I'll be honest, I had absolutely no idea what an acai bowl was up until now. That being said, of course, I had to try Thrive! to find out what it was all about. For anyone else that was confused like me out there, it is basically a smoothie in a bowl. Think a yogurt parfait but with acai sorbet instead since they are dairy, soy, and sugar free. It was very good. I love the tart taste of acai and the fruit that they used was fresh. The staff was patient while I took my time trying to decide what I wanted to order. No line at all on a Monday around noon. I wouldn't go so far to say it is a meal but rather a delicious treat and healthier than other possible options.
(4)
Belle C.
Whoever invented this whole acai bowl fad, I am your biggest fan! And thank goodness for this local place to bless Arizona with their presence in several locations. I had tried my first acai bowl at a different local juice bar and was quite loyal to them until I came across Thrive! The price to portion ratio is the best of all the places of tried and I've tried A LOT. If there's acai on the menu, I get it. But Thrive definitely is at the top of my list. I have never been to a place that serves so many varieties and plays on flavors of acai! It is superfood to it's highest degree. All the ingredients are high quality and fresh to the taste. It must help to be located right next to Sprouts! The plaza itself is a win with these 2 businesses in existence. The staff is always super friendly. It can get busy so be prepared to wait a few minutes for your order - don't come here if you're in any rush. You do have the option to call in your order though I have never tried it. I also suggest having your bowl 'for here' because it feels like you get more bang for your buck in their dine-in bowls compared to the to-go bowls. A small is more than filling for one. The boyfriend enjoys their smoothies. Always love the music playing, that is a plus. There's limited seating inside. A few tables outside. They sell Quest bars in a number of flavors for those on the prowl for them. And other healthy snacks as well as a brand of protein and supplements I believe. Free wifi. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Jasmine C.
I had no idea what an acai bowl was when we arrived. The gal behind the counter explained it as a thick smoothie in a bowl that is topped with granola and other items that you eat with a spoon. No idea they were so big or filling. We ordered 3 - Chocolate Walnut, Chocolate Coconut and Raspberry Lime. I thought the Raspberry Lime was by far the best flavor. We didn't finish them and I think it was quite pricey. I would recommend if you have never been to order one - try it - and then order more if you like it or are still hungry. Also, the kids and I realized we are not fans of granola. So.... if we ever try it again we will order without granola or just try the smoothies.
(3)
Jenna C.
Be careful if you are trying to "be healthy" here. I can't imagine that caloric impact these bowls impart. SO MUCH ADDED SUGAR. Natural sugar too... but even that much natural sugar can't be good. Make your own shake or ask what is in each item, cause you will be downing 1/2 a days worth of calories in one gulp, if you aren't careful.
(3)
Irene T.
I have heard so many talk about how much they love acai bowls. I don't have a sweet tooth so I was never so inclined to go try it. My sister however has a sweet tooth and is on a health binge. We decided to check this place out for a healthy snack and we were so satisfied and happy! The fruits are super fresh, granola is to die for, and the acai smoothie at the bottom was yummmmy! If you're looking to be really healthy the acai bowl is a good meal replacement.
(5)
Karen W.
After the demise of the Argentinian sandwich shop here, I wondered what business would take the place in this location. I was naturally intrigued when I found out that there would be a smoothie and acai bowl place opening up in its stead. I think this is a great location for acai bowls, since Sprouts is just a few steps away, bringing in the more health-conscious crowd. I went in with high hopes of getting a healthy, fruitful bowl. There are quite a few bowls to choose from, some of them fruity, others more dessert-like, with peanut butter and chocolate. I opted for a fruitier bowl, getting the tropical. This was my first time trying an acai bowl, and it was quite tasty. The bottom layer was a smooth, thick acai puree/sorbet-like mixture, which tasted berry-like. There was crunchy, sweet granola layered in between the acai and the tropical fruit (Banana, mango, and pineapple), with large, thin shaved pieces of coconut completing the bowl. The granola itself was a high quality mixture, containing ingredients such as flax seed. The bowl was a nice mixture of textures and of tastes. I ordered a small (About $5), and it definitely filled me up! Service was very friendly, and they offer a points reward system which uses your e-mail to keep track of your purchases. The interior is pretty bare-bones, and it seems like they kept much of the same color scheme as the previous owner. Definitely a good place to go if you're looking for a healthier alternative to dessert, or if you want a lighter (Yet filling) meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
(4)
Jalen D.
So delicious! My favorite healthy snack. Love this place and their employees. Very relaxing environment.
(5)
Michele K.
The chocolate peanut butter bowl was amazing! Great peanut butter taste and the chocolate flavor was rich without being too sweet. My husband had the cherry walnut bowl. He said that it was "damn delicious". Nice tart flavor and delicious granola. The restaurant smells funky, but the food is worth the odd smell...!
(4)
Myrrhine F.
I'll start out by saying the bowls are yummy, but that is about the only good thing about this particular Thrive. The customer service is SO bad it overshadows the bowls. I have been here about 3 or 4 times and I have had to wait 10+ minutes in the store every time, even when I called my order in ahead of time. Furthermore, on more than one occasion, they have gotten my order wrong, or put the wrong toppings on the wrong bowl (when I ordered 2). It's really not worth your time or energy to deal with this kind of service. Very unimpressed. Maybe the owner should consider hiring more people?
(2)
Leigh P.
The service is great. The selection of the bowls is great. The fact that they use organic fruits is great. My big problem is that they use a pea protein blend and unfortunately, I didn't catch this until they were already working on my bowl, the protein mix they use is loaded with sugar. This completely takes away from the healthiness of these bowls. I will not return to the place unless they change their ingredients to include ONLY natural sweeteners and I will not recommend it to anyone. Very disappointed in this product.
(3)
Brad K.
Five star acai bowls. But man, this place stinks. I ordered the original acai bowl that contains strawberries, bananas, blueberries, granola, and honey atop an acai berry blend. It tasted amazing, all the fruits were very fresh, and I had no complaints about the food itself. However, the restaurant smelled very strongly of bleach, and it obscured the taste of the food so much that I had to eat outside. I'm not sure if it is the cleaning product they use or something else, but it is something that the management should definitely attend to, as I couldn't even taste was I was eating. I paid 75 extra cents for more strawberries, but I received a total of 4 cut strawberries on top of the granola. Other acai joints I have been to give you a minimum of 7-10 strawberries without having to pay extra. I would return simply because of how good it tasted, but the overall experience leaves something to be desired. A side-note is that their eat-in portions are bigger than their takeout portions. A small for eating in is the same size as a medium takeout, and a medium for eating in is a large in their takeout size.
(4)
Rae G.
I really enjoy coming her after I workout at the gym. The cold bowls are very refreshing and my fav is the raspberry lime. The only bummer is-when I see a little line I want to turn around and leave because I know it's going to take FOREVER! Please hire more people!
(4)
KtMila F.
Over-Hyped. They offer vegan options and everything is natural but the taste is nothing out if this world and the wait time is a bit ridiculous. Not something I would go out of my way for.
(2)
Brittany N.
I've been in here half a dozen times, and the bowls are amazing but the staff and overall experience is the pits. It is a very hit or miss situation with how many people will be ordering, so I understand the need to be lightly staffed, but my friend waited 10 minutes at the register while there was no one else waiting for bowls (i.e. they had no reason to be in the back). We watched the workers gabbing the whole time until they finally decided their conversation was over and they could help a customer. So rude! To top it off, I paid for gluten-free granola and was given regular granola, which made me extremely sick the rest of the day. Food allergies are a serious thing, and not taking them seriously can lead to serious consequences for customers like myself. New staff and better work ethic and I'd be back more often.
(1)
Brianna T.
Their mediums are huge! I couldn't even finish mine. Came here on a Saturday early evening, around 5. No one in line in front of us, but it still took a good 10-15 minutes to get our bowls. Not the end of the world, but slightly inconvenient. Once we received them, though... I got the Tropical and the mister, the Original. I think I might have liked mine better, but his was pretty tasty as well. Delicious granola. Super sweet, but only natural sugars. When we were waiting, we saw one of the girls leave with a bunch of reusable grocery bags, and come back from Sprouts about 20 minutes later with two bags completely full. Their fruit is definitely fresh. We'll be back, and order smalls next time.
(4)
Courtney W.
Delicious!! I'm from San Diego, where acai bowls are essentially worshiped, and this place definitely stood up! The best part is that there are a lot of options. They have like 20 variations to choose from. It's awesome! Will continuously drop in!
(5)
Beatrice L.
I love the concept of delicious healthy treats without the guilt and much to my surprise Thrive delivers. I was pleased to see that their menu has quite a variety of bowls, shakes and smoothies. I just wish we didn't have to drive so far for these yummy treats. Hoping to see a Thrive open up on the west side by West Gate.
(5)
Ricky W.
One star because the bowls are delicious. Other than that this place is horrendous. Slow as all hell, pretty much get your order wrong every single time. That's if they even remember to make it. Usually you wait 15 minutes before finally saying something and they realize they forgot to make it in the first place. Most unorganized operation ever. If they didn't essentially have a monopoly on the Tempe Acai bowl market I'd never go here. Their employees deserve less than minimum wage. Oh and it's overpriced.
(1)
Holly J.
Love this place! My favorite is the Chocolate Coconut Acai bowls and Smoothies. They make everything fresh so it does take a while. But if you call ahead they will have it ready for you when you arrive! It is a healthy option, and works great for my family as it is dairy free and gluten free! This is the real stuff, I have tried other places and it is not the same, you can tell they are using real fruit. The owners are really nice as well and we love that they are on the Arizona Trade Exchange! Can't wait for my next smoothie!
(5)
Ace K.
It is good for what it is. Healthy ingredients, costly, mediocre service is all to be expected based on reviews (and my experience). What is not so obvious is the amount of sugar and carbs that are in the bowls. The medium Original has around 53g of sugar, for example. That is way too much!! It left me zonked out during kickboxing at the martial arts studio next door (Fluid Martial arts, check it out, awesome!). Not surprising that this is not listed on the website. There is a sheet of nutritional value that you can see at the counter, but most people go in thinking it is a sinless treat. But you won't lose much weight eating this much sugar and carbs! If there is any way to cut the sugar down (best I could see was 42g in the medium Chocolate Peanut butter), I would love to go back and indulge some more. In the meantime, I will have to pass for something truly healthy.
(3)
Marie M.
Everytime I come here, I am never disappointed. The fruits are always fresh when I get the bowls. My favorite is Just Acai and the Original. The people are always friendly and the service is quick. I mean it does get busy, because it's a pretty popular place but for the most part it's quick service. Oh and I love the fact it's open till 9pm.
