Second Helpings: Smoothies
Summer's coming, y'all: time to get smoooooooth.
Fri., March 21, 2003
Jamba Juice
600 Congress, 478-8696Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm
9607 Research #300 (located inside Whole Foods Market), 345-5003
Daily, 8am-10pm
2300 Guadalupe, 275-0290
Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-8pm
10710 Research, 342-9998
Monday-Saturday, 7am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm
From a single location in San Luis Obispo, Calif., in 1990, Jamba Juice has now extended its reach from Boston to Honolulu. "Intense" is the best word to describe the Jamba's fruit-sensation experience. Brimming with just-picked flavor, these creations are packed with tastebud-bursting depth, like the ripe-off-the-tree Mango a Go-Go and the Strawberries Wild. Complementing these healthy tall boys is an equally healthy selection of vegetarian soups and Jambolas -- high-nutrition mini bread loaves.
Central Market
4001 N. Lamar, 206-1000Daily, 9am-9pm
4477 S. Lamar, 899-4300
Daily, 9am-9pm
No surprise that Austin's emporium of everything food would have smoothies waiting to greet shoppers as they walk in the front entrance. With its legendary produce section only steps away, it's a given that its field-fresh reputation carries over to the smoothie bar. The mixed-fruit drink is particularly delicious. With a blend of grapes, peaches, cantaloupe, and melon, the combination works very well creating a mélange that leaves your insides feeling happy and healthy.
TCBY
Various locations/various hoursThe home of frozen yogurt adds a dollop of its namesake to each smoothie it whips up. And whipped it is -- rich and dense. Add any combo of fresh fruit to your favorite yogurt flavor. The blackberry smoothie comes speckled with tiny chunks of pulpy fruit folded into the yogurt-thick creaminess.
Wheatsville Co-op
3101 Guadalupe, 478-2667
Daily, 9am-11pm (smoothie/deli bar open till 9pm)
Remember creamsicles? Love 'em? If so, you will love Wheatsville's double-banana smoothie. Twice the fun of a regular banana smoothie, with a kiss of orange folded in, Wheatsville's creamy creation is not only chiffon-smooth, but it may just transport you back, if only momentarily, to those lazy, long-ago summers of youth. Pair it up with one of Wheatsville deli's great sandwiches for a fast, filling meal.
Zoombaz
8100 Burnet Rd. (in the parking lot in front of Chuck E. Cheese), 459-9896
Monday-Friday, 6am-8pm; Saturday, 7am-8pm; Sunday,11am-5pm
This handy double-drive-through operation, the first of its kind in Texas, serves an impressive array of smoothies, gourmet coffees, and pastries. In addition to standard blends like Strawbanana, Peachbanana, and Rasbanana, Zoombaz also serves the Wowie Maui, a tantalizing blend of mango and pineapple sherbet. The most expensive smoothie on the menu is $3.99, making Zoombaz's mix of economy and convenience hard to resist.
Smoothie King
504 W. 24th, 474-2929Monday-Thursday, 8am-10pm; Friday, 8am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-9pm
10900 Research Ste. 150C, 231-1414
Monday-Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm
6406 N. I-35 #1575, 452-3558
Monday-Thursday, 9am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm
150 Sundance #200, Round Rock, 512/600-5464
Monday-Thursday, 8am-7pm; Friday, 9am-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm
New Orleans-based Smoothie King offers a panoply of smoothie concoctions designed to do everything from boosting your protein to lowering your fat intake. And it tastes good, too. From low-fat to high-calorie to specialty drinks, the original smoothie people offer something for everyone. Cold and flu fighters should check out the Immune Builder, a mix of bananas, strawberries, and an herbal nutrient blend. Smoothie King also carries an extensive selection of nutritional supplements.
