I’d Rather Be Low on Fuel
Fuel is a restaurant with 2 locations in Philly and a slogan that should have been my first warning sign; “everything under 500 calories.” The big glass doors show tables that are full, so I thought, maybe they are making the most out of those 500 calories. I tried to keep an open mind, but by the end of the meal, I was missing my extra calories.
Fuel gets busy during lunch time. My waitress seemed a little distracted and never even told us the specials for the day. After I left I saw the specials listed outside and I probably would have ordered one.
16 ounce smoothies and juices are $4. A berry smoothie was good, but my carrot, orange, ginger juice tasted like one of the ingredients had fermented. I expect more from a health food type place.
While I didn’t hate the thai chicken wrap, it was obvious that this was “healthy”. The peanut sauce was fine, but there needed to be more of it. The combo of the wrap and the chicken was a bit dry and the carrots, cucumbers, and sauce didn’t make it much better. This wrap can also come with tofu instead of chicken, and that might actually be the better choice.
The description of the grilled chicken sounded promising with artichokes, mixed greens, provolone, sun dried tomato spread, and a balsamic reduction. The first problem was that my choice of bread, a rye panini, completely fell apart. The sauces in this sandwich and the artichokes made up for the bland chicken. Sandwiches come with a lightly dressed bed of mixed greens. I guess Fuel decided that throwing a tomato on top would just be unnecessary?
The menu here may be low on calories, but it isn’t low on price; both the sandwich and the wrap were $8.95 each.
THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)
- I need a lunch that is under 500 calories
THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)
- Fruit juice that is not fresh is not ok
- I want a lot more flavor in a sandwich
Fuel, 1225 Walnut St, 215 922 3835
Posted by Jamie at 9:53 am, October 31st, 2011 under sandwiches.
2 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
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Hey, I believe you’re mistaken about them being a “nation-wide chain.” Fuel was opened a couple years back on Passyunk Ave by Q102 radio DJ Rocco Cima. Walnut Street is the only other location.
http://philadelphia.grubstreet.com/2009/07/what_to_eat_at_fuel_opening_se.html
Don’t mean to nitpick…the rest of your review was spot on.