(5)
Megan N.
Don't let the bland interior fool you, this place has excellent bowls and smoothies and is worth every penny! I had a bowl of acai frozen yogurt, chocolate protein powder topped with granola and fruit. Not only is this place delicious for a dessert or fruit bowl but it's healthy.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
THE BEST ACAI BOWLS IN TEMPE! My favorite bowl is the original and the granola is amazing - you can't find it anywhere else! However, if you are in a hurry I don't recommend coming here because it usually takes more than 5 minutes to receive your order...sometimes even longer depending on how many people are there.
(4)
Katie B.
The food was actually really good, the issue was with the service. I went early around 9:30am during a weekday and they were already slammed.It looked like they opened late, because they were still setting up the chairs even though they were supposedly open a half hour earlier. The guy at the counter looked frazzled and stressed, and all the tables looked dirty even though the place had just opened. It may have just been a bad day though. I would go back just to see if this was bad timing.
(3)
Sarah E.
I honestly feel like my wait time for this place is a sick joke. Ordered a green smoothie & it took me 45 minutes to receive it. I understand and appreciate that you make everything fresh, however, you should warn your customers BEFORE purchase if it's going to take that long. Please be respectful of your customers time or hire more staff. I will definitely not be back.
(1)
Bianca A.
This place is the closest I can get to an authentic California acai bowl. It may look like a little hole in the wall, and the customer service isn't all that great, but the acai bowls are amazingggg! There are so many options to choose from and the granola they use has a perfect crunch.
(4)
Karley J.
Loved my bowl! I stay away from Whey Protein so the fact they use Pea Protein is a huge bonus. The only con I have is that it took around 25 minutes to get my bowl. Granted it was the rush hour, I believe the reason was lack of employees. Will be back!
(4)
Tim M.
I just ordered a Chocolate Peanut Butter bowl and it was amazing. The music is a touch too loud the price was also a little bit too high.
(5)
Skip O.
Just got back from Thrive. I got the blackberry bowl. It was really tart, which I guess I should have expected from blackberries. And then there was the sorbet with granola and some fruit on top. It tasted like... sorbet with granola. And that's fine. I don't see why everyone is raving about Thrive, but the bowl I got was okay. I wouldn't be averse to eating at Thrive again, but I won't go out of my way to do so.
(3)
Michelle D.
Finally got to try Thrive Acai (thank you Groupon!) on our way to the Sprouts next door. I got the Chocolate Coconut Bowl and the bf got the Chocolate Cherry. They were both great, though I liked mine a bit better since it had pea protein, which gave it a smooth yummy texture. The ladies at the counter were knowledgeable and helpful, even though we came in about 10 minutes before closing. Took off one star due to the bowl taking a little long to make, and the whole place smelling really strongly like the nail salon next door. They mentioned something about fixing the ventilation soon. I hope so, I plan to go back soon!
(4)
Mae C.
Thrive is amazing! The bowls are delicious and healthy! I would not recommend anyone to try the protein shakes, they are extremely chalky and not at all tasty. The employees were kind and accommodating. My sister got a shake and wanted more strawberries because she couldn't taste them. They agreed with enthusiasm and added more strawberries with out any extra charge! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Every bowl that I have tried has been delicious!
(4)
Lou M.
Grouponed here, great dessert and good service. You will find the decor and seating a little basic, and the prices a little high. However, they use high-quality ingredients, healthy stuff, and serve huge portions so it's not really that pricey from that perspective. Check out their menu online first, since they have a lot of options.
(4)
Rachel R.
THRIVE...IN TEMPE?! As in, we don't have to make a weekly voyage to Gilbert for a bowl of all things pure and wonderful? I'll eat to that. Their expanded menu, simplified bowl sizes, and convenient location are all improvements from the original location, which was already worthy of copious amounts of praise. If you don't know what an acai bowl is, use the appeal of the mystery to transport yourself there. If you do know, be warned: Thrive beats the Brazilian version, the SoCal version, and everything in between when it comes to mastering the acai bowl. Addiction is definitely in your future. With flavors like blackberry walnut, chocolate coconut, and every super-food add-in under the sun, it's no wonder this college-town newcomer is already a total hit amongst hippies, hipsters, and sorostitutes alike. With enough support, perhaps my ultimate dream of Thrive running every crappy FroYo place into the ground might just come true.
(5)
Whitney W.
The acai and pitaya bowls are so good but every single time I have come the service is TERRIBLE. Does it really take 30minutes to make something that requires no heat? Also, everyone who works here look pretty much miserable. Smile! This job can't be that hard and I'm sure employees get a discount on their bowls... Sometimes I wonder why I keep coming back. Called in a to-go order at 9:45, said it would be 15minutes...It's almost 10:15 and still my order isn't ready. I can see them making bowls through the window and it doesn't look like they have even started any to-go order. Please work on your service!!!
(2)
Tiffani M.
Not impressed. I feel like I just paid too much for frozen yogurt with fruit on top. The bowl I had was a cherry walnut, and it was okay. It definitely didn't blow my mind. The fact that they have all of their vitamins and supplements in bottled powder or liquid form tells me their idea of nutrition is a little off base. Also - I realize this isn't entirely their fault, but there is a nail salon next door and the odor of acetone coming through into their shop is - overwhelming! I don't see how anyone eats in there, it was nauseating. The smell of chemicals isn't really synonymous with the healthy image they're trying to create. Also the atmosphere is a bit clinical... The shop is very sparse, so sound just echoes everywhere and it's just kind of awkward. All in all, I'd say this place is "eh" at best... If you're looking for something that is really healthy - go to Chop Shop or Green.
(2)
Camille B.
Vegan paradise (excluding honey if you're one of those)! This place is the only thing my morning sickness will really crave, haha. If you think it's "frozen yogurt" then you have no idea what an acai bowl is and have no business reviewing this place anyway. You've probably paid more at one of those weigh-out-pounds-of-yogurt places, blarg.
(5)
Alexa J.
Today was my first time at Thrive Acai Bowls. I was born and raised in Hawaii and I'm here visiting my brother and his family for the summer. There's a nice little joint that I went to regularly in Hawaii that makes THE BEST acai bowls and when I came up here and found out about Thrive you can imagine how excited I was. I must say that it was a little weird to me that they made the bowls in a back room because back in Hawaii they make it right in front of you and dice up fresh fruit and here it's prepared in a separate room. The other thing that bothered me was that we were the only ones in there and it took 20 minutes before they brought out just 1 of our bowls! four other girls came in about 10 minutes after us and they all got their bowls before us! Although they were a lot skimpier on the fruit than I'm used to it was delicious and the staff were fairly friendly. Overall the place is okay! However, Hawaii will always be my favorite place for an Acai Bowl! :~)
(3)
Chelsea M.
So delicious and such a nice alternative to ice cream. Can eat it for a meal or have it as a healthy treat. My kids love it
(4)
S R.
Reluctantly I entered this place that smells like bad breath bit I had a Groupon requiring me to use $20 in two visits. When the cashier marked my voucher redeemed, I brought it to his attention that I had a balance and he said that during my next visit I can redeem the remaining balance. During the second visit this same cashier was not available. The cashier working said he could not help me since my voucher said redeemed on my phone even after I explained what the previous cashier said he would honor the remaining balance. He could have tried it but wasn't willing to. Working through Groupon to resolve this. I hope they can help. BTW be sure to see how much sugar is in their smoothies and frozen Acai bowls.... Yikes!!!
(1)
Elliott G.
Consistently delicious! Love coming here after visiting the neighboring Planet Fitness. Great spot to stop by on the go.
(5)
Eric C.
People that work in this place are super nice ordered the chocolate peanut butter protein shake and it was bomb will be back again if I'm in need if a healthy snack that is still delicious
(5)
Saydi C.
Finally came to try this place and I am very happy with the Go Green bowl! I think the only green part of it is the spinach, but it was still delicious. 4 stars because I was hoping for more of a yogurt style than a sorbet (which is mixed with cane sugar) but then vegans and lactose intolerants wouldn't be able to enjoy it also, so that's fair! Will definitely come back. Also, it's really not that expensive. I mean for 7 bucks I had my regular-sized bowl as a meal. Totally worth it!! The girls were all super awesome and explained everything to me since it was my first time in. :)
(4)
Samantha J.
This was my second time at this location both times I got a chocolate banana protein shake and an original bowl the first time it was good this time not so much. The Shake is chalky and has a very off taste. When I asked the horl she said they made it how they normally do. There was no offer to rectify the situation. When I stated that it was disgusting and I guess I just wasted my money she just looked at me and said oh sorry. I guess I wont be going back here after all. I am so disappointed!
(1)
Bryan T.
If you're used to acai bowls where the acai is semi-frozen and delicious, that's not what you're going to find here. Ours was really runny. Maybe we are biased having just returned from Hawaii where the acai bowls are nothing short of spectacular, but this was really disappointing.
(2)
Michael S.
I was here at 9 and according to Yelp and Google, they were "Open". According to the locked door and the stacked chairs they were not open. I guess I'll wait around a while... Doors opened at 10 after and didn't get my bowl until 9:35 due to the one employee and line of 20 people. I think I'll pass on coming to this location. The Gilbert one has plenty of help and seems to open on time.
(1)
Briana S.
Acai bowls are my newest and truest addiction. Thrive knows how to whip up an amazing bowl! The inside is pretty sparse with the big menus, several tables and a couple of couches and an area to buy powders on display. The colors are loud and fun, kind of like their ingredient combos! The girl at the counter was really nice and the wide window looking in to the back where the kitchen is a cool touch. I ordered the chocolate peanut butter Acai bowl and my friend got their new Pitaya (dragonfruit) bowl. You can get a small, medium, or large bowl and considering how hungry we were we decided on mediums. These are generous helpings for $8! Our bright bowls came out and mine was full of pb, Acai, chocolate pea protein powder, hemp protein, bananas and strawberries. This was rich, filling and oh so good. My only "negative" is that they don't have much outdoor seating, when the weather was as beautiful as today everyone would want to sit outside and eat their treats! They have smoothies as well, they look thick and delicious as well, but they have stolen my heart when it comes to bowls!
(5)
Claire S.
I love Thrive. It's always clean inside, the staff is always friendly, and the acai bowls are consistently amazing! It is pricey though, which is the only downfall.
(5)
Alexa M.
