Making good food choices is easy in the comfort and control of one's own kitchen, but dining out can derail even the most dedicated dieter. And with such an enticing local restaurant scene, staying home is not an option. We investigated to find some secret menu items and healthy eating hacks to keep in mind when placing your next order. Whether your goal is to eat more plants, eat less beef or just cut the carbs, we've got you covered.
Lean & Green
ONE
Substitute the bread on your sandwich or the tortilla on your taco with lettuce at The View at Morgan Hill. Yes, this means you can still enjoy that crispy Cajun shrimp!
TWO
Any of Fegley's Brew Works' burgers can be made on lettuce wraps instead of buns, and all of their sandwiches can be made in a wrap.
THREE
Don't miss out on delicious guac just because of a few chips. The team at Casa Toro Mexican Grill is happy to swap 'em out for veggies! Wash it all down with one of their margaritas, which can be made “skinny,” a.k.a., sugar-free. And don't worry, all of their margs are already made with fresh lime juice for less calories!
FOUR
At blue grillhouse, guests can request vegetable dippers instead of the typical flatbreads or crackers that accompany their Baby Spinach and Artichoke Dip or the Jumbo Lump Crab Dip.
FIVE
The Slate Pub in Pen Argyl will swap any sandwich out for salad, serving a cheesesteak on lettuce instead of a bun. They're also happy to replace your fries with some seasonal farm-to-table vegetables. And as for drinks, they offer agave as an alternative to simple syrup.
SIX
Enjoy Edge Restaurant's Tuna Tartare without the weight of a wonton. How about cucumbers instead? Complete with sesame oil and ginger lime aioli, the Tuna Tartare can even be made spicy upon request! In the mood for hummus? Edge's team will happily swap out the pita for assorted vegetables.
SEVEN
It might not say it on the menu, but Torre at the Promenade allows any guest to swap their taco or fajita tortilla out for a lettuce wrap. Yes, this means you can enjoy $2.65 tacos without the guilt during happy hour! Upon request, they also offer baked tortilla chips instead of fried ones, so keep enjoying that guac, salsa or Elote corn dip!
Gluten-Free
EIGHT
No matter your dietary restrictions, most of The Mint Gastropub's menu is prepared in a gluten-free fashion. Opt for their famous chickpea fries!
NINE
Swap out any burger or sandwich bread for a gluten-free or vegan bun at Slopeside Pub & Grill.
TEN
Order Ringer's Roost's cauliflower crust pizza and enjoy it with garlic sautéed shrimp, tomato, basil and mozzarella. Additionally, any sandwich is offered as a wrap at Ringer's!
ELEVEN
Melt's customers go crazy for their gluten-free pasta. While store-bought, gluten-free pasta can sometimes have an off-putting texture, the team at Melt hears that theirs is a true substitute that can actually be enjoyed.
TWELVE
Prime Steak House offers gluten-free lunch and dinner menus, but they're also happy to make accommodations to the regular menu, substituting any of their pasta dishes for rice. And on their appetizer menu, they'll gladly serve lightly salted tortilla chips or raw veggies with their spinach dip, instead of bread.
THIRTEEN
Did you know that Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery in Kutztown offers a gluten-free pizza and a gluten-free tagliatelle pasta option? Even with a dietary restriction, you don't have to go home craving that Drunken Pasta or a slice of their Farmers Market Vegetable pizza.
FOURTEEN
At Keystone Pub & Grill, gluten-free diners can still enjoy burgers, sandwiches, hoagies and cheesesteaks, thanks to their gluten-free rolls. Skipping the bread altogether? They'll make any sandwich on a bed of lettuce. If you're going the salad route, they're happy to replace the breaded chicken tenders with grilled boneless chicken breast in their buffalo chicken salad. Another healthy hack? Order your favorite wings without sauce and add it yourself as needed.
FIFTEEN
When dining at The Shelby at the Hamilton Crossings, all burger buns and sandwich breads can be swapped out for a lettuce wrap or gluten-free bread. Gluten-free pizza is sometimes available. And executive chef Cristian Gonzalez says guests love their gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free lasagna. What's more, veggies can always be swapped for starches, and cauliflower rice is available with any entrée.
Beef-Free Zone
SIXTEEN
Though they're famous for their beef burgers, Bell Hall in Allentown allows guests to substitute any beef patty with an Impossible Burger or chicken patty. Or, they recommend ordering any one of their eight salads with a protein.
SEVENTEEN
Hops Fogelsville will fire up any burger with a vegetable or turkey patty substitution! All sandwiches can also be made into wraps or on gluten-free rolls.
