The Healthiest Restaurants in West Cobb

By: Kimberly Roberto - West Cobb Chiropractic

Eating out can be fun, social and convenient but it isn’t always healthy. For people who are trying to eat clean, it can be extremely challenging. With over 20 years in practice, we are frequently helping people navigate things like grocery shopping, cooking and eating out. To help the healthy foodies out there, we have compiled a list of healthy options at West Cobb restaurants along with some of our favorite selections.

There are a couple of disclaimers regarding the list that follows.

1) You never truly know what is in restaurant food and even when ingredients are available, you don’t know how much of these ingredients are present. It is always best to prepare your own food, so you know exactly what is going in your food.

2) There is a continuum when it comes to food and restaurant selection. Some things are better than others so you can look at it this way: terrible → bad → good → better → best. The restaurants and items below represent the latter part of the continuum (good to best). We have purposely left out the bottom of the continuum. The ranking given is based on variables like additives, preservatives, quality of animal products offered (how raised and processed), use of hormones/antibiotics, types of fats used, availability of carbohydrate alternatives and the amount of sugar contained in the menu items. This list was compiled based on the MaxLiving nutrition recommendations.

What are the MaxLiving Nutrition Plans?
The MaxLiving Nutrition Plans are based on whole foods, an abundance of vegetables, moderate fruit (high sugar fruits are limited for individuals needing to reduce their sugar intake), naturally raised animal products, moderate to high-quality fats, and moderate proteins. Processed carbohydrates and sugars are eliminated. Whole, sprouted, and ancient grains are reduced or eliminated altogether depending on the individual’s specific health issues or goals they may have.

The Best Category

Aspen’s is the most upscale dining option in West Cobb and features steaks, seafood, and chef-inspired menu items. They offer a gluten free menu and have early bird specials.
Our top picks:

• Chopped Salad – This has avocado, egg, hearts of palm, tomatoes, and gorgonzola and is served with a lemon basil dressing.
• Baby Kale Salad with Chicken or Salmon – Contains kale, Brussels sprouts, pistachios, and pecorino cheese and is served with a lemon vinaigrette.
• Seared North Georgia Trout – Served with baby kale, cauliflower, hazelnuts, and currants.
• Great vegetable selections – Salads, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, green beans, asparagus. You could even order a vegetable plate.
• Steaks – The steaks on the menu are not grass-fed. However, we host free Community Dinners monthly where they bring in Grass-fed steak for our special menu. To register, call 770.919.7171

Jason’s Deli has removed MSG, artificial flavors and banned artificial dyes and colors, have over a dozen organic items. They have a great salad bar that offers many healthy options and has olive oil and vinegar available.
Our top picks:

• Salad Bar
• Grilled antibiotic-free chicken breast to top salads.
• Wild Alaskan Salmon to top salads.
• Soups – our favorites are Fire Roasted Tortilla, Organic Vegetable, Tomato Basil

Whole Foods is a grocery store known for its wide selection of natural, whole, organic foods. It is also a great spot to grab a meal.
Our top picks:

• Salad bar
• Hot food bar
• Sushi with brown rice
• Organic Coffee Latte with Almond Milk

Kale Me Crazy offers organic meats and eggs and a wide selection of fresh, cold-pressed juices salads, and bowls.
Our top picks:

• Cold Pressed Juices – Opt for lower sugar juices like Kale Yeah! Go Green and Energizer
• Whole Wheat Tortilla Wraps – This includes vegan, turkey, chicken, and breakfast.
• Acai Bowls
• Mediterranean Hummus – House-made hummus, celery, grilled spinach tortillas
• Kale Salad – Kale, cabbage, quinoa, serrano peppers, scallion, mint, cilantro, craisins, carrots, crushed peanuts, hemp seeds, peanut dressing
• Beet Salad – Spinach, arugula, tomato, raw beets, walnuts, cucumber, sunflower sprouts, goat cheese, hemp seeds, honey dijon balsamic vinaigrette
• Greek Salad – Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, za’atar, lemon vinaigrette
• Pear Apple Salad – Lettuce, pear, apple, craisins, goat cheese, walnuts, orange balsamic vinaigrette
• Quinoa Bowl – Quinoa, kale, carrots, cucumber, feta, avocado, green peppers, tomatoes, scallion, mint, cilantro, serrano pepper, garbanzo beans, (with lemon vinaigrette or peanut dressing)
• Organic Coffee Selections
• Toasts – This includes avocado and egg or almond butter on Ezekiel Bread
• Shots