LOVE ME SOME ACAI! Thrive has got a great little store front with catchy slogans and what not. The menu is awesome and I definitely suggest the green bowl. I'm not sure how I feel about the set up with the kitchen in the back and all but I'll forgive them for taking so long on an acai bowl because it was really really good. I may try the gluten free granola next time because whatever they use regularly is quite light and crunchy. I also think they should potentially get vita-mix's or industrial type blenders rather than the little bullets I saw them using. I had a huge chunk of acai on the bottom of my bowl & it just seems like blenders would be more useful honestly.
(4)
Jennifer V.
It's a smoothie, in a bowl, so more frozen, with nothing but GENUINELY healthy ingredients, but it doesn't taste "eww, healthy" !! Yes, it is somewhat more expensive than ice cream or a frozen yogurt, but it really is due to the quality of ingredients. NO fillers, no dairy, no sugar, no "fake" sweeteners... your body will truly thank you. And really, you have to get a BIIIGGG bowl with lots of extra stuff to get the price up over $10... It would be a serious M E A L ....
(5)
Michael S.
A co-worker of mine sent me a link to this restaurants website, and since she knows that I am trying to eat more "healthy", recommended this place as a healthy alternative for lunch. So after about a week and half of hemming and hawing, I finally decided to give the place a try. I ordered a regular raspberry, pecan bowl, with pea protein, whey protein, and extra granola . . . won't lie . . . thought it was kinda pricey for what I ordered . . . over $10.00. Since the place is extremely small . . . three tables and a two seat bar counter inside, and two table outside . . . and with no place to sit, I got my order to go. 30 MINUTES LATER . . . My order finally was ready . . . definitely needs more than two people working and more seating if this place is going to be successful . . . even the UPS man who was delivering a package left after 10 minutes of not even being acknowledged. Oh well . . . after a short trip back to the office, I sat down to enjoy my acia bowl . . . and I was pleasantly suprised . . . I was really, really good. Very tasty, just the right balance of smoothness, crunchiness, and sweetness. Will I be back . . . probably . . . but if all of the seating is taken, and / or there are people waiting in line to order . . . I will probably go somewhere else.
(2)
Jamie C.
This place makes absolutely delicious acai bowls! I loved going there, but I won't anymore due to my last two experiences. I have an allergy to walnuts, and an even more severe allergy to peanuts. A few weeks ago I ordered the chocolate coconut bowl asking to make sure there weren't either peanuts or walnuts in it. They said there wasn't so I took the bowl home only to find it completely topped with walnuts. Unfortunately I had to throw it away but I understood mistakes happen. This past Friday though, I ordered four chocolate coconut bowls (not all for me!), again making sure there were not peanuts or walnuts. I opened one up in the parking lot to immediately make sure there were no walnuts on it (almonds and coconut are the loves of my life!) and ate one of them. Immediately, my throat closed up, my face turned purple, and I broke out in hives. I had to use my epi pen and headed to the hospital. My boyfriend called to ask them about the bowls and they said they didn't use any peanuts, but my allergic reaction I had was to peanuts. I hadn't eaten anything else that day and had the chocolate coconut bowl many times before. I am not sure what happened, but somehow peanuts or peanut butter ended up in my bowl. The place is awesome and the people are so nice, but food allergies are no joke so I won't be going back. If you don't have any allergies though the place is great!
(1)
Angelica M.
DELICIOUS! I love that they have gluten free granola! My fav is the cherry bowl. I wish they would get the previous to go covers for the bowls because all of the honey sticks to the lid /: But other then that the staff is great, bowls are yummy, and protein shakes a little chalky but good (:
(4)
Caitlin C.
Delicious, filling, healthy. I will be back!
(5)
Lauren C.
Big news: there is now a Tempe location of Thrive. So if you've been dying to go, but Gilbert is too far away, you now have no excuse. Go immediately. Even if you don't live near Tempe either, it's worth the trip. And even if you've never heard of Thrive or acai bowls, you should still go. Whether you are a superfood enthusiast or so clueless about this stuff that you think it's pronounced ah-kay, you will not regret going to Thrive. (Its ah-sigh-yee by the way.) I, a vegan, took my Big-Mac-eating boyfriend, and we ordered a chocolate peanut butter acai bowl. I immediately loved the think, creamy, rich taste and texture of the acai blended with homemade peanut butter and pure cacao topped with fresh fruit (never frozen at this place, don't worry) and simple, crunchy granola. Although my boyfriend insisted that he wouldn't like my "weird vegan stuff", we were definitely fighting over the last few bites. So go immediately, and drag as many friends as you can. Side note: even though it's a bit pricey, it's because the ingredients are such high quality. And as an added plus, they have a rewards system, so GO NOW. And as often as possible.
(5)
Suzanne A.
Delicious reasonably priced acai bowls. The storefront is small but clean and well organized. I had the chocolate peanut butter bowl and my daughter had the cherry walnut. Both were amazing. The fruit was super fresh and the serving size for the price was perfect. Definitely will become a regular stop for us in the future.
(5)
Andi K.
Yummy, healthy...love it!!!
(4)
Dee H.
The peanut butter acai smoothie was scrumptious and not too sweet, which was perfect for me. However, I don't feel it was worth $7 (12-16 oz?) and the 15 minute wait. There were about 5 customers in the store and everyone seemed to be waiting. Maybe they were short staffed, so it's worth giving them another try and a revised review. Till next time...
(2)
G B.
Since my original review a year ago I've been to Thrive numerous times. The wait time has improved unless you go during lunch hour or at other rush times, I suspect. The Acai bowls are still wonderful but I would say that 30% of the time my order is incorrect and I see that others are having to send theirs back for corrections as well. I think if you plan for a few mistakes ans extra time it's well worth the visit as the atmosphere is pleasant and the bowls are wonderful!
(3)
Marie N.
The bowls are unique as well as the smoothies. They have a great variety. The staff is helpful and place is upbeat. The only thing I would leave out is the whey or pea protein. I don't know what kind they use but it gives everything a funky taste. Would recommend and would go again.
(4)
Wendiee H.
I've never tried an Acai Bowl before. I found this place on yelp and decided to try it on a whim. The young lady at the counter was friendly and knowledgeable. I tried the Go Green bowl because she said that's one of her favorites. I'm glad I took her advice. It was delicious and affordable. Under $6 for a small (yet filling) bowl and a bottled water. The place has a nice laid back atmosphere with good music playing. I'm definitely coming back again.
(5)
Melissa W.
I love all the food here. I go here quite often. It is a bit expensive. But I'm ok with that. I'm only giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the staff isn't very personable or nice to me. Other reviews say otherwise but every time I go in they seem unhappy and irritated. It won't stop me from going, I just wish they would seem to enjoy their job a little bit more.
(4)
C J.
I didn't think the acai bowls were that great..I came here twice and had the original and the green bowl. I mean they tasted good it was sweet and refreshing on a hot winter day in February, but I honestly could make the same thing myself but healthier with less added sugar, (and extra spinach/kale and flaxseed) and cheaper (a small came to $5 something). Which is exactly what I did lol. It's just a personal preference thing I guess, for smoothies I always prefer to make them myself cause I know what's going in and how much sugar I'm getting, whereas at Jamba Juice it's like getting sorbet. Same concept for these. Worker was very friendly though.
(3)
Amanda b.
Organic, full of antioxidants, and just refreshing and delicious! Thrive has 15 different acai bowls to choose from and also has smoothies! Today I had the Go Green bowl and it was so tasty. I always feel so refreshed after eating here.
(5)
Joe I.
when you walk in the door the color scheme is a lot like jamba juice but they got half way there and stopped. so it is left looking less like a healthfood/smoothie place and more like a commercial doctors office. you have to ask what is in each smoothie as the ingredients are nowhere to be found. I was hoping to see sugar and calorie counts. a large smoothie seems half the size of jambas and cost a lot more. there is a window where you can see the workers in back all having a good time and barely working on your order and I was told the owner was there! the tropical smoothie I got was so so. wont be back.
(1)
Emma P.
Acai bowls were delicious but the wait was a bit long!
(4)
Hannah S.
My husband and I went in for a sample and were blown away with how delicious, fresh and healthy these bowls are. We are heading there tonight for a first time, full helping of a bowl. I love the fact that they use pea protein and whole ingredients. They also offer gluten free granola as a topping and all their bowls are naturally dairy free. This will definitely be my frozen-yogurt replacement!
(5)
Lynn C.
OMG!! I cannot express into words nor articulate the immense amount of PURE JOY I felt running through my veins when I saw there was an acai bowl place right next to my beloved sprouts I frequently more often than I am proud to admit :). I just about flew inside to place my order. I was greeted right away, MAJOR POINTS and feasted my eyes upon the menu- only wish they had take out menus available so I cold take advantage of their option to call ahead and place an order. You can tell by the inside decor that they are just starting up and have yet to complete their overall design vision, but they have a cute comfy couch and a few supplements on the shelf, but needless to say, they offer superb service and a great product, so who really cares if the walls are cream white or sunshine yellow??
(5)
Anthony T.
I've see Acai before but didn't know what it was. Thrive is more than a smoothie bar, the Acai bowls are tasty and better for you than ice cream! The CR500 weight loss program they offer works as well....so far I've lost 15 pounds in 21 days! Thanks Marcy!
(5)
Yvonne T.
Came here to cure an intense craving for acai bowls, which are the craze in Southern California, but starting to gain traction in Arizona recently. The acai bowls were dense and loaded with acai and frozen fruit. They are slightly skimpy with fresh fruit toppings and the wait time was longer than expected.
(4)
Samantha H.
Had the extreme green smoothie and mango passion smoothie, soooooo delicious and nutritious!! Mmmmmm
(5)
Yvette T.
As an Orange County native, I had the luxury of eating acai bowls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I wanted; however, acai bowls are a rarer commodity in Arizona. Thus, I was so excited to learn that Thrive had just open a location in Tempe. The acai bowls are to die for...unless you prefer the taste of artificial flavors over real fruit. Don't order a small because you'll definitely want to eat more!!
(5)
Kelly M.
Good stuff and very refreshing
(4)
Crys K.
I've never had an Acai bowl before... I didn't know they were in Gilbert also, because I've never been. I really thought the staff was great, the sample I received was amazing and what I ended up ordering (an AMAZING homemade peanut butter acai bowl) was absolutely delicious. I have a feeling I'll be a regular and hope I can recruit as many of my friends as possible to go there. It has a nice atmosphere and felt really inviting. They even have offered me a gluten free option which though I'm not allergic to gluten was really happy about because a couple of my friends are. So glad this place is in my area of town and that I stopped in to check it out.
(5)
John J.
Following our Rappel AZ experience we were looking for a snack after lunch... We were looking for a Jamba, and stumbled across thrive. Much Fresher, no sugar, and absolutely perfect fruit based dessert.... I would highly recommend frequenting here..
