Where to Eat Healthy in New Rochelle Without Sacrificing Taste

Can healthy foods taste like guilty pleasures?

That's the goal at the newly opened Rocbody Fitness Cafe—with six different categories of meals on their menu to meet each customers' individualized fitness goals: muscle-building, fat-loss, low carbohydrates, healthy heart, vegetarian and gluten-free.

John Krische and Mark Locco, co-owners of the business located at 620 North Ave., hired a registered nutritionist to determine the calories, protein, carbohydrates and fat content for each dish they offer.

An updated menu will include each of the nutritional facts mentioned above (they will be seen on the menu as "Cal, P, C, F"), along with under which of the six categories the meal falls.

The cafe is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

With breakfast options such as egg whites and "power" coffee (with an extra kick of caffeine), lunch and dinner options including chicken and steak wraps, protein shakes and whey protein to rebuild the muscles after a workout and, of course, dessert options such as frozen yogurt, customers can eat healthy all day long, everyday of the week.

Krische recalled that it took him and his partner two years to find a good spot for the cafe.

They found their current location in New Rochelle and "immediately took it." Krische said he loves the neighborhood and the different types of customers who come in and out of the storefronts. He felt this was the best place to unveil his new business.

"There's something for the whole community," Krische added, "Iona students, corporate, gym members and families."

A majority of the meals range from $8 to $10, giving customers on a budget an affordable meal to stay or go. A 10-percent discount is given to students and faculty if they present their school ID.

The cafe offers free WiFi and an "upbeat atmosphere" with music playing in the background, along with two flat-screen televisions for entertainment.

"We put whatever you want on TV," said Bianca Buccafusca, a Rocbody Fitness Cafe employee.

"The Gorilla Club" includes three choices and is beneficial for people who are dedicated to working out and packing on size and muscle.

The kid's meal option includes four different dishes and ensures children will have their own healthy food choices to satisfy their hunger.

Despite all the meal options to choose from, Buccafusca sees a trend in what people order.

"The steak wraps, barbeque wraps, chicken parm wraps, the sweet-potato fries—because they are baked and hand cut—and the egg white options have been the most popular," she said.

The cafe only opened in early October, but some customers have already become familiar faces.

Michael Kosits, a Bronx resident and contractor working in New Rochelle, is a second-time customer. "This will be one of my regular stops now," he said.

Krische, an Iona College graduate with a bachelor's degree in marketing, knows the importance of a steady flow of customers.

“When people like the food, they become repeat customers. We are still trying to get the name out there and show people what we have,” Krische said.

But that does not stop the go-getter mentality in Krische from setting long-term goals.

He said he ultimately wants to open more locations around Westchester. When asked why he wanted to stay in the county he responded, “This is a good community and people here are health conscious.”

“Everything has been on the money,” said Kosits. “After the first time I tried the food, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was considering it’s as healthy as it is.”

Kosits finished his wrap with extra hot sauce and ordered his dessert.

“The yogurt sundae was as delicious as everything else in this place,” he said.

Rocbody Fitness Cafe can be contacted through their Facebook page or by phone at 914-365-2000.

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