Nature’s Corner Market is a family-owned, local grocery store that stocks a wide selection of natural foods, organic produce, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and eggs, and wild caught fish, nutritional supplements, and an organic juice/smoothie bar and café. You can pick up your groceries and stop in the café for a quick, healthy meal.
Our top picks:

• Organic Sandwiches in Coconut Wrap – Selections include chicken Caesar, turkey avocado, Mediterranean garden, and Hummus
• Seasonal Soups
• Organic Salads – Selections include spinach Mediterranean, kelp noodle, Kale Avocado, Super Caesar, Marinated Greens, Sprouted Black Bean, and Quinoa.
• Zucchini Pesto Pasta – Spiralized zucchini noodles with hemp sun-dried tomato pesto with black olives.
• Organic Smoothies and Juices
• Bulletproof Organic Coffee – Organic Coffee with Grass-fed Butter, Coconut Oil, and Stevia

We also hold Free Lunch & Learns every first Monday of the month at noon. Grab some lunch and hear cutting-edge nutrition and health information.

Sprouts is a grocery chain that offers a wide selection of organic produce, naturally raised, organic meats, and a bulk food section. They also have a convenient salad bar and sushi station.
Our top picks:

• Salad Bar
• Prepared salads & to-go packs
• Sushi with brown rice

L’Thai- If you are willing to venture out a little more, there is a fabulous organic Thai restaurant in Smyrna called L’Thai. They have grass fed beef also. Just tell them you don’t want any sugar, and they can guide you to the menu items that don’t have sugar in them.

Yeah Burger - This restaurant is off Howell Mill Road, so it is a little more of a drive. They have amazing grass-fed burgers that you can request without a bun. They even have collard wraps. They also have kale salad, other locally sourced vegetables and the most amazing Brussels sprouts you’ve ever tasted.

The Better Category

Ted’s Montana Grill signature menu items are the bison burgers. Their chicken and bison are hormone and antibiotic free, and although the vegetables are not organic, they have many options that other restaurants don’t carry. They also try to source much of their produce locally.
Our top picks:

• Big Sky Salad with Bison Burger – Ask for no bacon and add avocado, and use olive oil & red wine vinegar for dressing.
• Bison Burger – You can add healthy toppings like guacamole, onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc. Pick your sides– asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts.
• Trout with asparagus and tomatoes. This is an excellent grain-free meal just like it is, no need for substitutions.
• Salmon with two vegetables for sides (instead of mashed potatoes) – asparagus, green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower.
• Farmhouse Salad – with chicken, bison burger, or salmon, add avocado and ask for no bacon or corn.

Sweet Tomatoes offers plenty of great salad and soup options as well as olive oil and vinegar in the buffet line. They do not offer organic menu selections but their food is made fresh daily, and they try to source local produce where possible. You can get the ingredient list for their soups on their website. It is best to peruse a menu before you get there.Our top picks:

• Salad Bar
• Soup

Zoe’s Kitchen has a Mediterranean fare that is a great change of pace. They have an excellent selection of beans, lentils, and vegetables.Our picks:

