It’s not often that organic, sustainable, and humane come cheap, but the healthy fast-casual chain Lyfe Kitchen wants to change that. Whatever your food philosophy—vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, gluten-free, or omnivorous—Lyfe will fill you up with fewer than 600 calories and for less than $15.
Here, herbs, spices, and grilling stand in for butter, salt, and frying. Grains and veggies sneak into almost everything: protein-packed quinoa in the pancakes ($4.99 for three), avocado and spinach in the egg white frittata with cheddar ($6.49), and autumnal veggies under a delectable slab of “unfried” chicken ($12.99). Grilled mahi mahi, chayote slaw, avocado, and chipotle aïoli salsa piled on corn tortillas make a satisfying fish taco ($9.99 for two, with salad).
Craft beers top out at $5.50 a glass, so ask what’s on tap. You earned the 180-odd calories.
Lyfe Kitchen, 413 N. Clark St., 312-836-5933