When you don’t feel like cooking… hitting up your local pizzeria, Chinese place or drive-through are no longer your only options! Finding plant based, whole food take-out options is easier than ever (and will only get better)! Today I’m sharing local places in central New Jersey where you can get healthy take-out and the down low on what a health coach (me!) and a personal trainer (my husband) orders. Make sure to head over to Instagram or Facebook for an awesome giveaway!
I’m sure by now you all know about Chipotle Mexican Grill (unless you’ve been living in a cave), which has been on a mission to show that food served fast doesn’t have to be a “fast-food” experience. Chipotle is devoted to seeking out the very best ingredients, raised with respect for animals, farmers, and the environment. They don’t use GMO’s, added colors, flavors or preservatives, or hormones in any of their food. I always order from their app and my order is ready to pick up at the register. You can even pay in advance so it literally takes 1 minute to pick it up! They have over 30 locations in New Jersey and over 2,000 nationwide. To order the healthiest meal, skip the burrito/tacos & order a bowl. Skip the not so nutrient dense items like sour cream and cheese, opt for guac instead.
What I order: Veggie Burrito Bowl (vegan option) – brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies (peppers & onions), fresh tomato salsa (mild), guacamole (comes no extra charge with veggie bowl), romaine lettuce
What my husband orders: Chicken Burrito Bowl (plant based with meat option) – brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies (peppers & onions), chicken, fresh tomato salsa (mild), roasted chili-corn salsa, tomatillo-green chili salsa (medium), romaine lettuce
Next up is Cava, new to the area and probably my favorite take-out. Similar set-up to Chipotle but instead of Mexican it celebrates Greek and Mediterranean flavors in a casual modern setting. I love that they have highchairs if you decide to eat in as a family and real flatware (less waste). Bowls or pitas are completely customizable with over 58,978,800 combinations (they’ve counted! ha). They work with local farms and change their menu seasonally which I LOVE. They have 3 locations in New Jersey and more stores popping up all over the country! You can order online or on their app which is super easy and fast. To order the healthiest meal, skip the pita and pile on the veggies!
What I order: Greens & Grains Bowl (vegan option) – organic arugula, brown rice, 3 scoops hummus, seasonal roasted veggies, a couple scoops of cauliflower quinoa tabbouleh, a couple scoops of beet & dill salad, cabbage slaw, lemon herb tahini dressing or spicy turmeric tahini dressing (not super spicy)
What my husband orders: Grain Bowl (plant based with meat option) – brown rice and lentils, 2 scoops hummus, 1 scoop harissa (super spicy), half grilled chicken, half seasonal roasted veggies, cabbage slaw, tomato & onion, diced cucumber, tomato & cucumber, cauliflower quinoa tabbouleh, pickled onions, beet & dill salad, green harissa dressing
Dean’s Natural Food Market – A small local health food store owned by… Dean Nelson! He started Dean’s out of a love for clean, natural foods, serving the needs of local farmers, and preserving our planet. They have a great salad bar, homemade soups, lots of grab & go options, collard wraps and a juice/smoothie bar. They have 4 locations in New Jersey – Basking Ridge, Chester, Ocean, and Shrewsbury.
Trattoria Bolu – Located right next to Dean’s in Basking Ridge. Not your cheapest take-out but they have great salads, whole wheat pasta and the “Healthiest Pizza in the World” which you can make vegan by omitting the pesto.
Jane’s Kitchen – Farm to table dinners made from scratch daily. They have two locations – Basking Ridge and Ringoes and local delivery is available in over 40 towns. Check out their website for daily menus.
