Tico’s Eatery & Juice Bar is tucked away on an otherwise unassuming corner of Witherspoon Street, which is probably why I’ve never noticed the yummy goodness inside before. At Tico’s, a store famous for its fresh-squeezed juice, you can opt for one of many special blends. These juices range from the all-friendly “Tico” (orange, pineapple and mango juice) to the more austere “Goodness” (beet, carrot, celery and ginger), and you can always create your own blend — choose up to two base juices and pay 50 cents per additional ingredient.
Juice blends are on the pricier side ($3.99 per 16 oz. cup) but entirely worth it, as the produce used is fresh, organic and in season. If you are feeling particularly healthy (and more generous with your wallet), you can try green leaf juices — a mixture of bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, celery, collard greens, fennel, kale and parsley — for $8.99/16 oz.
I ordered the green leaf juice and a carrot-orange-ginger juice blend and enjoyed watching the employees feed the produce, whole and raw, into the juicer to make my drinks. Both drinks were served room temperature and tasted better than I expected. The green leaf juice was neither bitter nor sweet. I could definitely tell it was vegetable juice, but I enjoyed feeling healthy as I sipped. The carrot-orange-ginger blend was delicious, but I had hoped for a sweeter flavor. With a little bit of honey, the drink would have been perfect.
Tico’s also boasts a wide selection of food, including burritos, quesadillas, paninis, salads, desserts and breakfast items, all very reasonably priced. I ordered tres leches cake and a steak quesadilla ($3.50/slice and $7.75, respectively). The cake was as dense and creamy as it looked, and the price was on par with the prices of other bakeries in the area. The quesadilla, cooked to order on a wheat tortilla, tasted incredible. Served with complimentary guacamole and salsa, the quesadilla was crispy on the outside and juicy and cheesy on the inside.
Overall, Tico’s has fresh, tasty food made with wholesome ingredients that make you feel good about what you’re eating. The drinks may be on the pricier side, but Tico’s pricing seems reasonable for what you’re getting, especially when you compare it to other, much pricier restaurants around Nassau Street.
4 out of 5 paws
Pros: Creative blends, healthy eats.
Cons: Specialty drinks on the pricey side.
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