Protein Bar

How I heard of this place: It opened up just around the corner from our home, and we noticed the COMING SOON signs in the window on one visit to its neighbor: The Green Turtle. A fellow Arlington gourmand mentioned to me that it had finally opened its doors, but it wasn’t until a lunch-​date was set with a friend working at NSF that I finally entered those open doors.
Type of cuisine: «Our mission is simple: provide active, on-​the-​go people with healthy, flavorful choices while having a positive impact on everyone we meet and in everything we do.» From healthful Bar-​ritos to warm quinoa bowls and vibrant, protein-​rich salads, Protein Bar offers a little something for everyone.
«We all know that healthy employees are happy employees and we want to be a part of your corporate wellness plan. Protein Bar is proud to have worked with many of the city’s top companies to ensure employees are provided with the best information they need to make healthy decisions. Here are some quick tips to promoting healthy healthier in your office:
Encourage breakfast: A little oatmeal and fruit in the morning can raise metabolism and keep you feeling energized throughout the day. Get out of the office: Bring your team to Protein Bar for a refreshing alternative to a conference room
Take a snack break: Need a boost to get past the 3pm hurdle? Some veggies/​hummus or fruit & nut bars sound better than the vending machine
Have us over: We bring the blenders, fruit, protein; whatever necessary to blend drinks to-​order right in your office»
Ambiance: A sleek entryway opens onto a single, vast room with high ceilings exposing colorful yet muted industrial building materials. The autumnal array of coloring in oranges, browns and whites creates a uniform warmth throughout the space. Varied seating options including booths, tables and chairs, as well as a rounded bar with bar-​stools and whimsical lighting are available for each dining party. Clean and streamlined, the space welcomes business professionals and casual diners through its large, glass doors.
What I ordered: The menu was slightly daunting as I stood at the front of the long line of customers, my dining companion already at the register. The Spinach & Pesto Bowl caught my attention, and it was hard to divert it. The Spinach & Pesto bowl ($ 7.19), prepared with all-​natural chicken with organic quinoa, spinach, basil pesto, and shredded parmesan cheese consisted of: 371 calories, 21 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 805 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 35 g protein. My dining companion selected the Original Protein Bar-​rito (grilled) made with all-​natural chicken (which she substituted with tofu), house-​made seasoned black beans, organic quinoa, shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro for a total of: 505 calories, 11 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 1343 mg sodium, 70 g carbohydrates, 22 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 42 g protein.
What I loved: The cheesy, creamy, pesto-​infused bowl of quinoa, mini chunks of chicken breast, tossed with whole, fresh, vibrant leaves of spinach.
Why I loved it: I love that Protein Bar prides itself on using only healthful and satisfying options presented heartily, with simplicity and lacking frills.
Cost: Low to average ($ 7 — $ 10 per single lunch item)

Protein Bar was recommended to me by a friend who used to work in the area. Actually, she begged me to get her favorite dish and bring it back to Indiana with me. Good thing that I didn’t do that as my flight was delayed for 8 hrs and it would have been pretty gross. Anyway, I digress… I will have to agree with my friend that the food at Protein Bar was awesome.
I ordered the Buffalo Salad. It was a very tasty combination with chicken, quinoa, Super 8 mix, blue cheese and Buffalo dressing made in house. It was chopped, which I love because who wants big leaves that you have to cut on your salad? Very tasty and extremely filling. If I would have been staying in the area, I would have definitely taken the rest of it to go. The rest of the menu looked excellent as well. I would be interested in trying some of the drinks available on my next trip to the area.
I would say that the only negative to Protein Bar is that they are only open to 3pm and are closed on the weekends. I am sure that the reason is because the area is more commercial property rather than residential so it may not be as profitable to be open in the evening or on the weekends.
If you are in the area stop by for lunch, you won’t be disappointed.

