2008 Woodie Awards
Healthy Hangout No. 1: Ziggy's
Danielle Stillman
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: A & E
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Mon-Fri 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.
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302 Fairview
Mon-Sun 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The "healthy" in Ziggy's Healthy Grill can be misleading-one may tend to think of food on the order of bland rice cakes or an unappetizing and strange concoction at Whole Foods alleging some sort of health benefits. Instead, Ziggy's features an enticing menu full of delicious meals that taste…well, not healthy at all.
Ziggy's Healthy Grill boasts two locations-its flagship restaurant at West Alabama and Greenbriar and its newest location at Fairview and Taft. The food is fresh, tasty, and though it is definitely not heavy, the portions are generous enough to leave even the biggest appetite satisfied. Instead of fatty add-ons, Ziggy's relies on spice and flavor to give its food panache, and palates are not left wanting for taste.
The menu is full of standards like sandwiches and burgers, but uses lighter methods of preparation to make them both tasty and nutritious. Enchiladas-stuffed full of fresh spinach and mushrooms-are served with traditional sides, but Ziggy's uses black beans and low fat sour cream instead of refried beans and full-fat cream.
For the taste adventurer, Ziggy's offers exotic burgers made of kangaroo or ostrich meat, more healthful alternatives to red meat. Desserts, including pies, cakes and brownies, are prepared with low-fat ingredients and sugar substitutes, making even a "naughty" splurge okay for the waistline.
The location on Fairview is situated in a Victorian style house, with warm, inviting yellow walls dotted with local artists' work and open, high ceilings. Ziggy's has free wi-fi at both sites, and contrary to the policies at some area restaurants and coffee shops, they encourage patrons to bring their laptops and stay a spell.
Though the Fairview location is BYOB until it receives its liquor license, Ziggy's does not charge extra for beer or wine brought onto its premises (signs on the doors openly admit that management thinks corkage fees are "stupid"). The Greenbriar restaurant offers a full bar with its signature Ziggyrita, a margarita that uses fresh squeezed limes instead of syrupy premade mixes.
A healthy oasis in the heart of Montrose, Ziggy's offers a welcome break from the calorie-laden dishes served up at most eateries. A meal at Ziggy's does not disappoint, with or without the "healthy" label.