5 Best lunch spots in the Santa Clarita Valley

Lunch is America’s underappreciated meal. We often eat it at work while typing busily with one hand, while standing beside our kids wrangling them to eat their lunch, or sometimes, it just gets skipped entirely in exchange for a second latte and a Cheese Danish.

Lunch is one of the most important meals of the day. By midday, our blood sugar levels are often in the hole, and we are starting to feel the afternoon sleepies coming on — a hindrance to anyone trying to get work done.

As much as we think working longer is the key to productivity, research shows that shorter hours with a fresh attention span are the best combination. Eating a healthy lunch can give you a new wave of energy and sustained focus.

So, when was the last time you took yourself out to a nice lunch?

The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that offers fitness, tennis, pickleball, and swim facilities. We also have a spa, cafe, and many social events to enjoy. 

Members love the options from Chef Mike’s menu, but we are not the only place to get a great midday meal. 

In this article, you will learn about the best five spots to get a delicious, healthy lunch, recommended items on the menu, and a little insider’s tip so you can be “in the know.”

What makes for a great lunch?

The lunch hour can go by rapidly. You only have a small window of time to hop in your car, drive to your destination, order, eat, pay, and get back to work — often within an hour.

Restaurants need to provide a great meal without a long delay. A great lunch is relaxing, well-prepared, and is served by attentive staff. 

When you experience a well-prepared lunch, you can reap several benefits.

• Reduces stress
• Boosts productivity
• Higher level of engagement
• Suffer less feelings of burnout
• Reduces depression and anxiety

What are some healthy and tasty lunch items people should order?

Look for choices that provide a healthy source of protein to keep you strong and alert for the second half of your workday. Add veggies to your meal in the form of salads or sauteed or steamed sides. Brassica vegetables such as kale, collards, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are particularly rich in vitamins and minerals. 

While we often think of salads as nutritious options, they can be laden with extras, making them one of the worst options on the menu! If you order salad, make sure it comes with lean protein, a rainbow of vegetables, and the dressing on the side.

High-carb and high-sugar choices can cause an afternoon crash, making you lethargic and less productive. Minimize bread, potatoes, and chips, and skip the dessert entirely. 

5 best lunch spots in the Santa Clarita Valley 

The Santa Clarita Valley has five wonderful restaurants that provide a wide range of sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads. The restaurants are listed in alphabetical order. 

1. Eat Real Cafe

The Eat Real Cafe is a restaurant with a boho feel. Its decor features neutral colors, plants, and pretty baskets. They have three different locations. The one in Newhall is the nicest.

Why it’s great for lunch: They use seasonal ingredients that are always fresh and organic. They use antibiotic and hormone-free proteins and prepare the meals without lard or canola oil. There are several veggie options on the menu.

Recommended menu items: Their Wild Chicken Salad is delicious! It's got brown rice, chicken, tomatoes, mixed greens and homemade caesar dressing. They make bowls with protein, wild rice, spring mix, optional cheese, and your choice of sauce — buffalo or Caesar. I like their buffalo bowl. Their sandwiches look good too.

Inside Scoop: If you can’t wait for lunch, Eat Real also offers breakfast! Check out their waffles, scrambles, and acai bowls.

2. Eggs N’ Things

Eggs N’ Things is a local establishment with a history in Santa Clarita. It has won local contests every year since 1993 for best breakfast. With a simple but tasty breakfast and lunch menu, there are options for everyone. The service is always quick and friendly.

Why it’s great for lunch: Their menu is consistent, so you can walk in already knowing what you will order. They feature many lunch classics, including Reuben sandwiches, chicken club croissants, and Cobb salads.

Recommended menu items: The BLT Avocado Salad is always fresh and fun. The steak fajita wrap comes with steak and sliced peppers dressed in a creamy ranch sauce. 

Inside scoop: You can order their homemade biscuits as a side to any lunch item. Get them with the tasty gravy if you really want to do it up!

3. Marston’s Restaurant

Marston’s Restaurant is situated in a cute craftsman cottage-style house, and has a cozy ambiance. Chej Jim opened Marston’s in 2000, and it has been a hotspot ever since. You can dine inside or on their lovely patio.

Why it’s great for lunch: There are many options on their menu for lunch, so everyone can find something they enjoy. Whether it is the healthy salads or the tasty and filling sandwiches, Marston’s always crafts a flavorful meal for their customers.

Recommended menu items: The classic tuna sandwich with a side salad is one of their best choices. They make their tuna with not too much mayonnaise and use just the right amount of seasoning. It is big enough to share with a friend or spouse. Their B & B sandwich with tri-tip and cheddar is completely indulgent — but worth every bite. They have seven salads and seven types of dressings. All the salads are served with their homemade cheese popovers.

Inside Scoop: Marston’s also serves breakfast and dinner. Their happy hour is a newer addition. It highlights an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail menu. Check out their blackberry and mint mojitos!

4. The Old Town Junction

The Old Town Junction is a fun restaurant located in the newly-renovated hip downtown area in Newhall. It has a fun vibe with an open kitchen where you see the line cooks at work making your delicious meal. 

Why it’s great for lunch: The Old Town Junction has a rotating menu, highlighting the best ingredients of the season. It is a great restaurant for weekend lunches because after you eat, you can stroll down Main Street to window shop. 

Recommended menu items: The OTJ burger and fries are delicious every time. It is an eight-ounce burger served with American cheese, caramelized onions, and all the fixings. Their ora king salmon is always a favorite. It comes with a homemade tomato relish, rice, and asparagus. Their seasonal tacos are also a hit. 

Inside Scoop: This is a great spot for special occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations. Make sure you budget accordingly!

5. The Paseo Club

Members of the Paseo Club know that the on-site cafe is a perfect spot to grab a post-workout snack, smoothie, or a quick lunch to enjoy poolside before returning to work. With a clean and simple menu for 2024, options include tasty salads and wraps as well as some of the club’s famous smoothies. 

Why it’s great for lunch: The Paseo Club’s cafe has quick service, tasty light meals, and you have the option of eating poolside to soak in the sun.

Recommended menu item: The Caprese sandwich is extremely popular. It comes with balsamic reduction, fresh-cut tomatoes, and basil. Try it with chicken if you need some extra protein after your workout! If you need to replenish your reserves, go for the Power Monkey smoothie with peanut butter and protein powder in a tasty blend to get you over the afternoon slump.

Inside Scoop: The Paseo Club also has a Grab and Go cooler for when you need a quick boost but don’t have time to sit and dine.

Bringing a healthy lunch back into your weekly line-up

Research shows that 91% of employees and 93% of bosses surveyed agree that taking a break helps them maintain mental focus — key to a productive work day.

Although you may feel that you do not have the time to take yourself to lunch, it actually will help you eat healthy, rest your eyes from your computer screen, and relax so you can go strong in the second half of your work day.

The Paseo Club has supported members of the SCV for twenty years. We offer over 60 fitness classes each week with certified, trained instructors. Enjoy our junior Olympic pool, tennis, and pickleball courts, as well as dining and spa.

The staff at Kids Club takes care of your child while you work out, visit, or lounge poolside. If you think the Paseo Club is a good fit for you and your family, schedule a tour. You can see all eight acres of the club and meet members and instructors.