By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 15, 1999
2800 N. Clark
(773) 755-8472
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices: $3.40 to $3.90 for a 24-oz. smoothie (19 combos).
Credit cards: Visa, Discover, MasterCard, American Express.
But having said that, I’ll also admit that I often end up skipping breakfast, lunch or dinner because I just don’t have time to eat. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a place to get something quick, healthy and easy to eat that didn’t involve sprouts?
That’s where Jamba Juice comes in. The company, which has more than 270 locations nationwide, opened its first Chicago store Aug. 14 at the corner of Clark and Diversey. (It plans to open more stores at State and Randolph, the Chicago & North Western train station atrium, and near Woodfield Mall in northwest suburban Schaumburg.)
In theory, I’m a big smoothie fan. I love fruit. I like frozen yogurt. Ice is refreshing. Blend them all together and you get a delish concoction, right?
But in reality, smoothies usually leave me unsatisfied. And the last time I had one at my favorite espresso bar proved to be a horrific experience. The thing tasted like frozen cough syrup.
So I didn’t expect much when I plopped down $3.91 (tax included) for a Raspberry Rage. At 24 ounces, the thing weighed a ton. Good. I
like getting my money’s worth. A tentative sip scared me. “Cough syrup!” my tastebuds warned. But I’m pretty sure that was my mind playing tricks on me, because halfway through it, I found the combo of frozen yogurt and fruit quite tasty.
And the Jamba Juice people aren’t kidding when they say each drink is a meal in itself. I’m a hearty eater, but I couldn’t finish the Rage. I had eaten lunch a couple of hours before my visit, thinking the smoothie would be a little snack. Note to self: Don’t pig out before visiting Jamba Juice.
During my next trip, I tried the Cranberry Craze, which had dollops of sherbet mixed in with the blueberries, strawberries, cranberry juice, nonfat yogurt and ice. (They can make all these non-dairy, too, if you prefer.)
“Would you like a boost?” the guy behind the counter asked.
To which I replied, “Huh?”
Apparently, Jamba Juice formulated “six special blends of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and other nutrients” to give your body a boost. The first one is free. (Additional boosts are 50 cents a shot.) I asked for a Femme Juice boost. I didn’t taste any difference or feel particularly more femme after drinking my smoothie.
But I did feel full.
