COOL INSIDE: A ‘BOMBA’ OF SUBTLE FLAVORS

BOMBA_081116A Juanito’s ‘Bomba,’ packed with flavor and texture. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

juanito's bakery 081116This week, PieHole‘s Cool Inside summer series sinks a straw into a thick, cold beverage that’s kind of a mash-up of a fruit smoothie and a chocolate milkshake.

It’s called a “Bomba,” and the guy who made it for us swears it’s a great way to start your day. Yes, for breakfast. And we found it delivers a payload of satisfying flavors and textures while cooling us to the core on a sweltering August afternoon.

juan rodriguez 081116Juan Rogriguez working the blender. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

What is this thing called?

The Bomba

Where is it sold?

Juanito’s Bakery

186 Monmouth Street, corner of Bridge Avenue

Red Bank

732.747.9994

Price?

Small, $3, large $6.

What’s in it?

A banana; a heaping handful of strawberries; a splash of milk; a scoop of Goya avena hojuelas (instant oats); a scoop of granola, a scoop of Nesquick powdered chocolate; a handful of walnuts; a heaping scoop of sugar; a blast of vanilla, and another of cinnamon; and lots of ice. It’s all run through a blender.

Where does it come from?

According to Juanito’s employee Juan Rodriguez, it’s a customary beverage in Mexico, often had as breakfast.

“It’s for good nutrition and vitamins in the morning,” he says. “You drink if for energy.”

What’s great about it?

Though the name might suggest something startling to the taste buds, the Bomba is actually a nice, subtle blend of flavors — chocolate, strawberry, banana — and super-subtle texture from the oats, nuts and strawberry seeds.

ICYMI, here are the previous stops on the Cool Inside tour of the Greater Red Bank Green and the featured treats:

Crazee’s for a homemade waffle bowl

Ryan’s Homemade Ice Cream for chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone

Strollo’s Lighthouse for an “iceshake”

La Rosa’s Pastry Shop for frozen cannoli cream and cannoli chips

Hoffman’s for a Cookie Monster milkshake

Ralph’s for a chocolate-chip-cookie sundae

Rook for a New Orleans-style cold brew

Kitch Organic for a Flyin’ Hawaiian fruit smoothie

Gracie and the Dudes for a chocolate milkshake

Chill Bubble Tea for a lemon-strawberry ice bubble

Chocolate Works for a Candy Wonderland Shake