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The Student News Site of Niles West High School

Niles West News

The Student News Site of Niles West High School

Niles West News

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Comment for a Chance to Win a $25-giftcard to Chill Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea Photo by Colene Gibson

If you drive through Village Crossing you can stop to eat some wings at Buffalo Wild Wings or grab a burger from Red Robin, but the best place to stop for a quick drink fix would be the new cafe that opened earlier this summer, Chill Bubble Tea, 7154 Carpenter Road.  While Chill Bubble Tea may not have the tasty wings like Buffalo Wild Wings or the delicious burgers like Red Robin, they do sell a peculiar drink most people have never heard of, but everyone should try: bubble tea.

Bubble tea is a cold drink concocted of fresh fruits and delicious teas to create a smoothie like drink that is then poured over small, chewy, black balls.  The tapioca pearls are yet another peculiar part of the drink, but they’re certainly an original addition to the smoothie-like drinks.

At Chill Bubble Tea you have the option of a Classic Bubble Tea with flavors such as almond, coconut, french vanilla, green tea latte, honeydew, lychee, milk tea, taro, or watermelon; creations with flavors such as cool blue raspberry, cotton candy, mocha bean, or purple Oreo; or Fresh Fruits (more like smoothies) with flavors such as avocado, banana, kiwi, mango, pineapple, pina colada, or strawberry.

If you’d like to order food to go with your bubble tea, you could ask for an adorable cupcake that’s displayed right at the front wooden counter behind the glass display.  There are flavors such as blueberry, salted caramel, strawberry, or chocolate.  There’s also the option of ordering a Swirl that the menu describes as “all natural frozen yogurt with toppings.”

Just as the menu seems with the daring, new drinks, the style of the cafe is original and bold.  As you enter the small cafe it seems open and welcoming especially because of the hospitable staff.  They’ll greet you with a “Hey! Welcome to Chill!” as you approach the long wooden counter with the glass display.  Behind the counter is the menu shown as four large posters with the options categorized as Classic Bubble Tea, Creations, Fresh Fruits, or Swirls.

They’ll happily take your order and leave you with the next choice: where should you sit?  There’s the three swings hanging from the ceiling next to a counter facing out the window, the two brown armchairs with the vibrant red pillows that are seated next to the white three box end table, or one of the six circular glass tables with one side seated as a wooden booth or the other side on a white plastic chair.  The hanging lights and pastel green paint complimented with the grayish brown walls create a open, welcoming atmosphere as you wait for your drinks.

When they call you up to pick up your drink you get to pick a cute pink, yellow, green, or blue straw that’s much bigger than your average straw.  Why you may ask? For the tapioca pearls!  The first sip is guaranteed to have a few tapioca pearls in it.  It’s definitely a weird experience the first time because the little balls are slippery and chewy- not your average texture for something in a drink.  Personally, I’m not a fan of the tapioca pearls, but I have friends that couldn’t imagine a bubble tea without them.  They seem to be a food you’ll either love or hate- an acquired taste one may say.

During my latest visit to Chill Bubble Tea, I ordered a Pina Colada Bubble Tea from the Fresh Fruits section with no tapioca pearls.  It was delicious and definitely my new favorite. My friend ordered the Strawberry Shortcake with tapioca pearls that she saw advertised on the glass display.  She loved her drink as well.

“It was like actual Strawberry Shortcake.  It was so good!  Like I didn’t expect it to taste that good, but it did!” said junior Jasmin Nieves.

We both left satisfied with our choices in drinks and eager to come back again.  As we walked out the door, the manager yelled to us from behind the counter, “Thanks! Have a great day!” and it was impossible to forget their wonderful hospitality.  I’d definitely recommend Chill Bubble Tea for anyone looking for a good drink.  I think Chill Bubble Tea could definitely give Starbucks a run for its money some day!

Do you want a chance to win a $25-giftcard to Chill Bubble Tea?

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment:

  • What is your favorite drink from Chill Bubble Tea?
  • Where is your favorite place to sit?  The daring new swings or the classic booth with the glass tables?

Comment as much as you would like, but you will only get an entry for your first.

This giveaway is open to STUDENTS ONLY (sorry teachers! NWN staff is not allowed to enter either!)

One winner will be selected via random.org. The winner will be contacted via email and will be announced on Morning Announcements.

Contest ends Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 8 PM.

