Three local restaurants get back to basics with organic, non-processed menu offerings
Our grocery stores are stocked with diet foods and a new promising weight loss supplement or program pops up nearly every year. And yet, Americans are bigger and sicker than ever before. Maybe that’s why the clean eating movement is taking hold across the country as a grassroots alternative to what ails you. It’s all about getting back to basics: fresh, organic, non-processed ingredients that feed the body a host of micronutrients that haven’t been pasteurized, neutralized or laced with preservatives. Myrtle Beach is now stepping up to the purity party and offering more and more clean food eateries. Better yet, a lot of the dishes, and especially the smoothies, are pretty darn delicious!
Bay Naturals Healthy Market & Kitchen
Northwood Shopping Center
7611 N. Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 448-0011
556 U.S. 17 N.
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 272-4436
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vibe: When it comes to organic, vegan, raw, whole and “free,” Bay Naturals started it all in Myrtle Beach. Since 1993 its market has stocked all-natural foods, supplements and local farm products and the diner-style kitchen behind the shopping aisles dishes up homemade, fresh-daily foods and smoothies. Their Myrtle Beach location offers barstool counter seating plus a Zen-like outdoor patio that’s perfect for lingering over a hot cup of herbal tea and maybe an organic, gluten-free muffin.
Choice Bites: Bay Naturals is the local mother ship of “fakin’ bacon,” “eggless egg salad,” the vegan hot dog, fresh-pressed vegetable and fruit juices and organic smoothies ($4.95-$6.75) with extract superpowers like Devil’s Claw, Kava and Goldenseal. The menu is formidable and does include curried and dill chicken salad sandwiches for $7.25—nitrate and antibiotic-free, of course. Burritos and sandwiches allow you to choose from a roster of toppings and sides. There’s also a basket of bread options: sprouted grain, sourdough, millet and flax, lettuce wrap and gluten-free Udi’s.
Of Note: The market at Bay Naturals sells a good selection of organic beer and wine. Also check out their second location at 556 U.S. 17 N. in North Myrtle Beach.
Clean Eatz
Northwood Shopping Center
7727 N. Kings Hwy.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(834) 839-9569
4012 Postal Way
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-5464
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Vibe: The rapidly growing Clean Eatz franchise is so serious about its “lifestyle approach to eating food in its most natural state,” that it even offers weekly take-home, pre-packaged meal plans. Throwing the diet concept into the composter, Clean Eatz zeroes in on food standards that promise low calorie, lower fat, no sugar and no added sodium. In a kitschy cafe-style venue, words of encouragement and urgings to “invest in yourself” line the walls and the following seems to answer the call.
Choice Bites: Burgers are made from turkey or veggies for $7.39 and even bison for a dollar more. If you’re into “Makin’ Muscle,” the Clean Eatz menu offers a couple of steak and brown rice combos for $8.99. Pretty much all the wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads run $7.39 and give a wide array of options. You can order a tofu and spinach wrap, get the BBQ chicken or Philly flatbread, or tuck into a low-fat Tuna Melt or Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich on oat bread. And this is one place you can enjoy chicken or taco salads without worrying about hidden fat and calories.
Of Note: A calorie count is given with almost all menu items and Clean Eatz strives to make that number under 500.
Kindbelly
316 79th Ave. N.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 712-1731
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Vibe: Opened by a young brother and sister team with taproot ties to Horry County, Kindbelly is intensely local but also smacks of the influential time the two spent living in California. At their newly opened 79th Avenue North location, sit indoors or on the outdoor deck. Almost all of their produce is organic, and when organic is not available, they use top-shelf products.
Choice Bites: The Kindbelly menu is a hotbed of nutrient-dense ingredients. Six signature smoothies are packed with earthy goodness for $5.75 or $7.50 for a large. A house favorite, the “King Louie’s Cup” blends up chocolate almond milk, peanut butter, banana and micro greens. “Taste of Thailand” is a mix of mint green tea, lime, coconut water, almond milk, cucumber, ginger, avocado, honey and micro greens. You “choose your canvas” for wraps: Paleo made from coconut, the traditional flour tortilla, soft corn tacos or whole grain bread. They’re all stuffed with the Kindbelly “super chop” of broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale and Brussels sprouts. From there, you have the choice of four flavored fillings and dressings. Wraps start at $6 with up-charges for chicken, tofu or chickpeas. Salads also start at $6, except for the Super Chicken Salad and Tipsy Tuna Salad priced at $8.50. The Berry Goats Gruff is a Kindbelly original that tosses up beets, candied walnuts, strawberries, goat cheese and greens with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Of Note: The first Kindbelly at St. James Square recently closed. The Kindbelly at 79th Avenue North has outdoor deck seating and organic grain bowls are featured, plus Poke, where raw sushi-grade tuna is marinated in a spicy sesame sauce.
