July 4, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Two Fast Healthy Dining Options on the Westside

By Kathy Leonardo

 

These days, everyone is in a rush…Finding healthy fast dining options is a necessity in this fast paced world. I recently had the chance to visit two counter service style restaurants that were both delicious, healthy, and affordable.

I had heard about Spire Works Modern Döner which recently opened in Westwood Village.

Although I was unsure as to what döner meant, my dining companion was excited to recount his experience with the phenomenon of döner in Paris. Apparently it’s all the rage in Europe. Döner means meat grilled on a stick…or as Spire works puts it – “vertically spit roasted meat.” Spire Works offers a choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian.

Basically, the customer can create his or her own meal. Sandwiches and bowls containing rice or salad with your choice of protein are all excellent choices. The homemade bread also comes as a side with the bowl. You can choose a base of all rice (wild or not) or half salad/half rice.

With all the bowls being $9.50, it’s an exceptional deal full of delicious flavor. My dining companion is a bit of a picky eater, so he decided to build his own bowl. He chose chicken as his protein with wild rice. Next he added the pickled red peppers and arugula along with Barbeque sauce drizzled over the chicken. Lastly he topped it off with sesame and sunflower seeds.

I wanted to try one of the top sellers, so I chose the Bangkok with half wild rice and half salad. It came with a curry Thai sauce, pickled peppers, and I decided to add some kale slaw. It was topped with crunchy coconut flakes. We ended up sharing both which were quite tasty. Another wonderful addition to the meal was an alcoholic root beer and a delicious syrah wine by Rim Rock Jelly Roll which I was told was only available at the restaurant.

Be sure to pop in to create your own bowl or plate. Spire Works, 1061 Broxton Ave., Westwood Village, CA 90024; 424.220.6299; spireworks.com.

I stumbled upon another fabulous healthy dining find while shopping at 365 (owned by Whole Foods Market) on Cloverfield and Ocean Park in Santa Monica. Touted as a health conscious eatery, the chain restaurant, Asian Box advertises that it uses no fillers, additives or coloring, as well as no hormone additives, steroids, pesticides, or antibiotics.

My dining companion and I decided to share two dishes. Both were each priced under $10.00. The Chicken Curry had a creamy flavorful coconut curry sauce and incorporated potatoes and carrots, with jasmine rice on the side. For our second dish, we chose one of Asian Box’s most popular dishes (The Miss Jones) which offered tasty lemongrass pork, chilled noodles, and veggies in a zesty fish sauce. Two caramel eggs accompanied the dish and were surprisingly delectable.

Next time you go grocery shopping, take a break and enjoy a healthy exotic lunch at Asian Box located at 2121 Cloverfield Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404; 424.280.4607; asianbox.com.

A healthy Spire Works plate.
Asian Box is a great fast food option.
Photos: R. Bilow Photography.
Related Posts

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.