Brixton’s Baked Potato is loaded with new menu options and owner Jamie Renda wants to spread the word that her entrees are big on flavor and low on calories.

“A lot of people feel like they are indulging when they eat a potato, but our potatoes have less calories than many soups or salads,” she said. “We don’t add butter unless people request it and all of our meats are extremely lean.” For those who prefer a sweet potato, it can be substituted for an additional 99 cents.

The restaurant is not a potato bar. The concept for the menu was developed by the three original owners in 2010, after they travelled to England where loaded potatoes are popular main dishes.

Potatoes make a good gluten-free option to replace bread or pasta, and the menu is 80 percent gluten free.

“You are getting a full meal on top of the potato,” said Clarissa Renda, the owner’s daughter. “You are getting all of the vitamins and minerals of the potato in addition to the meal. We use the best ingredients.” One of her favorite dishes is the chili verde potato ($6.99) with cheese and sour cream. It has less than 600 calories.

“It is a really healthy option,” Jamie Renda said.

Although she loves the diverse potato offerings, the owner has expanded the menu to include sandwiches, soups, salads and smoothies. Beginning in January, Renda also will serve family meals to go. The complete meals include entrees, such as enchiladas, shepherd’s pie or chicken alfredo, with sides and dessert ($30/feeds 4 to 5 people).

Renda purchased the restaurant and franchising rights in March of 2013. She plans to add a second location in the near future.

“I’ve made quite few changes since I bought the restaurant. We’re not just loaded potato entrees anymore.”

Made to order gluten-free soups include potato chowder ($3.99), broccoli and cheese ($3.99), Thai curry and chicken ($4.59) and chicken tortilla ($4.59).

Popular salads are cranberry walnut chicken ($6.99); Santa Fe ranch ($6.99) with black beans, tortilla strips, cilantro and choice of chicken or pulled pork; trip to Italy ($7.99) with strawberries, green apples, almonds and asiago and parmesan cheeses; and, a seasonal favorite, summer berry ($6.99) with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and dried cranberries.

“Our salads are fantastic,” Renda said.

Roast beef and cheddar, chicken bacon melt, or, pulled pork ($4.49) are a few of the sandwiches offered. Kids enjoy eating the mashed potatoes and cheese or the cheese melt sandwich ($3.99), with a drink and a cookie, Renda said.

Healthy drinks include green smoothies ($3.99/$4.99), made with strawberries, grapes, fresh oranges, kale and Greek yogurt, and fresh fruit smoothies ($3.49/$4.49) in flavors like mango, strawberry, banana, green apple and peach.

With so many options to choose from, potatoes are still the star of the show. They are prepared in special ovens imported from Europe. Popular loaded potatoes include Thai curry ($6.99), enchilada ($6.99), Hawaiian BBQ ($6.99) and pulled pork ($6.69).

Renda has declared 2015 “The Year of the Loaded Potato.” To mark the event, she is introducing a new potato entrée every week. At the end of the year, she will add the most popular dishes to the regular menu and bring back others as specials from time to time.

Some potatoes she has planned are the Greek, with gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, lettuce, onions and tomatoes; catch of the sea, with tuna and pico de gallo; creamy pesto with roasted peppers and artichokes; liver and onions; and sweet potato with roasted grapes, goat cheese and honey.

Weekly specialties will be announced online, at www.facebook.com/BrixtonsBakedPotato. The restaurant now offers delivery within a 3-mile radius, and expanded catering services.

BRIXTON’S BAKED POTATO

• ADDRESS: 2386 Kiesel Ave., Ogden
• PHONE: 801-827-0222
• HOURS: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday