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LOCAL EATS: PLAYA BOWLS
Sun, Surf & Superfoods
MAKING WAVES
My friend, Kris, always has her eye on the best things going on around the valley. So, when I saw her online, eagerly tracking Playa Bowls’ opening date, I knew she was onto something good. She’s picky (like me) and she’s really healthy (like I used to be), especially when it comes to her food choices, so when she spots something worth checking out, I pay attention.
Because I trust Kris, I broke my golden rule of avoiding a brand-new restaurant until at least a month after opening, you know, so they have time to work the kinks out. And, also because this is a franchise operation, I figured they probably already had their systems dialed-in. (Which, they did.)
Plus, this weather has me craving something cool & tropical! So, just three days after their grand opening, Kris and I headed to Playa Bowls for a long-overdue girl chat.
ISLAND VIBES
As soon as you open the door you are transported from a strip mall to the sandy shoreline. Your senses come alive! Everything is so colorful & vibrant. There’s so much to look at! I couldn’t decide what do first: order or take pictures.
I did end up taking quite a lot of pictures of the inside but I don’t want to spoil it for you. Truly, it’s so fun and very unlike any other kind of vibe around town! Go see it yourself!
BOWLS + BLENDS + BREWS
The menu is my favorite part! It took me a loooong time to decide what to get. Look at all those options!
They also have coffee drinks, which I didn’t notice until we were leaving. I’m a sucker for cold brew!
BASE CAMP
Whether you’re going for a smoothie or a bowl, it all starts with your base ingredients (the definitions of which were taken directly from their signs):
Açaí 🫐 (ahh-sigh-EE): Antioxidant filled superfruit from the Amazon jungle in Brazil. Small purple berry, cocoa berry taste.
Pitaya 🌺 (pay-tie-yah): Superfruit indigenous to Central and South America. Hot pink insides with black seeds. (Also known as dragon fruit.)
Coconut 🥥: Raw insides of young Thai coconuts. High in fiber, magnesium & key nutrients.
Green 🌿: Kale! Low in calories & fat. High in fiber. Filled with vitamins & nutrients.
Banana 🍌: Instant energy booster! High in fiber. Aids in digestion & heart health. Powerhouse of nutrients & potassium.
Mango 🥭: Made from Alphonso mangos from India. Improves bones, muscles, the immune system, skin & eyes.
TASTE TEST
I ordered the Nica Bowl ($13) which is a banana based bowl (banana, honey & almond milk blended frozen, like ice cream) and topped with granola (substituted gluten-free +$0.50), banana, strawberry, raw cacao nibs & peanut butter, minus the walnuts.
It was really good and filling! The portion size is larger than it looks in the photo. I took a few bites and didn’t think I’d be able to eat it all (but of course I did).
Besides a protein shake, it was all I ate yesterday. This morning, I came across their nutrition information, and I see now why I was full all day. It’s calorically dense, but with a good macronutrient combination that I could easily work into my diet.
Kris ordered the Tropical Twist Smoothie ($8) from their summer specials menu. She got the mango base with strawberry, coconut milk, SoDelicious Cocowhip™️, and strawberry puree drizzle. I think she would have liked it more if she wasn’t eyeing my bowl the whole time. Next time, she said she’ll get one of those instead.
🐝 Buzz Tip: Always get the cacao nibs!
SOURCING & SUSTAINABILITY
Playa Bowls takes pride in sourcing their ingredients. Their açaí is imported straight from Brazil to ensure peak freshness and flavor. The vibrant Alphonso mangoes in their Playa Mango bowls hail from India, known for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world.
Whenever possible, they team up with local farms to source other fruits and vegetables, keeping things fresh and community-minded. On the sustainability front, Playa Bowls works to reduce their environmental footprint by using recycled plastic bowls, compostable spoons, and biodegradable straws. (And, Kris, now you know why you went through so many straws trying to find one without cracks in it.)
BEEHIND THE BUSINESS
Playa Bowls was started in 2014 by two Jersey Shore surfers, Rob Giuliani and Abby Taylor, blending up superfood bowls inspired by beach-town favorites from surf trip destinations around the globe.
I was unable to connect with the owners of our local Buckeye location, but from my research I find that it’s owned by Kable Record, a longtime West Valley resident, who will operate the shop along with his family.
From the buzz I’ve already seen about them online, it appears they’re off to a great start!
FIND THEM:
📍 In town: Location (Buckeye Commons in the Costco parking lot)
🐝 Buzz Tip: Download their App for 15% off your first order.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK…
As always, if you go, please let them know The Buckeye Buzz sent ya!
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Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.
©️ 2025 The Buckeye Buzz | All content and information set forth above was curated, cultivated & then created by Vanessa Kinsey for The Buckeye Buzz and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
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