Smoothie King

    It is rare to find a fast, fun place to grab something to eat without constantly distressing over the fat that has just entered your system.  Well distress no longer for the popular smoothie chain, Smoothie King, has hit Annandale by storm.

    Many are familiar with the previously most convenient location in the city of Fairfax, but they have since opened a new location in the Bradlick shopping center on the corner of Braddock and Backlick Road.

    Smoothie King, the franchise, originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the “premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry,” according to their website.  

    Each store is dedicated to providing good service while producing fresh fruit and functional smoothies.  Costomers are also provided with energy bars, vitamin supplements, nutrition products and sport drinks.

    Since it’s official opening on Feb. 13, the lines have flooded the store.  The small smoothie joint has been bombarded with students from the local high schools – Annandale, Thomas Jefferson, Jeb Stuart, and Lee.

    The store is filled with fun, bright colors, creating a very likeable atmosphere for its customers.  The vibrant orange, green, and yellow shirts of the employees add pizzazz to aura of the store.

    Being a very plain girl myself, the Angel Food smoothie caught my eye instantly with the base being a typical strawberry-banana smoothie.

     Other ingredients blended in are soy protein, non-Fat milk, vanilla, turbinado and honey.  It was confusing to determine what those all were and how they would affect the taste of the smoothie but I was quickly reassured that it would not take away from the taste.

    I was informed that the key ingredient was the turbinado.  Turbinado is an unprocessed, unbleached sweetener that comes directly from the sugar cane so it is healthier for you than regular sugar.

    I was impressed to note the wide variety of nutritional options that came along with each smoothie.  For those looking to lose a few pounds, there is a delicious range in the ‘trim down’ portion of the menu.  Alternatively, for strong athletes looking to bulk up, there is an equally appetizing menu of ‘weight-gainer’ smoothies.

    Employees were eager to serve and asked many questions regarding the options available in terms of energy boosters, vitamin supplements etc.

    In comparison to the older Fairfax store, the flow of the line is much more manageable at the new location and better with the current crowd-control.

    Teenagers can constantly be spotted running in and out of the store and many have picked-up part-time jobs after school or on the weekends.  It is definitley a popular hangout spot and very popular among the younger crowd.  

    The only concern is seating accommodations.  It is not expected for customers to lounge around and drink their smoothies after purchasing, and the stores size does not allow for such seating.  

    The Fairfax location does offer limited seating indoors with tables outside, whereas the new location does not have either but is located close to Starbucks and many have told me they go sit at the tables outside of the coffee shop.

    As noted, it was much smaller than the other location in Fairfax City.  It is easier to feel cramped when a heavy flow of customers come in but it will not take away from the overall experience.  

    Smoothie King is perfect for on-the-go activities, but not ideal for meeting friends or arranging a date.

    The only other stores in the strip mall that attract a stable number of customers is Starbucks, the dollar store, and Gold’s Gym (a good place to go before or after enjoying a delicious smoothie with energy boosters in it!).  It is a plus to find such a unique and busy store to balance the otherwise not so packed strip mall.

    Smoothie King opened their first franchise in 1973 and has since expanded to 475 stores in 32 states in the nation and they currently have 25 stores internationally.