A lot of my friends raved about the Protein Bar so when I saw this location steps away from my training location I was super stoked to try them out. This location is only open for the lunch rush. When we arrived, the line was long but moved very fast. The menu was very diverse but it’s quinoa in about 90% of the dishes. I’ve never had quinoa but I didn’t want it to be on my first time here so I opted for the Guac n Roll. The wrap looked & felt small but «looks» & «feels» can be very deceiving. I devoured the roll & surprisingly I was full.
For the Guac n Roll wrap, it was $ 7.99 which is fairly priced for lunch.
I think the next time I’m in the area I’ll get something with quinoa or maybe even be adventurous and get a quinoa bowl… stay tuned!
For now, I say get the Guac n Roll wrap because you won’t be disappointed especially if you love guacamole.

Fresh ingredients, but lacking in flavor. Slightly over priced as well. I like the menu selections and it is great convenient fast food with high quality ingredients though. I’ve certainly had better but I’ve also had a lot worse.

I stopped in for a protein shake the other day for lunch. I got chocolate whey protein with a banana and peanut butter and it did the trick and I was happy to have this option so close to work! Bonus points: I ordered a 12oz but they gave me the next size up because they made extra (and note: 12oz of a protein shake is not enough to keep me full for lunch-​go for the large!). Next I want to try the quinoa bowls… I hear they are yum!

This place is pretty good if you want to get a quick bite to eat of something healthy. Came in during lunch (around 12:00pm or 1:00pm) and it wasn’t that packed. Ample seating and plenty of space to move around.
Ordered the guac and roll which was really yummy! Barely needed any hot sauce which they provide you with at the condiments station.
The bf ordered the buffalo bar-​rito which he thought was okay. He doesn’t really enjoy really healthy foods like I do, so his meal wasn’t that great in his opinion. He thought it tasted funny, but I couldn’t taste what he’s tasting.
The Georgetown Green Tea is SOO GOOD. OMG anything with matcha green tea, I love. However, it was a bit pricey imo… well everything was a bit pricey here which is why I kind-​of Protein Bar is a-​ok. Concept is great, because I’m all for TRUE quick and healthy food places. However, I feel like I can make all of these items in the comfort of my own home and the taste to my liking. All in all, good place and it’s nice to have healthier «fast food» options.

I live across the street from Protein Bar, so I’ve been here a few times. I’ve tried their Spinach and Pesto quinoa bowl (several times) and the Ivy Bar-​Rito. Both are good.
Last time we came here for dinner, my husband got the Buffalo Bar-​Rito and said he liked the Ivy better. For the most part, the food is a bit bland like everyone says, but at least I know what I’m getting when I order the food.
I will say, however, that I went there for breakfast for the first time today. I ordered the oatmeal, but I think I got quinoa drenched in almond milk and spices instead. I also found a small hair and I’m really hoping it’s mine.

The Protein Bar is a nice option for breakfast and lunch, and I’m glad to work near one. It’s modern and fun, with great music playing. Staff is friendly and there’s plenty of seating. It can be somewhat slow in the mornings, which is quite annoying.
For breakfast, I get the pesto burrito (no eggs, but with the Super 6 mix added.) I’m just excited that I can get a healthy breakfast, out, that doesn’t involve eggs. At lunch, I really like the pesto bowl, again with the Super 6 mix added. In reading reviews, many have mentioned that the food here is sort of bland. I won’t disagree, and I’m sure they could find a way to add some flavor without adding many calories, but to me, it tastes very fresh and natural. Also, I tend to add some hot sauce, so that helps.
For the juice, I like the Greenberry (kale, lime, apple, strawberry, cilantro) and HI-​5 (kale, spinach, pineapple, cilantro, and lime, blended with ice). The juice is not cheap, but I love it. And since it’s not cheap, I try to limit my visits, because I can never visit and not order the HI-​5.

Went here for dinner on a Friday evening. Had to pay to park in the garage below. That already gets things off to a less than stellar start.
Like a lot of other reviews stated, this place is run by a pretty young crowd. I asked the guy at the front register what he recommended and he suggested two options; the buffalo wrap and pest chicken quinoa bowl. I thought the wrap was good with some hot sauce. Also note, the restaurant does not have Coke or Pepsi products in the soda fountain. They carry some Organic looking brand of cane sodas.
I got the «green» juice and I was surprised to see that it wasn’t green. Am I missing something? It was a murky pink color and tasted REALLY SWEET. I attribute this to the massive amount of strawberries that were probably crammed in there to mask the veggies. $ 7.50
All in all, I probably wont be returning very often. I work on Randolph St so it’s a bit of a walk for lunch when there are so many other salad/​sandwich shops in the area. The hours are also HORRIBLE. Last Saturday around 5:30pm I thought about swinging by for dinner but realized they closed at 6pm. They are not even open on Sundays. I wish they would give an explanation for their closures like Chic Fil a does. Or maybe they only want the lunch business?

