Jus by Julie

Jus by Julie positions itself as a health-focused establishment offering a wide array of blended juices, healthy smoothies, and comprehensive juice cleanse programs. Located at 502 Avenue U in Brooklyn, this juice shop provides dine-in, takeout, and delivery services, aiming to cater to a clientele passionate about wellness. The menu extends beyond beverages, featuring an extensive selection of salads, wraps, panini, and bowls, indicating a broader ambition to be a go-to spot for healthy meals. However, a deep dive into customer feedback and the company's history reveals a complex picture, marked by significant praise for its food but marred by persistent and serious issues with service, delivery, and product consistency.

The Product: A Diverse and Ambitious Menu

On paper, the offerings at Jus by Julie are impressive. The establishment is much more than a simple juice bar; it's a full-fledged cafe with a menu that includes everything from a Classic Acai Bowl to a Cajun Salmon on Romaine salad and Cauliflower “Mac” n’ Cheese. This variety is a clear strength, appealing to a broad range of customers, from those seeking a quick post-workout smoothie to others looking for a substantial, healthy lunch. The brand emphasizes the use of blended juices over cold-pressed, arguing that this method retains more fiber and nutritional value, which helps the body detoxify naturally. This is a key selling point for their popular detox juices and cleanse programs, such as the 3-day cleanse, which promises a nutrient-rich experience.

Many customers who order food items, particularly through delivery apps, report positive experiences. Dishes like the Cauliflower Mac n' Cheese and acai bowls have been described as delicious and satisfying, with delivery being fast and efficient, ensuring hot food arrives hot and cold items remain cold. This suggests that the kitchen is capable of producing quality food. However, the core of the business, its juices and cleanses, is where the picture becomes much less clear.

The In-Store Experience: A Point of Contention

For a local business, the in-store experience is crucial. Unfortunately, feedback suggests this can be a significant weak point for Jus by Julie. One of the most striking criticisms comes from a customer who described the atmosphere as hostile and unwelcoming, claiming the person they assumed to be the owner failed to even make eye contact. Despite spending $50 and finding the food to be good, the negative interaction overshadowed the entire experience. This type of feedback is a major concern for any service-based business, as it can deter new and returning customers who expect a friendly and pleasant environment, especially in a neighborhood setting.

Further compounding the service issues are reports of a lack of knowledge and accuracy among staff. A particularly alarming incident involved a customer who ordered a matcha with honey but was instead given a drink with lavender sugar alcohol. When questioned, the staff allegedly insisted the sugar alcohol was honey. For customers with strict dietary needs, allergies, or health conditions like inflammation, such a mistake is not just poor service—it's a potential health risk. This incident raises serious questions about employee training and the business's commitment to accommodating the very health-conscious clientele it targets.

Delivery and Juice Cleanses: A High-Stakes Gamble

While the company offers local food delivery that receives some praise, its national juice cleanse delivery service appears to be fraught with problems. Numerous reviews, stretching back several years, paint a troubling picture of the mail-order experience. A recurring theme is the failure of expensive cleanse packages, often costing around $200, to arrive in a safe or usable condition. One customer detailed a disastrous experience where a 3-day cleanse was delayed, and when it finally arrived, the package contained only room-temperature juices with a single, empty dry ice bag. Given the perishable nature of fresh juice, the product was spoiled and useless. The customer's attempts to contact the company for a refund were met with silence, effectively resulting in a significant financial loss.

This was not an isolated incident. Other reviews echo similar complaints: late shipments, missing items without any communication, products arriving unsealed and spilled, and an overarching refusal from the company to issue refunds. The official company policy states that customers should contact them within seven days for damaged products to receive a replacement or refund, and that packages are insulated to stay fresh for hours. However, customer accounts frequently contradict this, describing an unresponsive customer service department that is nearly impossible to reach by phone and provides curt, unhelpful email responses. This disconnect between stated policy and actual practice is a major red flag for anyone considering an online order.

Product Quality and Consistency Concerns

Beyond service and delivery, the quality of the juices themselves has been called into question. Some customers have noted that the juices taste watery or are not blended properly, leaving an unpleasant chunky texture. One review mentioned finding a strange white powder formation at the bottom of a "choco nana" bottle. When this was raised with customer service, the response was a dismissive one-liner stating, "They are blended." This lack of engagement and quality control is concerning. Furthermore, some customers have been disappointed to learn that the juices are not made with organic produce, a detail that is important to many who invest in juice cleanses for health reasons. The company has also faced scrutiny from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the past for making unsubstantiated health claims on its website, such as ingredients that could “fight diabetes” or “lower bad cholesterol,” requiring them to revise their marketing language.

for Potential Customers

Jus by Julie presents a paradox. On one hand, it has an extensive and appealing menu of healthy foods that, according to some local customers, are quite good. The brand's concept of providing blended, fiber-rich juices and full meal options is strong. For someone walking in off the street in Brooklyn to grab a salad or an acai bowl, the experience might be perfectly satisfactory, provided the service is on a good day.

However, for those considering the brand's signature offering—the delivered juice cleanse—extreme caution is warranted. The consistent pattern of negative reviews related to shipping, product spoilage, and unresponsive customer service represents a significant financial and health risk. Spending hundreds of dollars on a product that may arrive late, warm, and spoiled is a gamble many will not be willing to take. The in-store service issues and lack of ingredient knowledge are also serious concerns that detract from the brand's health-conscious image.

Ultimately, Jus by Julie appears to be a business with a solid menu concept but significant operational flaws. Local patrons looking for a meal may find something to enjoy, but they should be prepared for potentially inconsistent service. Customers outside the local delivery area considering a nationwide shipment of a juice detox program should think twice and weigh the substantial risks highlighted by numerous past clients.