It's rained quite a bit here in sunny San Diego over the last week and the temperature has hardly risen above 55 degrees, so I haven't craved a cold salad or icy smoothie. However, my mom scored a coupon deal with her Verizon rewards points for Everbowl , a new acai bowl shop in Poway that opened late October and replaced the old Smoothie King. Locals have started to spread the word about the new shop and it has gained quite a bit of popularity lately, especially since a lot of people are trying to eat healthier these days. Even on a cold, rainy day, a steady stream of customers came in and out of the shop.
The shop's aesthetic added to its overall image with cute, white chairs that look like trees, open windows, wooden wall paneling and wooden tables.
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The food took a bit long to arrive, but after working in food service for the past year I appreciate a little extra preparation time if it yields higher quality food. The wait brought positive results. One of the employees personally brought our order to our table, smiled, and said, "I hope you enjoy it!" The employees provided the same, excellent customer service as we indulged in our meal, offering to answer any questions customers had regarding the menu.
This was by far the best acai bowl I've tasted and I actually prefer it to the ones from Sambazon in Solana Beach (the brand also has a store in Newport Beach). In addition, it was huge — we actually took leftovers back with us. Anyone could easily purchase one of these and have another meal or two for a quick breakfast or lunch the next day.
Customers can create their own bowl , the "Whatever Bowl or Cup," or choose from pre-designed recipes,"Local Favorites." Both options are $8 for a 24 oz. size. Everbowl also sells smoothies, which are $8 for a 16 oz. and $10 for a 24 oz. Individual shots of acai or other healthy spices like turmeric and ginger are also available. The bowls are crafted with no sugar added, according to the store website. The menu items are a bit pricey, but healthy and premium ingredients like these always cost more. Plus, Everbowl gives customers their money's worth.
Those not in the mood for a bowl or smoothie can select one of two salads — a quinoa kale or strawberry spinach —, the soup of the day, or a grab-and-go item from the small fridge next to the register. View the full menu here and check out the assortment of bowls other people created.
Here's how to build your own bowl. Choose from four bases — the traditional acai or a more exquisite fruit like acerola, graviola, and pitaya. Next, pick a liquid — almond, coconut, cashew, or chocolate almond milks, coconut water, or apple juice. Then, pick one of many toppings. The list includes nuts, nut butters, dried fruits, seeds, fresh fruits, honey and agave, cacao nibs, and granola. Lastly, choose from "super stuff" items, including protein powders, vitamin C, bee pollen, and other superfood supplements.
My mom and I settled on the Ace Ventura — an acerola bowl blended with acerola, bananas, spinach, mango, and coconut milk and topped with granola, blueberries, coconut, and honey/agave. We also ordered the soup of the day since it sounded great on a wet, winter day.
Even though the shop specializes in their superfood products, the soup tasted delicious. Garden vegetable — made with chicken broth, kale, potatoes, carrots, onion, corn, tomato, cracked pepper, and what looked like a little barley — was the featured soup that day.
The berries were fresh, plump, and juicy. Since they're a summer fruit, I was not expecting a fresher taste, but I expect the fruit was originally frozen since acai bowl shops typically use frozen fruits. The banana was also semi-ripe, which is my personal taste preference. I appreciated the smooth consistency and did not find any ice chunks in my bowl. The granola had great hints of flax seed and a subtle taste that did not overpower the rest of the bowl. The coconut milk added a pleasant, creamy flavor to the bowl base, which also featured subtle hints of spinach. It was a great way to get a daily dose of both fruits and vegetables.
Overall, I was very pleased with the menu's variety — it offers many different milk and nut-free alternatives for those with allergies, provides many pre-made options for those who need a quick bite, and also allows individualization. Even the pickiest customers can surely find something they like here.
I will definitely return and try a different base like graviola or make my own unique creation. Everbowl is the perfect place for any superfood, health food, smoothie, or acai bowl enthusiasts visiting or living in San Diego. The store is open every weekday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
