Rockwell Integrated Science Center Center is a new building on campus located in the corner between Acopian Engineering Center and Watson Hall. The building will “house scholars teaching and conducting research in biology, computer science, environmental science, and neuroscience, as well as the IDEAL Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Daniel and Heidi Hanson ’91 Center for Inclusive STEM Education.” In this building is the ECO Cafe, which stands for Environmentally Conscious Options, where everything served is local, sustainable, compostable, or recyclable. The smoothie bar, previously in Gilbert’s Cafe, has revamped the entire menu! While some classic staples remain the same, there are plenty of new flavors to try.
THE LEOPARD (330 CAL)
Strawberries, Bananas, Soy Milk, Honey
MY OPINION: A Gilbert’s staple. Filling and sweet! You get what you expect from this simple strawberry-banana smoothie.
THE AWAKENING (250 CAL)
Coffee, Bananas, Vanilla Protein Powder, Cinnamon, Almond Milk, Chocolate Syrup, Honey
MY OPINION: A classic for when you want coffee and protein in one shake without having to spend extra Pard Dollars. More of an iced coffee frappe than a smoothie. PRO TIP: Add some Coco Lopez to this for a tropical kick.
BERRY BOOSTER (360 CAL)
Blueberries, Strawberries, Chocolate Chips, Honey, Fat-Free Milk, Vanilla Yogurt
MY OPINION: Also an oldie-but-goodie from Gilbert’s. This smoothie is pleasantly purple. Your classic berry smoothie.
AVOCOLADA (510 CAL)
Avocado, Pineapple, Coco Lopez, Vanilla Yogurt, Apple Juice, Milk
MY OPINION: This is a super creamy smoothie and the texture reminds me of Oikos Greek yogurt. No, you can’t taste the avocado even though it is green. There’s a light taste of coconut and a bit of pineapple. Overall enjoyable but the texture could be offputting to some.
BEET IT (210 CAL)
Beet Juice, Orange Juice, Kale, Strawberries
MY OPINION: A good smoothie. Icy and thick because there are frozen beets, but not thick enough where it is stuck in the cup. Subtly sweet, definitely not overwhelming. It has a slightly earthy aftertaste from the kale.
“BUNNY MARY” (300 CAL)
Carrot Juice, Apple Juice, Bananas
MY OPINION: Definitely more juice-like than smoothie-like. The bananas are there to add some subtle flavor but not really any texture. Not too sweet, just icy and refreshing.
CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY (310 CAL)
Strawberries, Chocolate Chips, Vanilla Yogurt, Fat-Free Milk
MY OPINION: A very berry-based smoothie. The blended chocolate chips are flaked in reminding me of chocolate chip ice cream. I like this one a lot because it is purely strawberries in here.
THE ELVIS PEANUT BUTTER BANANA (790 CAL)
Bananas, Peanut Butter, Vanilla Yogurt, Fat-Free Milk
MY OPINION: It is basically a melted peanut butter banana milkshake and would be really nice if you splurged and added some chocolate chips or coffee with Flex. (TBH for the calorie count I’d rather get a real milkshake from Wawa than this)
MINT TO BE (360 CAL) (Honorable Mention)
White Chocolate Chips, Mint, Almond Milk, Bananas, Honey
MY OPINION: The Mint To Be as a very fresh mint taste, like mint tea rather than mint ice cream. Not overpowering. If you are looking for something sweet and refreshing but not overindulgent, this is the smoothie for you. The more you drink it, the more it grows on you.
PEACH MELBA (380 CAL)
Peaches, Raspberries, Vanilla Yogurt, Almond Milk, Honey
MY OPINION: This is literally a GoGurt (but with fresh fruit). Take that as you will.
SO KALE ME MAYBE (110 CAL)
Kale, Spinach, Ginger, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Lemon Juice
MY OPINION: Definitely more of a juice and objectively not bad. The lemon and cucumber flavors are almost overwhelming, so if you like cucumber water this is great for you. The ginger kicks in at the end which I like but that doesn’t change the fact that it still tastes like cucumber and celery. An overall interesting experience
STRAWBERRY MANGO LEMONADE (330 CAL)
Strawberries, Mango, Lemon Juice, Coco Lopez, Water
MY OPINION: Think McDonald’s Strawberry Lemonade but better because it is thicker and has more fruit. It has a tart aftertaste that contrasts the original sweetness and is perfect for a day on the beach… or the Quad.
SUNSHINE DAYDREAM (500 CAL)
Strawberries, Peaches, Vanilla Yogurt, Coco Lopez
MY OPINION: This is the perfect imitation of a strawberry daiquiri. I love it.
TROPICAL CARROT SMOOTHIE (300 CAL) (My Top Pick!)
Strawberries, Mango, Orange, Pineapple, Carrot Juice, Coco Lopez
MY OPINION: Don’t be deterred by the bright orange color! This one tastes like your classic tropical smoothie! Mango, pineapple-y with a touch of carrot juice that lends to the bright orange color. This one is way sweeter than the Bunny Mary smoothie. Easily one of my favorite smoothies here.
Thank you to Greta Kullby and Kendall Redlitz for helping me swipe and try all these smoothies. All smoothies can be purchased on the meal plans without any additional add-ons, which would be 50 cents each. In addition to smoothies, the ECO Cafe offers a variety of takeaway boxes similar to the refrigerated section of Lower if you are interested in a heartier meal.