Athlete Eats, a lively, health-conscious restaurant located on historic Cherokee Street, ensures all people “feel like a pro,” by offering customers fresh and hardy options. The menu features organic brunch and lunch choices, as well as a variety of natural juices and smoothies. The restaurant is sure to appeal to any type of health nut, as the menu offers Gluten-free and Paleo-friendly selections.

We were first drawn to the restaurant because of its name, and we were curious to find out if the name of the restaurant truly encapsulated the ambiance of the eatery. When we approached Athlete Eats, we were stupefied at our surroundings; a sense of unfamiliarity encompassed the area as we took in the sights of Benton Park, where Athlete Eats is located.  Cherokee Street is heavily influenced by the people who live nearby, and an array of flea markets, stores and ethnic restaurants are adjacent to the restaurant.

When we entered, we were greeted by an unwelcoming hostess who impatiently asked us what we wanted to eat. Our first impression of the amiability of the restaurant was not positive, but we were impressed by the decor. The restaurant gave off a rustic feel, as the shelves around us held wheatgrass and mason jars containing bee pollen. The only seating in the restaurant was about twenty lustrous stools at a bar made out of rich mahogany wood.

The menu was underwhelming in the sense that there were only a few options, but each meal choice was very original and featured food combinations that we had never before encountered. Our tastebuds were ambitious to discover this restaurant’s unique flare of organic food in several specific fusions.

We ordered the Naan-wich, a wholesome sandwich with arugula, goat cheese, tofu, and tomato jam in between two pieces of plush Indian naan bread. We also tried the Bibimbap bowl, which has a cauliflower rice base, shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots, pork tenderloin, and is topped with a fried egg.

To drink, we indulged in the “Hugo’s Jugo,” a fresh juice consisting of pineapple, green apple, watermelon, and orange. The “Jugo,” while delicious, took a long time to make, and we had to remind the unfriendly employee multiple times that we had ordered the drink. Finally, halfway through our meal, we watched as the juice was prepared. It was refreshing to drink a juice that truly only consisted of ingredients from the earth.

Overall, we were satisfied by our meal, and the food lived up to the premise of the restaurant. The Naan-wich was a savory blend of flavors that provided protein from the zesty tofu, and there was an edible juxtaposition of the perfectly combined crunchy arugula and creamy goat cheese. The Bibimbap bowl was an earthy balance of carefully cultivated ingredients with a spicy burst of chili sauce.

All the food was fresh and nutritious, but rather pricey, as all entrees cost 10-13 dollars. Although the employees were discourteous, the vibe of the restaurant was invigorating, and eating at Athlete Eats is a great way to truly indulge yourself in guilt-free fresh food.