Eating Green at Sweetgreen
Looking for a quick, healthy, refreshing, and satisfying fix? Look no further! Sweetgreen, a salad phenomenon spreading quickly throughout the country, draws queue after queue at each of their New York City branches at every rush hour, because once you've had it, you'll only want to return! Though a chain that originated in New York City, Sweetgreen has since spread to LA, San Francisco, DC, Boston, Chicago, and beyond. Though their only branch in Chicago so far is up at River North, in no time there will also be two additional branches at Millennium Park and by Fulton Market.
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Given their streamlined service and lightning speed at tossing and combining ingredients, it is no surprise that busy health-conscious New Yorkers are often immediately drawn to it and frequent it between or after working hours. Its simultaneous variety and simplicity is matched by no other. Indeed, throughout my 7 day stay in New York City over spring break, I ate at Sweetgreen no less than 12 times - constantly experimenting with the wealth of options they provided or going back to all-time classics and favorites.
All the stores let in abundant natural sunlight and give off an earthy, natural feel that few other stores even come close to.
Their Rad Thai, my favorite salad incorporating multitudes of Asian flavors, is a perfectly balanced mix of arugula, mesclun, a dash of basil, sprouts, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, and sunflower seeds topped with their signature dressing - the spicy thai dressing. The dressings at Sweetgreen are uniquely theirs and one of their biggest lures for returning customers. I have experimented with adding anything from apple and sweet potato to raisins to the Rad Thai, and I have not once been disappointed.
Sweetgreen prides itself in sourcing its fresh ingredients locally and operating in the most sustainable way possible. Many branches do not accept cash because using cards alone saves substantial transportation emissions that would further do harm to the environment. Every stage of their operations is thoughtfully designed to minimize their environmental impacts. Want to skip the queues? No hassle at all! At each Sweetgreen you'll find a self pick-up section where anyone can can pick up their pre-ordered salads through their Sweetgreen app in just minutes.
Do take a look at their Chicago menu!
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Taking the 55 bus west, then catching the red line heading north to Grand would be the most time and cost efficient way to get to Sweetgreen. Check it out for a salad experience that will truly blow your mind and surpass your wildest expectations.
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