Between the buffet food marinating under heat lamps at the dining halls, the on-campus Panda Express and the endless supply of fun snacks at Trader Joe’s, eating healthy as a USC college student can be a challenge. South Central is also considered a food desert, meaning there’s a regional lack of access to fresh food. 

But if you know where to look, affordable and nutritious cuisines are just steps away from our campus gates. Below are six healthy restaurant options serving tasty eats perfectly suited for the on-the-go college student. 

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Everytable – 1101 W. 23rd St.

Everytable is leading the charge in food justice in South Central The store is an offshoot of the non-profit Feast, which aims to provide healthy alternatives at fast-food prices. The result is a grab-and-go store that sells prepackaged salads, wraps and grain bowls. Customers can take the meals home, eat at Everytable or sign up for a weekly meal subscription service. Meals range from $4 to $7. 

Holbox – 3655 S. Grand Ave.

Did you know there’s a Michelin- star restaurant just minutes away from USC? Well, almost. Holbox, a Mexican seafood restaurant located inside Mercado La Paloma, is a four-time winner of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award, which recognizes restaurants that serve good quality and good value food. Individual tacos range from $5 to $8, and other seafood entrees range from $16 to $30. With fresh fish and innovative recipes from the Yucatán Peninsula, Holbox is just as healthy as it is delicious. 

Chichen Itza – 3655 S. Grand Ave.

Situated right next to Holbox in Mercado La Paloma is Chichen Itza, which is owned by the same family. The Yucatán-inspired menu is filled with tortas, tamales and tacos. The main dishes, which include pollo pibil and queso relleno, range from $13 to $20. Like its sister restaurant, Chichen Itza offers affordable prices and high-quality dishes. It’s worth checking out Mercado La Paloma in general — it’s one of the most vibrant places to eat in South Central, and it’s a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from USC. Along with a few staple restaurants, it has vendors, concerts and art shows. 

Cava – 3201 S. Hoover St., Suite 1840

If you can brave the line, Cava is the perfect healthy to-go or sit-down option at USC Village. The Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant offers salads, grain bowls and pitas sandwiches. Cava has a pre-made menu or gives the choice of customizing your own meal with a selection of proteins, toppings and sauces. Cava also has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, like the falafel pita and the lentil avocado bowl. Bowls and sandwiches range from $12 to $17. 

Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails – 929 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite. 1650

According to Greenleaf’s website, their “obsession with health and wellness is real,” and it certainly seems to be. They’re currently partnering with the co-founder of Monarch Athletic Club to create a “Just What the Doctor Ordered!” menu featuring an antioxidant salad and a protein wrap. If your doctor is more chill than that, they also have a full-sized bar with signature cocktails. Greenleaf’s menu features standard American-style food, including bowls, sandwiches and burgers. They also offer an all-day breakfast. Dinner entrees range from $13 to $25, while the handheld food is around $15. 

Movita Juice Bar – 3584 S. Figueroa St., Suite 5 

If you’re looking for somewhere to buy your daily ginger shot before heading over to Fertitta Hall, look no further than across the street to Movita Juice Bar. Movita offers an array of juices, açaí bowls, smoothies and, of course, juice shots. The juicery touts organic and locally grown produce. The smoothies, juices and açaí bowls are all around $11, and the juice shots are around $5.