Sippin’ smoothies at Spotter’s

Spotter’s provides healthy snacks, breakfast and lunch options as well as smoothies like this Wedding Cake smoothie. Photo by Collin Richie

By Natalie Reina

Spotter’s is one of those hidden gems that you might have to search to find. Officially, it’s located at 521 Third St., Suite B. But I had to poke my head around the corner of Third and North streets to find the restaurant tucked away in the same building as the downtown YMCA.

Spotter’s boasts a variety of breakfast and lunch foods, such as sweet potato pancakes and steak quesadillas on flatbread.

Every menu item promotes health and fitness, which makes sense, considering the strategic location and catchy “Fast-Fit-Food” slogan.

The highlight of my visit to Spotter’s was one of its smoothies that, despite its “small” size, lasted both the half hour I spent in the restaurant and the 20-minute drive home. On the surface, the wedding cake smoothie is odd in name and composition: pineapple and lime blended together, along with a dash of cheesecake flavoring.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the three distinct tastes offset one another. The pineapple and lime flavors reached my taste buds first, followed by an extra burst of sweetness with the cheesecake flavoring, producing a delicious combination.

So in the end, the extra block I walked to find Spotter’s was worthwhile. After all, both the smoothie and the walk were good for me.

The downtown Spotter’s location is open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 248-6825. eatspotters.com