Banana Boat Cafe

 

10

93

Pika C.

Union City, CA

The ice here is the best ice around --  hands down. They are just not that efficient. Anything you order, even ice, takes a while to make. We usually order the shaved ice and sausage rice box? I don't even know how to say it in English since everything there is in Chinese. But it's good. Fried tofu is pretty good too.  Service isn't that good but then you don't go there for the service...

It's not bad for Chinese fast food. :) I am an ongoing customer because the food is pretty good.

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5

33

clarisse c.

Hayward, CA

Technically, if you're looking for it, it doesn't really say Banana Boat Cafe, just Cafe...with Banana Boat in Chinese I'm assuming.

I made my boyfriend drive here so we could try some mango shaved ice, unfortunately I had a booboo in my mouth so I couldn't enjoy it to the max, but from what I had it was good.

The girl at the counter was sort of stand-offish, understandable since it was near closing time. The inside was a bit cramp, but we took ours to go.

Twas a hefty sharing of shaved ice for the both of us and we ended up putting it in the freezer. But so far the only place I know that has shaved ice near here!! so good job

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Elite '08

112

916

Rob C.

Miami, FL

Hard to find any taiwanese ice in SF.  This place has it but the ice isn't done that well (not shaved enough).  The toppings are great though, esp. fruit.  I'd share it.  Plus their snacks are good, like the little spicy chicken nuggets.

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26

66

Ian G.

San Francisco, CA

My first Taiwanese shave ice

Since this was my first and only taste of Taiwanese shave ice, I have nothing to compare it to, but it was delicious on a hot day. You get a very large cup of ice and fruit, plus maybe sugar water or condensed milk. The ice wasn't that "shaved" compared to Hawaiian shave ice, but it had real fruit! I got strawberry.

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11

121

Josie H.

San Diego, CA

super mango shaved ice

omg, the first time i went, I thought i died and went to heaven.
yes, super mango shaved ice was the BEST! and the portion was so big that i always have to share it with other two. Yeah, it was really THAT GOOD.

HOWEVER.................that was before this was called banana boat cafe, now the shaved ice is soso, ice cream on the shaved ice tasted like bubble gum:(

sighhh:( Their drinks are still pretty good though!

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Elite '08

37

144

becky s.

Fremont, CA

I wanted to write a review about this place earlier but didn't know the name of this little cafe since its name is written in Chinese. This is a very authentic Taiwanese tapioca cafe. It rivals my favorite tapioca cafe, Sweethearts, because of the yummy peanut freeze. Its made w/ ground Chinese peanuts and is absolutely divine.
Please be patient with the staff since many of them do not speak/understand English fluently, but when I went yesterday they hired a really pretty cashier who speaks great English.All the staff are pretty friendly. I usually bring my bf who orders for me.
Try the lunch boxes for a Taiwanese lunch! mmmm I heart Taiwanese porkchop! The only thing that I would change about this place is the space. Its very small inside and the parking is horrible, especially on the weekends w/ the Chinese mommy traffic in the Lion center.

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Elite '08

31

152

vicky c.

New York, NY

Okay, so I'm not entirely surprised that there isn't a review for this place on Yelp. Or at least a review that can be found. Because this place definitely is not your local Americanized-Chinese eatery. Heck, you've probably never heard of it. I mean, the sign's in Chinese for goodness sake (it reads Xiang Jiao Chuan Cafe). Yeah, it's that fob-ulous. You'll have to thank your fobby friend (or cousin, in my case) for bringing to you this little gem.

It's a little Taiwanese cafe tucked in the corner entrance of Little Taiwan Plaza (aka Lion Food shopping center). There are some cheap Taiwan snack eats (but tasty!), along with boba drinks. But the real reason I head down here (and I'm from Berkeley!) is the _best shaved ice ever_. And this ain't your nasty ice block dowsed in artificial flavoring shaved ice. It's the real Chinese-style ice - probably the fluffiest I've found outside of Asia.

You can get the normal run of Asian toppings - from red beans, rice balls, to peanuts. But I say opt for the fruit. With strawberries, mangos, and kiwi to choose from, top it all off with a scoop of ice cream, and you are set for a party in your mouth. And yes, the bowls are pretty big, but don't share. Don't do that. Be a (wo)man, suck it up, and scarf all that delicious goodness by yourself. You'll thank me later. Believe me. Actually, your inner fob will thank you.

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1

14

Hyman W.

Dublin, CA

I went there at around 7pm and ordered "Chicken Leg Dinner" and a "Mixed Fruits Shaved Ice".

For the Chicken Leg Dinner, it was just average and Chou ma ma in Newark (Fremont) is much better.

For the mixed fruits (strawberry, golden Kiwi (?), and mango) shaved ice, it was just ok. Yes, they used real fruits but it tasted so so.  

It was funny that a 2-year old girl at the next table cried out loud that "daddy, there is a fly (on the wall)."

I think I can find a better Taiwanese place to have the same food but taste better. The people worked there were nice, though.

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