T Baar IV

Quick & Easy Bubble Tea!

After making my rounds at Xian Famous Foods yesterday to pick up dinner, I noticed that LQQM Kung Fu Bing (the Kung Fu Panda place) was closed for good with the dreaded "Store For Rent" kiss of death sign on the door.

In search of a close by replacement, I walked up Eldridge and came across T Baar (it's located a few stores down from Super Taste and Shengwang), a bubble tea stand in front of an Internet Cafe.

They specialize in juices and smoothies, and also bubble teas. Their medium regular bubble teas are $2.75 and their larges are $3.75. Both are generously large, but aren't sealed with the traditional Taiwanese-style plastic seal. I soon learned why a seal is so important.

After talking a large regular bubble tea to-go, I threw it into my Xian take out bag. Half a block later, the bubble tea tipped over and out of the bag. In Hollywood-style slow motion, the large cup fell onto the street and caused a huge splash. Bubble Tea FAIL, or as Tim says, "Hideki FAIL". I soon returned to buy another bubble tea and told them of my accident. They were nice enough to give me a $1 discount on another large.

T Baar also has a buy 5, get 1 free card. They'll give you the stamp card without even asking. Their bubble tea is pre-made and in a tub, so it's very quick and easy. Your bubble tea will be ready even before you are ready to pay! Their regular tea (brown milk tea) is the only flavor I've tried, but it's quite good.

According to their website, they also have a stand in Brooklyn. On their stamp card, this location is called "T Baar IV". I wonder where T Baar II & III are located because I would try them out if they are located somewhere convenient. T Baar even has a facebook fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/T-Baar-Inc/125251527517

This place is the shit! I ordered what i always order at bubble tea places--a black milk tea with tapioca--and got it cold. I was too distracted to examine if they used real tea and not a powdered mix, but from tasting it, it seemed like real tea (or at least an oddly good powdered mix). The bubbles here are the best i have *ever* had. A bit on the smaller side, but that's probably only because they don't overcook them; they maintain their bite.

I went around 4pm, and there were people consistently stopping by, so it seems like a local favorite. Next time, i'm gonna have to try their Gemini drink (yes, they have all the zodiac signs)!

In the land of bubble tea places, you really have to do something special to stand out. This Chinatown new comer is average at best. The place looks new (and nice), but the teas lacked flavor. I found them to be overly sweet and not true enough to the flavoring of the drink.

If you are around and are hankering for a bubble tea, give it a shot. It wont be bad, but Meh. I've experienced better. Two stars.