Sometimes a quick dinner is a must but less than healthy fast food isn’t what you want to feed your family. Thankfully there are some healthier options, many even offer a drive thru so you don’t have to get the kids out of the car! Local Mom Lindy put together this handy list of places to head to the next time you need a fast, yet healthy, meal for your family!
Healthier Drive Thrus
Tropical Grille
While currently only the Woodruff Road and Mauldin locations of Tropical Grille has a drive thru, at $22 for a family meal, it’s a huge hit and a local business to boot.
Farm Fresh Fast
One of the most popular fast food places in the area, Farm Fresh Fast has amazingly healthy and delicious meals to go.
Panera Bread
While not all Panera Bread locations have a drive thru, the Haywood Mall location is in the parking lot and does have one. The Laurens Road, Easley, Anderson and Spartanburg (across from the mall only) locations all have drive thrus as well. Be sure to sign up for their rewards program too!
PDQ
This is a newer spot but offers a simplified menu featuring grilled chicken tenders and a delicious blueberry coleslaw (sure to make you forget your longings for that other place’s discontinued slaw). You’ll find PDQ off Pelham just before the 85.
Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick – another newbie, this franchise has a location off Pelham, another Augusta (no drive thru) and another off Garlington near Woodruff Rd. They have various sandwiches and salads.
Zoe’s Kitchen
Call ahead or visit their website and order online, then pick up at the Zoe’s Kitchen drive thru! Tasty kabobs and salads, and kids favorites on pita bread is what’s on the menu. There’s a location on Woodruff Road near Trader Joe’s and another on Augusta Street.
Clean Eatz
Located off of Pelham Road, you can order ahead at Clean Eatz and pick up super healthy and tasty meals. They also have meal plans.
Smoothie Drive Thrus
Smoothie King
If liquid nutrition hits the spot or it’s just too hot for anything else, Smoothie King is an awesome choice and no need to leave your car. Smoothies are an insidious way to hide fruits and veggies in your kids’ diet and have them ask for more! Go higher calorie and add some protein to round it out for a meal. Locations off Woodruff Road, Pleasantburg (next to Fresh Market), Easley and Clemson!
Liquid Highway
So you need caffeine and the kids need a snack? Try a coffee place like Liquid Highway. We like their Green Goddess smoothies and profits go towards their foundation.
Starbucks
Alright, for those times more artisanal coffee houses can’t be found, Starbucks offers a decent amount of snacks that do not include fries but do include a quad-espresso for you along with a rewards program.
Any other “healthier” joints with drive thrus we missed? Please let us know in the comments!
Atlanta Bread on Pelham has a drive thru. Their spinach artichoke panini is yummy.
Also lots of local Subways have drive thrus.
I thought I saw a sign for tropical grille coming g soon somewhere close in greenville? Off Pelham rd maybe,I saw it in passing. …
You missed Zoe’s! You have to call in your order ahead, but you can go through the drive thru to pick up.
I just found out Buttercream Bakehouse has a drive thru! I haven’t tried it yet but they’ll highly rated. It also is a rare drive thru coffee spot near downtown- off Buncombe near Rutherford, so close to TCMU too!
GNC smoothie bars at select locations.
Farm Fresh Fast has a great menu where you can order ahead, and Clean Eatz on Pelham has grab and go meals for families as well!