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Comments (37)

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  • D

    dderexOct 20, 2010 at 7:08 PM

    I’ve been a big fan of bubble tea for years: although the Village Crossing location has only been open for less than a year, I’ve gone to the other location and loved it. My first and only selection from the menu for a while was green tea coconut; I was obsessed!! When the location in Village Crossing opened, I was thrilled! Now I could get my one and only drink choice, only it was closer. There is one major difference between the two bubble tea locations, and this difference leads to my answer for one of the questions. The big difference is the staff! At the Village Crossing location, the staff is good for more than just taking your order, and they are the reason for my new I’ll-try-any-bubble-tea-once attitude. Instead of being limited to my original favorite, I’ve discovered a couple other flavors that are making me question whether I can rightfully say green tea coconut is the best flavor! Among these are almond, lychee, and strawberry mango lemonade. Through all of this flavor experimenting one thing has remained consistent: tapioca! The combination of bubble tea and tapioca provides for a delicious drink and entertainment for your mouth! The last, but by no means easiest, step of your Chill Bubble Tea experience is choosing a seat. Although it took me a while to find a favorite place, I’ve decided that my favorite seating arrangement is the glass table with the bench and chairs. Although you can’t swing, it is the best for socializing!

    Reply
  • A

    anagou1Oct 20, 2010 at 6:49 PM

    I love the strawberry banana bubble tea and sitting on the swings!

    Reply
  • L

    lynvo1Oct 20, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    I love sitting on the swings while sipping my lychee bubble tea. 😀

    Reply
  • T

    thong1Oct 19, 2010 at 12:43 PM

    favorite is lychee mango, and i like to sit at the booths.

    Reply
  • Z

    zassoleOct 18, 2010 at 7:40 PM

    Chocolatea milk tea, and the swings

    Reply
  • S

    surinpatelOct 18, 2010 at 2:39 PM

    mango con tapioca

    Reply
  • A

    andrewsandiegoOct 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    I sit at the swingy chairs by the window…and almond bubble tea flavor ftw! the cupcakes are good too haha

    Reply
  • T

    thenudelmanOct 16, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    i like mango with tapioca and i love the swings

    Reply
  • N

    nomel42Oct 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    Bubble tea is the best drink I ever drank! it made of real fruit itself and they have something chewy at the middle or end if the drink. 😀 X2

    Reply
  • C

    cristinaOct 15, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    I love the lychee and avocado flavor with extra tapioca pearl! I always always sit by the swing 🙂

    Reply
  • R

    romdho1Oct 14, 2010 at 9:11 PM

    I love theeeee strawberry one. It tastes sooo good especially with the tapiocas in it! 🙂

    Reply
  • J

    jeahab1Oct 14, 2010 at 8:05 PM

    I think strawberry is very good! the tapioca is delicious!

    Reply
  • D

    dabche1Oct 14, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Bubble Tea + Chipotle! =]

    Reply
  • K

    Kyle SoulimiotisOct 14, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    Never tried Chill Bubble Tea Sounds good though. 🙂

    Reply
  • C

    colwon1Oct 14, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    My favorite flavor is strawberry mango, because strawberries have a little sour taste,and the mango has a sweet taste that evens out the drink. I prefer to sit by the window so that i may see the counter, because its easier to buy more.

    Reply
  • R

    Rick.j44Oct 14, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    Bubble tea sounds like it will be very good and im looking forward to trying it when i can.

    Reply
  • M

    MATLAT2Oct 14, 2010 at 1:01 PM

    I have never been to this bubble tea place. Since I read this article I now look forward to going. Just reading it makes me want bubble tea. Once I’m there I won’t know what to choose because there are so many choices!

    Reply
  • D

    DAVNIP1Oct 14, 2010 at 12:59 PM

    My favorite drink from Chill Bubble Tea is the strawberry banana. I want to go there more often and try more flavors. I prefer sitting on the booths when I’m relaxing.

    Reply
  • Z

    zikmia1Oct 14, 2010 at 9:30 AM

    My favortie drink is the mango flavored drink, mostly because i love mangoes and having them in a drink is like another way of eating them. i like sitting on the booths, there pretty cool.

    Reply
  • L

    lautoiOct 14, 2010 at 9:19 AM

    My favorite flavor of bubble tea would have to be either pina colada or strawberry banana, of course with tapioca balls.
    The best place to sit would be the swings or the big comfy chairs. I love them both!

