Daphne’s California Greek: healthy fast food Restaurant

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. May, 2012 Daphne’s California Greek may be a chain of restaurants in Arizona, Nevada and, of course, California, but the dishes are good-for-you, delicious and priced to compete with home cooking.

The food can not be called authentic Greek more a mix of Cal-Mex with Mediterranean accents but the flavors and lower fat make it a fine alternative to fast food.

Daphne’s puts a premium on health-conscious dishes.Calorie counts for each dish right on the menu. You never have to ask for a list.

Daphne’s is vegetarian friendly with falafel, spanakopita, dolmas.

Don’t miss the rustic Greek pizza (see photo) made in wood-fired ovens. Kalamata olives, tabouli and mix of mozzarella and feta cheeses add loads of flavor.

The new mango shrimp salad (see photo) is a mix of fresh greens tossed in a vinaigrette lit up by mango salsa made with a kick of chipotle. The spicy sweet flavors pair well with the grilled shrimp, marinated in garlic, paprika and other spices.

Another new salad is the chicken spinach apple. It’s served with candied walnuts, dried cranberries, gorgonzola cheese and gorgonzola vinaigrette. Daphne’s tasty chicken, part of several dishes, combines lemon with a hint of garlic and a combination of herbs and spices such as turmeric and parsley.The calorie count is listed 550 -710, but with so many good-for-you ingredients, the calories are well justified. Many options have even fewer calories (see below).

The multigrain pita chips are healthy alternative to chips and just as addictive. Try them with a hummus trio, if you ask they’ll give you some of each original, roasted red pepper and pesto another low fat and low calorie choice at 290 to 360 calories.

Menu highlights

Pita chips $1.49

Hummus $1.49

Classic pita $5.99

Gyros 660 calories

Chicken 370 calories

Fire-roasted vegetables 350 calories

Falafel (patties of garbanzo beans, broccoli, zucchini and spices) 510 calories

Flatbread pizzas $5.69

Margherita 500 calories

BBQ chicken 450 calories

Classic Greek salads $7.99

Chicken 330-440 calories

Crispy shrimp 350-460 calories

3-course dinner $8.99

Starter choices

Lemon chicken soup

Pita chips

Entree choices

Chicken kabob

Chicken kabob and crispy shrimp

Falafel and spanakopita

Side choices (2)

Greek salad

Fire-roasted vegetables

Tabouli

Rice pilaf

Dessert choices

Baklava

Caramel pecan