Zardin Healthy Eatery: A Wholesome Commitment

By Tammie Hughes

Fresh, Organic, and Sustainable – that’s the wholesome commitment from the purveyors at Zardin. Two and a half years into their “health is wealth” venture, the concept is still going strong and patrons are in love. It was a pleasure to visit with the owners at the Market Common establishment and learn the fundamental principles for their menu, design, and brand development.

Tell me about your Greek upbringing and how that has influenced Zardin.

Kristina and I were raised in Greece until the age of twenty-one, then we decided to follow our dreams and move to America. We love Greece, we had our gardens where we could get fresh vegetables and create salads …We grew up eating only organic because, at that time, it was all organic. Greek food is one of the best cuisines in the world; because we use a lot of herbs and spices in our foods such as oregano, thyme, coriander, basil, mint, and so on. Using spices and different cooking techniques, and, of course, having a passion for cooking transfers onto the plate.

I love your motto – “Health is Wealth.” How did you come to coin the phrase?

You are what you eat, we learned that the hard way when we moved to America! We start eating what Americans eat which is mostly fast foods, greasy foods, full of preservatives. Within only a few months of following that diet, we gained a lot of weight, were not feeling good, and were lacking energy – at only 22 years young! After getting sick with COVID, we realized how important our health is, back in Greece we didn’t get sick very often. We changed our diets and started eating what we used to eat back in Greece…salads with fresh ingredients, all organic, using lots of olive oil and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Within two weeks of our new diet, we instantly saw a change. We got our energy back, we started losing weight and feeling better. Our mood was much better and we were full of life, we were feeling ten years younger again! That’s when we coined the phrase “Health Is Wealth” because that’s the most valuable thing for people.

I like that you list the origin of the local ingredients. Is it difficult to always source locally?

We are very transparent with our customers and we want them to know where their food is coming from. It is very hard to source locally in fact but we are working with a very good distributor that works with all the local farmers in the area (150-mile radius). When sourcing from small local farmers we know that they’re taking care of their farms.

Does Zardin plan on expanding? What does the future look like for Zardin?

The future for Zardin looks bright! We have plans to grow and bring a “Zardin” to every corner…We have started the process of franchising so we can offer others the opportunity to own a Zardin, helping them make their own community healthy while being a proud owner of a brand with a strong financial background.

This is not your average salad shop, that’s for sure. With fresh-pressed juices, power bowls, loaded toasts, protein shakes, sandwiches, wraps, and soups — you will surely find a menu item to satisfy your cravings for fresh flavors and quality ingredients, all boasting an abundance of healthy nutrients. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, as well as protein-packed items. Every dish created is a superfood triumph.

I instantly fell in love with the Spicy Tuna Bowl. The tuna was delicate, the cilantro rice perfectly paired, the radish added a nice bite and the sesame dressing was delightful. I couldn’t resist trying the Smoked Salmon Toast. The pickled red onion lent a little sweetness to the dish, the cucumber added a nice crunch, and the whipped garlic feta was a nice departure from cream cheese that is typically served with lox. The fresh dill is aromatic and compliments the dish well.

I was on a roll, so I tried the soup! The December soup was Lemon Chicken and was a warming, tasteful delight to a cold afternoon. Some of their bestsellers are the Spicy Tuna Bowl, Hot Honey Salmon, The Tacos Bowl, and the Butternut Squad. I can’t wait to try the Butternut Squad!

The name (Zardin) is a blend of the Spanish word for Garden (jardín) and the Greek word for life (zoe). In Greece, it is commonplace to walk into the garden for fresh, simple foods to create clean, flavorful meals. Fresh ingredients offer flavor! Something lacking in the foods trucked across the nation, whether it’s a vegetable, an herb, or locally raised poultry. Everyone is so busy, all the time – but fast food doesn’t have to mean a drive-thru. For Lav and Kristina, Zardin was born out of necessity.

The powerhouse couple is capturing their American dream, one neighborhood at a time. They are enthusiastic, driven to succeed, exude confidence and integrity, and are not afraid of the hard work it takes to get there. Zardin is a breath of fresh air in the fast-casual scene, that is sure to expand the norm of the franchise world.

Zardin Healthy Eatery is open seven days a week 11-7 M-S and 11-6 on Sundays.
They are located in the heart of Market Common at 3077 Howard Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
www.zardinexperience.com