(5)
C. B.
This is the perfect stop for a yummy, guilt-free meal with soooo many varieties and choices, I want to try them all but I definitely have favorites. The add-ons make it that much healthier and they do punch cards! The people are super friendly and phone orders make ordering on the go so easy.
(5)
Anne A.
The first thing I thought when I heard about this place is finally a place near campus that is actually fresh and healthy. Unfortunately the customer service is awful. It is a tiny awkward store front. Not somewhere I would sit down with friends like you would at a yogurt shop. There are literally 3 tables and not even a menu posted on the wall. There were literally 3 people working and they took forever to fill an order of 2 items. Its a great idea and the product is good but with bad service, lack of menu on the wall, and terribly slow service I dont think it will be around for long.
(3)
Jon T.
This place and the food is great. It may not be perfect, but I enjoy the concept and that these people are trying to do something hats very cool. I ordered an original medium bowl and walked out very full. It was only 300 calories! Great for us who are dieting a little..
(5)
Regal B.
Not impressed by this place at all. Honestly, I had pretty high expectations because a few friends of mine really like it here. I got the Go Green bowl which sounded amazing, so I was pretty excited. It surprisingly took awhile before I got my order and I was the only customer there. All you have to do is blend the fruits together and add toppings. There were 2 people working in the "kitchen" and one in the front. Oh wait, one working in the kitchen and one was just on her phone. Anyway, I took my food to go and was pretty excited, but when I took my first bite I realized... This bowl doesn't have much taste! Seriously, all the blend was BLAND. I don't know why! Also, the strawberries on top, though the were few, were too ripe. I like a nice tart strawberry on top of my bowl to balance the sweetness that would have came from the blend and the honey on top. One positive, the granola is delicious!
(2)
Lee H.
Small shop, nearby, and I was a very hungry vegan. Ordered two smoothies with companion. Smoothies were delicious however they cook 30 minutes (yes, really) to make. We had ordered small sizes and it seemed like so little for such a long wait. There were at least three staff working and only two other tables. Disappointed.
(2)
Tamara L.
15 different available bowl options plus smoothies, & snacks. Available bowls are a tasty sorbet type treat/meal. Store is a little boring inside & small but you don't come for the ambiance you come for the bowls which are delicious. Service can be a little slow at times but well worth the wait. Try it, you know you want to.
(4)
April S.
Location: it is a small shop with 4-5 tables in it. Overall it is very clean and cozy to hang out with a few friends at night. Service: friendly. Food: for those of you who like healthy eating, they have a great selection of items that you might like. Most items have lots of filters and fruits in them. Rating: I'll come back here again to try something else.
(3)
Marisa S.
Smoothie was good and priced appropriately. Environment could be a little it more cleaner and put together.
(4)
Alex C.
Great acai bowls, incredibly slow service. Plan on waiting at lease 20 minutes for a bowl or smoothie.
(2)
Alyse H.
Ive gotten a smoothie here a couple of times and they are always really good. They pack a ton of fruits and veggies into the smoothies, including kale and spinach, but they don't taste like greens. It's pretty pricey for the smoothies, but I think the bowls are actually pretty reasonable compared to other acai bowl places I've seen. I wish the menu had descriptions of the smoothies because it would be easier than asking the person working there to tell me the contents of each one.
(4)
AJ P.
It's almost comical. Tried Thrive again. Got the Strawberry Passion. In the menu description it says that it's topped with granola, pineapple, honey and strawberries (plural). I'll attach a picture of what I got. It has to be less than one strawberry. I'm just constantly disappointed. Cmon...you're right next to Sprouts. Surely you can hook up some kind of deal!
(1)
Jane C.
I went to Thrive for the first time yesterday. It's a really cute and small establishment and the employees were very friendly. I was kind of overwhelmed by the amount of options for acai bowls. I ended up getting a chocolate peanut butter acai bowl and my friend got the original. They were delicious! The peanut butter was really filling and the fruit seemed very fresh. I'll definitely be back again!
(5)
Emma R.
I don't know what they do to their granola but I seriously am addicted. I am boring and always get the original bowl because it's just that good. They have so many sweet, fruity, chocolatey options though. Their acai bowls are the best I have ever had. Freshly made and top quality
(5)
Ronna E.
Super Yummy & Very healthy!!!! :) Woohoo, Love this place. A little pricey but you get your monk's worth! Delicious & filling with total vibrancy!
(5)
Lillie H.
There can never be enough great things said about a place that serves healthy food that taste so great. I stick with the original bowl but have tried a handful of others, the tropical comes in a close second. Great now I'm hungry. Love me some Thrive! Once upon a time there were naughty unfriendly ladies working the counter. I'm pleased to report most of the gentleman that work here are pleasant but girls be warned the chicks are not the friendliest.
(5)
Janae C.
The acai bowls are extremely delicious! They are a little pricey but that's simply because acai berries are a little pricey to begin with. The bowls are also huge and filling which makes it worth it! My only complaint is the employees. They lack serious customer service skills. They never EVER smile or say "hello" or "goodbye". When I arrive, they are usually in the back and they take a while to come out and take my order. They are all about college-aged and seem to hate their lives or are just bored out of their minds. Just wish that one of my favorite places held a higher standard of customer service for their employees. Also get better hours! I workout around 10 and they are not open then. They are also closed on Sunday which I such a bummer...
(4)
R. B.
For me, the dealbreaker is that their ingredients are not organic. Their marketing doesn't miss a buzz word to suggest that their products are good for your health, but the antioxidants and vitamins in those berries won't do you much good if they are laced with a ton of toxic pesticides. Conventional berries are some of the worst offenders in the pesticide department, and conventional strawberries are among the worst of the worst. It boggles the mind how a business that markets healthy eating could be totally oblivious to that. Switch to organic Thrive, and you might win me back as a customer.
(1)
Kristen B.
This place is acai-mazing! Seriously I'm sad I no longer live in the area so I can't frequent this place more often. They exclusively sell acai bowls, pitaya bowls, smoothies and some protein powder and quest bars. So.... don't come here for a sandwich and act surprised. What I love... -nutrition facts available -chocolate peanut butter bowl -plentiful nuts and granola on top -even a small is super filling -satisfies my sweets craving with natural sugars -chocolate peanut butter bowl -perfect consistency. It's just like fro-yo. I've wasted time and money trying to make my own which are just smoothies. - chocolate peanut butter bowl -consistent product -better bowls than Neckter for sure. (I've never had Thrive's smoothies so I can't speak to that) Why is one star missing then? - sometimes staffing issues. They seem to have solved weekend problems that I've had when they just opened. But sometimes I'll even call ahead on a weekday night and they say half hour to pick up. Really? You can get delivered whole entrees quicker than that! This is honestly just a matter of blending some fruit together. Despite their expertise (and my lack of) using a blender, its not worth a thirty minute wait. So if you're not in a hurry or starving definitely stop by Thrive Acai Bowls. A good snack, dessert, or even a decent meal substitute if you get a medium or large size. I feel pretty confident you won't be disappointed
(4)
Shelby N.
Used to love this place but they've cut down their portions, have gotten cheap, stopped putting a decent amount of fruit, and girls had an attitude. Definitely not worth the price anymore!
(2)
Cheryl B.
Aaaasssighyeeeeeeeee! It doesn't matter how you say it, you just have to try it! Lured in by a groupon and a growing addiction for smoothies I couldn't resist! I walked in for a smoothie and walked out addicted to the acia bowls! A tasty blend of fruit, acai sorbet, honey, granola, pea protein and even veggies blended into sweet perfection! The bowls are huge and are definitely sharable, perhaps a bit smaller when taken to go. They are made fresh so it does take a bit of time, if you're in a hurry you can call your order in ahead of time. My princess and I love the chocolate coconut(made with cocoa flavored pea protein) & the peanut butter bowl(made with cashew butter). The Green bowl is a sweet surprise with fruit and spinach. We've had the cherry& mango smoothies, so yummy! Our punch card is over half way full, after 10 punches you receive a free medium bowl. Thrive is a fruit filled blend of guilt free perfection!
(4)
Alex S.
$8-9 for a large (16-18oz?) smoothie... Even with real fruit and juices is ludicrously expensive. Took quite a while for the smoothie to be made too so I sat and waited. Furniture is filthy and stained. Not sure of a better option but this isn't even a last resort.
(1)
Jane D.
My son took me there today and I had the original and it was very good. I'm sure I'll go there again.
(5)
Eugene L.
I love this place but it's just a bit too expensive for me to become a regular here. However, many people have contested that Acai berries are just expensive to begin with so I won't deduct any stars in my review. Medium bowls are about $8, and large bowls are around $10. Large bowls are great for sharing between two people though. It's always fresh and clean here, and the service is always great. I love that they have a window to the kitchen. I don't love that the place smells like a nail polish remover.
(4)
Rashmi G.
I've been to Thrive twice now, ordered a bowl the first time & a protein smoothie the other. The bowl was alright / pretty good. I liked the smoothie-like consistency & taste of the blend at the bottom of the bowl but didn't care much for the granola & fruit which is why I got the protein smoothie the next time. I wasn't a huge fan of the after taste. I like the concept of this place, however, so I'll probably go back. I'd like to try one the regular smoothies to see how that stacks up!
(3)
Marc B.
I had a choco protein shake. it was good. my complaint is that this place is not clean. the guy who took my order was wearing a filthy apron.
(3)
Eilonwy W.
Acai is the new froyo? I joined the line for a free acai bowl mostly because I never queue for free anything and thought my bucket list should include doing so just once. The atmosphere is sort of the mullet of snack shops: Jamba Juice-like in the front and medical-office-like in the back. For a while in the line, I was worried that I'd accidentally queued for free botox or pedicures or weird treatments that involved cucumbers and mild electric currents. The acai bowl, when finally achieved, was really good. It's sweet-tart in a refreshing way -- it does actually taste roughly the red-purple shade that it is -- as it's basically a fruit smoothie soft-serve. The five-ounce bowl comes with slices of banana, berries, and a sprinkling of granola that's useful for absorbing the last melted bits of soft-serve. In the relentless sun of suburban Tempe, it has the magic taste of feeling about five years younger, deeply wise and earnest (if not actually in touch with the spirit of yoga masters), and in need of flowing garments with fringes. When not a free offering, these are ungodly expensive. They're probably also little calorie bombs on the same scale as froyo. If I were at this shopping center again, I'd have another on my own dime because Tempe is, for me, a vast beige suburban wasteland of dehydration that I need Calories of Refreshing Happiness to endure, and these calories are extremely refreshing and happy. If it were where I change buses on the way home from work, though, it wouldn't be a habitual stop.
