Smoothie operators text and photos by Landa M. Towns Working for the Manhattan Times as a photographer can be a cool job most days. I get to meet nice people, go to lots of events and experience Northern Manhattan unlike most locals. But on hot days like last week when the heat keeps rising along with the humidity, my cool job turns into a one of Dante’s seven levels of hell and it becomes absolute torture to venture outside. It is because of this discomfort that I set out on a mission this summer to find some relief from the heat, not by taking a dip in Highbridge pool or running through one of our many open fire hydrants (although I was tempted). Instead I sought out a cooling yet nutritious treat that would help me fend off the heat and the hunger of my journalistic adventures. What I hadn’t realized until I started this mission was that smoothies are gaining in popularity throughout Northern Manhattan and more businesses are adding them to their menus. I found six eateries in Washington Heights and Inwood that are dedicated to fruit shakes like no others. They each have their distinctive recipes and flare but they all start with the same basic ingredients – ice, fruit and sugar. Most important of all, they all serve their blended drinks COLD! Gloria's Juice Bar 315 Audubon Ave. Open 8am to 10pm 212-781-1590  At Gloria’s, Angel says between 40 and 60 smoothies are sold every day, priced between $3.50 and $6 depending on any extras that are added.
What is your most popular drink? Strawberry, papaya and blueberry. What is your least popular drink? There isn't really a least favorite. Which is your favorite? Papaya. What is the most unusual combination of ingredients customers have ordered? Kiwi with celery and cucumber. Score Shakes  1530 St. Nicholas Ave.
Open 6 a.m. to midnight 212-740-0273 Nena, a store employee, says that over 40 smoothies are sold every day priced between $3-4. What is your most popular drink? Strawberry, pineapple, mango – the flavors mesh well. What is your least popular drink? Cantaloupe. I don't really know why but it is the least popular. Which is your favorite? Strawberry, pineapple and mango, but with water instead of milk. What is the most unusual combination of ingredients customers have ordered? [The Mexican fruit] mamey sapote with pineapple, and kiwi. DR Juice  1551 St. Nicholas Ave.
Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 212-928-1511 Stanley said that he sells over 20 smoothies a day at DR Juice, each priced around $4.
What is your most popular drink? Strawberry. It is healthy and has an agreeable taste. The ingredients are strawberries, organic milk, ice, sugar . . . it all depends on what the customer wants. Sometimes they ask for soy milk, or no sugar. What is your least popular drink? Blueberry. I’m not really sure why, maybe taste has something to do with it. Which is your favorite? Banana with milk.
What is the most unusual combination of ingredients customers have ordered? Pineapple, celery, cucumber and ginger. Carreon’s Bakery  4975 Broadway between Isham and W. 212th Streets
Open 5am-7pm
212-569-4235
Employee Luis says that Carreon’s Bakery sells about 20 smoothies a day at $3.50 each. What is your most popular drink? Berries, because it has some of the best fruit and it’s good for one’s body. It has blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, vanilla, cinnamon, orange juice and customers can even add protein or wheat germ (for free).
What is your least popular drink? Cantaloupe and watermelon, because it’s too watery… it’s better for juice than it is for a smoothie.
Which is your favorite? The berry. Very simply it is the best tasting one we have and it’s the healthiest.
What is the most unusual combination of ingredients customers have ordered? Guava and watermelon.
La Sala 78 111 Dyckman S treet near Post Ave.
Open Mon.-Wed. 10 am-9 pm, Thu.-Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 10am-7pm
212-304-0667
Zida, who works at La Sala, says customers order about 50 smoothies a day, costing between $3.50 and $4. What is your most popular drink? “Temptation Island,” a customer made it up. It has strawberries, pineapples, bananas and fresh squeezed orange juice.
What is your least popular drink? Anything done with milk, people seem to stay away from dairy. Which is your personal favorite? The “Z Bomb.” The combination is great: strawberries, pineapples and mangos with lemonade. What is the most unusual combination customers have ordered? We had something called the “Peanut Butter Project,” which contained almonds, oatmeal, peanut butter, water and some other fruits. Noemi  225 Dyckman St. near Broadway
Open: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8 am-10pm
212-567-3560
Luis, an employee, says that Noemi sells about 40 smoothies every day, costing between $4 and $6.50. What is your most popular drink? Superpower Smoothie. People say it gives them energy. It has açaí berries, bananas, protein and skim or soy milk. What is your least popular drink? Kiwi, it’s more popular in salads. Which is your personal favorite? Superpower Smoothie…it gives me power, energy and hits me good. What is the most unusual combination customers have ordered? Avocado and banana. The Manhattan Times is the bilingual newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood.
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