Smoothie King

Glorified milkshakes with protein powder, made by overeager or underwhelmed high school-​aged or early college-​aged kids, depending on the day… and I can’t tell the difference the other day.
When I’m in town, I sometimes stop in for a post-​workout smoothie after hitting the gym across the street. Right away, dude behind the counter is on me with suggestions and questions about my likes. They have a seasonal dark chocolate smoothie with chili powder and cinnamon, and one with strawberry. I asked if I could get the strawberry one with the chili and cinnamon and was told, «sure, I guess if you like spicy stuff. It’s reeeeeally spicy.» I told the kids, i wudn’t afraid of no spice, as I am half-​Mexican, and I also enjoy a challenge.
With the immune booster I ordered, the smoothie came out to be like $ 10, because I was charged 99¢ each for the additional cinnamon and chili powder, for about a tsp. each. That’s also when the kids realized they’d been making the chili cinnamon smoothie with TBSP’s, not tsp’s as the recipe called. So much for reeeeeally spicy.
As a result, I will be raiding my own spice cabinet next time I want to add a little kick to my fitness routine, and save a few $$ in the process.

Just left smoothie king. Love smoothie king, but the staff in this location is awful. The staff member made my drink wrong, only filled my cup half way and it took 15 minutes to get. While I was waiting for my drink, the staff member was talking to his girlfriend that was hanging out in the store. They were laughing and joking and dancing to the music played. Once I revived my drink I asked if they could only charge me for a small instead of a medium because it was only ¾ full, he said ‘it doesn’t work like that’. Left the store, had to turn around because the drink I was given was undrinkable. Worst experience.

I worked her for a brief time in college. Most of the smoothies are really delicious, but don’t let them fool you; the best ones are very high in sugar and calories. Always have them hold the turbinado, because there is enough sugar without it, especially anything that has the strawberries.
It’s always a clean place with a good owner. The staff are usually pretty nice too. Just know what you’re ordering if you’re looking for a healthy alternative.

Smoothie King is my guilty pleasure in this part of Illinois.
I mean, sure, upstate there’s Jamba Juices. And they have a fair share of flavors, in addition to oatmeal and all sorts of other ‘healthy’ items. But they’ve long gotten rid of their piña colada shake and some of their soymilk-​based drinks, because of a bad rap in assorted men’s magazines.
Thankfully, Smoothie King opts not to maintain the pretense of health.
Sure, you can get things that are healthy for you here. My wife’s Pineapple Surf was excellent and had good pineapple-​strawberry flavor. If you need vitamins, this is the place.
But I come here for their Piña Colada smoothie, which is very much a delicious treat and something I look forward to every time I’m in the area. And it’s got to be healthier than the stuff Sonic sells… right?