A handful of Tropical Smoothie Cafes opened up in the Madison area a few years ago, and I finally got a chance to check them out.
There are many varieties of smoothies, categorized as Super Veggies, Balanced Fusion, Fruit Blends and Tropical Treats. I enjoyed the ones I had, although they were loaded with calories.
The Pomegranate Plunge ($7.19) is outstanding, with the pomegranate, banana, cranberry and strawberry flavors meshing perfectly. It’s blended well so you’re not stuck with chunks clogging up your straw. You can modify your sweetness level, and I used Splenda, which saved 210 of the 500 calories.
I found the Avocolada ($7.19) incredibly refreshing. The pineapple brings brightness to the avocado, kale and spinach, so there’s no bitterness or vegetable taste at all. I was a little surprised the concoction was 510 calories, though.
Next time I’ll order either the Acai Berry Boost ($7.19) or the Cranberry Truffle ($7.39).
Beyond smoothies, there are a surprising number of food items, although it should be noted that chicken is basically the only protein choice.
The Chipotle Chicken Club ($7.39) is delicious. Tender diced chicken is topped with the right amount of chipotle sauce inside a nicely grilled flatbread.
I also liked the Sausage Egg & Cheese ‘Dilla ($5.49), which is good any time of the day. It doesn’t skimp on ingredients and pairs well with the accompanying roasted tomato salsa and queso blanco.
The Thai Chicken Wrap ($8.79) was fine. The veggies were fresh, the wonton strips added some crunch, and the chicken was good. However, I think double the amount of Thai sauce would help this otherwise plain-tasting wrap.
The Turkey Bacon Ranch ($8.59) is one of the few items not made with chicken, and it’s worth ordering. It’s akin to a club sandwich, and it fortunately doesn’t go overboard with the ranch sauce, letting the other components shine.
Each sandwich comes with a side dish, and I recommend the jalapeno corn. Grilled kernels of corn are tossed with chipotle mayo and mixed with bits of jalapeno for a yummy dish.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Madison and in Fitchburg are open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