(3)
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Address :1726 E Southern Ave,Ste 3
Tempe, AZ, 85282
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dessert Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Chris H.
I'll be honest, I had absolutely no idea what an acai bowl was up until now. That being said, of course, I had to try Thrive! to find out what it was all about. For anyone else that was confused like me out there, it is basically a smoothie in a bowl. Think a yogurt parfait but with acai sorbet instead since they are dairy, soy, and sugar free. It was very good. I love the tart taste of acai and the fruit that they used was fresh. The staff was patient while I took my time trying to decide what I wanted to order. No line at all on a Monday around noon. I wouldn't go so far to say it is a meal but rather a delicious treat and healthier than other possible options.
(4)Belle C.
Whoever invented this whole acai bowl fad, I am your biggest fan! And thank goodness for this local place to bless Arizona with their presence in several locations. I had tried my first acai bowl at a different local juice bar and was quite loyal to them until I came across Thrive! The price to portion ratio is the best of all the places of tried and I've tried A LOT. If there's acai on the menu, I get it. But Thrive definitely is at the top of my list. I have never been to a place that serves so many varieties and plays on flavors of acai! It is superfood to it's highest degree. All the ingredients are high quality and fresh to the taste. It must help to be located right next to Sprouts! The plaza itself is a win with these 2 businesses in existence. The staff is always super friendly. It can get busy so be prepared to wait a few minutes for your order - don't come here if you're in any rush. You do have the option to call in your order though I have never tried it. I also suggest having your bowl 'for here' because it feels like you get more bang for your buck in their dine-in bowls compared to the to-go bowls. A small is more than filling for one. The boyfriend enjoys their smoothies. Always love the music playing, that is a plus. There's limited seating inside. A few tables outside. They sell Quest bars in a number of flavors for those on the prowl for them. And other healthy snacks as well as a brand of protein and supplements I believe. Free wifi. What more can you ask for?
(5)Jasmine C.
I had no idea what an acai bowl was when we arrived. The gal behind the counter explained it as a thick smoothie in a bowl that is topped with granola and other items that you eat with a spoon. No idea they were so big or filling. We ordered 3 - Chocolate Walnut, Chocolate Coconut and Raspberry Lime. I thought the Raspberry Lime was by far the best flavor. We didn't finish them and I think it was quite pricey. I would recommend if you have never been to order one - try it - and then order more if you like it or are still hungry. Also, the kids and I realized we are not fans of granola. So.... if we ever try it again we will order without granola or just try the smoothies.
(3)Jenna C.
Be careful if you are trying to "be healthy" here. I can't imagine that caloric impact these bowls impart. SO MUCH ADDED SUGAR. Natural sugar too... but even that much natural sugar can't be good. Make your own shake or ask what is in each item, cause you will be downing 1/2 a days worth of calories in one gulp, if you aren't careful.
(3)Irene T.
I have heard so many talk about how much they love acai bowls. I don't have a sweet tooth so I was never so inclined to go try it. My sister however has a sweet tooth and is on a health binge. We decided to check this place out for a healthy snack and we were so satisfied and happy! The fruits are super fresh, granola is to die for, and the acai smoothie at the bottom was yummmmy! If you're looking to be really healthy the acai bowl is a good meal replacement.
(5)Karen W.
After the demise of the Argentinian sandwich shop here, I wondered what business would take the place in this location. I was naturally intrigued when I found out that there would be a smoothie and acai bowl place opening up in its stead. I think this is a great location for acai bowls, since Sprouts is just a few steps away, bringing in the more health-conscious crowd. I went in with high hopes of getting a healthy, fruitful bowl. There are quite a few bowls to choose from, some of them fruity, others more dessert-like, with peanut butter and chocolate. I opted for a fruitier bowl, getting the tropical. This was my first time trying an acai bowl, and it was quite tasty. The bottom layer was a smooth, thick acai puree/sorbet-like mixture, which tasted berry-like. There was crunchy, sweet granola layered in between the acai and the tropical fruit (Banana, mango, and pineapple), with large, thin shaved pieces of coconut completing the bowl. The granola itself was a high quality mixture, containing ingredients such as flax seed. The bowl was a nice mixture of textures and of tastes. I ordered a small (About $5), and it definitely filled me up! Service was very friendly, and they offer a points reward system which uses your e-mail to keep track of your purchases. The interior is pretty bare-bones, and it seems like they kept much of the same color scheme as the previous owner. Definitely a good place to go if you're looking for a healthier alternative to dessert, or if you want a lighter (Yet filling) meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
(4)Jalen D.
So delicious! My favorite healthy snack. Love this place and their employees. Very relaxing environment.
(5)Michele K.
The chocolate peanut butter bowl was amazing! Great peanut butter taste and the chocolate flavor was rich without being too sweet. My husband had the cherry walnut bowl. He said that it was "damn delicious". Nice tart flavor and delicious granola. The restaurant smells funky, but the food is worth the odd smell...!
(4)Myrrhine F.
I'll start out by saying the bowls are yummy, but that is about the only good thing about this particular Thrive. The customer service is SO bad it overshadows the bowls. I have been here about 3 or 4 times and I have had to wait 10+ minutes in the store every time, even when I called my order in ahead of time. Furthermore, on more than one occasion, they have gotten my order wrong, or put the wrong toppings on the wrong bowl (when I ordered 2). It's really not worth your time or energy to deal with this kind of service. Very unimpressed. Maybe the owner should consider hiring more people?
(2)Leigh P.
The service is great. The selection of the bowls is great. The fact that they use organic fruits is great. My big problem is that they use a pea protein blend and unfortunately, I didn't catch this until they were already working on my bowl, the protein mix they use is loaded with sugar. This completely takes away from the healthiness of these bowls. I will not return to the place unless they change their ingredients to include ONLY natural sweeteners and I will not recommend it to anyone. Very disappointed in this product.
(3)Brad K.
Five star acai bowls. But man, this place stinks. I ordered the original acai bowl that contains strawberries, bananas, blueberries, granola, and honey atop an acai berry blend. It tasted amazing, all the fruits were very fresh, and I had no complaints about the food itself. However, the restaurant smelled very strongly of bleach, and it obscured the taste of the food so much that I had to eat outside. I'm not sure if it is the cleaning product they use or something else, but it is something that the management should definitely attend to, as I couldn't even taste was I was eating. I paid 75 extra cents for more strawberries, but I received a total of 4 cut strawberries on top of the granola. Other acai joints I have been to give you a minimum of 7-10 strawberries without having to pay extra. I would return simply because of how good it tasted, but the overall experience leaves something to be desired. A side-note is that their eat-in portions are bigger than their takeout portions. A small for eating in is the same size as a medium takeout, and a medium for eating in is a large in their takeout size.
(4)Rae G.
I really enjoy coming her after I workout at the gym. The cold bowls are very refreshing and my fav is the raspberry lime. The only bummer is-when I see a little line I want to turn around and leave because I know it's going to take FOREVER! Please hire more people!
(4)KtMila F.
Over-Hyped. They offer vegan options and everything is natural but the taste is nothing out if this world and the wait time is a bit ridiculous. Not something I would go out of my way for.
(2)Brittany N.
I've been in here half a dozen times, and the bowls are amazing but the staff and overall experience is the pits. It is a very hit or miss situation with how many people will be ordering, so I understand the need to be lightly staffed, but my friend waited 10 minutes at the register while there was no one else waiting for bowls (i.e. they had no reason to be in the back). We watched the workers gabbing the whole time until they finally decided their conversation was over and they could help a customer. So rude! To top it off, I paid for gluten-free granola and was given regular granola, which made me extremely sick the rest of the day. Food allergies are a serious thing, and not taking them seriously can lead to serious consequences for customers like myself. New staff and better work ethic and I'd be back more often.
(1)Brianna T.
Their mediums are huge! I couldn't even finish mine. Came here on a Saturday early evening, around 5. No one in line in front of us, but it still took a good 10-15 minutes to get our bowls. Not the end of the world, but slightly inconvenient. Once we received them, though... I got the Tropical and the mister, the Original. I think I might have liked mine better, but his was pretty tasty as well. Delicious granola. Super sweet, but only natural sugars. When we were waiting, we saw one of the girls leave with a bunch of reusable grocery bags, and come back from Sprouts about 20 minutes later with two bags completely full. Their fruit is definitely fresh. We'll be back, and order smalls next time.
(4)Courtney W.
Delicious!! I'm from San Diego, where acai bowls are essentially worshiped, and this place definitely stood up! The best part is that there are a lot of options. They have like 20 variations to choose from. It's awesome! Will continuously drop in!
(5)Beatrice L.
I love the concept of delicious healthy treats without the guilt and much to my surprise Thrive delivers. I was pleased to see that their menu has quite a variety of bowls, shakes and smoothies. I just wish we didn't have to drive so far for these yummy treats. Hoping to see a Thrive open up on the west side by West Gate.
(5)Ricky W.
One star because the bowls are delicious. Other than that this place is horrendous. Slow as all hell, pretty much get your order wrong every single time. That's if they even remember to make it. Usually you wait 15 minutes before finally saying something and they realize they forgot to make it in the first place. Most unorganized operation ever. If they didn't essentially have a monopoly on the Tempe Acai bowl market I'd never go here. Their employees deserve less than minimum wage. Oh and it's overpriced.
(1)Holly J.
Love this place! My favorite is the Chocolate Coconut Acai bowls and Smoothies. They make everything fresh so it does take a while. But if you call ahead they will have it ready for you when you arrive! It is a healthy option, and works great for my family as it is dairy free and gluten free! This is the real stuff, I have tried other places and it is not the same, you can tell they are using real fruit. The owners are really nice as well and we love that they are on the Arizona Trade Exchange! Can't wait for my next smoothie!
(5)Ace K.
It is good for what it is. Healthy ingredients, costly, mediocre service is all to be expected based on reviews (and my experience). What is not so obvious is the amount of sugar and carbs that are in the bowls. The medium Original has around 53g of sugar, for example. That is way too much!! It left me zonked out during kickboxing at the martial arts studio next door (Fluid Martial arts, check it out, awesome!). Not surprising that this is not listed on the website. There is a sheet of nutritional value that you can see at the counter, but most people go in thinking it is a sinless treat. But you won't lose much weight eating this much sugar and carbs! If there is any way to cut the sugar down (best I could see was 42g in the medium Chocolate Peanut butter), I would love to go back and indulge some more. In the meantime, I will have to pass for something truly healthy.
(3)Marie M.
