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ORAL HISTORY

Dylan Williams

Beaucoup Juice

Dylan Williams was in phone and internet sales before travels to Central and South America convinced him that New Orleans needed a quality, affordable juice and smoothie shop. An experienced salesman familiar with the New Orleanian proclivity for eating sweetened ice, he recognized the merit of adding fresh-fruit sno-balls to the menu at Beaucoup Juice (pronounced New Orleans-style, as BOO-koo). Two years after opening on a stretch of Freret Street that was on the brink of a culinary renaissance, Dylan sources produce from small local growers whenever he can, including from Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, a nearby charter elementary school with a food-centric curriculum. Ponchatoula strawberry, pineapple-mint, and Smith Creamery chocolate milk are some of Beaucoup’s most popular sno-ball flavors. Juices and smoothies are named after New Orleans icons. The Night Tripper—a psychedelically colored blend of beet and orange juices, plus ginger—pays homage to the musician Dr. John. A bluegrass musician himself, Dylan enjoys promoting healthy lifestyle choices while occasionally indulging in the city’s excesses. While the shop doesn’t have a liquor license, he makes fresh juice mojito and piña colada sno-balls for weddings and other off-site events. And he reports that Beaucoup’s juices are great hangover helpers to boot.

Beaucoup Juice merged with Sonic Juice in 2016, but now the business is permanently closed.