If you have been reading my articles recently, you’ll know how much I love Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen. I’ve written two articles about the beloved quad cities coffee bar so far: one about my favorite energy drinks they serve, and another covering three reasons why I love it. In the second respective article, I mentioned that Vibrant has an extensive food menu, which I would encourage anyone to try. But a common theme I notice whenever someone is trying one of my favorite cafes for the first time is the menu can be overwhelming and they struggle to make a decision. So, in my usual attempt to fix that problem, here are the top three food items I would recommend to try from Vibrant.
- Pimento Cheese Chili
I cannot stress how much I love chili enough, and I try it anywhere where I can find it. When I saw that Vibrant serves their own take on chili, I bought it as soon as I could, and I was not disappointed. It was rich with a strong tomato flavor with beefy bites and soft beans. It had a nice kick to it without being so strong that I couldn’t finish the dish. It was packed with flavor while also being very balanced. The pimento cheese on top is the best part too. Its saltiness and sharpness breaks through the richness of the chili to create the perfect gooey bite. I came for Vibrant’s chili and I keep coming back for the chili. It’s especially good to warm me up during these cold winter months, but I would eat it any time of the year because it’s that good.
- California B.L.T.
Whenever someone asks me what sandwich I want, I always reply with “B.L.T.”, so I knew that Vibrant’s California B.L.T. was going to be a favorite of mine. It has the classic ingredients: bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The bacon is crispy without being overly greasy and the vegetables were very fresh. On top of that, Vibrant adds their juicy smoked turkey, ripe avocado, and creamy ranch dressing. Shove that in between two pieces of sourdough bread and you get one of Vibrant’s best dishes. There is a great balance between the saltiness and creaminess of the ingredients and everything tastes so fresh and juicy. Plus, Vibrant offers complimentary chips on the side, which I like to put on my sandwich to get an extra crunch factor. But no matter how you choose to eat the California B.L.T., you’ll enjoy it.
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Even though it’s a basic dish, many students at Augustana say it’s their favorite, and it’s easy to see why. A bunch of soft macaroni pasta is drenched in a perfectly creamy and salty white cheddar sauce with a slight sharpness. Get it piping hot and with bacon bits and you’ll taste heaven in your mouth. I decided to try to find the top three places to get Mac and cheese in the quad cities, and as soon as I had a bite of Vibrant’s take on it, I immediately knew it would make it onto the list (for the other two contenders, check out my article “My Top Three Places to Get Mac and Cheese in the Quad Cities”!). If you’re craving a classic homey dish that’s more elevated than the box version, Vibrant has got your back.
I have given you my top three energy brews, and now you have my top three foods from Vibrant. What are you waiting for? Check out this iconic coffeehouse and kitchen today!