If you’ve ever been to Denmark, chances are you have been to or at least walked past Joe & The Juice. When a friend was recently visiting me during a short stopover in Copenhagen, the first text I got from him was “I’m at the central station now, standing by Joe & The Juice”. It’s unavoidable. It’s everywhere.
Now, I like a nice juice as much as the next gal. Funny enough, Joe & The Juice is actually similar to Abercrombie & Fitch in a number of ways: both stores blast way-too-loud music (I love screaming my orders at people) and they also seem to have a very restrictive hiring policy in that all of their staff must look exactly the same. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any female employees at Joe. Their staff consists exclusively of young, athletic, tattooed guys - not bad to look at, if that’s your type. They are excessively cheerful, singing along to the music, or juggling fruit and cups (empty ones!). Don’t get me wrong, I like happy people, but I often feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole loud-music-everyone-is-so-happy situation - it’s as if you’d just arrived to a party where everyone is already drunk and wants you to be happy right now. It always makes me want to get out of there quickly.
Their juices, though, are really good! I won’t get into their odd naming - okay, I will for a second, but only because ordering something called “Sex me up” just doesn’t sit right with me (unfortunately for me, that juice is one of my favorites). For the most part, the names are okay, though. They have recently revamped their menu and added a couple of veggie based juices as well. But one of my favorite things to order at Joe is their “Tunacado” pressed sandwich.
All of their sandwiches come on whole wheat bread and are toasted “Panini-style”. The Tunacado, as the name suggests, is filled with a delicious tuna salad and avocado. So if you don’t feel like assaulting your eardrums or spending DKK 50 for a sandwich, here’s how you can make a delicious Tunacado at home - it’s super easy and much cheaper, too!
Copycat Joe & the Juice “Tunacado” sandwich
(makes 4 sandwiches)
4 sandwich rolls (I use Javisst Fuldkornsklemmer - you’ll have 2 leftover)
2 avocados
1 can tuna (in water, not oil!)
4-6 tsp green pesto (homemade or your favorite store-bought)
2 tbsp mayonnaise (I prefer Miracle Whip); alternatively creme fraiche
1/2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Start by making the quick and simple tuna salad. Drain the tuna and flake it into a little bowl using a fork. Add the Miracle Whip or creme fraiche. If you’re using creme fraiche, add some salt and pepper, too - I also like adding some finely chopped capers for a little extra taste. Add the chopped parsley and stir to combine. If you don’t have a sandwich toaster, toast the bread before assembling the sandwiches using a normal toaster. Slice the avocado and tomatoes. Spread 1-1½ teaspoons of pesto on each of the four bottom halves. Evenly distribute the tuna salad on top of the pesto and top off with slices of about half an avocado each. Put the top halves back on and press together lightly. If you have a sandwich toaster or panini press, toast the sandwiches for about two minutes. Done!
This makes and excellent lunch for two - we love making it on the weekends after we’ve been to the gym. Wow, I’ve just made it sound like we’re going to the gym all the time, which is unfortunately totally not the case. I’m lazy, y’all! But these are great because they fill you up nicely with the whole grain bread, there’s protein, and good fats from the avocado, and the pesto gives it a nice touch. Plus, it takes about 10 minutes to put it all together from ingredients you may already have in your pantry!
Now I’d love to hear your opinion: Am I just showing how old I really am (inside) by complaining about Joe & The Juice’s noise level and their weird juice names? What do you think about them?
Nate Jones says
Ha. I once considered working there, but because of my age and lack of washboard abs I decided not to. Lol.
Laura says
That’s probably better for your eardrums! :)
Tita Malu says
These four ingredients: avocado, tuna, pesto and mayonnaise are now readily available in my pantry.
Would love to try your recipe.
Laura says
Hi Tita, now all you need is some bread and you’re good to go! :) I’d love to hear what you think about the sandwich!