    Reply
  • E

    ELIJAI1Oct 14, 2010 at 9:16 AM

    I loveee the strawberry mango! My favorite placee to sitt in is on the swings because you have your favorite drink andd your swinging!? what could be better than that?

    Reply
  • C

    casnak1Oct 14, 2010 at 8:22 AM

    My favorite is the strawberry banana bubble tea and the swings are the best seat

    Reply
  • J

    jamiezOct 13, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    My favorite is purple oreo. At first I had no idea what to expect or why is was called that. An employee explained that it is the white inside of an oreo! It is so good and the tapioca is extremely addicting…I order it every single time. I usually sit in one of the two large chairs because they are nice and comfy.

    Reply
  • T

    THanaokaOct 13, 2010 at 10:52 PM

    I only drink the strawberry flavors 🙂

    I like the swings, but I always feel like when I sit on them, the ceiling is going to crumble

    Reply
  • E

    Esteban.Gavilanez.Oct 13, 2010 at 9:51 PM

    My Favorite Drink from Chill Bubble Tea is the Bubble Tea
    and my favorite place to sit are the new swings 🙂

    Reply
  • T

    Thomas VillaOct 13, 2010 at 9:50 PM

    I am so glad chill is just around the corner for me. I love alot of their flavors but lately this summer i have been hooked on taro with tapioca balls. my favorite place to sit is actually the sofa chair closest to the counter

    Reply
  • E

    ellenkimOct 13, 2010 at 9:48 PM

    definitely strawberry mango with tapioca!!! made by mikko or cristi x) love to sit on swings

    Reply
  • A

    AleksOct 13, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    I love a lot of the flavors of bubble tea and I love their frozen yogurt BUT I think my favorite flavor of bubble tea would be strawberry banana. My favorite place to sit down at Chill are the swings, so much fun! 🙂

    Reply
  • R

    ravipatelOct 13, 2010 at 9:21 PM

    When pat cristi or mikko make me a Strawberry Mango, forget about it

    Reply
  • R

    rebyun1Oct 13, 2010 at 9:15 PM

    My favorite flavor of bubble tea is the coffee without tapioca. Of course, I haven’t had bubble tea in a while (the last time I enjoyed it was when there was a CBT by the forest preserve on Dempster). Hopefully, I will be able to stop by to try out the new flavors at Village Crossing.

    As for the seating, I usually took my bubble tea to go, but if I had to choose, I would definitely want to sit on the swings while I enjoyed my drink!

    Reply
  • S

    SamanthaOct 13, 2010 at 8:57 PM

    Mango with tapioca all the way.
    I like sitting at the booths when I drink my iced tea, because I can’t drink when I’m swinging.
    But the swings are fun too. 😀

    Reply
  • L

    lauwil3Oct 13, 2010 at 8:20 PM

    Chill Bubble tea is quite possibly the greatest addition to the Village Crossing shopping area. Chill is modern, sleek, inviting, and the selection of food and drinks are simply delectable. I love to go there with my friends to hang out and try new drink combinations; my current favorite is ‘coconut mocha,’ (with the tapioca balls of course!). Not only are the smoothies great, but their frozen yogurt, is tart. unique, and delicious. There are all types of great toppings you can mix in as well. If you haven’t been to this Chill Bubble Tea already, I highly suggest that you do in the near future, you won’t be disappointed!

    Reply
    • E

      evelauOct 13, 2010 at 8:29 PM

      Great comment, Lauren. Well written. You should write for NWN!

      Reply
  • J

    Jordan MoyOct 13, 2010 at 7:23 PM

    Nice article
    I think that Strawberry banana is the best.
    Best place to sit is on the booths.

    Reply
  • S

    smijai1Oct 13, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    my fav drink from chill bubble tea is the pina colada one 🙂

    Reply
  • L

    LikeAG6Oct 13, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    My favorite drink from Chill Bubble Tea is WATERMELON! LIKE OMGGGG. \/\/@+3R/\/\3|_0/\/ IS FLIPPIN COOL.

    I like to sit at the classic booth with them glass tables, girl.

    Reply
  • J

    jenlee9Oct 13, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    i love all the bubble tea flavors there, but i think my favorite is green tea with tapioca. The swings are so fun to sit on too! 😀

    Reply