GCU News Bureau
You had turkey and all the trimmings over the holidays – perhaps too much turkey and way too many trimmings – and now it’s back to the gym and time to trim down.
Enter Canyon 49 Grill.
The restaurant leadership at Grand Canyon Hotel always wants to make sure the eatery’s menu evolves, and the latest menu, set to debut Monday, includes some new items with healthy eating in mind.
One of the big changes is the addition of the Chuck’s Corner section to the menu, named after Grand Canyon University Corporate Wellness Administrator Chuck Howard.
Howard partners with Canyon 49 Sous Chef Mike Willison every month for an interactive class that teaches employees, students and hotel guests about healthy cooking.
“I am excited to roll out Chuck’s Corner of our menu,” GCU Hotel Manager Brett Cortright said. “… Some of the more well-liked dishes have been added to our menu in Chuck’s Corner.”
Executive chef Marcus Maggiore added, “We wanted to show some of the great things that Chuck and Mike have done in the Healthy Cooking classes each month,” though he added that these new additions don’t mean that customers’ favorite Canyon 49 dishes won’t be on the menu.
No worries -- you still can find that famous Southwest White Pizza, fish tacos and all the burgers.
“Something that has not changed is our Classic 1/3-pound Burger with cheese and choice of side for $9,” said Cortright. “It’s the best lunch value anywhere.”
As a plus, employees get 10% off when they eat at the restaurant.
Cortright said his favorite new menu item is the Turkey Panini, which is topped with rajas (poblano pepper strips), pepper jack cheese and candied walnuts.
“Paired with a mixed green salad or newly added curly fries, and you have a lunch that rivals the best restaurants in town at a fraction of the price.”
Some other new additions to look for: the Buddha Bowl, which includes seasonal vegetables, grains and beans, and the Blackened Cod, served with couscous and a shaved vegetable salad.
Maggiore said that he sees guests several times of the week at the restaurant who have become part of the Canyon 49 family and wanted to help them reach their health goals for the new year.
“Everyone can use some help eating healthy,” he said.