Oakland is filled with countless off-the-beaten-path food establishments that many Pitt students are completely unaware of. Most of these places are dives for greasy fast food or a hidden gem offering delicious ethnic fare from around the world. Salud Juicery is a notable exception to the aforementioned phenomena. Located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Halket Street near the campus of Carlow University, Salud serves dozens of all-natural juices, smoothies, shots, bowls, and hot drinks. Its menu offerings are unlike anything else available in Oakland.
Salud’s Oakland journey began with the store’s soft opening on January 5 of this year followed by its January 8 grand opening. The Oakland store marked Salud’s fourth location in the Pittsburgh area. The small chain has seven stores across the region and into State College (unfortunately the worst part of the Keystone State also gets to have a Salud). Salud is the brainchild of Virginia (Ginny) Corbett, who serves as the company’s CEO. According to their website, “at the core of Salud Juicery is a genuine passion for people and the goal of spreading health in every aspect of life.”
Many of the things on Salud’s menu are admittedly very out there. The juices and shots on the menu are certainly more geared towards people willing to do a juice cleanse (which are $50.00 per day) or the adventurous health nut willing to try concoctions of spices, vegetables, and fruits. The strangeness of some of the juice and shot flavors is offset by Salud’s selection of smoothies and smoothie bowls. A small smoothie ranges in price from $4.50 to $5.25, while the large will set customers back between $6.95 and $8.25. Smoothie bowls are priced between $8.95 and $9.30, a very steep price for students and the main reason I have been to Salud so sparingly since I was first introduced to it during the spring.
I have only ever tried one thing on Salud’s menu: The Berry Superbowl. The Berry Superbowl ($8.95) is a blended to perfection combination of acai, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and cashews (I order mine sans the nuts) topped with agave, granola, and freshly sliced banana. Salud introduced me to the idea of smoothie bowls and I doubt any other place could do them as well. The cold icy smoothie is complemented by the crunchy granola and soft banana slices. The adage that people eat with their eyes first was evidenced when I laid my eyes on the beautiful glistening smoothie and felt my lips water. Every bite left me feeling refreshed and ready to take on the rest of my day.
Salud Juicery is a (very) occasional treat that anyone looking for a delicious and healthy all-natural smoothie or smoothie bowl should splurge on. The smoothie bowls are filling and a wonderful alternative to the regular lunch options available throughout Oakland.
