If you’ve been anywhere near Glen Ellyn or Elmhurst in the past year, you’ve probably seen people walking around with bright purple smoothie bowls topped with fruit that look straight from Pinterest. Bonita Bowls, a chain that’s all about making healthy food look and taste amazing, has a menu that is stacked with acai bowls, poke bowls, smoothies, wraps, and even waffles, so it’s impossible to find something you don’t like. Prices usually range from $10 to $13 depending on how fancy you get with the toppings, and while they don’t print calorie counts on the menu, the vibe is definitely healthier than an ice cream cone from McDonald’s. 

The Menu:

Bonita Bowls offers a lot of different fresh, buildable meals, such as their smoothie bowls, poke bowls, smoothies, wraps, waffles, and toast. People mostly go for their signature acai bowls. Some flavors are… 

Bonita (Acai base with granola, strawberry, banana, Nutella, and coconut flakes)
Power up (Granola, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate protein)
Bali (Granola, blueberry, strawberry, and honey) 
Green Lush (Spinach/green base with banana, blueberry, almond butter, hemp seeds, and honey)

They also let you build your own bowl (smoothie or poke) so you can choose the base (acai, coconut, pitaya, green, etc.). Bowl options include Bangkok (shrimp, mango, spicy Thai peanut sauce), Amalfi (salmon, eel sauce, etc.), and many more.

Wraps are good if you want something less sweet. They have the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Shrimp & Avocado Wrap, Breakfast Wrap, etc.

Waffles & Toast are sweet treat options too; for example, there are Belgium waffles with fruit and drizzles, along with classic avocado toast.

 The founders made Bonita Bowls to reduce added/refined sugar in bowls by using fruit bases (like bananas, pineapples, and coconuts) to naturally sweeten things.

There are several Chicagoland locations: Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Park Ridge, La Grange, etc.

Pricing from delivery menus:

Signature Smoothie Bowls and Wraps are usually around $13.14 to $14.34+, depending on location and add-ons. 

First impression and location:

I visited the Park Ridge branch on a busy Monday. It’s bright inside with fresh décor and casual yet modern. The staff seemed friendly and the menu displays were easy to read.

Ordering is made pretty easy since you can choose to order through a screen or order in person. You can also order ahead using their app. 

It’s a small space but very accommodating. There are neon lights and pretty decorations all around.

What I ordered:

I got the Signature Bonita Bowl, which I think is their most popular menu option. It combines an Acai base with granola, strawberry, banana, Nutella, and coconut flakes. I personally like more Nutella in mine, so I had to add extra. My sister, on the other hand, got the Cloud Nine Bowl. It has a coconut base with granola, banana, strawberry, coconut flakes, and Nutella.

Review:

The serving size for a regular bowl is very filling since it does bring a large amount of everything, especially the granola. The Bonita Bowl has 670 calories, and the Cloud Nine has 806, which is indeed a lot, but I think the calories are very fitting since it’s supposed to be a healthy snack. I think these bowls make for a great quick breakfast or snack in the afternoon. The granola was crunchy, the fruit was fresh, the layers were visible, and it was a generous portion. My sister mentions that if you’re a big fan of coconut you’ll definitely enjoy the Cloud Nine. She thinks if she would have tried one of the waffles or one of the bowls with an acai base, she would have enjoyed it more. 

Pros: 

Huge menu variety: so many types of bowls & wraps to choose from
Customizable: build your own, adjust for dietary preferences 
Healthy branding: less refined sugar, real fruits, etc. 
Looks good: presentation is strong, so if you care about food pics, this is perfect

Cons: 

Price adds up, especially with extras (proteins & toppings) 
During peak times, wait/line might be long; maybe less seating available

Final Verdict:

If you’re a student who wants something healthier than typical fast food but still tasty, Bonita Bowls is a solid choice. It’s perfect if you care about flavor AND nutrition, especially when you customize to your taste. It might not replace your cheaper every day lunch spots, but for a meal you’ll actually enjoy eating and feel good about, it’s worth it. Would I go back? Yes, especially to try more of the menu (maybe a poke or one of the wraps next time) and maybe with friends so we can taste-swap!

Works cited 

Chicagoland’s best smoothie bowls. Bonita Bowls. (2025, June 23). https://bonitabowls.co/