Eat this, not that: Skip the fast food in Howard County

Howard County is no stranger to chain fast-food and fast-casual restaurants. It’s a cornucopia of spots like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, McDonald’s and Texas Roadhouse.

But past the golden arches, secret drink menus and Baconators, there are plenty of locally owned and operated eateries that offer another option.

Some have been around for decades, others are only a few years old (but already beloved), and still others are brand new.

So instead of choosing convenience, you can choose local in the county. Here are a few spots to get you started.

Facci Ristorante, not Olive Garden

Don’t get me wrong — driving to the mall with friends and ordering endless soup, salad and breadsticks was a rite of passage, but now with refined palates, why not enjoy the real deal?

My bowl of pappardelle Bolognese was steaming as it arrived at the table. The pasta tasted fresh, and despite the heavy sauce, I did not leave feeling like there was a brick in my stomach. Before I even ordered, a piece of bread and olive oil appeared on the table.

Facci’s has two Howard County locations: one in Maple Lawn in Laurel and one in Turf Valley Towne Square in Ellicott City. There’s a third in the 414 Light Street tower in Baltimore. And if you’re still looking for convenience, you also can order takeout from Facci’s.

AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe, not The Cheesecake Factory

Look, I understand The Cheesecake Factory’s nostalgic draw as much as the next person … but there’s a local spot worth your time. And don’t just take my word for it — take rapper and “Law & Order: SVU” star Ice-T’s testimonial.

“If you want some of the most delicious desserts in the history of the world, go to AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe,” Ice-T says in a video on the Columbia bakery’s website.

A sweet potato cheesecake is what first made a name for AppleCore, located off Snowden River Parkway. Having tried both the sweet potato and Oreo cheesecakes, I found that the slices were light and tasty. I left feeling satisfied but not overly full.

Hunan Manor, not Panda Express

Do you like the convenience of Panda Express but are sometimes looking for something more? Try Hunan Manor, “a beloved destination for Chinese food lovers” tucked away at 7091 Deepage Drive in Columbia.

The menu is vast, with dim sum dishes, extensive rice and noodle offerings, and a dedicated “authentic Chinese” section featuring Szechuan-style pork intestine and fish fillet with sour cabbage.

The day I went, I was on a tight schedule so I chose takeout: a feast of beef rice noodles, spicy tangy wontons and beef chow fun with Chinese broccoli. While I walked into the restaurant on the dedicated takeout side, I peeked into the main dining room and was awestruck by the decor and a large fountain surrounded by flowers and plants.

Next time, I’ll be dining in.

Union Jack’s, not Shake Shack

Skip Shake Shack when you have more time and instead drive over to the other side of The Mall in Columbia’s parking lot and enjoy a burger from Union Jack’s.

You can choose from the burger, the One-Eyed Jack (with a fried egg, bacon and gouda) and the Firehouse Burger (blackened with jalapeños and pepper jack) at the English-themed pub. You can add bacon jam to any burger. I tried the firehouse burger and became an instant fan.

Sure, you can double and even triple the patties over at Shake Shack, but those don’t compare in the slightest to Union Jack’s flavorful, savory and juicy ones.

Sunset Raw Juice Bar, not Smoothie King

Drive past the Smoothie Kings, brave the many traffic circles and enjoy a beverage from Sunset Raw Juice Bar in Maple Lawn. This place serves not only various juices but a variety of acai bowls and, of course, smoothies. There’s also a Baltimore County location.

On a recent visit I went for the Vanilla Warrior, a nut-based protein smoothie. I had taken a hot yoga class earlier in the day, and this was a great post-practice snack.

If juices are your thing, Sunset Raw has a cold-pressed fridge for grab-and-go drinks, and seasonal beverages. Right now it’s Everything Vitamin, made up of sweet potato, carrots, apple and cinnamon.

Yum.