With prices rising across the board, it can be challenging to find a good, quick, healthy and inexpensive bite to eat. When caught in a time bind, I used to find myself darting to the closest Chick-fil-A, but now there is a healthy alternative. Luckily, being the health freak that I am, I was introduced to ZoÃ’s Kitchen.
Upon entering the restaurant I got a healthy vibe. The walls are adorned with a bright and clean striped pattern, along with modern orange plastic chairs. Everything is simple; I could not help but feel clean and refreshed.
ZoÃ’s Kitchen is located in Snider Plaza, so it is in close proximity to SMU.
SMU is packed with young women constantly eating out, and who are concerned with the food they are putting in their mouths. Gazing over the menu, I was pleasantly surprised by the dishes being offered. There are fresh pizzas made on pita bread, pitas packed with Greek salad and a scrumptious grilled tomato and cheese sandwich. You won’t find an assortment of choices like this at many places. The meals are not complex dishes so you will not be left confused about what was put on your sandwich. Instead, all the ingredients are outlined clearly for you on the menu.
The menu ranges from a typical chicken salad sandwich to chicken kabobs over rice pilaf and everything in between. The slaw, which is made with cabbage and feta cheese, is served under many chicken dishes as well as in pitas. However, the slaw is different than I have had at any other restaurant and was delectable. It would be challenging not to find something on the menu that you would like. I found the variety of dishes very helpful, especially for a picky eater. Some of the meals are plain.
A grilled chicken breast on a bed of lettuce and the chicken orzo soup are both dishes that would likely satisfy a picky eaters palate. But, it is frustrating for those of us who love new food; I wanted to try everything on the menu.
The prices range from $7 to $13 for the main plates, and every bite made the money well spent. ZoÃ’s also provides meals made for four people. That menu is not as extensive, but seems easy to pick up on your way home. I talked to one mother who was picking up the chicken kabobs for her family because she knew her kids would eat them.
So, what is for dessert? A delectable chocolate cake, known as “Yaya’s cake,” is offered by the slice. If you can’t get enough of it you can purchase a full cake. It is always nice to finish off your meal with something sweet, so this was literally icing on the cake!
ZoÃ’s is a great place to grab a quick lunch with a few friends without having to wait forever for your food. The waiters and cooks are efficient and have the kitchen moving swiftly. The only major problem I had was finding parking. If you swing by for lunch- parking may be a challenge, so it might be smart to look for parking on a side street.
There are two ZoÃ’s Kitchens in the area. The closest is located at 6800 Snider Plaza, and the other at 5710 West Lovers Lane. Both locations are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Twenty- two ZoÃ’s Kitchens have now been opened around the country, and after tasting the food and experiencing the atmosphere, I am sure more will continue to pop up.