Everytime I come here, I am never disappointed. The fruits are always fresh when I get the bowls. My favorite is Just Acai and the Original. The people are always friendly and the service is quick. I mean it does get busy, because it's a pretty popular place but for the most part it's quick service. Oh and I love the fact it's open till 9pm.
(5)Megan N.
Don't let the bland interior fool you, this place has excellent bowls and smoothies and is worth every penny! I had a bowl of acai frozen yogurt, chocolate protein powder topped with granola and fruit. Not only is this place delicious for a dessert or fruit bowl but it's healthy.
(4)Elizabeth S.
THE BEST ACAI BOWLS IN TEMPE! My favorite bowl is the original and the granola is amazing - you can't find it anywhere else! However, if you are in a hurry I don't recommend coming here because it usually takes more than 5 minutes to receive your order...sometimes even longer depending on how many people are there.
(4)Katie B.
The food was actually really good, the issue was with the service. I went early around 9:30am during a weekday and they were already slammed.It looked like they opened late, because they were still setting up the chairs even though they were supposedly open a half hour earlier. The guy at the counter looked frazzled and stressed, and all the tables looked dirty even though the place had just opened. It may have just been a bad day though. I would go back just to see if this was bad timing.
(3)Sarah E.
I honestly feel like my wait time for this place is a sick joke. Ordered a green smoothie & it took me 45 minutes to receive it. I understand and appreciate that you make everything fresh, however, you should warn your customers BEFORE purchase if it's going to take that long. Please be respectful of your customers time or hire more staff. I will definitely not be back.
(1)Bianca A.
This place is the closest I can get to an authentic California acai bowl. It may look like a little hole in the wall, and the customer service isn't all that great, but the acai bowls are amazingggg! There are so many options to choose from and the granola they use has a perfect crunch.
(4)Karley J.
Loved my bowl! I stay away from Whey Protein so the fact they use Pea Protein is a huge bonus. The only con I have is that it took around 25 minutes to get my bowl. Granted it was the rush hour, I believe the reason was lack of employees. Will be back!
(4)Tim M.
I just ordered a Chocolate Peanut Butter bowl and it was amazing. The music is a touch too loud the price was also a little bit too high.
(5)Skip O.
Just got back from Thrive. I got the blackberry bowl. It was really tart, which I guess I should have expected from blackberries. And then there was the sorbet with granola and some fruit on top. It tasted like... sorbet with granola. And that's fine. I don't see why everyone is raving about Thrive, but the bowl I got was okay. I wouldn't be averse to eating at Thrive again, but I won't go out of my way to do so.
(3)Michelle D.
Finally got to try Thrive Acai (thank you Groupon!) on our way to the Sprouts next door. I got the Chocolate Coconut Bowl and the bf got the Chocolate Cherry. They were both great, though I liked mine a bit better since it had pea protein, which gave it a smooth yummy texture. The ladies at the counter were knowledgeable and helpful, even though we came in about 10 minutes before closing. Took off one star due to the bowl taking a little long to make, and the whole place smelling really strongly like the nail salon next door. They mentioned something about fixing the ventilation soon. I hope so, I plan to go back soon!
(4)Mae C.
Thrive is amazing! The bowls are delicious and healthy! I would not recommend anyone to try the protein shakes, they are extremely chalky and not at all tasty. The employees were kind and accommodating. My sister got a shake and wanted more strawberries because she couldn't taste them. They agreed with enthusiasm and added more strawberries with out any extra charge! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Every bowl that I have tried has been delicious!
(4)Lou M.
Grouponed here, great dessert and good service. You will find the decor and seating a little basic, and the prices a little high. However, they use high-quality ingredients, healthy stuff, and serve huge portions so it's not really that pricey from that perspective. Check out their menu online first, since they have a lot of options.
(4)Rachel R.
THRIVE...IN TEMPE?! As in, we don't have to make a weekly voyage to Gilbert for a bowl of all things pure and wonderful? I'll eat to that. Their expanded menu, simplified bowl sizes, and convenient location are all improvements from the original location, which was already worthy of copious amounts of praise. If you don't know what an acai bowl is, use the appeal of the mystery to transport yourself there. If you do know, be warned: Thrive beats the Brazilian version, the SoCal version, and everything in between when it comes to mastering the acai bowl. Addiction is definitely in your future. With flavors like blackberry walnut, chocolate coconut, and every super-food add-in under the sun, it's no wonder this college-town newcomer is already a total hit amongst hippies, hipsters, and sorostitutes alike. With enough support, perhaps my ultimate dream of Thrive running every crappy FroYo place into the ground might just come true.
(5)Whitney W.
The acai and pitaya bowls are so good but every single time I have come the service is TERRIBLE. Does it really take 30minutes to make something that requires no heat? Also, everyone who works here look pretty much miserable. Smile! This job can't be that hard and I'm sure employees get a discount on their bowls... Sometimes I wonder why I keep coming back. Called in a to-go order at 9:45, said it would be 15minutes...It's almost 10:15 and still my order isn't ready. I can see them making bowls through the window and it doesn't look like they have even started any to-go order. Please work on your service!!!
(2)Tiffani M.
Not impressed. I feel like I just paid too much for frozen yogurt with fruit on top. The bowl I had was a cherry walnut, and it was okay. It definitely didn't blow my mind. The fact that they have all of their vitamins and supplements in bottled powder or liquid form tells me their idea of nutrition is a little off base. Also - I realize this isn't entirely their fault, but there is a nail salon next door and the odor of acetone coming through into their shop is - overwhelming! I don't see how anyone eats in there, it was nauseating. The smell of chemicals isn't really synonymous with the healthy image they're trying to create. Also the atmosphere is a bit clinical... The shop is very sparse, so sound just echoes everywhere and it's just kind of awkward. All in all, I'd say this place is "eh" at best... If you're looking for something that is really healthy - go to Chop Shop or Green.
(2)Camille B.
Vegan paradise (excluding honey if you're one of those)! This place is the only thing my morning sickness will really crave, haha. If you think it's "frozen yogurt" then you have no idea what an acai bowl is and have no business reviewing this place anyway. You've probably paid more at one of those weigh-out-pounds-of-yogurt places, blarg.
(5)Alexa J.
Today was my first time at Thrive Acai Bowls. I was born and raised in Hawaii and I'm here visiting my brother and his family for the summer. There's a nice little joint that I went to regularly in Hawaii that makes THE BEST acai bowls and when I came up here and found out about Thrive you can imagine how excited I was. I must say that it was a little weird to me that they made the bowls in a back room because back in Hawaii they make it right in front of you and dice up fresh fruit and here it's prepared in a separate room. The other thing that bothered me was that we were the only ones in there and it took 20 minutes before they brought out just 1 of our bowls! four other girls came in about 10 minutes after us and they all got their bowls before us! Although they were a lot skimpier on the fruit than I'm used to it was delicious and the staff were fairly friendly. Overall the place is okay! However, Hawaii will always be my favorite place for an Acai Bowl! :~)
(3)Chelsea M.
So delicious and such a nice alternative to ice cream. Can eat it for a meal or have it as a healthy treat. My kids love it
(4)S R.
Reluctantly I entered this place that smells like bad breath bit I had a Groupon requiring me to use $20 in two visits. When the cashier marked my voucher redeemed, I brought it to his attention that I had a balance and he said that during my next visit I can redeem the remaining balance. During the second visit this same cashier was not available. The cashier working said he could not help me since my voucher said redeemed on my phone even after I explained what the previous cashier said he would honor the remaining balance. He could have tried it but wasn't willing to. Working through Groupon to resolve this. I hope they can help. BTW be sure to see how much sugar is in their smoothies and frozen Acai bowls.... Yikes!!!
(1)Elliott G.
Consistently delicious! Love coming here after visiting the neighboring Planet Fitness. Great spot to stop by on the go.
(5)Eric C.
People that work in this place are super nice ordered the chocolate peanut butter protein shake and it was bomb will be back again if I'm in need if a healthy snack that is still delicious
(5)Saydi C.
Finally came to try this place and I am very happy with the Go Green bowl! I think the only green part of it is the spinach, but it was still delicious. 4 stars because I was hoping for more of a yogurt style than a sorbet (which is mixed with cane sugar) but then vegans and lactose intolerants wouldn't be able to enjoy it also, so that's fair! Will definitely come back. Also, it's really not that expensive. I mean for 7 bucks I had my regular-sized bowl as a meal. Totally worth it!! The girls were all super awesome and explained everything to me since it was my first time in. :)
(4)Samantha J.
This was my second time at this location both times I got a chocolate banana protein shake and an original bowl the first time it was good this time not so much. The Shake is chalky and has a very off taste. When I asked the horl she said they made it how they normally do. There was no offer to rectify the situation. When I stated that it was disgusting and I guess I just wasted my money she just looked at me and said oh sorry. I guess I wont be going back here after all. I am so disappointed!
(1)Bryan T.
If you're used to acai bowls where the acai is semi-frozen and delicious, that's not what you're going to find here. Ours was really runny. Maybe we are biased having just returned from Hawaii where the acai bowls are nothing short of spectacular, but this was really disappointing.
(2)Michael S.
I was here at 9 and according to Yelp and Google, they were "Open". According to the locked door and the stacked chairs they were not open. I guess I'll wait around a while... Doors opened at 10 after and didn't get my bowl until 9:35 due to the one employee and line of 20 people. I think I'll pass on coming to this location. The Gilbert one has plenty of help and seems to open on time.
(1)Briana S.
Acai bowls are my newest and truest addiction. Thrive knows how to whip up an amazing bowl! The inside is pretty sparse with the big menus, several tables and a couple of couches and an area to buy powders on display. The colors are loud and fun, kind of like their ingredient combos! The girl at the counter was really nice and the wide window looking in to the back where the kitchen is a cool touch. I ordered the chocolate peanut butter Acai bowl and my friend got their new Pitaya (dragonfruit) bowl. You can get a small, medium, or large bowl and considering how hungry we were we decided on mediums. These are generous helpings for $8! Our bright bowls came out and mine was full of pb, Acai, chocolate pea protein powder, hemp protein, bananas and strawberries. This was rich, filling and oh so good. My only "negative" is that they don't have much outdoor seating, when the weather was as beautiful as today everyone would want to sit outside and eat their treats! They have smoothies as well, they look thick and delicious as well, but they have stolen my heart when it comes to bowls!
(5)Claire S.
I love Thrive. It's always clean inside, the staff is always friendly, and the acai bowls are consistently amazing! It is pricey though, which is the only downfall.
(5)Alexa M.