I like that Protein Bar is a healthier alternative and I like that it’s quinoa-​based (the bowls and the «Bar-​Ritos»). However, I was disappointed with the portion of food you get for the price. I paid nearly $ 10 for my Spinach Pesto chicken bowl (Organic quinoa mixed with all-​natural chicken, spinach, basil pesto, and shredded parmesan). The food wasn’t the freshest (perhaps it was because I ordered around 7pm and this is more of a lunch place?). I did have lunch at the Protein Bar in Farragut Square previously and had a better experience. I think I may pass on Protein Bar in the future, though. It’s just not really worth it for the price.

Gah I love this place more than words can describe. Their burritos and breakfast wraps are massive and taste fabulous. I love downing the entire beast and not feeling heavy or weighted down thanks to aggressive amounts blah. The ingredients taste fresh and everything is just lovely. Their smoothie bar is top notch also. You should try the PB&J Street. YUM.
Also you can sit outside with you pup!

The cashier was fairly new and so friendly!
I got exactly what he suggested and it did not disappoint. I got a buffalo burrito with a few extra ingredients that were suggested, as well as a protein shake. Next time I will get something lighter to eat, and still get a shake.
The shake I got was Federal A’peel. I usually don’t go with shakes that have chocolate in them because I feel like the chocolate will overpower, but with this one the taste of peanut butter and banana stood out, with just a hint of chocolate. Oh So Good! Definitely will be going back to try their seasonal pumpkin protein shake.

I hope this stupid place goes out of business. How can you only be open till 8 on weekdays? Old farts don’t patron this place, young people who go to the gym then want food afterwards do. We don’t eat dinner at 6pm sharp. How can you have limited hours on Saturdays and not even be opened Sundays? How do you pay rent?
The food itself is average. Sometimes when I order a hot bar rito, it’s cold inside. I do not wish anything bad on any business, but use common sense. People eat past 8pm. Get a clue.

Ahhh, so the spread of paleo hits Ballston in the form of Protein Bar, eh? Well, I can’t say my hopes were particularly high given how much superhealthypaleo-​ness I see on a daily basis (the woes of a healthy living blogger, what can I say?) but I thought the concept and execution were fairly clutch. The place is clean, spacious, and the menu is simple and direct.
You don’t get a whole lot of variety here, its really just salads and wraps, but you also don’t have to spend a ton deliberating over your meal options. The beverage case is a different story, however, as it is stocked to the brim with all the coconut water, kombucha, chia seed drinks, and sugar-​free teas you could ever dream of. This was probably my favorite part of Protein Bar as a whole, haha.
My least favorite part? The gaggle of teenagers behind the counter and in the kitchen, lugging bags of trash over their shoulders as they guffawed and giggled together, an entire decibel above what I would think is appropriate for employees to do. I get that young staff is gonna be a thing and that I was there during a slow time, but c’mon. They’re gonna have to learn a modicum of professional decorum at some point in their lives, right?
Aaanyway, I don’t think Protein Bar is going to be a regular haunt of mine, but they have a lot of options that cater to a regulated diet so if you have friends doing CrossFit, with gluten-​intolerances, or who are just damn picky, it seems like a solid recommendation. Oh yeah, and parking in the building’s garage is like $ 4.

I’ve only been to this place once, so I may update my review after a few visits. It’s nice having a place in the area that serves food on the healthier side. I got the chicken chili quinoa bowl and found it to be just okay. Came with a dollop of greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I actually thought they forgot the quinoa until I got the the very bottom of the bowl and found a tiny little heaping. I could make better chili at home, but it still beat most other places.
The service was friendly and the atmosphere was lively. There was hip-​hop music playing and it really made it fun inside. I recommend looking up their menu prior to arrival, it can be a little overwhelming. All of their food items have basic nutrition info on the menu, something I hope all restaurants will eventually have to increase awareness. Next time I go, i’d like to try their shakes, they sounded quite tasty.

