The other day, my friend Adam and I fought our way through herds of tourists to leave the U.S. for a few hours. We headed to the United Nations.
When one of my professors found out that I’ve lived in New York for a decade now and never visited the UN, she actually yelled at me. She made me promise to visit and send her a postcard. I mailed it promptly after the tour!
We stepped back on U.S. soil at about 4:30 in the afternoon with our stomachs growling. We walked around Midtown East for a while, looking for a place to eat.
I wanted something healthy. Adam wanted something edible.
I saw Energy Kitchen from across the street and we approached to investigate it closer.
Hhhmm….
Oh, sorry Adam’s in the way:
That’s better 
We checked out the menu and were definitely intrigued. Yes, there were your typical salads but also burgers. Delicious, under 500 calories, healthified burgers. Sold!
We both got the Energy Burger: bison burger, egg whites, low-fat mozzarella, lettuce, carrots, cabbage and tomato on a wheat kaiser roll.
This was off the hook, yo. Freshly made, delicious and healthy. Ragin’ with protein. I felt like a bodybuilder, just by eating that. Even though this was technically my lunch, I skipped dinner. I wasn’t hungry at all for the rest of the night!
Adam remarked about how after eating a greasy burger from somewhere else, he’d start feeling like he needed a nap and slooooowwwwwww down. This left us fulfilled and fueled to walk to Korea town!
Beyond the food:
- The wait: there was no one there when we walked in but a line formed after we ordered.
- The service: you order at the counter and then seat yourself, there are no waiters. Our burgers came out quick and the staff was very nice.
- The decor: the place is clean and bright. Adam noticed that even though there was a Coca-Cola machine, there was no classic coke. Just diet and Coke Zero. Also, no Snapple. Just Honest Tea. The lemonade was three varieties of Crystal Light. Pretty serious business.
Energy Kitchen is a chain with several locations throughout NYC but it’s a chain I’d go to again.
What’s the chain establishment of your choice?
This looks like a pretty cool place!
i know another “branch” of the UN you can visit….! The energy kitchen sounds amazing. next time i’m in NYC I want to go!
haha oh gosh–glad you got that trip to the UN covered!
Whoa that Energy Kitchen looks awesome! I wish we had “healthy” chains around here. I guess I’d have to say my favorite place down south would be a place called “Newk’s”. It has salads, pizzas, sandwiches, etc…and it’s nice and casual. Yet they also have a wine/beer selection! Major props.
I’ve been wanting to try Energy Kitchen for quite some time now, thanks for reminding me! That’s so funny about your prof yelling at you for not going to the UN, she will certainly be happy to receive that postcard:)
healthified burgers are a true-tell sign of an amaze restaurant.
That burger looks amazing. I’m surprised more little restaurants haven’t taken on that idea! My favorite chain has to be Marble Slab. It’s like Cold Stone Creamery, but better. Yum yum.
I feel like the only chains I go to on a regular basis are Au Bon Pain (I love their soups!) and Chipotle.
That’s SUCH a neat idea. I guess I need to make a trip to NYC now!
That sounds like a great place to visit although I’m always skeptical about calorie counts and burger joints. I like Chipotle myself and creating my own bowls.
I usually feel the same way but not with Energy Kitchen. If you check out their website, they have thorough and detailed nutritional information. And since the meat is leaner, like turkey/bison or ostrich (which I am yet to try!), I think it’s pretty legit.
I was pleasantly surprised not only by the concept, but the fact that they managed to put burgers on their menu! Plus, I’m always a sucker for a whole grain roll
I love Energy Kitchen- I went a few times when I was in NY last time. The Pump is another chain in NYC that’s very similar
I like Pret A Manger in the UK a lot (though not the ones in the US for some reason) and I really like Europa 
Two summers ago I interned across the street from a Europa…it was bad news for wallet. I’d make excuses like “hhmm…today’s Tuesday and my boss asked me to get coffee. What a day! I better get Europa…”