LOVE ME SOME ACAI! Thrive has got a great little store front with catchy slogans and what not. The menu is awesome and I definitely suggest the green bowl. I'm not sure how I feel about the set up with the kitchen in the back and all but I'll forgive them for taking so long on an acai bowl because it was really really good. I may try the gluten free granola next time because whatever they use regularly is quite light and crunchy. I also think they should potentially get vita-mix's or industrial type blenders rather than the little bullets I saw them using. I had a huge chunk of acai on the bottom of my bowl & it just seems like blenders would be more useful honestly.
(4)Jennifer V.
It's a smoothie, in a bowl, so more frozen, with nothing but GENUINELY healthy ingredients, but it doesn't taste "eww, healthy" !! Yes, it is somewhat more expensive than ice cream or a frozen yogurt, but it really is due to the quality of ingredients. NO fillers, no dairy, no sugar, no "fake" sweeteners... your body will truly thank you. And really, you have to get a BIIIGGG bowl with lots of extra stuff to get the price up over $10... It would be a serious M E A L ....
(5)Michael S.
A co-worker of mine sent me a link to this restaurants website, and since she knows that I am trying to eat more "healthy", recommended this place as a healthy alternative for lunch. So after about a week and half of hemming and hawing, I finally decided to give the place a try. I ordered a regular raspberry, pecan bowl, with pea protein, whey protein, and extra granola . . . won't lie . . . thought it was kinda pricey for what I ordered . . . over $10.00. Since the place is extremely small . . . three tables and a two seat bar counter inside, and two table outside . . . and with no place to sit, I got my order to go. 30 MINUTES LATER . . . My order finally was ready . . . definitely needs more than two people working and more seating if this place is going to be successful . . . even the UPS man who was delivering a package left after 10 minutes of not even being acknowledged. Oh well . . . after a short trip back to the office, I sat down to enjoy my acia bowl . . . and I was pleasantly suprised . . . I was really, really good. Very tasty, just the right balance of smoothness, crunchiness, and sweetness. Will I be back . . . probably . . . but if all of the seating is taken, and / or there are people waiting in line to order . . . I will probably go somewhere else.
(2)Jamie C.
This place makes absolutely delicious acai bowls! I loved going there, but I won't anymore due to my last two experiences. I have an allergy to walnuts, and an even more severe allergy to peanuts. A few weeks ago I ordered the chocolate coconut bowl asking to make sure there weren't either peanuts or walnuts in it. They said there wasn't so I took the bowl home only to find it completely topped with walnuts. Unfortunately I had to throw it away but I understood mistakes happen. This past Friday though, I ordered four chocolate coconut bowls (not all for me!), again making sure there were not peanuts or walnuts. I opened one up in the parking lot to immediately make sure there were no walnuts on it (almonds and coconut are the loves of my life!) and ate one of them. Immediately, my throat closed up, my face turned purple, and I broke out in hives. I had to use my epi pen and headed to the hospital. My boyfriend called to ask them about the bowls and they said they didn't use any peanuts, but my allergic reaction I had was to peanuts. I hadn't eaten anything else that day and had the chocolate coconut bowl many times before. I am not sure what happened, but somehow peanuts or peanut butter ended up in my bowl. The place is awesome and the people are so nice, but food allergies are no joke so I won't be going back. If you don't have any allergies though the place is great!
(1)Angelica M.
DELICIOUS! I love that they have gluten free granola! My fav is the cherry bowl. I wish they would get the previous to go covers for the bowls because all of the honey sticks to the lid /: But other then that the staff is great, bowls are yummy, and protein shakes a little chalky but good (:
(4)Caitlin C.
Delicious, filling, healthy. I will be back!
(5)Lauren C.
Big news: there is now a Tempe location of Thrive. So if you've been dying to go, but Gilbert is too far away, you now have no excuse. Go immediately. Even if you don't live near Tempe either, it's worth the trip. And even if you've never heard of Thrive or acai bowls, you should still go. Whether you are a superfood enthusiast or so clueless about this stuff that you think it's pronounced ah-kay, you will not regret going to Thrive. (Its ah-sigh-yee by the way.) I, a vegan, took my Big-Mac-eating boyfriend, and we ordered a chocolate peanut butter acai bowl. I immediately loved the think, creamy, rich taste and texture of the acai blended with homemade peanut butter and pure cacao topped with fresh fruit (never frozen at this place, don't worry) and simple, crunchy granola. Although my boyfriend insisted that he wouldn't like my "weird vegan stuff", we were definitely fighting over the last few bites. So go immediately, and drag as many friends as you can. Side note: even though it's a bit pricey, it's because the ingredients are such high quality. And as an added plus, they have a rewards system, so GO NOW. And as often as possible.
(5)Suzanne A.
Delicious reasonably priced acai bowls. The storefront is small but clean and well organized. I had the chocolate peanut butter bowl and my daughter had the cherry walnut. Both were amazing. The fruit was super fresh and the serving size for the price was perfect. Definitely will become a regular stop for us in the future.
(5)Andi K.
Yummy, healthy...love it!!!
(4)Dee H.
The peanut butter acai smoothie was scrumptious and not too sweet, which was perfect for me. However, I don't feel it was worth $7 (12-16 oz?) and the 15 minute wait. There were about 5 customers in the store and everyone seemed to be waiting. Maybe they were short staffed, so it's worth giving them another try and a revised review. Till next time...
(2)G B.
Since my original review a year ago I've been to Thrive numerous times. The wait time has improved unless you go during lunch hour or at other rush times, I suspect. The Acai bowls are still wonderful but I would say that 30% of the time my order is incorrect and I see that others are having to send theirs back for corrections as well. I think if you plan for a few mistakes ans extra time it's well worth the visit as the atmosphere is pleasant and the bowls are wonderful!
(3)Marie N.
The bowls are unique as well as the smoothies. They have a great variety. The staff is helpful and place is upbeat. The only thing I would leave out is the whey or pea protein. I don't know what kind they use but it gives everything a funky taste. Would recommend and would go again.
(4)Wendiee H.
I've never tried an Acai Bowl before. I found this place on yelp and decided to try it on a whim. The young lady at the counter was friendly and knowledgeable. I tried the Go Green bowl because she said that's one of her favorites. I'm glad I took her advice. It was delicious and affordable. Under $6 for a small (yet filling) bowl and a bottled water. The place has a nice laid back atmosphere with good music playing. I'm definitely coming back again.
(5)Melissa W.
I love all the food here. I go here quite often. It is a bit expensive. But I'm ok with that. I'm only giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the staff isn't very personable or nice to me. Other reviews say otherwise but every time I go in they seem unhappy and irritated. It won't stop me from going, I just wish they would seem to enjoy their job a little bit more.
(4)C J.
I didn't think the acai bowls were that great..I came here twice and had the original and the green bowl. I mean they tasted good it was sweet and refreshing on a hot winter day in February, but I honestly could make the same thing myself but healthier with less added sugar, (and extra spinach/kale and flaxseed) and cheaper (a small came to $5 something). Which is exactly what I did lol. It's just a personal preference thing I guess, for smoothies I always prefer to make them myself cause I know what's going in and how much sugar I'm getting, whereas at Jamba Juice it's like getting sorbet. Same concept for these. Worker was very friendly though.
(3)Amanda b.
Organic, full of antioxidants, and just refreshing and delicious! Thrive has 15 different acai bowls to choose from and also has smoothies! Today I had the Go Green bowl and it was so tasty. I always feel so refreshed after eating here.
(5)Joe I.
when you walk in the door the color scheme is a lot like jamba juice but they got half way there and stopped. so it is left looking less like a healthfood/smoothie place and more like a commercial doctors office. you have to ask what is in each smoothie as the ingredients are nowhere to be found. I was hoping to see sugar and calorie counts. a large smoothie seems half the size of jambas and cost a lot more. there is a window where you can see the workers in back all having a good time and barely working on your order and I was told the owner was there! the tropical smoothie I got was so so. wont be back.
(1)Emma P.
Acai bowls were delicious but the wait was a bit long!
(4)Hannah S.
My husband and I went in for a sample and were blown away with how delicious, fresh and healthy these bowls are. We are heading there tonight for a first time, full helping of a bowl. I love the fact that they use pea protein and whole ingredients. They also offer gluten free granola as a topping and all their bowls are naturally dairy free. This will definitely be my frozen-yogurt replacement!
(5)Lynn C.
OMG!! I cannot express into words nor articulate the immense amount of PURE JOY I felt running through my veins when I saw there was an acai bowl place right next to my beloved sprouts I frequently more often than I am proud to admit :). I just about flew inside to place my order. I was greeted right away, MAJOR POINTS and feasted my eyes upon the menu- only wish they had take out menus available so I cold take advantage of their option to call ahead and place an order. You can tell by the inside decor that they are just starting up and have yet to complete their overall design vision, but they have a cute comfy couch and a few supplements on the shelf, but needless to say, they offer superb service and a great product, so who really cares if the walls are cream white or sunshine yellow??
(5)Anthony T.
I've see Acai before but didn't know what it was. Thrive is more than a smoothie bar, the Acai bowls are tasty and better for you than ice cream! The CR500 weight loss program they offer works as well....so far I've lost 15 pounds in 21 days! Thanks Marcy!
(5)Yvonne T.
Came here to cure an intense craving for acai bowls, which are the craze in Southern California, but starting to gain traction in Arizona recently. The acai bowls were dense and loaded with acai and frozen fruit. They are slightly skimpy with fresh fruit toppings and the wait time was longer than expected.
(4)Samantha H.
Had the extreme green smoothie and mango passion smoothie, soooooo delicious and nutritious!! Mmmmmm
(5)Yvette T.
As an Orange County native, I had the luxury of eating acai bowls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I wanted; however, acai bowls are a rarer commodity in Arizona. Thus, I was so excited to learn that Thrive had just open a location in Tempe. The acai bowls are to die for...unless you prefer the taste of artificial flavors over real fruit. Don't order a small because you'll definitely want to eat more!!
(5)Kelly M.
Good stuff and very refreshing
(4)Crys K.
I've never had an Acai bowl before... I didn't know they were in Gilbert also, because I've never been. I really thought the staff was great, the sample I received was amazing and what I ended up ordering (an AMAZING homemade peanut butter acai bowl) was absolutely delicious. I have a feeling I'll be a regular and hope I can recruit as many of my friends as possible to go there. It has a nice atmosphere and felt really inviting. They even have offered me a gluten free option which though I'm not allergic to gluten was really happy about because a couple of my friends are. So glad this place is in my area of town and that I stopped in to check it out.
(5)John J.
Following our Rappel AZ experience we were looking for a snack after lunch... We were looking for a Jamba, and stumbled across thrive. Much Fresher, no sugar, and absolutely perfect fruit based dessert.... I would highly recommend frequenting here..
