In a sea of sandwich and burrito joints and chili parlors, I'm always hoping for healthier downtown dining options at lunchtime. Â On paper, Freshii, a chain that originated in Toronto, ought to totally fit the bill. Â And the "paper" I'm referring to is Freshii's menu, which lists an international smorgasbord of nutritious eating: a variety of salads, bowls, and burritos drawn from different cuisines and featuring lots of dark baby greens, fresh veggies, brown rice, black beans, and mostly leaner proteins.
So Freshii's all right. Â Veggies, and the salads, seem very fresh, and that's probably the main reason you come here. Â But the salads, if decent enough, are kinda small and just thrown-together. Â The other stuff is probably less enticing. Â The "bowl" I tried--a Thai noodle knock-off of some sort--seemed about two notches above a Lean Cuisine entree in quality and interest. Â A burrito seemed healthier than those offered by say, Chipotle or Currito, but also considerably less tasty. And the pre-prepped proteins seem warmed-over and blah, virtually unseasoned and barely detectable as flavors in the items in which they appear. Â
One problem is that Ingredients is just a bowling ball's roll down the way inside the U.S. Bank/Westin building. Â Ingredients's salads are at least as palatable as Freshiii's, and you get quite a bit more bang for your buck, and more options.
No complaints about the way this location is operated. Â Staff has been more friendly and efficient than you can generally expect in a take-out place this casual. Â But despite Freshii's slick and ultra-modern appearabnce, the place gives off a kind of mall-food-court or airport dining ambience, and there's a been-there, done-that feel to the whole enterprise. Â That's just Freshii, the brand...
Freshii's a nice option to have downtown, but Dan M. has it right in saying that it's not much to get excited about.
Freshii has a lot of downtown competition for lunchtime dining dollars, but if it keeps doing what it is doing it will hopefully see off quite a few of its opponents.
Located on the Walnut Street side of the US Bank Tower it is admittedly not a huge dining space but we all know sometimes the best things come in small packages! It offers up *gasp, shock, horror* healthy eating options ... and plenty of them.
Rice, beans, protein, greens, cheeses and lots of fruits, nuts and veggies (a.k.a. 'proper food' as my Mum called it) can all be combined into either pre-designed choices or something your own taste buds have a hankering for.
What's more is that you can have that choice in the form of a salad, a wrap, a burrito or a bowl. Soups and (absolutely delicious) frozen yogurt can complete what will become a three course meal - for lunch!
Since their opening I have worked through several of their designed options and can safely state that none disappointed. The most impressive of the bunch - for me - was the Teriyaki Twist (brown rice topped with broccoli, carrots, edamame, cucumber, green onions, sesame, crispy wontons and teriyaki sauce), served in a bowl with chicken and (on the day of my visit) offered for a bargain $6. A fantastic mélange of taste and far more filling than initially imagined.
Its rather siilly name asiide I have no reason than to enthusiiastiically recommend Freshii to all of Ciinciinnatii's whiite-collared cube dwellers and offiice drones.
This may become one of my new favorite lunch spots. Having been here for the first time today I really can't think of anything I didn't like.
The lunch options are all healthy, but oh so delicious. I ordered the Ninja, which has edamame, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, crispy wontons (CRISPY WONTONS!! delicious) and peanuts on top of romaine, spinash and shredded cabbage served with Asian sesame dressing. What's there not to like?? I was starving before, but the salad was just enormous, I did all I could but really, there was no way to finish it!
My friends got a wrap and a bowl and both loved their lunches too. We all got a different tea from the fresh tea machine (only $1 for a refill cup) and thought this was a great idea. The tea I tried with lemon was really sweet which I loved but it did make me wonder just how healthy it was. Oh well, the salad definitely was!
The music that was playing was upbeat and sunny, the staff friendly (I love how they ask your name and then call you), the food freshii and me very happy!
While the food is good, I seriously doubt the accuracy of the nutrition facts they quote on their web site. I had the Mediterranean Life, which has... 27 grams of fat!!? No fatty dressing, the only things with fat in it are kalamata olives and almonds. For reference, McDonald's medium fries contain 18 grams of fat.
Looking through the menu- wraps with 31 to 54 grams of fat, even some of their salads are over 20 grams of fat. So either the nutrition info is completely wrong or, if correct, I should be looking for a new place to get a healthy lunch.
A new gigantic salad place within walking distance? Yes, please!
Freshii provides fresh and nutritious meal choices that energize people on the go. Ingredients they use include what we should eat more of: fiber-rich, slow-burning carbs, essential fats and lean proteins. In other words: kale, broccoli, chick peas, apples, olives, fruit, brown rice, and so much more.
Serving more than just salads, Freshii offers burritos, rice and noodle bowls, soups, breakfasts, and even frozen yogurt. Trying to avoid selling sodas, they have a self-serve tap with six different natural teas. What an awesome idea!
I had The Ivy: a giant salad with chicken, avocado, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, jack and white cheddar cheese, topped with ranch dressing and BBQ sauce. It was flavorful and just the right portion size to leave me satisfied and full. The staff here was friendly as well and helped me with the menu. They have a lot of options so reading the signs can be intimidating. Instead, read one of their paper menus. It's more organized and led me to order my incredible salad.
Freshii is located on the Walnut Street side of the US Bank building across from Fountain Square. It was a little hard to find since the main entrance is inside the office complex, but once you're there you'll be coming back with ease.
Price per person: $8.00
I am so excited to have this new addition downtown. Â Before, only Ingredients offered consistently good salads. Â I love that you can make your own wraps with all of the vegetables that you want. Â They even have sprouts, artichokes, and other veggies that are difficult to find at lunch places. I made a wrap with chicken, a variety of vegetables and a honey mustard sauce, and it was delicious. Â They also have a wide selection of ice teas. Â Looking forward to making this a staple of downtown work lunches!
Review Source:Freshii is a new lunch time place downtown. Â I ate there for the first time today. Â They have bowls/wraps/burritos/salads. Â They have some pre-combined items, but a big part of their operation is being able to put together your own combination of items (e.g., the base, then x from list 1 etc with extra for premium items). Â I ordered a wrap that was one on their standard menu. Â It was different than most wraps i had ever had, but was really good. Â One great thing about Freshii, is that it is a place you could go with anyone no matter what their dietary restrictions/preferences and they would have a variety of great options not just a token dish or 2, by restrictions/preferences I mean even things like gluten free and true vegan. Â It is mainly a take out place, but there are a few seats if you want to eat in.
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