Sol Fitness & Nutrition brings Smoothies, Fresh Juice and Whole Foods to Pilsen.

PILSEN – Neighbors can find healthy food, drinks and baked goods at a newly opened Pilsen family restaurant.

Marisol “Sol” Garcia opened Sol Fitness & Nutrition Nov. 12 at 1800 W. Cermak Road to bring delicious drinks and snacks to the neighborhood, promoting healthy eating and people “taking care of themselves,” he said.

The menu includes drinks such as smoothies, teas, natural juices and homemade atole, a warm Mexican drink. Snacks include oatmeal, sandwiches, crepes, waffles and baked goods.

“All drinks have nutritional benefits,” said Garcia, who created the recipes for all the menu items.

Drinks like the best-selling Strawberry Ninja and Strawberry Matcha include ingredients like collagen, probiotics and aloe vera. Many smoothies are made with protein powder.

Sandwiches are made from whole grain bread and served with fruit. These have quickly become popular among Cristo Rey Jesuit High School students, who have started visiting the store after school, Garcia said. The location is also open early in the morning to provide a nutritious breakfast option for students, parents and neighbors, he said.

Opening the store is a dream come true for the single mother of two, who has always been interested in cooking healthy food and working hard to provide for her family, she said.

Garcia started making drinks and lunches and posting them on Facebook before opening a healthy juice spot at The New Hot Spot Hand Carwash And Detailer a few years ago. On Wednesday, the car wash held a special half for women, which allowed Garcia to meet other mothers and women.

“I encouraged them to try green juices, spinach smoothies and immune shots. They really liked them,” said Garcia. That’s how I became famous.

In June, Garcia found a suitable retail space on West Cermak Road, which is one of the locations he is looking for for his business. After renovating with the help of a family friend and getting city permits, he opened this month.

He said: “This place is a blessing.

Garcia wants to grow his business so he can leave something for his two children. Her goal is to have five juices — a big goal for a woman who saw her mother, who is also a single mother, raise a family of five by selling tamales door-to-door and house in Mexico.

“I am very happy. I think people have responded well, and I like to see people try foods that are good for them,” Garcia said. “That’s the bottom line: We’re providing healthy options locally.”

Daughter Brianna Garcia is following in her mother’s footsteps. When not at Dominican University, where she is studying to be a nurse, she helps take orders, manage social media and make food and drinks in the cafe.

Brianna Garcia and Marisol’s son Brandon Garcia are “very proud” of their mother, they said.

Brandon Garcia, a student at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, goes to the grocery store after school to pick up his favorite: a turkey sandwich. He often brings friends who have also become sandwich fans and are often seen at a table in the restaurant, doing homework while they eat.

Sol Fitness & Nutrition is open 6 am-6 pm Monday-Friday, 8 am-2 pm Saturday and 8 am-1 pm on Sunday.

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