I scream, you scream, we all scream for SnowCream (and bubble tea)
November 28, 2016
When I walked into Snowbots Bubble Tea and SnowCream in Rockville, Md., I was immediately greeted with the subtle scent of tropical spices and the sight of a colorful robot-filled mural on my left.
Snowbots is located just nine minutes up Rockville Pike from the Upper School. Even though the drive is quick, it might take a while to find the restaurant. Snowbots is tucked away in a smaller shopping center located behind the apartment buildings next to Congressional Plaza.
Once I was able to find the restaurant, I was eager to go in, but first, I noticed a few green metal picnic benches outside of the restaurant. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too chilly to dine al fresco.
The bubble tea barista/puffle producer greeted me as I entered. There was a large chalkboard-style menu on my right. The menu listed recommended orders as well as instructions on how to personalize my own SnowCream. It was a bit of a hard decision, but with the attendant’s help, I chose a passion fruit green tea with boba, a Number Three Favorite Strawberry SnowCream and a Seasonal Puffle with vanilla ice cream.
Number Three Strawberry SnowCream ($6.95):
The Number Three Strawberry SnowCream was the first item prepared. The SnowCream tasted just like its description, a cross between shaved ice and ice cream. The large paper dish was filled to the brim with strawberry SnowCream, large Oreo pieces, brownies and strawberry puree. The strawberry SnowCream itself was a bright watermelon pink, and had a bit of a flaky texture. I had never before quite experienced that texture since eating snow out of my mittens when I was little. The brownies, rich and moist, complemented the SnowCream’s texture well. My favorite part, however, was the strawberry puree. The deep red drizzle brought a natural fruity flavor to a very, but not overly, sweet dish.
Passion Fruit Green Tea with Boba ($3.95):
After I tasted the SnowCream, I moved onto the Passionfruit Green Tea with boba. The drink is usually served with mango jelly, but I substituted the jelly for boba, which are small tapioca balls. The tea came out in a clear cup that was short and wide. I grabbed the special wide straw with a point on the end and punctured the clear seal atop the cup, which was filled about one-third of the way up with boba. As I took my first sip, the boba, quite chewy and a bit sticky, came up the straw immediately and in a larger quantity than I had anticipated. It also had a light honey flavor that paired nicely with its chewy texture. While there was a bit too much boba, I still enjoyed the flavors of the tea, which ranged from tropical to a subtle but savory zing. Between the complexity of the fruity flavors and the pop of the lingering spice, the tea seemed very authentic.
Seasonal Puffle with Vanilla Ice Cream ($8.48):
The puffle took eight minutes to cook, but it was definitely worth the wait. A puffle is prepared in the same way that a fresh waffle cone is prepared, but rather than being flat, the puffle had dense pods on the surface and tasted more like a rich Belgian waffle. I ordered the seasonal puffle, which at the time was chocolate chip, for $5.98. I had to pay an extra dollar for upgrade, but the chocolate chips were absolutely worth it. I added on a scoop of vanilla ice cream for $2.00, and cookies and cream Pocky, 50 cents per topping. All three ingredients combined outstandingly. The ice cream had a delightfully creamy texture that complemented the warm and sweet puffle, while the decadent chocolate drizzle paired well with the chocolate chips in the puffle. The cookies and cream Pocky, on the other hand, fell a bit short; the thin cracker-like sticks coated in white chocolate were not worth the extra money, as they lacked both flavor and complexity.
I will definitely be returning to Snowbots, maybe for an afterschool snack or a quick trip with friends before a cappella rehearsal in the evening. Between the helpful service of the employees, the unique robotics theme and the rich intricacy of flavors, I would definitely recommend Snowbots to anyone looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Snowbots Bubble Tea and SnowCream is located at 1701 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Md. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 12 to 11 p.m.
