O.B. Smoothie Bar & Sub Express

Some may recognize this narrow storefront as the place that used to house the old O.B. Juice Bar previously written up in the 2002 edition of Roadfood. Although the O.B. Juice Bar is long gone, the O.B. Smoothie Bar & Sub Express is a worthy replacement. It offers bagels, wraps, subs, juices, smoothies, and even straight shots of wheatgrass.

The O.B. Smoothie Bar & Sub Express is located in the heart of the legendary surfer’s enclave, Ocean Beach. Upon entering the shop, the first thing we noticed were crates of recently delivered produce stacked up and scattered about.  This is certainly a good sign of a fresh product. The menu display behind the counter lists at least a dozen-and-a-half different smoothies to choose from, and if you’re really thirsty, you can order yours in a jumbo 32-ounce cup.

What should I eat at O.B. Smoothie Bar & Sub Express

The Breakfast of the Gods is a creamy concoction of strawberries, bananas, peaches, blueberries, plain yogurt, apple, and orange juice. After the first gulp it’s evident that the banana, strawberry, and peach take center stage with just enough nonfat yogurt for a rich, smooth texture without the dairy aftertaste.

The proprietor, Tony, who has owned the shop since 2006, says the most popular item on the menu is the Acai Bowl. Since the local surfers need to load up on carbs before catching their early morning waves on the O.B. surf, the popularity of this dish is no surprise. The acai berry from South America is high in antioxidants and is the featured star of this “breakfast in a bowl” which also consists of berries, pineapple, granola, and honey, served over soy milk or apple juice. Although I didn’t get to try Tony’s number one seller this time around, I am motivated to enjoy it on a return visit.

Considering their popularity in the neighborhood, The O.B. Smoothie Bar & Sub Express has woven their niche into the fabric of Southern California Roadfood and surf culture.