Great concept but needs profecting. Hours of Operation? Odd, seems to not cater to dinner, just lunch. Too bad, went there several times after 6pm only to find it closed.
Décor — A+ very chic, modern and kewl with a blend of wood, 70’s colors, designs, shapes blended with a new twist.
Menu in on the wall Chipotle style but long sentences in small fine font. Hard to read and with this many choices, it doesn’t really make sense. Also disappointed to not see my food being made in front of me, instead we were given a blink/​buzzer and called up to the kitchen which is right behind the order station but hidden, only you can see the racks of cans. Timing was long for a place that was empty. but maybe just growing/​training???
Portions were small and from what I saw, is this stuff fresh? The bananas on display were all rotten. Whats the food like in the back? My Chicken pesto bowl was decent but small, the wrap was OK and small, the chili cup was small but the raw red onions on top were appreciated and made what probably was canned chili look fresh. Too bad it was cold and when asked to have it heated the answer was, «we can put some hot water in it» … no microwave? How was it cooked to begin with?
I know this place is new and in the perfecting mode, its just not there yet. Simplify the menu, make it fresh where we can see it being made, bigger portions and speed it up.

I was very excited when I first noticed Protein Bar had popped up across the street from my apartment — finally something healthy to eat in Ballston! I took my assistant for lunch and we ordered quinoa bowls — he had buffalo chicken, I had spinach/​pesto. We both ordered the greenberry drink or something like that. Our food came quickly which was nice but I was shocked at how sloppy the presentation was… I then begin to eat my bowl and realize there is absolutely no quinoa in it… So i took it back and asked for quinoa (afterall it is a quinoa bowl…) The juice we ordered sounded as if it was super healthy however it was intoxicatingly sweet. For both of our meals I paid around $ 35. We left dissatisfied. I had to throw my drink out it was so bad.
So long story short, I’d say its a bit overpriced for what it is. You can make the same things at home and they’d probably be tastier (esp. the juices).
Also when ordering, the cashier seemed to know nothing about the menu… we weren’t impressed.

What do Paula Dean and the Protein Bar have in common? Other than starting with the same first letter, nothing. Which is why I recommend it with a whopping 5 stars.
Do you like your food dripping with butter? Do you prefer strawberry cheesecake over strawberries? Are you morbidly obese and ok with it? If so, Protein Bar is not for you, but for the rest of us not shopping the sale on early tombstones, this place ROCKS!
From their capital themed menu items to their huge selection of some tasty protein shakes (obvi… it’s called the «Protein Bar»), there’s tons to choose from AND written next to each menu item is the listing of caloric content, fiber, protein, and carbs. Say whaaaaa?! The Christmas belly chub just shreaked in horror.
The décor was modern, great lighting, kitchen is visible (so you know they’re not just blending up horse meat and hoping we don’t notice), and I found street parking (what’s the metro again?). The staff was über nice, but then again, I may just have rose colored glasses on because they said they liked my outfit (it was adorb, btdub).
Highly recommend since I’m on a fitness diet from hell, so having an option that doesn’t involve a stick and a half of melted butter on something they’re trying to pass off as a salad is GREAT. Will be back, Protein Bar, I will. be. back.
* addendum — try the Shamrock Mint protein shake. No WAY it could taste THAT good and be healthy… but I’m going to ignorantly say «Yes it can.»

This place just opened, like a week ago. The service is impressively friendly and efficient, so no complaints there!
I ordered a GGT smoothie, which was quite delicious with matcha tea, banana, choice of booster, and Greek yogurt.
The smoothies run about $ 5 for 12oz, or $ 7 for 20oz. Pricy but hey, it’s the natural response to demand. Great as a healthy snack or meal replacements.

Incredibly busy on opening day. Great idea, good décor, a solid staff (hard to come by on this block), good prices, tasty food, and the best drip coffee in Ballston (Counter Culture). A welcome addition to the lunch scene.
I would be remiss if i didn’t mention that 95% of the clientele are 25 year old females hungry for protein. HURRAY, PROTEIN BAR!