Backyard Bowls

"Remember when we were young and nothing mattered? When you didn’t pull your shoulder taking a nap and the only responsibility in life was to not die before summer break? #TBT. It’s hard not to feel that sense of youthful nostalgia walking into Backyard Bowls, the shiny acai bowl hangout spot on Beverly Blvd. Acai berries are definitely the new “it” fruit that unlike the blender of lies Jamba Juice fed us for a decade, doesn’t actually kill you. In fact, quite the opposite. “Superfood” is usually a term we prefer to associate with things such as ranch dressing, pierogis, and french fries dipped in a Wendy’s Frosty, but apparently acai berries is actually one. Who knew? If you want to see the effects of this berry yourself, just look around. Everyone at Backyard Bowls, both behind the counter and otherwise, looks like a Quiksilver ad from a Barbie fever dream. Everyone appears to be 18 years old but could be well into their mid-40s. Believe in the berry. But of course Backyard is much more than acai. Every bowl on the menu is topped with a cornucopia of impressive looking fruit. You order at the front counter first and head to the back to pick up your delicious pile of health. But that’s not before making a stop at DJ Blender Booth. You read that right. A sound proof glass booth in the middle of the store where all the blending is done so not to disturb the pure eardrums of its patrons. We live in the best time. Backyard Bowls is a Santa Barbara staple and its first LA locale is hitting on all cylinders. It’s quick, healthy, and surprisingly fulfilling. So head over and plop down at one of the space’s picnic tables. It’s LA’s latest fountain of youth. Food Rundown Island Bowl With a blended acai base and topped with everything under the sun, this is a crowd favorite and the best example of what makes this place awesome. Green Bowl You honestly feel a few years of your life getting tacked back on with this guy. A base of acai, kale, and spinach gives this bowl a kick the other bowls lack. Power Bowl If you’re looking to bulk up this summer, this is your order. Basically every naturally occurring source of protein is located in this bowl. HULK SMASH! Pangea Bowl Probably the strangest bowl in an already strange place, get ready for such ingredients as Pitaya, Aronia Berry, Baobab, and Bee Pollen. We have no idea what those mean, but we’re into it. Berry Bowl The signature bowl at Backyard, this is sweet goodness right here. The Goji berry can be a tough chew but at the same time, what are we even talking about?" - Brant Cox

"Better life through better food. Backyard Bowls opened their first doors in Santa Barbara back in 2008, and have since grown to open 4 locations, including one in LA. Backyard Bowls offers one of the best acai bowls around, using only organic, sustainable, and locally produced ingredients in all of their menu items. I recommend Diego’s Power Bowl which has a base of acai, banana, strawberry, hemp protein, and peanut butter hemp milk, topped with banana, hemp seeds, granola, and honey. It’s healthy, tasty, and filling - the regular bowl size is definitely enough to fill you up, and if you want a smaller portion, the Berry or Island Bowl in the kids size are a great option!" - Amanda Proudfit

"Backyard Bowls, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Better life through better food. Backyard Bowls opened their first doors in Santa Barbara back in 2008, and have since grown to open 4 locations, including one in LA. Backyard Bowls offers one of the best acai bowls around, using only organic, sustainable, and locally produced ingredients in all of their menu items. I recommend Diego’s Power Bowl which has a base of acai, banana, strawberry, hemp protein, and peanut butter hemp milk, topped with banana, hemp seeds, granola, and honey. It’s healthy, tasty, and filling - the regular bowl size is definitely enough to fill you up, and if you want a smaller portion, the Berry or Island Bowl in the kids size are a great option!"