The recent grand opening celebration of Muscle Maker Grill (14-59 River Road) in Fair Lawn underscored a growing trend. Whether you are looking for healthy dining choices, hot, fresh bagels or pizza, International cuisines or a comforting breakfast of pancakes and eggs, the River Road District is fast becoming the borough’s go-to neighborhood for great dining options.

“There are lots of choices for dining in and take out onRiver Road,” noted Mayor Jeanne Baratta at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Muscle Maker Grill. “Young people are looking for variety and healthy food choices and they are finding both in Fair Lawn’s River Road District.”

Founded in Colonia, New Jersey, Muscle Maker Grill features quality great-tasting food, freshly prepared with proprietary recipes. The menu, created with the guest’s health in mind, is lean and protein based. It features chicken, seafood, pasta, burgers, wraps, and entrée salads.  It also offers a wide selection of fruit smoothies in a variety of assorted flavors, protein shakes and supplements. The atmosphere at Muscle Maker Grill is friendly, relaxed and casual, with catering, take-out and delivery services also available for the convenience of its customers.

“We are excited to offer the Fair Lawn community and surrounding areas a healthy, fast-dining option,” says Robert Morgan, Chief Operating Officer of Muscle Maker Grill. “Today, people are becoming increasingly more concerned with the nutritional value of the foods they eat. We cater to this trend by offering convenient, great-tasting meal options made with your health in mind.”

To celebrate the grand opening, Muscle Maker Grill served up special $1.99 wraps, provided  goodie bags filled with MMG T-shirts, bracelets, water bottles, tattoos for kids, back packs, and gym towels, plus free raffles to win amazing gifts including a hot new bicycle.

 “The event was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the opening of the restaurant with the Fair Lawn community,” said owner Ehab Sbeih. “My brother Tareq and I are thrilled with the support we have received from local residents and want to thank everyone that joined us on Saturday including Mayor Baratta, the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce and the River Road Improvement Corporation.”

Muscle Maker Grill joins longtime area favorites like the Empress Diner, River Road Hot Bagels, Davia and Rivara’s. Crème de la Crepes and Fisher’s Café are more recent additions to the dining scene, which also boasts intriguing ethnic cuisines like Eastern European and Russian delicacies at B&B International Foods and Middle Eastern favorites at Perfect Pita, plus Kosher fare at Victoria Kosher Place. Lucky’s Steaks will open soon at the site of the old Sub Base near the intersection of River Road and Maple Avenue. The River Road District also boasts several markets ranging from Shoprite to Akbar Market and Amira Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

Rick Kellerman, Vice President and Branch Manager of Columbia Bank’s River Road Office, and a River Road Improvement Corporation (RRIC) board member, pointed out that restaurants and specialty food stores help attract both local residents and visitors, generating foot traffic and exposure for other businesses nearby. “As Fair Lawn has become more diverse, consumers are looking for convenient local shopping and dining options that offer the food, products and services they need,” added Kellerman. “There really is something for everyone on River Road.”

For a complete directory of restaurants and businesses located in Fair Lawn’s River Road District, or for more information about programs and services provided by the River Road Improvement Corporation (RRIC), visit FairLawnRiverRoad.com.