🍛 TBS has thrown down the gauntlet in the protein bowl wars with their new Better Bowls line. The name alone tells you everything you need to know — nutritious, protein-forward, and, perhaps most importantly, convenient. The line offers four options: the tropical-leaning Shrimply Better bowl with jasmine rice and curry sauce; the tex-mex-inspired Chicko De Gallo on brown rice; the hearty Better Beef bowl with teriyaki sauce; and the more homey Freekn Chicken bowl with a freekeh base.

On paper, each bowl appears thoughtfully composed, emphasizing lean proteins, colorful veggies, and globally-inspired flavor profiles, suggesting that TBS is trying to cast a wide net and appeal to everyone from curry lovers to BBQ enthusiasts. But here’s the catch: the customization is essentially non-existent. Your only choice beyond the bowl is whether you’d like to eat it with a fork or spoon. In a time when fast-casual dining and make-your-own salads have trained us to expect endless customization options, the no-substitutions rigidity feels both convenient in eliminating decision-fatigue but also frustrating.

The Chicko De Gallo and Better Beef were the clear choices for us — and we expect, the go-to for many. The former quickly proved itself to be one of our future staple meals — loaded with well-seasoned chicken, a generous helping of red kidney beans for added protein and fiber, red and yellow bell peppers (that were not grilled as they were advertised, however), pico de gallo, and a sprinkling of tortilla sticks. The portion size was genuinely satisfying — substantial enough to keep most people full without being overwhelming — and the flavors worked well and felt both familiar and fresh.

Our one significant gripe? The provided sauce — what appeared to be ranch or herbed sour cream — felt lacking, or perhaps mismatched. While technically on par with the flavor profile, it didn’t complement the bowl’s flavors, and we were left daydreaming of a chipotle mayo, a cilantro-lime crema, or even a simple salsa verde.

The Better Beef bowl had all the makings of a champ, but ultimately fell short. The jasmine rice base supported shredded beef, red kidney beans, (not very) sautéed mushroom, pico de gallo, red pickled cabbage, and (oversized florets of) broccoli, accompanied by a teriyaki sauce. While the fusion of Asian and Latin flavors seem good on paper, something was distinctly off. The pickled red cabbage, while adding a pop of color and presumably meant to provide a bright acidic contrast, clashed with the other ingredients rather than complement them. This was perhaps amplified by the teriyaki’s extra sweetness, which left the overall flavor profile a bit muddled and uncertain on its identity.

That being said, the fundamental appeal of these bowls is that they are incredibly easy, convenient meals that don’t require much thought or effort. For busy professionals, students, or anyone looking for a quick lunch that offers more nutritional value than a sandwich, these bowls deliver on that promise. And when the flavors work — as they did in the Chicko De Gallo — you can see what this line could become with some more on-ground R&D.

A word to the wise: Hold the lid tightly when shaking to mix the salad.

WHERE TO FIND IT- TBS’s Better Bowls are available to order in some branches, and on Talabat.

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