Daily Chew Makes Eating Healthy Taste Good

In November, Julia Kesler Imerman, founder and owner of Stop Think Chew, opened a new walk-up window and neighborhood café, Daily Chew, on Liddell Drive, just off Cheshire Bridge Road.

Julia Kesler Imerman has carved out a niche in Atlanta’s sustainable food world. // Photo Credit: Kate Blohm

Kesler has carved out a reputation for herself as a holistic meal prep and farmer-forward chef who combines her South African and Jewish roots to offer nourishing, quick-service food and beverage options. The new café features a full coffee and tea program, with specialty coffee selections from Atlanta-based BRASH Coffee Roasters.

The newly renovated interior is now open and seats 30-40 customers. It will soon be available as a rental space for private parties. The patio will open when weather permits.

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Kesler notes that food delivery has been “big business” during the pandemic. “Really my food and catering are bespoke,” she says. “My goal is to serve people colorful, intentional and simply delicious food that supports your body and the planet. Bowls are gluten-free, yes, delicious and good for you.”

Asked about how she represents the various elements of her cross-continental cultural background, Kesler said, “On the South African part, brekkies, rooibos teas and malva, a sweet, sticky pudding cake with fruity jam and a spongy caramelized texture.” On the Mediterranean side, Daily Chew serves labneh (strained yogurt that has had its whey removed) and the ever-popular hummus.

Selection of Daily Chew menu items, including pitas, veggie-filled bowls, rotisserie chicken and cabbage plate, crunchy fries, daily house-made juice and little gem wedge salad. // Photo Credit: Kate Blohm

“Our tahini has its own spin and is substituted for mayo in items like tuna salad,” Kesler says. “Our delicious chocolate chip cookies are even made with it. We do a lot with preserved lemon, for example, in our labneh, where a whole 12-oz. jar sells for $7.”

The Chew concepts have been created to work together. Stop Think Chew is a holistic meal prep delivery, private chef and boutique catering company that operates out of the same location and is committed to supporting Georgia farmers, while Daily Chew offers and sells a variety of pre-packaged Stop Think Chew provisions, including protein and veggie bowls, salads, entrees, soups, dressings and other popular offerings.

A separate line of prepackaged provisions is available at other health-conscious locations like Nuts and Berries, Kelly’s Market in Decatur and Lucy’s Market. Kesler is also active in the mutual aid organization Free99Fridge, which places refrigerators around town to provide food to those in need.

Smoked salmon and preserved lemon labneh pita are popular items. // Photo Credit: Kate Blohm

Here’s what we sampled at Daily Chew:

The harissa roasted cauliflower side ($6) has all the signs of having been roasted but isn’t too spicy.

Citrus marinated beets ($6).

Tuna salad pita made with scallions and a dash of cumin, and roasted tomatoes. Huge portions!

Locally smoked Verlasso salmon bowl ($16) with capers, dill, sumac, a tasty green tahini blended with avocado and herbs and preserved lemon.

Creative combinations of radishes, feta, greens, grains, zatar are all so artfully arranged that one must inquire, “Just what is a Jammy egg and Aleppo pepper?”

Daily Chew is located at 2127 Liddell Drive NE. (404) 600-4155.