Greer's OC

Just last month Tropical Smoothie Café opened its first location in California in Lake Forest and now the 19-year-old fast casual café concept is exploding in SoCal. It just opened in Foothill Ranch, followed by Irvine next month, and soon Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Fountain Valley, Orange and Rancho Santa Margarita. The goal is to open nearly two-dozen cafés throughout Southern California over the next five years.

It’s so easy to eat healthy and light at Tropical Smoothie Café. Its menu features toasted wraps and flatbreads, bowls, salads, house-made sides, all-day breakfast, a kids menu and, of course, the brand’s delicious smoothies.

Favorites include the El Verde with Chicken Romaine bowl with salsa verde, seasoned black beans, roasted plantains, pico de gallo, and queso fresco; the Mango Green Thai with Beef Spinach wrap with mango salsa, basil, coconut green curry; and Hummus Veggie Wrap with red bell pepper, pickled red onions, tabbouleh, carrots, romaine, and jalapeño mint sauce. We also love the Roasted Mexican Street Corn with southwest aioli, queso fresco and cilantro served on a stick and the Roasted Plantains with jerk seasoning and a honey drizzle.

You can also select from a menu of Superfood Smoothies with ingredients such as spinach, kale, acai, pomegranate, ginger and avocado; Supercharged Smoothies like the Chia Banana Boost and Muscle Blaster; and many more. And, Tropical Smoothie Café offers a wide variety of supplements like probiotics and whey protein, as well as fresh add-ins like granola, whole grain oats and ginger.

Open daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

23841 El Toro Road, Suite C - E127 in Lake Forest. 949.452.0172.
41 Auto Center Drive, Suite 109A, Foothill Ranch. 949.452.0172.
Coming in March: 15366 Alton Parkway in Irvine, next to Chi Acupuncture.