Banana Boy

Banana Boy is an independent, locally owned, all-natural juice bar and deli tucked into a Jefferson Avenue plaza in Murrieta, and it is one of those little local gems you’ll want to keep to yourself. Bright green walls, a chill open dining room and a crew that makes everything fresh to order with, in their words, “excellent service, good food, and a clean establishment.”

The menu is a love letter to fresh fruit and stacked sandwiches. Grab a torta, wrap or sub: the Pollo Asado (grilled chicken, bacon, jack and chipotle mayo), Milanesa, La Cubana or the Banana Boy BBQ pulled pork are crowd favorites. Then go sweet: Mango Madness with chamoy and tajín, Fresas con Crema, acai bowls, Tostilocos and a banana split. Smoothies and shakes run from the classic Strawberry Sunshine to protein-packed Power House blends.

Lunch tip: the Lunch Box (half wrap or sub plus a fruit bowl) is a weekday steal. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm; closed weekends. It gets busy at lunch, so it’s worth the short wait.