• Cauliflower Rice Bowl with lamb or salmon – served with cauliflower rice, tzatziki, Israeli skhug, feta, cucumbers, and fresh dill.
• Power Grain Bowl – served with lentils, quinoa, tzatziki, harissa, cucumbers, and fresh dill.
• Mediterranean Salad Trio Bowl – Served with faro, quinoa, cauliflower rice, tzatziki, feta, cucumbers and fresh dill.
• Mediterranean Chicken – Served with caramelized onions and two sides.
• ProteinPower Plate – Served with chicken, caramelized onions over slaw.
• Lamb Kafta
• Baked Feta (ask for cucumbers instead of pita)
• Hummus (ask for cucumbers instead of pita)
• Braised White Beans
• Roasted Vegetables
• Hummus Duo and Veggies
• Marinated Slaw

The Good Category

Moe’s has some healthy options on the menu and have a step up from many other restaurants in that their meats are sourced more naturally. Although there is still some level of additives and flavorings on their meats, it is a much better option than most. There are also a lot of fresh vegetables to choose from.Our top picks

• Salad in a bowl instead of tortilla shell – with organic chicken or grass fed steak or Grass Fed beef with veggies, guacamole, and salsa for dressing.
• Burrito Bowl- – (This forgoes the soft tortilla wrap.) Order with brown rice, organic chicken or grass fed steak black beans, veggies, guacamole, and salsa.
• To drink – water, sparkling water, or unsweetened tea (you can sweeten it with stevia if you want)

La Parilla - When people think of a Mexican restaurant, they often wonder how they can eat healthy off the menu. La Parilla has several options that can keep you on your healthy nutrition track. You just have to be a little creative.
Our top picks:

• Chicken Soup – Ask for it with no rice and no tortillas.
• Monterrey Chicken Salad – Ask for no bacon, no carrots, no tortillas, and add extra avocado or guacamole. Use salsa for dressing. Their salsa is amazing!
• Chicken Fajitas –Ask for no rice and no tortillas and eat off the plate with the salad and beans.
• Veggie Fajitas –Ask for no rice, no tofu, and no tortillas. Eat off the plate with the salad and beans.
• Tacos de Tinga – [spicy] Ask for black beans instead of charro beans and get lettuce for a side instead of rice. It comes in tortillas but just eat the contents mixed with the lettuce.

Macaroni Grill doesn’t currently offer any organic items, but they have several items that are low carbohydrate.
Our top picks

• Italian Chopped Salad – Ask for no pepperoni. Served with roasted chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, artichokes, feta, cucumber, garbanzo beans, and parmesan. Ask for olive oil and vinegar for dressing.
• Bibb & Blue – Ask for no prosciutto or crispy onions (fried) and add extra walnuts. Served with bibb lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, pickled red onions. Ask for olive oil and vinegar dressing.
• Crunchy Lombard – Served with kale, apple, dates, parmesan, pickled red onions. Ask for olive oil and vinegar for dressing.
• Lamb Chops –Ask to substitute potatoes with a vegetable.
• Chicken Marsala – Ask to replace capellini with a vegetable.
• Salmon Piccata – Order with a vegetable or side salad (see above).
• Good selection of vegetables – asparagus, broccolini, Brussels sprouts

Okinawa is a hibachi/sushi restaurant with several menu items that can keep on track with your nutrition. They do not offer organic selections or naturally-raised animal products.
Our top picks:

• Miso Soup
• Salmon or chicken with no teriyaki (use soy sauce) w/ double veggies (skip the rice)

Gabriel’s is a local restaurant and bakery owned by Johnnie Gabriel who is Paula Deen’s cousin. Gabriel’s is a great local spot that features classic southern fare, including vegetable selections that change daily.
Our top picks:

• ½ Chicken with vegetables (check the daily selection board)
• Soup of the day
• Salmon Cakes
• Salads – just bring your own dressing
• Black Bean Burger
• Veggie Plate (check the daily selection board)

West Cobb Chiropractic offers spinal correction, nutrition, exercise, and detoxification programs. For more information or to attend one of our free events, go to www.westcobbchiropractic.com or call 770.919.7171.