Banzai Bowls

Banzai Bowls Healthy Food in a Bowl anzai Bowls, 120 S. El Camino Real, isn’t fast food. Instead, satisfied customers enjoy hand-crafted, worth-the-wait, healthy bowls and smoothies there. Its owners Joe and Tiana Bard own Banzai Bowl stores in seven locations in Orange County (San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach) and two in Hawaii (Sunset Beach and Haleiwa). Due to the numerous stores, one might think that Banzai Bowls is a franchise. According to Joe, the stores represent more of a mom-and-pop business. Both Joe and Tiana have a hand in the décor of each store with their collection of surfboards, skateboards, and old-school ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s memorabilia. They also work behind the counters each week at the different stores. The birth of the bowl all started when Joe at 21 was hooked on acai, which was full of antioxidants and the perfect thing to eat before and after surfing. After he added extra toppings to give more flavor and nutrition, he had the idea to open a store to sell the nutritious and flavorful bowls to surfers and those with active lifestyles. He pitched the idea to his wife and the rest is history. She came up with the name after the surf spot on the North Shore of Oahu where she grew up. The first store opened in Costa Mesa in 2009, and the rest of the businesses followed shortly thereafter. The San Clemente store, which opened in 2014, is always full of health-seekers of all ages. Each bowl is a meal and can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner. According to Joe, pitaya (dragon fruit) comes from Nicaragua and acai from Brazil. Each bowl or smoothie does not contain dairy and is 100% organic fruit blended. They also make their organic, raw peanut butter inhouse. Honey and bee pollen are purchased from local bee keepers, and are among the favorite toppings. Other superfoods include maca powder and chia. Keeping with the surf shack vibe, the bowls and smoothies have their own notable names such as Diamond Head, Off the Wall, Log Cabin, Rocky Point, San O, Lowers, Blacks Beach, and The Wedge. Being an avid surfer and skater, Joe also was the first sponsor of the West Coast Board Riders surf contests. With an active, surf, beach, and skate lifestyle, Joe and Tiana and their four kids, three boys and a girl, live in Newport Beach. The family enjoys going to the events they sponsor and supporting the communities where each store is located. The Bard kids work the events too.b www.banzaibowls.com Joe and Tiana Bard own Banzai Bowl stores in seven Orange County locations.