“Are you going to Ernie’s today?” Quickly becoming the traditional six-words to meet up for after-school snacks and to hang out with friends, Ernie’s Açai has entered into a state of success with Cavaliers.
Since opening its doors on Nov. 4, 2022, Ernie’s Açai has become a bustling hub for the health-conscious at Merrick Park. Every day, the shop welcomes dozens of customers drawn to its innovative approach of turning healthy fruits into irresistible treats: açai bowls.
Using only 100% fruit and respective juice, each of the 12 bowls featured on their menu comprises six toppings more or less. Packed full of antioxidants, these açai bowls ultimately combine a delicious texture whilst checking off the boxes for vegan, organic and gluten-free options.
“It’s a perfect after-school snack for anyone. Because of its diversity of options, its a convenient place for students who play after-school sports, such as myself, because of how close it is to Gables. Personally, my favorite bowl is the Chocolisto, but sometimes I like to get their Lost Gypsie smoothie,” sophomore Gabriella Arango said.
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Aside from taking a bite into fruit-covered sugariness, Ernie’s Açai’s menu also contains six different flavored smoothies, with the ability to customize the soft-served drink starting between $9 and $11 for either a regular or large.
Committing to serving the Coral Gables community as well, Ernie’s Açai also allows for fundraisers and student discounts to happen. As a token of appreciation for their patronage, Ernie’s Açai offers a 10% discount on their purchases with the only requirement being a form of student identification.
“I love coming here with my friends after school to catch up and enjoy some healthy treats together. It’s become our favorite hangout spot,” freshman Ethan Brown said.
Not serving just bowls, Ernie’s Açai also allows Cavaliers to become workers, providing not only tasty treats but also job opportunities for local students.
“My favorite part about Ernies is the energy transmitted to our customers and team while being capable of having a great time at work with others. We are also able to maintain a quiet learning environment for students to enjoy their school assessments and overall have a refreshing snack,” senior Cayetano Burneo said.
Creating Ernie’s Açai into a high-demand place, the restaurant has managed to expand to two new locations. Announcing the hype behind their milestone through their social media, the restaurant announced its new presence in Miami Lakes and Pinecrest on Feb.12, 2024.
With each bowl served and each smile exchanged, Ernie’s Açai has become the new post-school pick-me-up treat, where every item tells a story through tasting the Brazilian acai palm trees from South America.
“I can’t say that I have a favorite part of Ernie’s, because I love every part of it, from the food to the staff, and even to the music they play. I choose to go to Ernie’s Açai because it’s close to school, and the environment is quiet enough for me to finish homework and other things,” sophomore Arango said.
