Joe & The Juice coffee and juice chain has just opened its doors in Liverpool ONE.
The ECHO previously reported on the venue when it was set to land in the city as they had already enjoyed success with a well-received pop-up in John Lewis. They have kept the small shop inside the department store, but the Danish establishment has also moved into the former Utility store, located next to Black Sheep Coffee on Paradise Street.
I arrived at 12:20, which was peak lunch hour, so it was probably my fault that we struggled to find a table at first. However, despite the large amount of customers, the servers behind the till were efficient and friendly. All the food and drink were prepared behind the bar, and the staff were working hard to ensure the food was prepared promptly for the customers.
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There was a chilled vibe about the place and the décor was bright and quirky. The panelled walls and modern artwork created a calm but cool space.
I selected an avocado sandwich for £7.40, paired with a 'Pick Me Up' smoothie with apple, strawberries, banana, ice and olive oil (because you have got to try 'the juice' right?) for £7, while my colleague Emily went for a turkey sandwich for £7.40 and an aptly named 'Hell of a Nerve' smoothie (olive oil, elderflower, strawberries, banana and ice) for £7.
I say 'hell of a nerve', because when we got to pay for our food, I was gobsmacked by the price. The full amount came to £25.80. That's for two sandwiches and two smoothies. What baffled me most was that my sandwich cost an extra £1.20, as we decided to sit inside due to the chilly weather.
Call me old-fashioned, but I do not understand how four items can lead to that price, no matter how good they were. In a cost of living crisis, I think a lot of people wouldn't want to spend that much per day on their lunch, or even as a Friday treat. That being said, it was very busy, so perhaps some people are.
I will say, my avocado sandwich was excellent. I really enjoyed the avocado paired with the mozzarella, and the bread was crunchy and fresh. Not only that, but I felt full at the end of my meal.
Emily opted for a turkey and avocado sandwich. It seemed fresh enough; the sandwich wasn’t so full that the ingredients were falling out, nor did it feel scant – but still, neither of us were blown away.
The smoothies, while fruity and full of flavour, were a little watery. It wasn't thick like I imagined it would be, but we certainly felt like we'd had our five a day when the cups were empty.
The place was packed with eager customers, and while that may have been due to the lunchtime rush, you could tell people were excited to be there. We sat and enjoyed our food (once we found a free table) and were pleased the napkins and the smoothie cups were recyclable. Yes, it's something everyone should be doing, but it's good to see a brand so keen to promote their eco-friendly attitude.
I'm giving Joe & The Juice three stars because while it was great to see a thriving new venue with friendly servers and enjoyable food, I just can't get my head around the price. If you’re looking for a quick fix and don’t mind splurging on a sandwich, you’ll like Joe & The Juice.
If you prefer somewhere that offers something on the cheaper side there might be better options for you.
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