El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales

- 136 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Welcome to the vibrant, flavorful corner of Brooklyn where health meets heritage: El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales. Nestled on Avenue U, this unique local business is far more than just a typical juice bar or a standard corner store. It serves as a vital community hub, expertly combining the fresh, restorative power of a dedicated juice and smoothie shop with the rich, diverse product selection of an authentic Mexican grocery store, or 'Tienda Mexicana'. For residents in the Bensonhurst and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods, El Castillo offers a convenient, one-stop shop for both wellness-focused drinks and essential Mexican and Latin American groceries.

In a city that prides itself on diversity, El Castillo stands out by offering a dual experience that caters to a broad range of customer needs. Whether you're a health enthusiast seeking a targeted, nutrient-dense juice blend, a New Yorker in need of a quick, refreshing, and satisfying beverage, or a home cook searching for specialty ingredients for your next authentic Mexican meal, El Castillo has you covered. The friendly, casual atmosphere makes it an inviting spot for anyone, including being particularly welcoming for families and children. This combination of a full-service juice bar and a well-stocked grocery makes it an indispensable local resource.

Location and Accessibility

El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales is conveniently situated in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, New York. Its precise location is:

Address: 136 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA

For those traveling via public transit, the location offers reasonable accessibility. The most direct public transit connection for the area is the New York City subway system. The shop is located on Avenue U, which is served by key lines, providing a relatively easy commute for Brooklyn locals and visitors alike.

For subway riders, the F and N lines both have stations in the general Avenue U vicinity in nearby neighborhoods. Furthermore, the Avenue U station on the BMT Brighton Line (Q train) is located a slightly further distance away, but remains an option for those traveling through Homecrest or Sheepshead Bay. The proximity to multiple subway lines ensures that a broad segment of the Brooklyn community can easily reach the store to pick up groceries or grab a freshly made beverage.

The store also provides modern convenience options, including curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout services, making it simple for busy New Yorkers to enjoy their offerings without compromising their schedule.

Services Offered

The heart of El Castillo's appeal is its extensive menu of freshly prepared drinks and its well-curated selection of groceries and treats.

• Fresh, Specialty Juices: A wide array of freshly pressed juices designed with functional benefits, appealing to the health-conscious consumer. Options include the ABC Juice (Apple, Beet, Carrots), Anemia Juice (Carrot, Lemon, Spinach), and the powerful Hulk Juice (Apple, Celery, Spinach, Cucumber, and Kale). They also offer targeted blends like the Cold Buster Juice and the Cleansing Juice.
• Creamy Smoothies: A diverse selection of fruit and dairy-based smoothies, perfect for a quick breakfast or a post-workout treat. Favorites include the Aloha Berry Smoothie, Mango Mania Smoothie, and the green-focused Go Green Smoothie (Kale, Banana, Chai Seeds, Spinach, and Coconut Water).
• Energy Smoothies: Unique energy blends like Peach Rings, Sage Mode, and Miami Nights, which incorporate caffeinated powder for an extra kick of energy.
• Authentic Aguas Frescas: Traditional Mexican light, non-alcoholic beverages in refreshing flavors such as Hibiscus / Jamaica, Horchata, Mango, Pineapple / Piná, and Tamarindo/Tamarind.
• Custom Shakes and Combinations: A full selection of classic shakes in flavors like Banana, Chocolate, Mamey, and Papaya, along with popular combinations such as the Mamey and Peach Shake Combination or the Blueberry and Raspberry Shake Combination.
• Mexican Groceries and Essentials: As a Tienda Mexicana, the store carries a selection of packaged goods, spices, produce, and specialty items essential to Latin American and Mexican cooking and dining.
• Desserts and Frozen Treats: Offerings like Jell-O / Gelatina, Flan, and the popular Mangonadas Frozen (Paletas) for a sweet, refreshing treat.
• Convenient Order Options: Services include delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup for ultimate customer flexibility.

Features / Highlights

El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales is defined by several key features that make it a standout local establishment in the Brooklyn landscape.

• Dual Concept Business Model: The successful fusion of a Mexican grocery store and a dedicated juice bar is a major highlight, offering unparalleled convenience for customers seeking both specialty ingredients and healthy, freshly-made drinks in one location.
• Extensive Juice Menu for Wellness: The menu is meticulously detailed, with juices named after their intended health benefit, such as Energia Juice, Healthy Juice, and Metabolizer Juice. This focus on functional ingredients like ginger, kale, beet, and carrot appeals directly to the health-conscious market in New York City.
• Authentic Mexican Offerings: The presence of authentic items like Aguas Frescas, Mamey (a shake flavor), Flan, and Mangonadas provides a taste of traditional Mexican flavors that many New Yorkers seek out, distinguishing it from generic juice shops.
• Kid-Friendly Environment: The atmosphere is noted as casual and good for kids, making it a welcoming stop for families looking for a healthy or delicious snack while running errands.
• Flexible Payment Options: Demonstrating a commitment to customer service and accessibility, the store accepts a variety of payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, and SNAP/EBT.
• Focus on Variety: The sheer depth of the menu, encompassing juices, smoothies, shakes, energy blends, and combinations, ensures there is a fresh beverage option for every preference and dietary need.

Contact Information

For New Yorkers looking to visit, place an order, or inquire about current stock, here is the essential contact information for El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales:

Address: 136 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA

Phone: (646) 996-5005 or +1 646-996-5005

For pickup, delivery, and general storefront hours, it is always recommended to check a local service platform or call ahead for the most current schedule. Available public information indicates that pickup hours are generally from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with delivery hours extending slightly later, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

What is Worth Choosing

When navigating the extensive menu at El Castillo, there are several key items and categories that truly showcase the store's unique value proposition and are highly recommended for first-time and returning customers alike.

For the health-minded individual, the specialized juices are a must-try. Opting for a functional blend like the Vampire Juice (Beet, Carrot, Pineapple, Lemon, Apple) is a fantastic way to boost iron and energy, appealing to those who frequent the gym or have long, demanding workdays across New York City. The Green Lemonade Juice (Apple, Kale, Celery, Lemon, Ginger) is another excellent choice, offering a clean, detoxifying beverage that is particularly popular in the wellness community. These juices, packed with raw fruits and vegetables, offer a high-quality alternative to packaged beverages.

For those seeking a more traditional, indulgent, yet still fruit-based drink, the shakes and smoothies are an excellent option. Customers who want to explore authentic Latin American flavors should definitely try a shake made with Mamey or the popular Papaya and Mango Shake Combination. The Mamey fruit, in particular, is a creamy, sweet, and unique tropical flavor that offers a genuine cultural experience rarely found in mainstream NYC juice shops. The Mangonada Frozen is also a popular sweet and tangy Mexican treat that is perfect for a warm day.

Finally, a visit to El Castillo would be incomplete without trying one of their Aguas Frescas. These light, traditional drinks, particularly the Horchata (a sweet, milky rice drink with cinnamon) or the tart Jamaica (Hibiscus), offer an incredible taste of Mexican refreshment. They are the perfect complement to a prepared meal or a refreshing palate cleanser. While one customer did share a negative experience regarding the quality of frozen fruit in a shake on one occasion, the overall variety and the presence of such a diverse, authentic menu make El Castillo a worthwhile choice for those in the Brooklyn area looking to support a unique local business that serves a dual purpose as both a vital grocery resource and a comprehensive juice and shake bar. By focusing on the fresh juices and traditional Mexican drinks, customers can enjoy the best of what this neighborhood gem has to offer.

El Castillo Tienda Mexicana y Jugos Naturales

136 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223, USA