New Blawnox cafe to offer meal plans, grab-and-go options for health-conscious customers

A new cafe in Blawnox will offer health-conscious meals prepared for people with appetites for wings, nachos and burgers.

Clean Eatz is a national franchise moving into a new retail plaza at 175 Freeport Road.

“I was looking to start a business that also had the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” owner Darryl Duncan, a native of Charleston, W.Va., said.

“We work hard enough as it is, so the result of the work needed to make a difference for me. At Clean Eatz, we can provide a healthy eating option that is affordable and convenient.”

Doors are expected to open in mid-September.

The eatery will offer meal plans along with grab-and-go items, such as wraps, salads and cauliflower-crust pizzas.

“Good For You Nachos” will be on the menu for 409 calories. They boast sweet potato fries topped with beef, guacamole, salsa, peppers and onions.

Buffalo cauliflower is another menu staple. The veggies will be tossed in hot sauce and served with fat-free ranch for 266 calories.

Options will be geared to appeal to customers looking for balanced macro-nutrient meals or low-carb, vegetarian and high-protein foods.

Weekly featured meal plans will also be available and start at $6.10 a meal.

Pre-portioned meals will balance protein, carbs and fat to take the guesswork out of preparation.

Duncan hopes that the convenience appeals to busy people.

“With many families having such busy lifestyles these days, planning a healthy meal at home is a challenge,” he said. “This is an offering that allows them to let us do the planning and production and they get to enjoy more time doing other things.”

Many of the meal plans are customizable for people looking for a low-carb diet, vegetarian or high-protein.

Plan options will be released on the website weekly.

Clean Eatz is not a subscription service so there are no minimums.

Duncan plans to open five locations across the Pittsburgh area, starting with Blawnox.

“The Freeport Road location is ideal for several reasons. It is centrally located to the communities of Aspinwall, Fox Chapel and Oakmont, and has a high traffic pattern but yet has easy in and out due to the light at Alpha Drive,” he said.

Duncan is eyeing locations in Cranberry and Bethel Park next.

Founded in North Carolina, Clean Eatz is now open in more than 50 locations across the country. Another 70 sites are under development.

The only other Pennsylvania location is in Lancaster.

“My goal in bringing this concept to Pittsburgh was to make a difference in people’s lives,” Duncan said. “That can come in the form of healthy eating options but also in the context of being affordable and convenient.”