Basil Thai & Bubble Tea, West Lafayette (Lunch with Bubbles)

"Bubbles" is neither a chimp nor a burlesque performer. You'll have to keep reading to find out about my lunch with Bubbles. One great bonus of working on the campus of a large university is the access to a great variety of inexpensive ethnic foods. Basil Thai & Bubble Tea is one of those great places. On a recent visit I enjoyed a spicy Pad Kee Mow (stir-fried Thai noodles with basil, onion, bell pepper, brocolli, chicken, and lots and lots of heat.) This is a great bargin for just $6.50. Nothing on the menu (available here) is over $7.95.

To cool things off I ordered a Mango Snow with Bubbles ($3.25). This blended drink includes mango, ice, and cream. The "bubbles" refers to the tapioca pearls resting on the bottom of the cup. These bubbles are made with grass jelly and cooked in honey. The result is as much about texture as it is about taste. The extra-wide straw is just roomy enough to allow the quarter-inch sized pearls to zip up the straw into your mouth. This is great stuff. The bubbles are also available in slushes (a Snow without the cream) flavored milk, and flavored teas. All total, there are over 50 varieties of drinks available.

Basil Thai & Bubble Tea is located inn West Lafayette, Indiana at 135 S. Chauncy Ave (Chauncey Hill Mall). They are open Monday - Saturday from 11:30 am to 10 pm and Sunday from noon to 9 pm. Take-Out and Catering is also available. They can be reached by phone at 765-743-3330.