With the long-overdue increased focus on health and freshness in America, juice bars have become the latest “fitness in a bottle” rage. Sadly, many of these corner store concoctors offer items that are as bland as the organic dishwasher with which they wash their million-dollar blenders.
That is why It was so refreshing to find Tropical Smoothie Café.
Bright and clean in look and taste, the Café offers not only a wide array of large-format smoothies that can include anything from fresh fruit and “superfoods” like kale, celery, acai, pomegranate, and goji to “superchargers” like flax seed, ginger, almonds, whole grain oats, and a choice of proteins to “indulgences” like white chocolate, peanut butter and other dessert-worthy delights, but also wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads and salads that burst open with flavor. Among the many offerings (most of which are based around grilled chicken, though other proteins are available, including Beyond Meat chicken-free strips) are the Cali Club flatbread, Jamican Jerk, Thai and Buffalo wraps, and the homemade cranberry pecan chicken salad sandwich. There is also a fresh and flavorful hummus veggie wrap that offers a kick of savory spice that is perfect for washing down with a smoothie! Each smoothie is available with half sandwich or salad for $7.99 (a real value, as opposed to $2 of GMO-packed cat meat at other venues) or with a full flatbread, wrap and or sandwich for just $3,99 more (making the already enormous smoothies an even better value!). There are also kid-sized smoothies and quesadillas available and a limited breakfast menu.
In addition to making guests feel better, the Café also partners with and donates proceeds to many not-for-profit groups (such as Camp Sunshine, for whom the Cafe raises money in anticipation of National Flip-Flop Day on June 17), thereby helping to spread the good feelings outside their shops.
While the nearest stores to Boston are in Fairhaven, North Dartmouth, Seekonk, and Providence, RI, one can hope that some savvy franchiser will bring this great discovery closer soon. In the meantime, take a trip for your next tropical vacation and get away from it all (or at least from bland and unhealthy food).