Brownsville, can I be honest? We love our food. We also enjoy our pachangas. If we were ever forced to (gasp!) choose between the two, I am fairly certain we would keep our delectable treats.
Chain restaurants and taco stands are sprinkled throughout our city. In recent years, we have taken charge of our health, creating bike pathways that run throughout our municipality, adding exercise equipment to local parks, forming running clubs and bringing in healthier dining options. Enter: Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
With an “Eat Better, Feel Better” slogan, the cafe is everything it claims to be. My husband and I enjoyed a rare date with the option to choose any two items on the menu (each). I chose the Chicken Pesto on flatbread with tomatoes, and a Kale Apple Slaw on the side. The Cranberry Truffle Smoothie was the perfect choice to balance my taste buds.
The moment I opened my slaw, the strong and delicious smell of kale confirmed I made the right choice. Each bite was also flavored with green apples, carrots and honey dijon. A super fan of strawberry banana smoothies, I have no regrets over trying the seasonal Cranberry Truffle. Just sweet enough, each sip left an essence of white chocolate in my mouth.
My husband opted for the Chicken Apple Club on flatbread with the same side, and a Pomegranate Plunge to drink (read: a superfood smoothie packed with pomegranate, bananas, strawberries and cranberries). When asked about his meal, he remarked, “It tastes fresh and healthy, and it’s filling.” Especially fond of the kale slaw, he added, “It has a good kick.”
My daughters and I attended the grand opening of the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe located at 2715 Boca Chica Blvd (Suite 1), in Brownsville (in the plaza in front of Wal-Mart, next to KFC). It was encouraging to hear that the commitment to wellness is something many of our city leaders share.
To celebrate, the cafe will sell 99¢ smoothies all day, in store and at the drive-thru. “We strongly believe that with simple, high quality ingredients you can eat healthy, and it’s something you enjoy. We have something for everyone,” shared Marketing Director, Luis Gutierrez. He continued, “We have 25 different smoothies on the menu; all of them are gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.”
To access the menu and order online, follow this link.
Padilla prides herself in matching dishes with the perfect wine, while listening to the needs and desires of her guests. When asked why locals should choose Russo’s for National Pasta Day, she said (in Spanish), “We make the pasta from scratch—it does not come prepackaged or frozen. Each sauce is made fresh to order, and each plate is individually cooked based on the preferences of each person. I am committed and trust the products we have here.” An avid traveler well-versed in eateries, she loves serving people.