It’s all gluten-free at Bowlicious

Bowlicious

1823 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-328-2695, EatBowlicious.com

A father and son have debuted this fast-casual bowl concept as their first restaurant in the former Pieology Pizzeria.

“Everything on the menu is gluten-free, and that includes all of our nutrient-rich grains and dessert. In creating the menu, we were focused on offering the freshest and fittest food possible,” says Matthew Freeman, who pitched the venture to his father. “I went gluten-free a couple of years ago and felt much better. No one in my family is gluten-intolerant. It’s just a cleaner way of eating.”

Customers build their own bowls (starting at $4.99, kids; $7.99, regular; $10.49, large) in assemblyline fashion by picking a base, such as kale-spinach-strawberry salad or spicysweet potato noodles; vegetables and proteins, such as Peruvian grilled chicken or Szechuan tofu; and a sauce.

“Bowls are an efficient way of eating, especially for folks pressed for time,” Freeman says. “We use less oil, sodium, fats and sugars in everything we serve.”

Chef and partner Gustavo Baldovino, who hails from Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Moe’s Southwest Grill, also offers signature bowls ($8.99-$13.99), such as the Matador with Peruvian grilled chicken, barbecue pork, quinoa, cinnamon sweet potatoes, glazed mushrooms, beets salad and three-pepper sauce.

Lunch and dinner are served daily amid a vibrant atmosphere of orange, blue and green walls, multicolored pillows on a darkwood banquette, industrial black ceiling, Fiesta-style bowls on the walls and light-wood tables. Umbrellas shade tables on a dogfriendly side patio.

BOWLICIOUS The new fast-casual Bowlicious features a build-your-own-bowl concept with fresh ingredients and modest prices.