Juice & Java has been a Mechanicsburg staple since 2001, and after finally visiting, I can see why. I stopped in on a chilly, overcast Sunday evening around 5 p.m. with a very specific craving: grilled cheese and soup. Juice & Java delivered big time. When I walked in, the café was quiet, with just a couple of customers working away on laptops. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed, with a perfectly nostalgic 90's soundtrack playing overhead. The café itself is small and quirky, with local artwork for sale adorning the walls--an inviting little space that immediately makes you want to linger. The menu was surprisingly large for such a small spot, and while their coffee selections seemed endless, I skipped the caffeine this time. Instead, I ordered: 4-Cheese Gourmet Grill ($9.95) - Monterey Jack, provolone, American & cheddar, a bowl of Roasted Red Pepper & Gouda Soup ($4.79) and two canned sodas ($1.95 each). The staff were friendly, the tables were spotless, and our food came out quickly. The grilled cheese was generously portioned--easily shareable, with perfectly gooey, melty cheese and plenty of those delightful "cheese dangly bits" that make a grilled cheese worth it. But the real star? That Roasted Red Pepper & Gouda soup. Creamy without being heavy, rich with flavor, perfectly warm, and absolutely made for dunking a grilled cheese. I was so glad I ordered a bowl instead of a cup--I would've been sad if it ended too soon. It was one of the best soup-and-sandwich combos I've had in a long time. All in, our meal was just over $20 with tip--reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. With their great hours (breakfast through dinner, seven days a week), plenty of parking in the strip mall lot, and a menu full of tempting options, I'll definitely be back to try more. If you're in the area and craving comfort food with a cozy, local vibe--skip the chains and head here. read more