By Kevin Revolinski | Photo by Sunny Frantz
Healthy eating on the go has never been easier, with juice bars, wholesome bowl menus, meal prep services and even growers offering delivery and pickup.
PURE GREEN
Just a half-block from the UW campus, this sleek, bright space offersafewbarstoolseatswithchargingstations.Butdespitethe couple of coveted cocoon seats hanging from the ceiling, most customers are on the go. Açaí bowls and smoothies can be customized, and bottles of cold-pressed juice and two-ounce health shots are quick grabs from the cooler. They don’t use sweeteners in their smoothies unless you ask — and main ingredients include almond milk, coconut water, orange juice, water or cold brew coffee. Choose a variety of boosters including proteins, greens, superfoods, chia seeds and spirulina.
634 State St., puregreenfranchise.com/wisconsin/madison
SUPERCHARGE! FOODS
Founder and co-owner P.T. Bjerke started growing nutrient-dense microgreens in his own house in 2009 — wheatgrass, pea shoots and more — using a proprietary method. He started selling them at farmers’ markets, Willy Street Co-op and restaurants. In 2015, he moved his production to a larger, 700-square-foot space that produced 15 tons of food last year. Find SuperCharge! Foods in area grocery stores or opt for a weekly microgreens subscription, delivered to your home.
1902 E. Washington Ave., superchargefoods.com
BENEBLENDS
Bananas line the back wall of Beneblends, where daily, up to 80 pounds of them become the base and sweetener for most of their smoothies and bowls (though honey and agave syrup are on hand). The CPB — chocolate peanut butter — is their most popular bowl, and a good place to start. All items are vegan, dairy-free and gluten- free, and protein powders are optional add-ins. The Verona location even has a drive-through!
558 Junction Rd. & 208 E. Verona Ave., Verona, beneblends.com
LEANFEAST
This grab-and-go meal prep business offers portion-controlled dishes via their storefront or by delivery. Select your protein and serving amount (from four to eight ounces), carb and portion size, then veggies, add-ons and sauces. Salads and breakfasts are also available, and all meals can be made gluten-free. If you opt for a subscription, your order is ready for pickup each week or you can have it delivered within a 20-mile radius.
2911 University Ave., leanfeast.com
BLENDED
Located at Hilldale, Blended offers a plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free menu with organic açaí or dragon fruit bowls and smoothies. (The peanut butter bowl is the bestseller.) Fresh juices come in 16- and 24-ounce sizes with an optional ginger shot. While there is some indoor and outdoor seating, most patrons just grab and go. Other grab-and-go options include energy bites, snack balls made with nuts and dates, and pre-blended açaí bowls for your freezer.
717 Hilldale Way, blendedmadison.com
FORAGE KITCHEN
At this fast-casual spot, customers line up at the counter to select from salads or grain bowls. While vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options make up the bulk of the menu, chicken and tuna are available as add-ons. The fiesta bowl is by far the most popular, with corn, poblano-cabbage slaw, cheddar, black bean spread, pico de gallo, cilantro, tortilla strips and salsa. They recently started offering wraps, too. A value menu and kid’s menu serves smaller appetites. Find Forage on State Street and in Sun Prairie, Monona, and Middleton as well.
Five area locations (check website), eatforage.com
