So, this is the first edition of “Omaha Eats” that I have mixed feelings about. Does this edition discuss a restaurant with delicious food? You bet! But would I eat there again? That is still to be determined.
The Greenbelly is a health-focused and environmentally-friendly restaurant in West Omaha, Nebraska. The Greenbelly focuses on serving natural, healthy foods, and does so while also ensuring that all of their packaging, containers, and utensils are eco-friendly and 100% compostable.
The Greenbelly offers a variety of menu choices, including: Build Your Own Salads, Signature Salads, Grilled Pizzas, Whole-Wheat Wraps, Signature Paninis, and soups. I was feeling creative so I decided on the Build Your Own Salad. I select two lettuces: the spring mix and spinach, and topped my salad with chickpeas, artichoke hearts, carrots, broccoli, and red onions. I chose the fat-free tomato basil salad dressing, which was mixed into the salad at the restaurant.
I requested my order “to go” so that I could enjoy my meal from the comfort of my couch.
I must admit, when I first pulled out the “to go” container I was a bit intimidated ;).
This salad meant serious business. It was most definitely not a dinky salad, by any means. As I started spooning the salad out onto my plate (to make my eating experience a bit more fancy, of course ;)), I begin to doubt my ability to eat the whole thing.
I filled up a dinner-sized plate and this was only about three-fourths of the salad. Luckily, I was quite hungry so I managed to push through ;).
The Build Your Own Salad option comes with a whole-wheat roll. I heated the roll up in the microwave for about 15 seconds and dug in. It was definitely delicious, and I always have a true appreciation for a restaurant that serves whole-wheat bread products.
My salad was delicious and I was really loving the addition of chickpeas and artichoke hearts – some of my favorite ingredients that are often not found as salad options.
We have now established that the food was delicious and I felt great eating such a healthy meal. So you might be wondering why I am uncertain about whether or not I will eat at The Greenbelly again. The major complaint that I have? The cost! I realize that this restaurant uses whole and healthy ingredients and that their containers are eco-friendly, however, paying nearly $11.00 (with tax) for a salad and a roll seems to be moving a bit towards ridiculousness. It would definitely be difficult for me to pay this price for a salad again, knowing that I could buy the same ingredients for a much lower cost. As far as convenience goes, it is great. And when you need a healthy meal in a pinch and are unable to cook at home then this would be a nice option. But in most cases, I would rather make a similar salad at home and put my money toward a more “extravagant” healthy meal at another restaurant.
So there you have it…a mixed review! The Greenbelly has great food and a great cooking and packaging philosophy, but they are a bit too costly for my taste.
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I know what you mean about spending money on salads. I feel that way when I go out for lunches a lot. I will find that I could have made the same type of meal for so much less. And you are such a great cook, that I am sure you especially find that to be true!
It is SO true. I love to make most dishes myself, but sometimes you just feel lazy and have to splurge on a restaurant meal! 😉
And seriously…you are WAY too kind!
I love chickpeas AND artichoke hearts!! This looks awesome!
Aren’t they awesome? And to think that I only just recently started eating them amazes me. I was missing out!
artichokes in my salads are sooo good ! adds a good and diff flavor
So, so true. My favorite way to eat them is on pizza and in soups, but salads aren’t too far behind that. Oh! …and how could I forget..spinach and artichoke dip :).
I hate paying a lot for salads as well but salads are one of those things that just taste soo much better from a restaurant! I don’t know why, I feel like I could easily duplicate them- they just never taste the same!
I must agree that that is normally the case, unfortunately :(. I especially find this to be true with salad bars. The ingredients all seem so simple and easily replicated, but for some reason my salads never taste quite as good. I wonder what we are doing wrong!? 😉
Haha i dont know i just cant figure it out!!
The Greenbelly reminds me of a salad place in DC called Sweetgreen. Their salads are AMAZING, everything is locally sourced, and they’re a company that’s super involved in the community. Win win win. The problem is that their salads cost $10 and up. If I add avocado and extra toppings to my make-your-own creation, it usually ends up costing $15 or more! Eep. I completely agree with you–it makes much more sense to to make a “gourmet” salad at home! However, sometimes I crave convenience, and I cave. I also love knowing that there’s a super healthy restaurant option if I want to meet friends somewhere for a quick bite. 🙂
Happy Tuesday! <3
Sometimes it really stinks craving healthy, expensive foods and not having the energy/desire to cook. This doesn’t happen to me too often, but when it does I am usually not afraid to splurge a little bit in order to still eat a healthy meal ;).
I totally get what you are saying… it’s hard to spend that much money on a salad and roll even if it is amazingly delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed it, though! 🙂
Yes, I can only justify it now and then!
I would definitely check that place out if I were in Nebraska. Unfortunately, most places that are eco friendly and organic are more pricey. But it is supporting a good cause!
Yes, that just kind of seems to be the way that things go. Pluses and minuses!
I wish I just lived somewhere with healthy vegetarian options! I’m willing to drive an average distance of up to 50 miles for dinner and still have only 2 places on my list of healthy vegetarian/vegan restaurants. Everywhere else is mostly chain restaurants, and I have to get creative.
$11 is a lot for a salad, is everything else as expensive? For some reason, $11 for a hearty sandwich doesnt sound as bad to me.
That is unfortunate that there aren’t very many options near you. I know how you feel because that is how my hometown is.
Yes, most of the other options are around the same price point, unfortunately.
That salad does look great but I know the high cost for a salad would keep me from running back. I always have a hard time justifying the cost when I eat out.
If only we were all rich and money didn’t matter! 😉
Yikes that is pretty pricey. I always like getting salads out at restaurants though because they have so much flavor and cool toppings like the chic peas you got. I’m trying to stock up on random toppings so that I can recreate these salads at home. Your salad looks good though! Glad it was tasty 🙂
I SO agree. Restaurants definitely have way more creative options!
Yum I wish that place was near me! But it’s definitely a little expensive. Sometimes I guess you gotta pay for healthy food haha
This is so true. And I am definitely willing to splurge a bit when it comes to whole, good quality food and health!
I’d love a Green Belly by Me! Looks AMAZING
It is definitely tasty!!
JEALOUS!! I want this place by me!!
Too funny because I am SO jealous of all of the amazing vegan restaurants near you! We should just trade places for a couple of days ;).
The salad looks great! But I agree, $11 seems a bit excessive. Why are salads always so much more expensive than a burger and fries? Grr!
I know, right? It is so wrong!
I hate how the healthy places are always so expensive! However, I still love finding places like that!
Agreed. It can definitely lead to a bittersweet dining experience.