sweetgreen

"Speaking of Sweetgreen, it finally made its way to Chicago and it’s only going to keep spreading out more around here. These days it’s basically the gold standard for fast casual salad chains, and there’s a reason why. The store itself smells like a fresh vegetable delivery, and the ability to customize your own salad for around $12 is tough to beat. This is what healthy food is supposed to taste like and cost." - sam faye

"The Washington, D.C.-based chain brought its fresh greens to town in 2016 and quickly became a dependable go-to for lunch. Boring, wilted salads are often the norm but that’s not the case at Sweetgreen. Guests fully customize their bowls using locally-sourced ingredients — such as roasted sweet potatoes, spicy broccoli, roasted sesame tofu, and burrata — and watch as it’s tossed in front of them. There are numerous locations and orders can be placed online." - Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff

"Salads are often a safe bet for a nutrient-laden meal. This chain from Washington D.C. adds some excitement to the mix by offering an impressive spread of locally-sourced ingredients for diners to choose from. Instead of the same old Caesar, build a bowl packed with interesting items like spicy sunflower seeds, za’atar breadcrumbs, roasted sweet potatoes, curry roasted cauliflower, and roasted sesame tofu. Additional outposts are located in the Loop, West Loop, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Andersonville. Order online here." - Jeffy Mai

"Salads are a reliable, albeit maligned, lunch choice. This D.C.-based chain livens things up with a large bounty of locally-sourced ingredients. Skip the typical Caesar salad and build a healthy and tasty bowl packed with items like roasted sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, hot chickpeas, roasted steelhead, herbed falafel, and much more." - Jeffy Mai