Muscle Maker Grill: Tasty Food (Mostly) Without Guilt

I have heard it said, by more than a couple people, that they cannot stand when places put calorie counts on their food. I can understand to a point: If I am going to McDonald's, I'm not looking to "watch my calories," like some people do. If I was watching my calories, I wouldn't be going to McDonald's. True, a burger without cheese here, without mayonaise there, is fine, but I know what I am getting into when I am going to a place like this.

Muscle Maker Grill, founded in 1995 by a former smoothie shop owner in Woodbridge, N.J., has about 100 locations open or being planned nationwide, according to Muscle Maker Grill's website. Their Morristown location, on Speedwell Avenue, is one of the latest.

I have seen these popping up everywhere and wondered if, unlike my occasional jaunt to a fast food joint, I would want to count my calories in a place that touts "great food with your health in mind." Luckily, like some of those guiltier dining pleasures, Muscle Maker Grill has taken the guesswork out by posting approximate calorie counts with every item on the menu, including "extras" like brown rice (329), baked potato (142) and cucumber salad (a spartan 36).

It was quiet on my visit to this newest entry into the Morristown dining pantheon, the time between the lunch rush and dinnertime. Still, a few people sat eating, and the delivery truck was just returning from dropping off an order.

Whether this is the norm or they were anticipating larger crowds during opening week, there were more employees during my visit than customers. This isn't a bad thing, as it seemed half of them were training the other half. A nice young girl, flanked by another nice young girl, took my order, helping me through some of the options. All of those Muscle Maker Grill billboards touting "Love Under Wraps" told me to order one, so I went with the MMG Signature Wrap ($7.99), with grilled chicken, turkey bacon, reduced fat cheddar, romaine, tomatoes, onions and Muscle Maker Grill's "zero carb signature sauce." 544 calories. As an extra that comes with the wrap, I chose the cucumber salad.

While I waited for my meal, I took a look through the menu, which struck me as very much the type of menu you would see at many cafes–except with alterations here and there to cut calories and fat from your diet. There were whole wheat pasta dishes like Cajun Chicken & Penne at 339 calories per serving; turkey chili at 341 calories; there even was a "Premium" burger, with the same ingredients as my wrap (sans chicken) that weighed in at a comparably hefty 698 calories. "Low Carb Solutions" were available, including broccoli as a side and low-carb wraps.

I was pleased that, by dining in, the girl behind the counter gave me actual silverware, as opposed to plastic, with a meal served on a fashionable plate.

But, enough of that. I am happy to say the wrap was very good. No "buts" about it, I really liked it. The "signature" sauce had a little tang, the turkey bacon was a worthy substitute for the real thing, the chicken was well-seasoned and tender. Anyone on a low-sodium diet, however, might want to discuss that with their server first, though. It was just fine for me, but the wrap was noticeably salty.

The cucumber salad tasted very fresh, if lacking a little in flavor. I would have liked onions with a little more bite to them to balance out the cucumber's natural blandness, as well as more time for both of them in the red wine vinegar marinade.

Located just across the street from the , which houses gym, Muscle Maker Grill is poised to make an impact on the dining scene here. And, not just for the fitness folks, either. I might count my calories here, but I can also count on having a good meal.