Every time I have passed by Rollin’ and Bowlin’ (RnB) in the Community Commons at the University of Denver, I have been drawn to their healthy, natural aesthetic as I contemplate whether I will brave through another meal in the dining hall or drop $12 on a smoothie or açaí bowl. 

This is a dilemma I’m sure many fresh-food-loving students who want to save their dining dollars face so I decided to see if it was worth the hype after all.

If you’ve managed to walk through the commons or the engineering building and pass by Rollin’ n Bowlin’ without blinking an eye since it opened last January, let me give you the rundown. RnB is a smoothie bar chain that began in 2017 as a food truck but business picked up quickly and over the past five years, it has expanded to have seven different locations across the U.S., exclusively on college campuses. 

Their menu is complete with drinks and bowls full of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as healthy option toasts and pre-packaged snacks and drinks. What makes RnB unique, however, is the inclusion of açaí and pitaya (otherwise known as dragon fruit) in their menu options. I tried RnB’s most popular bowl, the Super Monkey, which was an açaí banana and pineapple base with granola, coconut shavings, strawberries and bananas. The flavor was delicious and the texture was perfectly balanced between the creaminess of the base and the crunchiness of the toppings. It was presented beautifully and the service was all I could ask for but the price rounds out to $12 and for the 16 oz product, it felt like a lot to spend on something that didn’t completely fill me up. 

Madelyn Binns is a Senior here at DU and a regular at RnB who says she has bought from them about 40 times since they opened. “I find that their food has high quality products in it and it keeps me full for long periods of time. I think their prices are a little bit high but with the dining plan cash I don’t really care,” said Binns.

Beejay Williams moved up to the operations manager at RnB this year after working as a supervisor during their first year at DU. Williams has his own dreams of opening a restaurant someday and hopes to be supported through the entrepreneurship program offered by RnB. 

“I started as a supervisor and I noticed that Sophia and Austin, the co-owners, do a lot of help with entrepreneurship and small businesses so I thought it would be an excellent company to work for,” Williams said.

Business has picked up a lot this year which has been somewhat challenging in terms of training all the new employees, but reflects the enthusiasm for their products within the student body. “This is a much busier year for Rollin’ n Bowlin’, with this being the largest Freshman class coming in and the doors are open so more access to the building,” said Williams. 

While RnB already seems plenty successful, their growth hasn’t maxed out yet. “I see it going [to] a lot of good places. People love it. Every day, I see the lines get longer and longer, every quarter more people talk about it. I think they’re going to be here for a while for sure,” said Williams. 

The same sentiment is mirrored in students, “I think Rollin’ n Bowlin’ is great and I hope it doesn’t go away,” said Binns.

But how else could they expand? They already have two locations on campus that you may see Williams longboarding between throughout their 8:30-7:00 p.m. workday. “They’re working on more products for students [to] be able to purchase… We have our smoothie packets that you can just add to a blender with a liquid and you will be able to have our smoothies at any time of the day when you want it,” explained Williams.

I was recommended by Williams to try the Avo-Caprese and Loaded Avocado Toast so I got one slice of each for my second trial of RnB. The Avo-Caprese was my preference between the two because the balance of sweet and savory was perfect and the balsamic glaze [EB1] paired deliciously with the avocado-a combination I haven’t tried before.

Rollin’ n Bowlin’ is a good option for any student looking for a healthy non-boring alternative to dining hall food.. “Especially for people who are athletic or trying to eat healthier this is a good option because they are fresh, whole foods and don’t leave you feeling bloated,” said Binns. 

So while almost none of us can afford a $12 smoothie every morning, it’s definitely worth it to stop by and try one of RnB’s delicious dishes. While you’re at it, ask them about their ambassador program!