Juicesabel Serves All Cruelty-Free, All Delicious Goodness

I just found my version of the “friendly neighborhood diner” I always see in the movies. Both my belly and heart are doing the happy dance.

Situated along the busy road of Kalayaan, I have been eyeing the place for several months but never got the chance to stop by. Seriously, it’s easy to miss! Juicesabel is a humble, little café that started out by serving cold-pressed juices. As the business gradually evolved, they began to offer vegan burgers and wraps. Today, the menu has expanded to a variety of lunch meals, vegan cakes and cookies made fresh everyday.

GREEN ROOTS

Joey and Isabel, the couple behind Juicesabel opened the café in 2014. Joey, a vegan for fourteen years, was the one who influenced Isabel to go cruelty-free. They started out in the juicing business but made the wise decision to grow it by adding vegan food items to their menu. Many of the ingredients in their dishes are made from scratch. Isabel says it was a struggle to come up with recipes at first but once perfected, everything became a breeze.

VEGAN (NOT VIGAN) LONGGANISA

The most talked-about food item on their menu? Vegan Longganisa– a cruelty-free version of the popular Vigan Longganisa from Ilocos. The all-vegetable sausages of Spanish descent consists of carrots and sugar beets. JC de Leon, a friend of mine who happened to be there during my first visit, told me he had to ask twice if the longganisa really had no meat in it. Surprisingly, it tasted EXACTLY like Vigan Longganisa. In fact, it tasted even better to me. Garlicky yet sweet and savoury at the same time, non-vegans and non-vegetarians surely won’t be missing anything.

POWERED BY PASSION

What I loved about the place is that it felt like I knew everyone. I hung out there a couple of times and got to talk to almost everyone who came in during my short stay. Most of them were vegans and vegetarians who have been there a few times. It was refreshing to be around like-minded people who were all about making the world a better place to live in for all beings, not just humans. Now this may be the emotional me talking, but it felt like a safe haven where there were no judgments on what you eat or why you eat them. Every meal felt like a little good deed for the planet and its inhabitants. Although small, the place was cozy and gave off nothing short of positive vibrations. It was a healthy environment to be in, one that will definitely put you in a light mood.

The plus side to their small space is that it fosters friendship among their customers. I sat with Shirley at one of the few tables as we talked to a couple of vegan friends, one of whom we just met. People came in, sat at the bar for their meal and joined in on the conversation. After everyone’s food has been served Isabel and Joey came out to chat with us too. See? Friendly neighborhood diner!

THE LOW-DOWN

Okay, let’s get to the critical part—the cost. Amazing thing is their fresh, cold-pressed juices are the most inexpensive ones I’ve seen in the market at only Php150 per bottle. You don’t have to worry about quality, they’re all good and flavors are delicious. They offer a number of flavors for those who are new to fruit and vegetable juices, those who are used to it and those who wish to go hardcore and drink pure green juice. You may opt to order bulk for a minimum of Php1200 (one day detox kit).

 

Their lunch meals also cost only Php150 and come in generous servings. Their signature vegan burger is only Php80 and is well worth it. Because servings are huge, I like to order a lunch meal, half it with a companion so I can order cake to split with someone as well. Cool way to leave enough room for dessert because who would want to skip that? :p

If by now you are contemplating on making your way to their café, here are a few tips to make the most out of your visit:

1. The café is located at 3800 Kalayaan Ave., Bgy. Pinagkaisahan, Makati. Pretty hard to find if you have no idea where it is so here are the directions to get there. From EDSA Southbound, turn right to Kalayaan (the road entering BGC). Keep right and start to slow down after the first condominium building. You’ll spot a row of low-ceiling shops before the very first commercial building in BGC once of which is a Laundromat. Next to that, right after the pedestrian lane is Juicesabel—name printed on window, chalkboard out front.

2. If you’re driving, you may park your car in front of Mini Stop right across the café. We’ve never done this but I suggest you purchase a little something from Mini Stop as consolation because parking is free. Another option is to park right in front of Juicesabel. However, because it is so close to where the stoplight is located and is just a couple of feet past the pedestrian lane, you may end up worrying about your car’s safety. Kalayaan could get really busy some days and parking in front (although many have done this) may cause traffic. We were asked by a traffic officer to move the car forward, past the stoplight and that helped solve things. 😉

3. Ask Isabel if they have PETA stickers and temporary tattoos to give away. They’re these cute things with touching messages against animal cruelty. If these don’t get to you, I don’t know what will.

Help Joey and Isabel continue to spread the message of veganism, keep the place running and prices affordable by stopping for a vegan meal or having lunch delivered to your office or place. Check them out on Facebook or follow them on Instagram through the handle @juicesabelph. For orders, just send them an SMS or a Viber message through 090646-VEGAN (83426).