A healthier option
Big Acai Bowls turns popular food truck into downtown brick and mortar restaurant
T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY The Big Acai Bowls brick and mortar location at 26 E. Main St. has been open since June and is owned by Luis and Melissa Delgadillo.
Colorful artwork adorns the interior of Big Acai Bowls at 26 E. Main St. in Marshalltown.
T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY The Big Acai Bowls brick and mortar location at 26 E. Main St. has been open since June and is owned by Luis and Melissa Delgadillo.
Colorful artwork adorns the interior of Big Acai Bowls at 26 E. Main St. in Marshalltown.
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After almost five years running a popular and well-established food truck serving their namesake bowls packed with fruit, granola and sorbet along with smoothies and avocado toast, Big Acai Bowls owners Luis and Melissa Delgadillo of Marshalltown have taken a major step forward and moved into their brick and mortar location at 26 E. Main St. back in June.
On Tuesday afternoon, they celebrated the milestone with a ribbon cutting event held by the Chamber Ambassadors, and Melissa said their biggest goal is to offer something different for the downtown crowd, especially those who are looking for healthy and vegan offerings.
Melissa explained that she first became familiar with acai bowls during a vacation trip to California, and after she and her daughter had one in Ankeny, they thought they could do something similar in Marshalltown.
"We're really happy with the support we've received in the community. It's been incredible," she said.
The brick and mortar conversations had been ongoing for some time, but when the family saw the downtown building Jeff Simms had renovated, they felt that it could be the perfect fit. Because the food truck usually shuts down when winter weather begins to roll in, this will allow the business to stay open year-round and keep all of their inventory in one place.
In the near future, Delgadillo plans to add a breakfast and lunch menu including burritos and salads.
"I honestly just want to provide healthier options for the community. I know we have some, but I feel like there's really not a place where you can go and get a whole vegan meal, and that's something we're gonna offer here," she said. "I know that's something the community has really asked for. A lot of our customers are vegan, so they enjoy it."
All of Big Acai's sorbets and smoothies are vegan. So far, Melissa said the acai bowls themselves continue to remain the most popular option, but their offerings will continue to expand in the future. And the owners are enjoying the ride.
"It's been fun. It's been exciting, and hopefully things continue to go well," she said.
Big Acai is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and closed Sundays. The food truck still makes weekly appearances in Toledo and Grinnell along with special events elsewhere and occasional stops in Newton.
Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.