum Factor: My mouth started watering as soon as I heard New Orleans Muffaletta: a grilled, crusty Muffaletta bread with olive-mix, creamy provolone and your choice of ham and salami or roasted turkey breast.