Monday Munchies: Our first SoFresh
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An almost superfood bowl. Photo: Alex Golden/Axios
Apparently, the world of fast-casual, health-focused restaurants sees a market in Northwest Arkansas, because at least the third chain of its kind has landed here within three years.
🥗 State of play: Florida-based SoFresh recently opened near the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, following Crisp & Green in Bentonville and Springdale and SweetGreen on the Walmart campus and in Fayetteville. It's SoFresh's first Arkansas location, serving up salads and bowls.
🤷♀️ Yes, but: To be fair, there is a market. I love knowing where the nearest place to grab a salad with substance is for days when planning or cooking got away from me but I don't want to resort to fried fast food.
🥑 What I ate: I tried an almost superfoods bowl — I call it that because I swapped walnuts for sunflower seeds, but it was otherwise the standard bowl with quinoa, brown rice, avocado, walnuts, roasted broccoli, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette topped with blackened salmon.
- The protein does not automatically come with the bowl, but salmon was the recommended add-on.
- This was a really satisfying meal that didn't feel "fast," but I got it fast. And it was packed with nutrition and flavor.
🍄🟫 Zoom out: I also tried my fellow diner's Bangkok bowl with shredded kale, Asian garlic noodles, teriyaki, mushrooms, red onions and toasted almonds topped with citrus chicken thigh.
- Sweet teriyaki with citrus, umami and garlic is a staple mashup for a reason and done nicely here. You also don't often see noodles as an option at similar restaurants.
💰 By the numbers: Prices are variable because bowls typically come without protein but most of us would add it. The total bill for both bowls and a drink was about $43 after tax and tip.
📍 Stop by: 10:30am-9pm Monday through Friday and 10:30am-8pm Saturday and Sunday at 5505 W. Northgate Road, Suite 106 in Rogers.