NYCGuide

Where To Go That’s Like Sweetgreen But Isn’t Actually Sweetgreen

The next time you want Sweetgreen, but realize you’ve spent more time there than your own apartment recently, try one of these spots instead.
Where To Go That’s Like Sweetgreen But Isn’t Actually Sweetgreen image

You could probably eat Sweetgreen for lunch every day. It’s certainly good for you, they make quality salads, and there are locations everywhere. But soon enough, you might forget that there’s a world outside of romaine or kale in plastic containers. And it tastes good.

In fact, Sweetgreen is kind of like The Smith and Westville - two other reliable fallbacks that are always potential answers to your most-asked Text Rex questions, but never the most exciting or original ones.

So just like we did with those two spots, we’ve made you a guide to places that are kind of like Sweetgreen, but not actually Sweetgreen. Next time you want to eat something that’s healthy, quick, and not the exact same thing you already had for lunch three times this week, here are some good options.

The Spots

photo credit: Danielle Adams

American

DUMBO

$$$$Perfect For:Coffee & A Light BiteDining SoloLunchQuick Eats
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Smile To Go has a few locations, all of which serve half-sandwiches and sides like beet salad and quinoa. Make a meal out of a few vegetables or salads, or get two sides with the house roast chicken. Everything here is pretty healthy, and service is quick. Just be aware that it’s easy to spend a lot of money if you keep ordering things that look good. As in, more than one thing.


The people behind in Williamsburg also own this tiny spot in Nolita. It’s mostly a to-go business, and everything on the menu is excellent - from the chicken bowl with herbs and coconut rice to the “Big Salad” with all kinds of sliced vegetables. (If you decide to ditch the salad thing altogether, there’s also a great burger.) Stop by and pick up some lunch or dinner the next time you need exceptional takeout in the area.


Tiny’s Giant is a small all-day cafe on the LES best known for big, meat-heavy sandwiches. But you can get salads here, too, featuring many of the sandwich fillings over huge piles of greens. Our go-to is the one that comes with a bunch of different vegetables and cheeses, plus avocado and chickpeas. Add grilled chicken and you’ll have more than enough to share with a friend.


Gotan is the sort of coffee shop you want in your neighborhood. So if you live or work in Williamsburg, Midtown, or Tribeca, you’re in luck. You can stop into any of this mini-chain’s locations for a salad with tuna, chicken shawarma, or hummus and roasted vegetables - just order at the counter, then either find a table or take your food to-go. You can also get a sandwich here, or all-day breakfast in the form of eggs, avocado feta toast, granola, or oatmeal (among other things).


Like Sweetgreen, Fields Good Chicken is a counter-service spot where you can get a quick meal. Unlike Sweetgreen, this place specializes in - yes - chicken (which you can get in a bowl, on a salad, in a sandwich, or just by itself). So try any of its four locations the next time you want a kind-of-healthy, chicken-centric lunch or dinner.


This quick-service Indian spot in Nomad serves grain and vegetable bowls with toppings like garlic hummus and chopped tomato salad. Also, even though it’s a block from Madison Square Park and it’s a good option for a quick and healthy lunch, the lines are about half a podcast episode shorter than Sweetgreen’s (in case that’s how you like to measure your lunch break).


At this point, there are a million poke places in NYC, but there aren’t too many that serve hot dogs, too. Sons of Thunder does, and they also have soft serve. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for something healthier than a tube of meat on a bun. So get some poke over white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or salad. There are a few different options, like tuna and octopus, and you can also get fish tacos or a salmon tostada.


Abracadabra is a little Turkish cafe in Williamsburg where you can eat a “magic” plate with rice, vegetables, green hummus, and a protein like chicken tikka or lentil-quinoa balls. There are also Turkish burritos made with whole wheat flatbread, smoothies with optional ingredients like flax seeds and turmeric powder, and a bunch of baked goods that are healthier than usual. Take your food to go, or grab a table in the homey little space that looks like something you’d find within walking distance of UC Berkeley.


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