Blue Smokehouse doesn’t have an endless list of healthy choices, but they made the “best healthy restaurants list” because the healthy options they do have are exceptional.
The Southern Border Salad at Blue Smokehouse
My absolute favorite is the Southern Border Salad with pulled chicken. Just read the list of ingredients in this salad:
Spring mix
Black beans
Corn
Guacamole
Cherry Tomatoes
Pickled Red Onions (This alone makes an ordinary salad extraordinary in my opinion)
Cheese
Tortilla strips (if your want to make your salad even healthier, you can omit these)
The huge bed of greens add quantity without adding extra calories. Plus after eating all that fiber and protein, you will leave Blue Smokehouse feeling full and satisfied. Being a volume eater myself, I like to fill my plate with leafy greens. It’s a great way to eat a nice big meal without eating an incredibly high calorie meal. (By the way, I lost 50 pounds by mindfully eating Big Mindful Meals. You can read more in my books, Big Mindful Meals and 18 Weeks to a Healthier Happier More Purposeful Life).
Blue Smokehouse has several other healthy options. You could get a pulled chicken with a healthy side or you can choose one of their other salads. Healthy sides include collard greens, slaw, and a side salad.
The Blue Smokehouse Atmosphere
The casual yet modern sleek vibe of Blue Smokehouse hits the mark perfectly. I love everything from the blue glow of the lighting to the light-colored high-gloss wooden tables. You can order at the counter or the bar and sit in either cozy booths, tables, or bar stools. You have a view of the multiple T.V.s from just about any location.
The Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC isn’t just a random list. This list was made through extensive research (i.e. tasting) by a registered dietitian and Rock Hill Local (that’s me!). It was hard to choose. There were a few restaurants that barely missed the cut, but I wanted to keep the list at 15 restaurants this year.
Lacy Ngo, MS, RDN is a nationally known registered dietitian and author of several books including 18 Weeks to a Healthier, Happier, More Purposeful Life. She has been featured and quoted in media outlets like The Healthy (the health branch of Reader’s Digest), Parade, Fitbit.com, FOX 24, CN2, VeryWellFit, Eat This, Not That!, and more.
How to Make the Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC Cut
We are discovering the importance of focusing on eating foods that benefit us instead of focusing on how many calories the meal contains. Because of this, I developed this list using two criteria. The food had to taste good and provide ingredients that nourish my body. That’s it! So let’s take a look at the 2023 winners. Did your favorite places to eat in Rock Hill, SC make the list? Are there places that you feel like I missed?
Blend Riverwalk: The Winner of the Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC
How fun is this! My book, 18 Weeks to a Healthier, Happier, More Purposeful Life is available at one of my absolute favorite restaurants and to celebrate Blend Riverwalk has a special named ‘Lacy’s Loaded Leafy Greens!
Blend Riverwalk takes the #1 spot of “The Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC” list. Blend Riverwalk is my favorite type of restaurant- a “build your own” restaurant. When I refer to a restaurant as a “build your own,” I mean it’s one of those restaurants whe’re you walk down a line and pick whatever you want. At Blend Riverwalk you can build anything from a rice bowl or salad to a sandwich or smoothie. Y’all let me tell you, the number of toppings you can add is HUGE! I highly recommend trying the Greek chicken. The Greek Chicken is incredibly tender and flavorful. You can read my full review and see even more pictures of Blend Riverwalk here.
Poke’ Bowlz
Like Blend Riverwalk, Poke Bowlz is another “build your own” restaurants, but this restaurant is all about building your own rice bowl. They have high fiber brown rice as an option, or you can choose to omit the rice and make it a salad. Then you can pile on your favorite vegetables and add a protein of your choice. The protein choices include raw omega-3-rich tuna and salmon or cooked chicken or shrimp. You can read the full review of the second restaurant on my “Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC” list here.
Fresh Vibes: One of the Best Vegan Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC
Fresh Vibes is THE best drive-thru when it comes to healthy options. The menu at this locally owned restaurant is full of nourishing fruit and vegetable juices as well as plant-based wraps, sandwiches, and salads. My personal favorites are the Fresh Vibes avocado wrap and the Black Bean burger wrap. You can learn more about all of their options on their website.
