Imagine eating fried chicken and feeling as healthy as the vegans and vegetarians that are at the same table. At the new branch of Tender Greens in Westwood, I definitely felt pretty good eating my meal which, thanks to the freshness and quality of the ingredients, didn’t seem too unhealthy (yes, I know I’m only fooling myself, but a girl can dream).

Tender Greens sources most of their produce from local farms and uses free-range, anti-biotic-free and hormone-free meats. Their focus on using the best ingredients possible pays off in how great everything tastes.

Tender Greens is a counter service restaurant, so you place your order at the counter and get a number to take to a table. The menu is divided up into Big Plates, Big Salads, Simple Salads, Soup and Sides.

With the Big Plates, you select a protein and then either choose it in a plate, which comes with mashed potatoes and simple salad choice, or as a sandwich with a simple salad choice. The portions on some proteins are more generous than others. If you choose falafel, you only get four small golf ball sized pieces.

With the albacore tuna, it’s even worse as there’s only three small pieces, and it costs an additional 50 cents extra. Even so, the tuna was nicely done, grilled rare, giving it almost a meaty texture.

A bigger bang for your buck is the fried chicken sandwich. Two generous pieces are placed on freshly baked bread with aioli and roasted red peppers.  A romaine hearts salad, which had a Caesar dressing, rounded out the dish.

Then there’s that fried chicken plate. Two big pieces of chicken, which had been brined in buttermilk to lock in the juices and fried in to a perfect crispness, made me very happy. Upon first sight, I was certain that I would not be able to finish the chicken, mashed potatoes and kale salad. I was wrong.

The Westwood location, which took over the cavernous spot previously housed by Acapulco’s, features a large skylight in the dining area and original artwork, bringing a bright cheeriness to the restaurant.

The food at Tender Greens is delicious and knowing that they use top quality ingredients makes you feel even better about eating there. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan, gluten-free or a carnivore. Your stomach will thank you.

Location –1109 Glendon Ave. , Los Angeles, 90024. Additional locations throughout California.
Website – http://www.tendergreens.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – Yes
Pesco-Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Yes