EIGHTEEN
Union & Finch offers a unique twist with their falafel patty as a substitute for beef! Guests can also enjoy their fresh-roasted spaghetti squash with heirloom tomato pomodoro sauce as a substitute to their meat-based pasta sauce.
NINETEEN
While their menu explicitly asks guests to refrain from making food modifications, it doesn't get any clearer than the I Don't Eat Meat burger at The Flying Egg in Bethlehem. The handmade veggie patty is topped with artichoke, sundried tomato, provolone and garlic tofu “aioli.”
TWENTY
At The Hummus House, there are separate meat-eater and vegan/vegetarian menus for heroes, paninis and wraps. Their other menu offerings are also labeled accordingly. What's more, The Hummus House offers the Impossible Burger and the all-new Beyond Meat Burger.
Guiltless Orders
TWENTY-ONE
Social Still Distillery says to order their Jackfruit Tacos, which are vegan, cholesterol-free, a complete protein and high in vitamins, for a healthier option. And because this is a distillery, drinks are always part of the equation. Social Still recommends a spiked seltzer to quench your thirst.
TWENTY-TWO
Ask the team about healthy hacks at Molinari's in Bethlehem, and they'll tell you there's a reason why Italians live long healthy lives—their food is fresh, local and simple, and they eat slowly and moderately. According to them, their food is already a healthy hack!
TWENTY-THREE
Dining at the Red Stag Pub doesn't always have to mean fish n' chips, which owner Neville Gardner calls “the traditional, not-so-healthy Irish/British fast food.” Instead, he recommends that cautious diners opt for their wild salmon caught off of the Faroe Islands, served with greens and a yogurt or vinaigrette dressing, or their homemade pesto. Other options include their fresh haddock—used for fish n' chips—broiled and served with seasonal vegetables, or their Scottish smoked salmon served on a wholesome whole-meal Irish bread or with scrambled eggs.
TWENTY-FOUR
At The Beam Yard at Steel Club, guests looking for a plant-based option can enjoy the Vegan Salad (grilled asparagus, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, quinoa and lemon vinaigrette), Vegan Scallops (pan-seared tofu scallops, Asian vegetables and red lentils, topped with a pineapple and mango salsa) or the Vegan Pizza, made with a cauliflower crust. The Beam Yard also offers the Impossible Burger, and can make even their chicken fingers gluten-free! Their advice is to call ahead and they'll be sure to meet just about any dietary restriction.
TWENTY-FIVE
When dining at Copperhead Grille, Michael Dontas and Michael Dontas Jr. recommend perusing their “Grilled with Chimmi” section of the menu. Chimmi is Copperhead's version of chimichurri, and is made with garlic, sun-dried tomato, parsley and citrus-infused vegetable oil spread. Delicious on grilled meats, seafood and vegetables, Dontas credits this section of the menu for allowing him and Dontas Jr. to lose more than 50 pounds over the last few years. What's more, it's gluten-free, dairy-free and keto-friendly!
TWENTY-SIX
Chef Shawn Doyle says that, at Savory Grille, they changed their entire philosophy on things a while ago. Here, it's less a hack and more a way of cooking. Gone are the days of mounting everything in butter, he says. At Savory Grille, they're using reduced stocks instead of cream and olive oil instead of dairy. It takes a little more time, and a few more products, but it makes a big difference, he explains. Doyle says he loves a good ribeye, but it's pretty fatty, so they created a ribeye filet, which is a smaller—but a more usable—portion. He also says that a benefit of making everything in house means that they can modify their recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions or requests, which Doyle believes is a reason guests choose to dine there.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Under the Vegetarian Delights section of the menu, Wert's Café offers vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmesan and a stir-fry vegetable dish.
Chain Game
TWENTY-EIGHT
Ease your way in one healthy step at a time at Red Robin. Request the Tavern Bun to save 130 calories; ask for your burger open-faced to enjoy just half of the bun; order your sandwich “wedgie style” for a fresh lettuce wrap; or skip the bun and go completely naked! What's more, the Impossible Burger patty can be substituted on any of Red Robin's Gourmet Burgers, which range from Sautéed ‘Shroom to Banzai.
TWENTY-NINE
Make any sandwich an Unwich at Jimmy John's and replace that bun with lettuce. This simple—and totally customizable—swap promises fewer calories, fresh lettuce, hand-sliced veggies and all-natural meats.
THIRTY
Skip the (award-winning) bread and order your hoagie in a bowl at PrimoHoagies!
