A Juanito’s ‘Bomba,’ packed with flavor and texture. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
This 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 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
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
