Joy Yee, Irazu put exotic twist on milkshakes
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Summertime is full of ice cream, gelato and sorbet, and one of the best ways to enjoy your favorite flavor is in a milkshake. But you can find plenty of other options besides the usual chocolate and vanilla.
For some of us, ordering a coffee shake or a butter pecan version might seem exotic. Have you ever had a taro shake or one made with raw oats? Hang on. Before you judge, you need to taste.
The blenders run pretty much non-stop at the Joy Yee's in Chinatown Square Mall. The entire front section of the restaurant features smoothies and bubble teas, which get their name from the tiny black balls, or boba, made from tapioca.
Looking for something off-the-beaten path? Try a taro shake. A few scoops of powdered taro root is added to a blender, along with a couple of ladles full of coconut milk and a bit of sugar syrup, plus a healthy scoop of ice. Blended together for about 30 seconds, it's a purplish, sweet shake that you'll swear tastes like buttered popcorn.
In Bucktown, Iraz has been serving Costa Rican fare the past 25 years, but a big part of the menu has been the dozen or so batidos.
"Batido is synonymous with licuado or shake. At Iraz they're made with either milk, soy or water," said owner Henry Cerdas. "Papaya, pineapple, strawberry, watermelon, and our most famous, the oatmeal shake."
Strange, but true. Milk and ice are added to a blender, then a scoopful of raw oats, plus some sugar and vanilla extract.
The shake is frothy and delicious, topped with a dash of cinnamon, and making an argument to find a place at the breakfast table. Cerdas says it's actually more common in homes, not Costa Rican restaurants, and consumed at night.
"You're going home, it's a soul food, comfort food; something you drink right before you go to bed," said Cerdas. "We're celebrating our 25th year in August and it's been our pride and joy since Day 1."
Irazu
1865 N Milwaukee Ave
(773) 252-5687
JOY YEE - CHINATOWN
2139 S China Place, Chicago
312.328.0001
JOY YEE - EVANSTON
519-523 Davis St., Evanston
847.733.1900
JOY YEE - NAPERVILLE
1163 East Ogden Ave., Naperville
630.579.6800
JOY YEE - UIC
1335 South Halsted St., Chicago
312.997.2128
JOY YEE - TINLEY PARK
7101 West 183 St., Tinley Park
708.468.8520
JOY YEE PLUS - SHABU SHABU
2159 South China Place, Chicago
312.842.8928
JOY YEE - TO GO
1465 West Irving Park Rd., Chicago
773.281.2318
