A fast-growing chain that serves fruit bowls, smoothies and fresh juice just opened its doors in College Park.
New Jersey-based Playa Bowls officially opened Sunday, January 28, at 7417 Baltimore Ave., in the shopping center that’s also home to the Bagel Place. It’s one of 60 chain restaurants nationwide, but its first location in Maryland.
A staffer from Playa Bowls told the Hyattsville Wire the location is a “flagship” for Maryland to test how well the concept works here.
Founded by two surfers on the Jersey Shore, the chain’s specialty is the super-trendy superfood açai, which is touted for its health benefits and the fact that it’s a light breakfast that gives you energy.
The menu includes standards like an açai bowl topped with granola, banana and honey; bowls made with pitaya, or dragon fruit, and chia seeds, two other foods touted for their health benefits; and bowls centered on kale, coconut and oatmeal.
Açai bowls can also be found at Vigilante Coffee and competing chain Frutta Bowls just up the street in the Varsity apartment building at 8150 Baltimore Ave.
Bowls have also become the go-to foundation for a lot of new, fast-casual restaurants long the Route 1 corridor as bread-skeptical diners look for new options at places like Cava, SeoulSpice, Playa Bowls, and Frutta Bowls.