(5)C. B.
This is the perfect stop for a yummy, guilt-free meal with soooo many varieties and choices, I want to try them all but I definitely have favorites. The add-ons make it that much healthier and they do punch cards! The people are super friendly and phone orders make ordering on the go so easy.
(5)Anne A.
The first thing I thought when I heard about this place is finally a place near campus that is actually fresh and healthy. Unfortunately the customer service is awful. It is a tiny awkward store front. Not somewhere I would sit down with friends like you would at a yogurt shop. There are literally 3 tables and not even a menu posted on the wall. There were literally 3 people working and they took forever to fill an order of 2 items. Its a great idea and the product is good but with bad service, lack of menu on the wall, and terribly slow service I dont think it will be around for long.
(3)Jon T.
This place and the food is great. It may not be perfect, but I enjoy the concept and that these people are trying to do something hats very cool. I ordered an original medium bowl and walked out very full. It was only 300 calories! Great for us who are dieting a little..
(5)Regal B.
Not impressed by this place at all. Honestly, I had pretty high expectations because a few friends of mine really like it here. I got the Go Green bowl which sounded amazing, so I was pretty excited. It surprisingly took awhile before I got my order and I was the only customer there. All you have to do is blend the fruits together and add toppings. There were 2 people working in the "kitchen" and one in the front. Oh wait, one working in the kitchen and one was just on her phone. Anyway, I took my food to go and was pretty excited, but when I took my first bite I realized... This bowl doesn't have much taste! Seriously, all the blend was BLAND. I don't know why! Also, the strawberries on top, though the were few, were too ripe. I like a nice tart strawberry on top of my bowl to balance the sweetness that would have came from the blend and the honey on top. One positive, the granola is delicious!
(2)Lee H.
Small shop, nearby, and I was a very hungry vegan. Ordered two smoothies with companion. Smoothies were delicious however they cook 30 minutes (yes, really) to make. We had ordered small sizes and it seemed like so little for such a long wait. There were at least three staff working and only two other tables. Disappointed.
(2)Tamara L.
15 different available bowl options plus smoothies, & snacks. Available bowls are a tasty sorbet type treat/meal. Store is a little boring inside & small but you don't come for the ambiance you come for the bowls which are delicious. Service can be a little slow at times but well worth the wait. Try it, you know you want to.
(4)April S.
Location: it is a small shop with 4-5 tables in it. Overall it is very clean and cozy to hang out with a few friends at night. Service: friendly. Food: for those of you who like healthy eating, they have a great selection of items that you might like. Most items have lots of filters and fruits in them. Rating: I'll come back here again to try something else.
(3)Marisa S.
Smoothie was good and priced appropriately. Environment could be a little it more cleaner and put together.
(4)Alex C.
Great acai bowls, incredibly slow service. Plan on waiting at lease 20 minutes for a bowl or smoothie.
(2)Alyse H.
Ive gotten a smoothie here a couple of times and they are always really good. They pack a ton of fruits and veggies into the smoothies, including kale and spinach, but they don't taste like greens. It's pretty pricey for the smoothies, but I think the bowls are actually pretty reasonable compared to other acai bowl places I've seen. I wish the menu had descriptions of the smoothies because it would be easier than asking the person working there to tell me the contents of each one.
(4)AJ P.
It's almost comical. Tried Thrive again. Got the Strawberry Passion. In the menu description it says that it's topped with granola, pineapple, honey and strawberries (plural). I'll attach a picture of what I got. It has to be less than one strawberry. I'm just constantly disappointed. Cmon...you're right next to Sprouts. Surely you can hook up some kind of deal!
(1)Jane C.
I went to Thrive for the first time yesterday. It's a really cute and small establishment and the employees were very friendly. I was kind of overwhelmed by the amount of options for acai bowls. I ended up getting a chocolate peanut butter acai bowl and my friend got the original. They were delicious! The peanut butter was really filling and the fruit seemed very fresh. I'll definitely be back again!
(5)Emma R.
I don't know what they do to their granola but I seriously am addicted. I am boring and always get the original bowl because it's just that good. They have so many sweet, fruity, chocolatey options though. Their acai bowls are the best I have ever had. Freshly made and top quality
(5)Ronna E.
Super Yummy & Very healthy!!!! :) Woohoo, Love this place. A little pricey but you get your monk's worth! Delicious & filling with total vibrancy!
(5)Lillie H.
There can never be enough great things said about a place that serves healthy food that taste so great. I stick with the original bowl but have tried a handful of others, the tropical comes in a close second. Great now I'm hungry. Love me some Thrive! Once upon a time there were naughty unfriendly ladies working the counter. I'm pleased to report most of the gentleman that work here are pleasant but girls be warned the chicks are not the friendliest.
(5)Janae C.
The acai bowls are extremely delicious! They are a little pricey but that's simply because acai berries are a little pricey to begin with. The bowls are also huge and filling which makes it worth it! My only complaint is the employees. They lack serious customer service skills. They never EVER smile or say "hello" or "goodbye". When I arrive, they are usually in the back and they take a while to come out and take my order. They are all about college-aged and seem to hate their lives or are just bored out of their minds. Just wish that one of my favorite places held a higher standard of customer service for their employees. Also get better hours! I workout around 10 and they are not open then. They are also closed on Sunday which I such a bummer...
(4)R. B.
For me, the dealbreaker is that their ingredients are not organic. Their marketing doesn't miss a buzz word to suggest that their products are good for your health, but the antioxidants and vitamins in those berries won't do you much good if they are laced with a ton of toxic pesticides. Conventional berries are some of the worst offenders in the pesticide department, and conventional strawberries are among the worst of the worst. It boggles the mind how a business that markets healthy eating could be totally oblivious to that. Switch to organic Thrive, and you might win me back as a customer.
(1)Kristen B.
This place is acai-mazing! Seriously I'm sad I no longer live in the area so I can't frequent this place more often. They exclusively sell acai bowls, pitaya bowls, smoothies and some protein powder and quest bars. So.... don't come here for a sandwich and act surprised. What I love... -nutrition facts available -chocolate peanut butter bowl -plentiful nuts and granola on top -even a small is super filling -satisfies my sweets craving with natural sugars -chocolate peanut butter bowl -perfect consistency. It's just like fro-yo. I've wasted time and money trying to make my own which are just smoothies. - chocolate peanut butter bowl -consistent product -better bowls than Neckter for sure. (I've never had Thrive's smoothies so I can't speak to that) Why is one star missing then? - sometimes staffing issues. They seem to have solved weekend problems that I've had when they just opened. But sometimes I'll even call ahead on a weekday night and they say half hour to pick up. Really? You can get delivered whole entrees quicker than that! This is honestly just a matter of blending some fruit together. Despite their expertise (and my lack of) using a blender, its not worth a thirty minute wait. So if you're not in a hurry or starving definitely stop by Thrive Acai Bowls. A good snack, dessert, or even a decent meal substitute if you get a medium or large size. I feel pretty confident you won't be disappointed
(4)Shelby N.
Used to love this place but they've cut down their portions, have gotten cheap, stopped putting a decent amount of fruit, and girls had an attitude. Definitely not worth the price anymore!
(2)Cheryl B.
Aaaasssighyeeeeeeeee! It doesn't matter how you say it, you just have to try it! Lured in by a groupon and a growing addiction for smoothies I couldn't resist! I walked in for a smoothie and walked out addicted to the acia bowls! A tasty blend of fruit, acai sorbet, honey, granola, pea protein and even veggies blended into sweet perfection! The bowls are huge and are definitely sharable, perhaps a bit smaller when taken to go. They are made fresh so it does take a bit of time, if you're in a hurry you can call your order in ahead of time. My princess and I love the chocolate coconut(made with cocoa flavored pea protein) & the peanut butter bowl(made with cashew butter). The Green bowl is a sweet surprise with fruit and spinach. We've had the cherry& mango smoothies, so yummy! Our punch card is over half way full, after 10 punches you receive a free medium bowl. Thrive is a fruit filled blend of guilt free perfection!
(4)Alex S.
$8-9 for a large (16-18oz?) smoothie... Even with real fruit and juices is ludicrously expensive. Took quite a while for the smoothie to be made too so I sat and waited. Furniture is filthy and stained. Not sure of a better option but this isn't even a last resort.
(1)Jane D.
My son took me there today and I had the original and it was very good. I'm sure I'll go there again.
(5)Eugene L.
I love this place but it's just a bit too expensive for me to become a regular here. However, many people have contested that Acai berries are just expensive to begin with so I won't deduct any stars in my review. Medium bowls are about $8, and large bowls are around $10. Large bowls are great for sharing between two people though. It's always fresh and clean here, and the service is always great. I love that they have a window to the kitchen. I don't love that the place smells like a nail polish remover.
(4)Rashmi G.
I've been to Thrive twice now, ordered a bowl the first time & a protein smoothie the other. The bowl was alright / pretty good. I liked the smoothie-like consistency & taste of the blend at the bottom of the bowl but didn't care much for the granola & fruit which is why I got the protein smoothie the next time. I wasn't a huge fan of the after taste. I like the concept of this place, however, so I'll probably go back. I'd like to try one the regular smoothies to see how that stacks up!
(3)Marc B.
I had a choco protein shake. it was good. my complaint is that this place is not clean. the guy who took my order was wearing a filthy apron.
(3)Eilonwy W.
Acai is the new froyo? I joined the line for a free acai bowl mostly because I never queue for free anything and thought my bucket list should include doing so just once. The atmosphere is sort of the mullet of snack shops: Jamba Juice-like in the front and medical-office-like in the back. For a while in the line, I was worried that I'd accidentally queued for free botox or pedicures or weird treatments that involved cucumbers and mild electric currents. The acai bowl, when finally achieved, was really good. It's sweet-tart in a refreshing way -- it does actually taste roughly the red-purple shade that it is -- as it's basically a fruit smoothie soft-serve. The five-ounce bowl comes with slices of banana, berries, and a sprinkling of granola that's useful for absorbing the last melted bits of soft-serve. In the relentless sun of suburban Tempe, it has the magic taste of feeling about five years younger, deeply wise and earnest (if not actually in touch with the spirit of yoga masters), and in need of flowing garments with fringes. When not a free offering, these are ungodly expensive. They're probably also little calorie bombs on the same scale as froyo. If I were at this shopping center again, I'd have another on my own dime because Tempe is, for me, a vast beige suburban wasteland of dehydration that I need Calories of Refreshing Happiness to endure, and these calories are extremely refreshing and happy. If it were where I change buses on the way home from work, though, it wouldn't be a habitual stop.
(3)