E29: Food Truck to Wellness Haven: Julian de Jong's Aruba Island Bowls Cafe Story

What makes Julian De Jong with Aruba Island Bowls Cafe a good neighbor? 

Building Community Through Freshness: The Story of Aruba Island Bowls Cafe

In the heart of Pittsburgh, a small but mighty wellness movement is brewing—and it all began with a personal health journey. Julian De Jong, founder of Aruba Island Bowls Cafe, shared his inspiring story on the Good Neighbor Podcast, revealing how his wife Rachel's switch to a vegetarian diet due to health concerns led them to discover the transformative power of superfoods. What started as personal research blossomed into a mission-driven business dedicated to bringing vibrant, nutrient-dense foods to the Pittsburgh community.

The cafe's journey began on April 1st, 2023, with a food truck that quickly taught Julian an important entrepreneurial lesson—launching an outdoor food business in Pittsburgh's rainy April might not be the wisest timing decision. Despite this initial challenge, Aruba Island Bowls persevered, eventually opening a brick-and-mortar location while continuing their food truck operations. This determination exemplifies their business philosophy: believing in your vision, giving it your all, and never stopping your forward momentum.

What makes Aruba Island Bowls Cafe truly special is their unwavering commitment to freshness and quality. Each morning begins at 6 AM as Julian and his team carefully source the juiciest, healthiest ingredients from various providers. Their smoothie bowls, smoothies, and other offerings are prepared daily in small batches to ensure maximum freshness—a difference customers can taste in every bite. This dedication extends to their three-element approach to creating memorable food experiences: visual presentation, texture perfection, and flavor harmony. From artistically arranged fruit toppings that showcase freshness to the perfect creamy-yet-fluffy texture in their acai bowls, every detail receives meticulous attention.

Beyond serving delicious food, Julian has created a community hub for health enthusiasts and goal-oriented individuals. The cafe actively collaborates with like-minded local businesses and health-focused organizations, hosting yoga classes, wellness events, and entrepreneurial meetups. This commitment to community building reflects Julian's personal values—when not at the shop ensuring everything runs smoothly, he spends time with his wife and dog or recharges at the gym, a habit that keeps him balanced and motivated in both life and business.

One common misconception Julian frequently encounters is that smoothie bowls are merely light snacks rather than substantial meals. Aruba Island Bowls addresses this by offering generous portions packed with nutrients and protein add-on options, creating satisfying meals that can easily replace lunch while leaving customers feeling refreshed, full, and energized. This approach underscores their mission to make healthy eating accessible and appealing to everyone in the Pittsburgh area.

For those inspired to experience Aruba Island Bowls Cafe's colorful creations, Julian welcomes visitors to their location, where the team is always happy to chat. You can also follow their journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under the name Aruba Island Bowls Cafe, visit their website at www.arubaislandbowlscafe.com, or contact Julian directly at [email protected]. From humble beginnings to becoming a wellness destination, this cafe demonstrates that with passion and perseverance, a small business can make a meaningful impact on individual health and community vibrancy.

To learn more about Aruba Island Bowls Cafe go to: 

www.arubaislandbowls.com

Aruba Island Bowls Cafe

(412)440 1601