Skip the Fast Food Jungle – Go Healthy!

By: Sophia McDonald | June 29 2011
Posted in Eugene - Find It - Eugene

A "sans tortilla" burrito - healthy, delicious, and fresh! Photos by: Sophia McDonald

There are stretches of West 11th Avenue in Eugene that are best described not as food deserts, but as fast food jungles. That’s one of many reasons Go Healthy Café is such a welcome addition to the community.

The small restaurant, which shares a storefront with My Coffee, offers a different kind of fast food than its neighbors. Their delicious lunch items are chock full of healthy ingredients like organic salad greens, all-natural chicken, and black beans. Many items are made from scratch, including the salad dressings, sauces and Pico de Gallo. They’re also affordable; most meals are priced between $5 and $8.

Go Healthy has a range of offerings including burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and salads. The Deluxe Burrito, packed with delicious fixings like beans, rice, and cheese, will please almost any palate. The Kicking It Lime Style Burrito, made with homemade lime dressing, is absolutely addictive. Meat eaters will appreciate the Grilled Chicken Burrito, or you can add all-natural chicken, organic tempeh, or organic tofu to any order for an extra $2.25. Not in the mood for a wrap? All burritos can be ordered sans tortilla, or try the Fiesta Bowl. It’s beautifully presented and the dressing makes the simple ingredients really sing.

How many fast food signs say this?

The Turkey Guacamole Sandwich, topped with fresh guacamole and Jack cheese, and Chicken Spinach Artichoke Sandwich, a brand-new offering, are among the most popular choices. The California Surfer Salad also has a loyal fan base. Kids will enjoy cleverly named delicacies such as the Yumsterdilla (quesadilla) and Trees and Cheese (broccoli topped with Tillamook cheese).

Travis Miller, the restaurant’s proprietor and self-taught chef, prides himself on offering choices for people will all kinds of diet limitations.  When Miller started thinking about a restaurant he already knew he wanted to create “a place that offered a fresh, local, healthy alternative.”Then he found out he was allergic to gluten. “I realized how hard it is for people with gluten allergies to find restaurants they can trust,” Miller says.  “I thought, ‘Why not build this restaurant to offer food to people in the same situation?’”

As a result, Go Healthy Café has plenty of gluten-free offerings, including cakes, muffins, and pastries that are prepared onsite. Starting July 1, 75% of the salad dressings will be soy, dairy, egg, gluten, and nut free. Several items are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

The next time you need an alternative to a burger, give Go Healthy Café a try. Diet limitations or not, you’ll be very glad you did.

Go Healthy Café
3802 West 11^th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402

Sophia McDonald is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and dreaming up new recipes.