Grilla Bites

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What do the words “trendy” and “the 1970s” bring to mind? Leisure suits, Pet Rocks, shag carpet, and The Redding Downtown Mall, perhaps? Just like bell-bottom jeans, not all bad ideas are hopeless. The renovated Downtown Promenade in Redding offers shopping, entertainment, education, and a variety of restaurants. A popular dining choice is Grilla Bites. Along with a juice bar, Grilla Bites serves natural-style cuisine with an emphasis on grilled sandwiches, burgers, and organic food. Grilla Bites is located at 1427 Market Street on the Tehama Street side of Downtown Promenade.

Grilla Bites at Winter Twilight

Grilla Bites has a welcoming ambience. The large potted plants and crackling fireplace are casual and inviting. The seating options are bountiful. The free Wi-Fi is particularly hospitable. A high, industrial-chic ceiling adds a techie vibe, along with being the fairway for Grilla Golf. Grilla Golf is an interactive physics demonstration in potential energy. A rare bargin at 25¢ a ball. The atmosphere at Grilla Bites translates into the menu choices. Grilla Bites offers something for just about anyone. Meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free diners are all accommodated with tasty options.

Ready to Order

Grilla Bites caters to a variety of eating styles, without compromising taste or quality. Grilla Burgers can be made with an organic, locally raised beef or bison patty, or an organic veggie or tempeh patty. Likewise, Grilla Sandwiches can be made on a variety of breads, including gluten-free. There are also a range of house made soups selections from which to choose. If it's not a soup or sandwich day, the salad bar offers an opportunity to custom fashion a meal. The extensive selection has limitless possibilities. However, be well warned. It's priced by weight and difficult to limit the creative impulse. Think organic food, for people with taste buds. 

A few of the Choices

Organic food has changed from its limited, crunchy granola past. It is now environmentally-conscious cuisine, food made from organic ingredients that were grown, raised, or caught by real people. At Grilla Bites, chipotle aioli, pesto, and grilled onions are just some of the flavorful embellishments on the menu. The menu is on the wall above the salad bar and can be easily read while waiting to order. Beverages are chosen either from self-serve, glass front refrigerators or prepared at the juice bar. The juice bar offers iced tea, smoothies, and espresso drinks, along with freshly squeezed juices. Locally made beer and wine are available for those over 21. You can sip your Mega Green Smoothie or Ginger Zinger while sitting at the bar. Or, take everything to go. 

Wheat Grass

I ordered the Turkey, Soy Bacon and Avocado Sandwich, Grilla Nachos with Veggies, and a glass of white wine. The sandwich, made with bread from Tin Roof Bakery, in Chico, was a savory combination. For me, a sandwich is all about the bread. The soy bacon, while it didn't taste like meat bacon, filled the flavor note well. Next time I will omit the Annie's Goddess Dressing. It was unnecessary. Sandwiches and Burgers come with a side of house made organic hummus, with either organic veggies or chips. The hummus has a mild taste, with a grainy texture and hint of fresh herb.

Turkey, Soy Bacon, and Avocado Grilla

The Veggie Nachos are worthy of a special food group status. They are composed on a pile blue corn chips. On top are both jack and cheddar cheeses, along with avocado, black beans, sour cream, salsa, and whatever fresh veggies are handy. Mine had fresh mushrooms. My wine was well priced at below $7 for a generous pour. However, aside from being organic, it was undistinguishable from a house white. Somewhere between ok and outstanding. If you are a wine snob, I recommend trying the beer.

Just Chillin'

Additional tables are available on the outdoor patio. Market umbrellas and stringed, hanging light bulbs lend a bit of panache, whether dining in the afternoon or evening. Grilla Bites is the ideal venue for meeting friends for lunch, taking the family to dinner, or just dropping in with your laptop for an espresso. 

The Tee-Off for Grilla Golf

Grilla Bites is open daily Monday through Saturday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm. There is a parking lot accessible from Pine Street; Grilla Bites is at the end of the breezeway. The Tehama on street parking is also convenient.