With recent health kick trends on social media on how much fiber and protein we all need, it can be overwhelming to find healthy alternatives when almost every corner has a fast-food restaurant.
Fresh produce and grocery stores are not always convenient for residents in East Los Angeles. This neighborhood, an eight-mile radius east of the University Park campus, is known to be a food desert. Finding more health-conscious treats isn’t easy to come by or as affordable.
However, two locally owned shops are finding ways for customers to indulge in sweets while still focusing on the intake of fiber and protein.
4518 E Cesar E Chavez, Los Angeles, California 90022
The bright pink and green walls are hard to miss when you drive down Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.
The colors reflect the vibrant array of açaí bowls made by Karla Montes, the co-owner of açaí Mood Toast and Juice Bar, and her sister-in-law, Teresa Montes.
Dealing with their own health issues, the two became more conscious of the foods they eat. Karla has polycystic ovary syndrome, more commonly known as “PCOS,” and Teresa has diabetes. Noticing they had to travel outside of East LA to find healthy alternative food options, such as açaí, they wanted to change that.
“We need something like that here,” said Karla.
They offer a traditional healthy alternative of açaí bowls with a balance of sweet and salty flavors. Their store includes a variety of options that are not just limited to açaí bowls.
After attending a Zumba class next door, the sisters-in-law saw the “For Rent” sign. Living only five minutes away made it perfect. The two had been working for a food delivery service for about three years and decided “it was time.” Karla continued, “We just went for it in the moment and took the opportunity, but it took us a long time.”
The shop remained closed for a year while they continued working and paying rent.
“Research!” Karla said right away when asked if they could start over again, what they would do differently. The sisters-in-law duo had to start from the bottom as the shop was not registered as a food business.
“We learned a lot of things in the process, and it cost us a lot of money and a lot of struggles,” Karla said.
Now, after being open for about a year, she said “They are just happy to gain support from the community.”
If you’re looking for recommendations on what to get, their most ordered bowl is “The Power Breakfast” that comes with a mix of ingredients like: açaí, overnight oats, chia pudding, strawberries, and almond butter.
However, Karla recommends the Girasol, which is the “perfect balance between sour and sweet.” Teresa recommends Mr. Salty that comes with: açaí, mango, vanilla granola, banana, and peanut butter.
When speaking about offering these alternative desserts, she mentioned the importance of their being accessible to the neighborhood.
“We need more things like this [healthier options] that are also affordable,” said Karla. The prices range from a small bowl at $8.75, a medium at $12.95, and a large at $15.75.
Açaí Mood is roughly an eight-mile drive from University Park or a 40-minute train ride on the E-Line. If you can’t swing by, don’t fret, you can catch them at numerous farmers’ markets.
They’re at the East LA farmers market in the Civic Center Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at the 323 City Terrace Market Thursdays from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., and Sundays at the Alhambra City Market from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
4611 E Olympic Blvd., East Los Angeles, California 90022
The pink interior and green flowers are a common theme for açaí shop owners. The second shop on the list is run by Sarai Carreno, of Rosemead, CA, who helps her mom run the shop.
Locals stop by not just for an açaí bowl but for frappes and pan dulce. The space is shared with El Globo Panaderia & Pasteleleria, owned by her grandma, who passed the business down to her mom.
Carrenos’s mother started by selling açaí bowls in Downtown LA. She noticed how it was the “number one top seller” and continued to sell it when she first opened her shop in 2019.
“We eat açaí almost every day, and it’s a good detox,” said Carreno.
During the pandemic, the mother and daughter duo started by selling waffles, crepes and smoothies outside of the location for the restriction purposes. Through word of mouth and customers spreading their love for the waffles on social media, they had lines of people waiting to try their desserts.
They sell traditional açaí bowls with bananas, strawberries and Nutella. However, Carreno added, you can also add other toppings of your liking.
The Carrenos believe in the perfect balance, offering a healthy alternative to their extensive menu. Now inside their store location, they sell crepes, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, strawberries with cream, açaí bowls, smoothies, milkshakes, and more.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, Carreno says try the açaí bowl, but if you want to indulge your sweet tooth, she recommends trying the crepes, the fresas con crema, and the frappes.
Carreno is still deciding if she wants to take over the açaí shop in the future, as she is a mom of her own. “The business has potential, a lot of people love our crepes, our açaí bowls,” said Carreno.
The store location is open for any late-night treats, either a healthy fix or a sweet treat, Thursday-Saturday from 7:00 p.m.- 11:30 p.m., and open on Sunday from 6:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Carreno wanted to add, “Don’t forget to support your local business!”
With just a ride on the E-line, you could wing by both shops for a taste of açaí in East LA.