<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cbxblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lucienv2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-727" title="lucienv2" src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lucienv2.jpg" alt="" width="40" height="40" /></a> By Lucien E.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-254" title="JambaMenu" src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JambaMenu.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="121" /></p>
Well, I certainly didn’t expect this. There is a line out the door.

I can tell upon approach that the store is quite small in size but there are about 10 people waiting outside? on the street? for Jamba Juice? It’s 52 degrees right now! I’m a little taken aback. This particular location is right in the heart of white collar Midtown Manhattan, so everywhere you look guys in drab poorly fitting suits and women in unimaginative careerwear are flitting about with impressive speed and steely resolve. We are squarely within the confines of the lunch hour. So this quantity, this surfeit of people might be a little deceptive. I make a note to come back later in the afternoon.

After a few minutes, I finally make it inside the door and take in the Jamba Juice story in all its finery. First impressions: not impressed. Orange is the base color for everything, but it’s the shade of orange you’re more likely to see in a penitentiary, on actual prisoners. The guts of the operation i.e. the juicers and raw materials, as well as the cleaning supplies are out in the open for everyone to see. It is cramped in here. And it is loud. The juicers are going at aircraft carrier volume. The staff are moving at a mildly frenzied pace.

There are, suprisingly, more men than women in line currently. 2 to 1 ratio at least. The menu is, well. vast. And very confusingly laid out. It’s an elaborate task trying to pick out individual items from the board, I order a ‘Pomegranate Pick-me-up.’ Mostly because its the longest flavor name in the ‘Jamba Classics’ section and stands out the most. I don’t even like Pomegranate. I get to add a ‘boost’ to my chosen smoothie. The free ones are pretty standard: calcium, daily vitamin, immunity, energy. The ones that warrant a 50 cent premium include the decidely virile ‘weight burner’  and ‘3G Charger’ super boost. I choose the ‘Heart Happy’ boost, because really who wants an unhappy heart? Unlucky-in-love Jennifer Aniston should add ‘Heart Happy’ boosts in everything she eats. It really couldn’t hurt.

As I walk out I notice the line outside has gotten bigger. The smoothie is pretty good.

<span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Have you got a Jamba story to tell? Please share them with us by posting a comment.</em></span>

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