Minding Your Business - J-Bar

J-Bar, a Health Food Restaurant

Feed yourself healthy

537 Route 28, Unit 1E

Harwich Port

Open Seven Days

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on Sunday)

774-237-9344

CapeCodJuiceBar.com

J-Bar may stand for juice bar, but this health food establishment in Harwich Port serves so much more than juice. For 10 years, Erin A. Tucker has been serving smoothies (Banana, Velvet, The Port “Hangover Cure”), healthy vegan salads (The Peacemaker), power bowls (Morning Ritual, Summer Lovin’), sandwiches (The Feel Happy), avocado toasts (A-Fire, Grandma), fresh juices (Clarity, Sassy) beach coolers (Willie Boy, Gin-Shine), coffee drinks, cold drinks, “magic elixir mocktails” and sweet treats. There are many, many options on her menu including six juices, 30 types of smoothies, nine kinds of power bowls, six sandwiches, 10 salad choices, and five “ava”-cado toasts. It’s a pretty extensive menu.

I asked Tucker if she practices what she “preaches” and she said, “Two hundred percent! It’s my lifestyle. And has been for over 30 years.

“We serve only plant-based foods and our menu is made up of wholesome fresh fruits, vegetables and real unprocessed ingredients,” she said. To celebrate a decade in business serving and making healthy food, Tucker will open a second location in Chatham next year. “We’re moving slowly into the new location. We will probably do a pop-up this August with a limited menu. It’s very exciting!”

She told me food suppliers on the Cape have been awesome. She can order what she needs as often as she needs it. She added with a laugh, “I’ve learned how to be pretty sharp on ordering.”

She said her personal favorites are anything with greens. “I thrive on greens: green juice, green smoothies, salads, I love it all. There’s one item I really love, and that’s a toast item I call the Sol-Sista. I don't eat much bread so sometimes I just eat it by the bowl. It’s avocado, fresh mango, cacao nibs, salt and red chili flakes,” she said. “It’s so delicious!”

She continued, “I’d like to stress that we offer clean, honest food. Everything is authentic. There's no gimmicks, it's good food. Sometimes it’s been a challenge, but to me honest vegan food is important. I've been very true to my vision since I opened.

“I hope to accomplish in Chatham what I’ve achieved here in Harwich,” she added. Kristin Muller, the landlord of the 400 Main building and home to The J-Bar’s second location, said she’s excited to welcome Erin to the East End.

Tucker plans on being open year-round and hopes to offer more seasonal foods, “warmer, hot foods.”

“All of our foods, even our sweet stuff, is unprocessed and full of nutrition, tastes great and is always made with love and good vibes.”