Bonita Bowls Overflows With Enthusiasm Ahead Of Downers Grove Opening

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — When founder and CEO Kyle Kissane talks about opening a Bonita Bowls store in Downers Grove, he positively brims with enthusiasm, just as the eatery's popular smoothie bowls brim with fresh fruit. "You can’t stick your spoon in there without blueberries and strawberries spilling out of your bowl," Kissane told Patch.

A St. Charles native turned travel enthusiast, Kissane first got inspired to open a smoothie bowl restaurant when he was on a sailing trip in Thailand. After a brief business partnership, Kyle returned to his roots in Illinois to bring the first Bonita Bowls to Elmhurst, where found the demand for smoothie bowls was most significant.

A second location opened in Glen Ellyn in May 2022. Now, Kissane aims to open the Downers Grove eatery by summer of 2023, and the chain is prepping for its first franchise to open in Park Ridge.

"I’d rather create a brand locally that everybody knows and relies for quality products," Kissane said.

With that in mind, he crafted an extensive menu for Bonita Bowls that is anchored by several smoothie bowl options, including acai, pitaya and coconut. Kissane said the acai and pitaya are blended in-house without relying on artificial or refined sugars for sweetness.

Diners can choose their preferred base and then pile their smoothie bowls with strawberries, honey, almond butter, kiwi and their gluten-free blueberry flax granola, which Kissane calls "phenomenal."

Even the most reluctant of customers has fallen in love with acai and other smoothie bowls after visiting Bonita Bowls. Kissane said he has given free acai bowls to skeptical fathers who were visiting with their children, only to see the dad return solo to snag his own acai bowl next time.

Other standout items at Bonita Bowls include poke bowls, fresh smoothies, wraps and salads.

Inspired by Kissane's travels, many of the menu items are named for places —and people— that have been near and dear to him. The Zelli wrap, for instance, was inspired by Nick Donzelli, a longtime friend of Kissane and his family who died unexpectedly.

The menu aims to cater to diners with dietary restrictions, who will find Bonita Bowls has plenty of options for them.

"We definitely are very conscious of all these dietary restrictions," said Kissane, who grew up with a brother who is gluten-intolerant.

Thus, the menu is entirely dairy-free, he said, and offers dishes that are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.

Don't worry; Bonita Bowls still has something for those who want to indulge a little more. Think Belgian waffles slathered in cookie butter, fresh berries and Nutella.

The Downers Grove Bonita Bowls store will make its home at 4956 Main St., which formerly housed Super Crown Wings. The spot is near Starbucks, Berto's and the Tivoli Theatre and will be decked out in tropical-inspired decor that Kissane said he hopes enhances what he called the Instagrammable vibe of his menu items.

Kissane explained that the name Bonita Bowls comes from the photo-worthy presentation of each dish. "What better name than bonita because the bowls are beautiful?" he said.

He also plans to hire a muralist to incorporate images that are personal to Downers Grove, including its high school mascots.

"I want it to be a place where people can come and have a good time," Kissane explained, adding that he hopes people will be excited to "come in and take photos and videos."

Kissane said he's eager to share his love of Bonita Bowls with more people in Illinois. At the end of summer in 2023, Park Ridge will be the brand's inaugural franchise, which helps Kissane realize another personal dream.

“Since I was really young I always enjoyed helping other people," he said, adding that he's eager to help franchisees "accomplish their financial and independent dreams of running their own business."

“I think it’s what I’m on this planet to do and I found a great product to do it with.”

And just like the array of options served up at Bonita Bowls, Kissane looks forward to the future of his business unfolding in exponential directions, so don't expect his enthusiasm for Bonita Bowls to wane anytime soon, if ever.

He mused, "I’ve had probably 1,000 of my own smoothie bowls and they have never gotten old."