News of another juice joint opening in Santa Monica is far from extraordinary. However, Chomp Eatery & Juice Station has some surprises in store.
Chomp is a venture from Santa Monica donut guru Sean Tao. Tao, part owner of DK's Donuts had been looking to open up a different kind of restaurant. When the storefront went vacant next door to DK's, needless to say Sean chomped at the bit to open up shop.
Bad puns aside, midtown does not scream 'cold pressed juice' as a more upscale Montana Avenue or Main Street would. None-the-less, along side rows of auto dealerships and retirement homes, Chomp offers something new to a more salt-of-the-earth Santa Monica neighborhood.
Sean's longtime girlfriend and co-owner Rolan Pongpuntara is the brains behind the array of Chomp's juices that took her weeks of trial and error to get to her liking. Clarity, Peace and Hope aren't new Vitamin Water flavors, but rather three of the six juices found in Chomp's 3 day Sunlight Cleanse for $165.
They're not messing around. Chomp offers one or three day juice cleanse packages for both beginner and experienced juicers. The "experienced" packages are a little more intense and leafy green driven. If you have the fortitude for a cleanse, Chomp can deliver. Otherwise D.K.'s Donuts is perfectly juxtaposed next door.
Besides juice, Chomp offer's a list of burgers, salads, sandwiches, wraps and sweets. Many of which are vegan, gluten-free, dairy free, grass fed, and/or organic. More than ever, people have special dietary needs and having a gluten free bun can make all the difference.
If you couldn't care less, the free-range eggs may prove inconsequential, but wrapped with potatoes, avocado, red onion, cheese, and bacon they make a delicious breakfast burrito. Wash it down with a green juice as healthy counter weight.
Chomp's menu boasts healthy eating with a little bit of a nudge and wink. An In-and-Out Burger inspired secret menu is available for those in the know. Chomp's Instagram page posts pics of secret limited time offerings. Some previous creations include a pork belly and scallion sprinkled cheese fry and a marinated steak quesadilla. Simply ask and you shall receive. There's no shortage of healthy items, but if you dig a little deeper you can find some real treats.
It will take some getting used to seeing Sean one wall over from the donut shop. He's been a fixture at DK's for years and in turn has made friends with half of Santa Monica.
Sean's younger sister Mayly currently manages DK's. Both Tao's downplayed the sibling rivalry, but it must be tearing at their poor mother who works on the DK's side and is literally stuck between her two ambitious children.
The two restaurants can certainly coexist though. You can pick up a dozen donuts for today and grab a cleanse package for tomorrow.
It has been said that compromise is an inherent part of a relationship. But sometimes everyone gets what they want. Sean and Rolan set out to make a place of their own, and came up with a restaurant (and juice station) truly unique to the neighborhood.
