On any given day you can walk in to Soul Bowls on Mountain Avenue in Scotch Plains and feel instantly uplifted by the vibrant walls, and equally colorful bowls, smoothies and juices that are lovingly prepared for your body (and soul).
The place is a reflection of local sisters and owners, Michelene and Alicia Lambros, both bright and spirited souls in their own right. They are naturally beautiful and happy people; the kind of beauty that radiates from the inside out with goodness. And they are unknowingly mood setters, instantly changing the vibe of any room they enter. In a good way. In the best way.
It all started in 2017 when Michelene spotted a hot pink school bus. A Creative Soul, Michelene saw an opportunity to transform that bus into a fully outfitted food truck that would take her passion for a healthy lifestyle and turn it into a business. The food truck went on to become a popular stop for many at the Scotch Plains Farmers Market where Soul Bowls gained a strong following of customers. This success led to the opening of the Scotch Plains storefront in 2019. But there was a missing ingredient; that is until Alicia, a Clever Soul, partnered with her sister as co-owner to lead operations and streamline the business for future growth. With replicable practices in place, the sisters opened a second location on Pearl Street in Metuchen, a great addition to a growing food and dining scene.
The sisters complement each other in every way. Michelene studied nutrition at Montclair State University while Alicia studied Marketing at Kean. Michelene is decisive, Alicia strategic - and they both trust their gut. Their shared passion for clean eating is rooted in their belief system to spread kindness and compassion to humans and animals alike. This is at the core of their innovative menu of healthy and delicious plant-based specialties.
All of the menu items at Soul Bowls are “gifts from Mother Earth”. Fresh, plant-based, organic ingredients containing no dairy, food dyes, or high processing. Their signature bowls eat like a meal simultaneously filling cravings and bellies. "It's all about the layering" they say. Hearty, soulful ingredients that start with a base layer of Acai, Banana Whip, Coconut or Pitaya. This is followed by a wide variety of fresh fruits and topped off with a choice of over fifteen "extras". With menu items like “Stay Classy”, “Vaykay”, “The Middle Child” and “This is how we Brew It”, placing an order at Soul Bowls produces smiles across both sides of the counter. Trademarked ingredients like “Suntella”, “Sonola” and “Soul Brew” put the sisters’ clever stamp on menu staples.
Soul Bowls is a local, family owned and operated business. The bond between the sisters is unbreakable. They don't just love each other, they honor each other through this partnership. In the last few minutes of our meeting, I learn that their mother also works for the business. She makes all of the baked goods and works behind the counter. I see her serving a long line of local high school students their favorite after school nourishment. And I see the origin of the sisters' natural beauty that radiates from the inside out. “Your mom is stunning” I say. The sisters nod. “She is The Best Soul”.
Their shared passion for clean eating is rooted in their belief system to spread kindness and compassion to humans and animals alike.