Showmars: One of the Best Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC for Variety
Salmon Platter at Showmars
This is one sits close to the top of my list! Why? Because it has the most variety when it comes to healthy options. I love their perfectly seasoned salmon, and the Mediterranean veggie platter. They also have a variety of salads and grilled chicken platters and wraps. You can read their full menu here.
Salsarita’s Moe’s, and Chipotle
Chipotle Bowl with Chicken
Three restaruants tied for the number 5 spot because although they are all different, they have a similar style. I like to make a salad at all three of these restaurants. I top my leafy greens with chicken, avocado, and whatever veggies they have available. Then I add some salsa and lime juice. This taco-style salad is bursting with flavor! Chipotle and Salsaritas also have high-fiber brown rice as an option as well. I have found that Moe’s has a few more vegetable and salsa options than the other two.
Subway
Salad at Subway
Subway, of course, is a build your own sandwich, wrap, and salad restaurant. I like to make a wrap or sandwich with whole grain bread or make my favorite sandwich into a salad. My favorite salad toppings are turkey, onion, avocado, spinach, pepper jack cheese, banana peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I top it with oil and vinegar and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.
Kounter
When you are looking for some unique and beautifully plated meals, Kounter is the place to go. My favorite nourishing options include the Beet Down salad, the Southwest Salmon Salad, and the Roasted Brussels. Visit Kounter’s Website to learn more about their unique offerings.
The Roasting Company
Roasted chicken served anyway you can imagine, and fantastic vegetable sides makes this restaurant an easy choice. The vegetable plate is a popular option here, and when I visit, the perfectly seasoned sautéed vegetables are a must! You can view all of their side options on their full menu. The Roasting Company has a relaxed yet fun vibe. They even often have live music on the weekends.
Corks, Cooks, and Books
Brussel Sprouts at Corks, Cooks, & Books
Corks, Cooks, and Books doesn’t just feed your tummy with extraordinary foods, but also feeds your mind and soul with books and live music. Corks, Cooks, and Books has several vegetarian and gluten free options. Some of my favorite picks are the spinach and cheese stuffed mushrooms, roasted Brussels Sprouts, Black eyed Pea Fritters, and the Tuscan Dip Plate.
Southern Salads & Sandwich Co. : One of the Best Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC for Salads
One of the best places to get a salad
With salad in their name, you might expect Southern Salads to know how to do a salad right…and they do…oh how they do! The Harvest salad stands out with its chopped pecans, cranraisins, grapes, and sliced apples. Some of my other favorites are the grilled chicken sandwich on wheat bread and the grilled chicken wraps. Check out their full menu.
Red Bowl
Scallops, Vegetables and Brown Rice at Red Bowl
I chose Red Bowl for a couple of reasons. One, Red Bowl has brown rice as an option. I also love their chicken lettuce wraps, miso soup, and their steamed veggies and chicken. Red Bowl also made the list because they have several veggie options including stir-fry spinach with garlic and steamed veggies.
Empire
The Knife and Fork Philly Chicken and side salad at Empire Pizza
Even though Empire as seen around for a while, it’s new to my healthy restaurants list. I just didn’t realize how many healthy options they had until recently.
My favorite healthier option is their “Fork & Knife Philly Chicken with a side salad. I put the Philly Chicken on the side salad and make a delicious and filling Philly chicken salad! Let me tell you, that is one good salad!
Nishi G’s
Here is a picture of grilled squash and a grilled chicken Philly on a whole wheat wrap at Nishi G’s
Nishi G’s há been a long time favorite of my whole family. My daughter is even named after the restaurant! (What can I say, dietitian’s love food). Nishi G’s makes this list because they will try their best to accommodate and customize your order. Just about anything on the menu that comes fried can be grilled instead. I like getting the grilled fish and a side of sautéed grilled squash. They also have large list of veggie sides and salad entrees.
Hickory Tavern
I am biased for a good salad and a good atmosphere. Hickory Tavern has both. I love watching sports while eating a LARGE flavorful salad from Hickory Tavern. The Asian Power Bowl is my absolute favorite!
What Do You Think about the Healthiest Places to Eat in Rock Hill, SC List?
Y’all!!!! That list was hard to narrow down. So many other restaurants have wonderful healthy options, but I didn’t want to make the list too long. Still, I may add more if I find some that I simply MUST add. What restaurants did I miss? What health entrees do you like to order when you visit places to eat ion Rock Hill, SC?
