Proteinmaxxing and Energy Drinks Hidden Among Beauty Suites
Where gym bros and abuelas converge
See the whole journey on our Instagram!
There are hidden gems. And then there are gems so hidden you have to navigate rooms full of old Cuban ladies getting their hair done, judging you like you walked into their house without shoes. Then again, nobody said a protein shake with 55 grams of protein should ever come easily. Or maybe they did. Either way, the journey to find Maia Shakes and Energy is an immersion in Westchester culture.
Once you’ve navigated the acetone-scented hallways, dodging little kids waiting for Abuela to get her hair done, you’ll find another slice of Miami life: A protein-and-energy-drink bar that’s an oasis for the gym-obsessed.
Want a pre-workout drink without feeling like it’ll land you in rehab? They’ve got all-natural fruit drinks with caffeine, ginseng, and B vitamins. Trying to proteinmaxxx so you look extra shredded for your workout shoot? The afternoon coffee has more grams than a chicken breast. It’s an only-in-Miami spot on so many levels, but also a gem of health in an unexpected place.
So this is like a juice bar in a hair salon?
If it were that simple, it wouldn’t be Miami. No, Maia Shakes and Energy sits far in the back of the Novus Salon Suites, a strip-mall innovation where stylists and estheticians rent individual rooms to do their business. To find it, you’ll walk past about half a block worth of suites where you can spy on people getting their eyebrows waxed from some pre-shake entertainment.
The scene: Is a pleasant little juice-and-shake bar where the two women owners are always happy to have a little conversation in English, Spanish, or Miami Spanglish. You can even kick back on the couch and chat while you wait for your order. You’ll spot stylists stopping in for a caffeine jolt between appointments, as well as people coming by before or after their workout at the YouFit or Planet Fitness nearby.
What to eat and drink: Protein. Seriously, it’s in everything to an almost comical level. The waffles come with berries, Nutella, whipped cream, and 33 grams of protein. The indulgent milkshakes are only 300 calories, with at least 40 grams of protein each. The Oreo cookies and cream shake is a sinful way to get your macros, though the Hercules packs 55 grams of protein. ’m assuming they just blend up a porterhouse. You can’t even stop in for a cup of coffee without proteinmaxxxing – their basic drip has 15 grams of protein too.
On the energy side, the drinks are naturally sweet without the artificial tang that comes with your gas station energy staples. Each one packs about two cups of coffee worth of caffeine, as well as ginseng, guarana, and B vitamins. The Blue Long Island and Mai Tai taste like vacation cocktails, except instead of a beachy buzz they’ll have you running wind sprints in the parking lot.
Pro tip: Don’t give up. The place is hard to find, but worth the journey. Go inside the Novus Salon Suites, take the hallway on the left, consider getting a manicure, and go all the way to the back, just before the bathroom. Maia is on your left, and they’ll be happy to see you.
Perfect for: Pre-and-post gym drinks. Proteinmaxxing. An afternoon pick me up.
Expect to pay: $10-$15.
How’s the parking: It’s a Westchester strip mall. Parking is what they do.
@maiashakes // 8631 SW Coral Way Suite 114, Westchester