From left, Nekter uses giant blueberries and a bunch of toppings, Nautical Bowls is happy to customize and Rush Bowls could stand to thicken its acai bowl offerings.
After once spending $18 on an acai bowl, I vowed to never buy the over-priced, so-called superfood again. Nekter’s $12 acai bowl, however, was more reasonably priced. A quick stop at a location inside a suburban Minneapolis grocery store yielded the Superfood Bowl, with a blended base of acai, banana, spinach, kale, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and cashew milk (made in-house!). Topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, goji berries, green apple and a “superfood blend,” my first impression was my lunch was very Instagram-able. My second thought was the blend was runnier than I would have liked, but that could’ve been from the 15-minute drive back to the office. The blueberries were massive, while the goji berries were unnecessary and too chewy for a smoothie bowl. The flavor was delicious—not too sweet—and the pineapple was a great addition. The acai blend resulted in purple lips and the appearance of a cadaver for the rest of my work day. Spooky, sure, but worth it.
The upshot: The $12 price point is more acceptable than other acai bowls out there, but it still feels like a lot to spend. I feel more satiated after a bowl of Greek yogurt—and my wallet suffers less, too. —E.W.
I hate coconut and banana, so when I saw the menu for Nautical Bowls, which mostly incorporated both ingredients, apprehension set in. Thankfully, it was simple to sub in strawberries with the Nauti Bowl ($13). I love it when places cater to picky eaters, and the strawberries were wonderful. The bowl itself was tasty and surprisingly filling. Granted, mine came with peanut butter, so that’s likely what filled me up. No element was too overpowering or overly sweet, though I thought a little lime juice in the pitaya and acai would help the flavors pop more. Smoothies can be shockingly sugary, so a balanced bowl was a nice alternative. The way ordering works is nice and simple, too. Customers order the bowl, pay for the size and wait while it’s prepared. The sizes come in 12, 16 and a whopping 24 ounces. I ended up getting a 16-ounce bowl and I still didn’t finish it. Since it’s mostly water with the blended fruit, it’s filling, but not in a way that feels heavy. Overall, a comforting lunch option during a hot summer in Minnesota.
The upshot: For a 16-ounce acai bowl, $13 is a reasonable price, and with the balance at Nautical Bowls you don’t feel overly full afterward. —M.G.
As a first-time acai bowl eater, I decided to go with an old reliable at Rush Bowls: PB&J. My order, which I was getting for breakfast, included banana, strawberry, peanut butter, frozen yogurt and milk. It was also mixed with several “boosts,” including whey protein, a multi-vitamin and a fiber boost. A pretty good combination to get your day started, but I felt I should get the full scope of what the brand has to offer. With that in mind, I also decided to get the super protein smoothie, a drink that is “packed with everything needed to rule the day,” according to Rush Bowls. One thing I noticed with both orders was there was no choice when it comes to size. It was surprising to not be able to select how big you wanted your order to be, but at the very least you get your money’s worth with any order, with most items coming in around $10. As for the taste, the bowl captured the classic PB&J flavor fusion, the fruit aspect adds a freshness and the crunch from the granola brings it together. However, I do wish the bowl overall was thicker, as it almost becomes a smoothie in a bowl toward the end.
The upshot: Maybe a bit pricey for a quick breakfast, but you can certainly get your açaí cravings met at Rush Bowls. —M.L.