There are many fast-casual healthy food options in the Rittenhouse area, but the newly opened Dig, 1616 Chestnut St., is trying to one-up the competition in the rapidly growing field in the locally-sourced, farmer-friendly food game. Mindful sourcing is modus operandi, as Dig buys from minority-run and small-scale farms and also supports sustainable growing practices.
So what do these well-intentioned, seasonal, locally sourced menus mean for Philly’s taste buds? Quite a bit, actually.
Dig does a great job getting the bustling part of town fed quickly, all the while straddling a lot of the dietary lines out there, making sure people know exactly what dishes are vegan and what dishes contain soy, dairy, gluten or animal products, like honey. So breathe easy, a variety of options that fit your dietary restrictions are available, and the menu keeps it simple, breaking everything down into bowls, hot or cold sides and snacks.
The market bowls ($9.03-$11.81) are where the most exotic flavors are, and diners can build their own culinary adventure according to tastes. Start with either brown rice, farm greens with mint or organic farro, then pile on the abundant and colorful extras. We were enamored with the spicy citrus salad, a blend of Cara Cara navel and Mandarin oranges, spiced with radish and jalapeno lime. The three-beet salad was a heartier vegan option brightened by the presence of dill, chive and horseradish.
Carnivores shouldn’t fear, as there are some nice meaty options for them to augment their bowls in the form of antibiotic-free chicken thighs, beef and chicken meatballs or wild Alaskan salmon.
We forgot to ask how the salmon swam all the way to Pennsylvania, but we’ll just assume they were farmed here somehow. But both the salmon and the meatballs were perfectly done and delicious. Dig’s sauce selections enhance the experience with options like house-made sriracha, rosemary vinaigrette and garlic aioli to name a few.
The side dishes ($1.85-$3.24) available at Dig round out the experience nicely ranging from healthier offerings like charred broccoli with lemon to something a tad more decadent like Jasper Hill mac & cheese, with a creamy and crunchy texture that hits all the comfort food spots you crave.
Dig has found some fertile ground in Center City. Let’s hope its roots take hold and bloom.
If you go:
DIG
1616 Chestnut St.
215-344-8440
www.diginn.com
Mon.-Sun.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.