Chowdown Showdown: Who's Got the Smoothest Smoothie in Town?

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When I lived in Florida, sometimes lunch was nothing but a smoothie, especially when it was so very hot as it is in Lincoln-Way this weekend. Something cold, fruity and refreshing cannot be beat. My marker of a good smoothie: when I know brainfreeze is imminent, but I can't stop pulling on that straw.

, New Lenox

Baskin Robbins offers something called the Fruit Blast Smoothie, made with real fruit and fat-free frozen yogurt. (Order just the Fruit Blast to avoid dairy). I ordered the Strawberry Citrus Fruit Blast Smoothie. It was very tasty, but I could detect no citrus essence. Still, the berry flavor was bright and yummy and the frozen yogurt served to make the drink creamy but not heavy.

Brainfreeze factor: 8

, Mokena

It seemed logical to order the Berries Gone Wild smoothie at Juicilicious to keep with a berry theme. I like that they throw everything into the blender in front of the customer at Juicilious, but I saw that they put the whole strawberry in the blender, calyx and all. (This was disturbing, and got me wondering if the berries were washed, because if someone was going to bother to wash them, they'd also pull the stem and calyx off, right?) Along with whole strawberries, the Berries Gone Wild has blueberries, raspberries, ice and milk.

I put thoughts of fertilizers and dirt out of my mind and tried to enjoy the smoothie. It's a very pretty color from the blueberries but sadly, the smoothie tasted like watery melted strawberry ice cream. 

I might try some fresh juice sometime; they have a nice list of fresh fruits and vegetables and they'll custom make a drink to order, but I won't ever get a smoothie here again. 

Brainfreeze factor: 1

, Frankfort

I have been to the and was happy to see that the Frankfort store has the same menu. I ordered the Berry Sensation smoothie. The shrink wrap cover is nifty; I like stabbing the giant straw through it. It's fruity, not to sweet, and icy. I don't think there's any dairy in this smoothie, but I certainly didn't miss it.

As I cussed the ice cream headache away (do you know the press-tongue-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth trick?) and then immediately took another long drink as soon as the pain went away, I realized I had found a smoothie as satisfying as the ones I would drink on the way to class at Florida State: Cold, fruity, refreshing, and packed with vitamins. 

Brainfreeze factor: 10

THE WINNER: Paradise's Berry Blast Smoothie. I might just have one for lunch tomorrow.

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• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments

In upcoming Chowdown Showdowns, we will be looking for the best thin crust pizza, best deep dish pizza, best ice cream cone and local bar with the best tap beer selection. Please comment below with your suggestions!