Meet Your New Neighbor: Bonita Bowls Opens in Lemont Downtown
Come on in and stay awhile, your new favorite Lemont Downtown eatery is here. There has been loads of excitement for Bonita Bowls, Chicagoland’s favorite smoothie bowl shop which opened its newest location in Lemont Downtown this summer. We sat down with Owner + Founder, Kyle Kissane, to learn more about his inspiration for the menu, business model, and hope for the future.
KG: I think the very moment the pink signs went up in the window, we started getting calls and DMs about what was coming to Lemont Downtown in the new Marbella of Lemont. Tell me more about Bonita Bowls!
KK: We love that! We’re excited to be here in Lemont. Well, I was an agricultural business major at Illinois State University and somewhere within the program, each student has to decide whether you’re “fork or field” and I’ve always been intrigued by the fork side. I loved seeing what was happening with food trends and studying how people gathered around the table.
A few years back, I started thinking about how I could create a healthy, fresh, fun food option. Acai and smoothie bowls were gaining popularity but what most people don’t know until they try it, is that acai is really bitter. Other smoothie shops compensate by adding sugar and stabilizers. I knew we could beat that. I worked to create a base that was sweeter but without the exorbitant use of refined sugar or mystery ingredients. That’s how our signature base was born and Bonita Bowls came to be.
KG: I love what you studied in school. I think we can become very detached from our food. How did your degree inform your recipe development?
KK: I was lucky enough to spend some time in Brazil, searching for our ingredients but also getting familiar with how they consume acai. It’s common over there to find it with rice and beans or in a more savory dish. I knew that Americans would like things sweeter but we’re really lacking food that fits our tastebuds but is good to our body. We’ve taken the extra step to source simple ingredients, rather than going for a mass food distributor. This is really healthy food, made to be delicious, and fun.
KG: And now your menu has grown to have a little something for everyone! How has the menu evolved throughout the years?
KK: We listen to our customers throughout the years. Our smoothie bowls come with a base and then we add on lots of different toppings of fruit or granola. Since gluten-intolerance continues to be a rising trend, we’ve created a gluten-free version. We know that dairy-intolerance continues to rise, so you’ll find dairy-free options as well. And we love smoothie bowls but we recognize that sometimes you may want a heartier meal. We have wraps, poke bowls, toast, and waffles so everyone can come and find something great.
KG: That’s amazing. There is a little something for everyone. What kind of vibe will we find in Bonita Bowls?
KK: It’s a great place to come with your friends and family to grab a healthy snack, lunch, or dinner. We’re proud that so many of our staff members are local teens and kids from the community. They’re able to get real-world job experience and also contribute to making it a fun place to stay awhile.
KG: What can customers expect in the coming months?
KK: We’re working on a new ube flavor for the winter months. Ube tastes sweet, nutty, and vanilla-like, with an earthy quality similar to a sweet potato. We’re excited to debut that and see how people make it their own.
We’re excited to be in Lemont and we’re hearing from customers, “I used to go all the way to your Downers Grove location or La Grange!” They’re excited we’re here. So, we’re also focused on getting settled into the community but also bringing in a cohort of folks ready to spread the magic of Bonita Bowls. For anyone looking to step into entrepreneurship, Bonita Bowls Franchisee is a great opportunity to bring more of this same energy through Chicagoland.
KG: What’s your favorite thing about Lemont Downtown so far?
KK: The community has been great and the community among fellow business owners. We’re excited to get to know everyone and join right in on all of the fun.
Bonita Bowls is located at 225 Canal Street, Until A at the ground floor of Marbella of Lemont. Preview their menu or order online at bonitabowls.co
