The Perfect Scoop & Boba Tea
Samples: Red Velvet, Yuzu, Cookies and Cream
Taro and Black Sesame on a Waffle Cone
Top of the Mountain – Fresh Made Waffle with Bananas, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Sauce, and Cashew Caramel Ice Cream
The second location of a locally owned ice cream shop, one would hardly know that Perfect Scoop & Boba Tea was located on Fort Apache Road if they were not on the lookout for such things, but tucked away on the backside of a shopping complex on the corner of Tropicana across from Walmart the small shop is turning out some really great ice cream, though the neon lighted setting and Kenny G Soundtrack could definitely be improved.
Founded by a fellow from New Jersey, and using an exceedingly creamy base to fabricate no less than forty flavors in house, the choices at Perfect Scoop consist of traditional flavors as well as some Asian specialties with vegan options and a few baked goods plus any number of boba teas and mixed concoctions serving to round the menu out.
Unfortunately sold out of the macarons from which their ice cream sandwiches are made, but still offering several options in which one is invited to invest their sweet, or even somewhat adventurous tooth, it was after a few large samples that an order was decided upon, the $14.26 seeming a bit steep at first but more than justified by sizable scoops plus made-to-order waffles that themselves rival all but the very best in town.
A bit put off by Red Velvet that tasted very artificial, but intrigued by Asian flavors including Yuzu while Durian was avoided like the plague, it was with two scoops atop a large housemade waffle cone that first bites were taken and with the taro a spot-on representation of the ingredient’s mild flavor the black sesame proved even better, the mild nuttiness somewhere between peanut butter and miso as each bite walked a fine line of balancing notes both savory and sweet.
Having waited approximately ten minutes as a man twice the age of the small female server prepared my second dish within a kitchen hidden to the rear, it was largely a result of the sold-out sandwiches that saw me order a “Top of The Mountain” and perhaps serendipitous in some strange way it was with the crisp malty tones that the crisp Belgian waffle absolutely wowed beneath a drizzle of dark chocolate, the creamy balls of cashew caramel no less excellent while bananas and whipped cream were perfectly adequate, the addition of sprinkles adding just a touch of whimsy to something that already had earned a wide smile and round of applause.
THREE AND A HALF STARS: Not a fan of Boba, and thoroughly unamused by Snow Cream or Shaved Ice outside of the immaculate version done at KU Noodle, Perfect Scoop is the sort of place that reminisces of childhood summers and youthful indulgence out on Lake Erie at a favorite local Scoop shop, yet without all the Middle Class Caucasian Americana, Live Bait and Beer Cans, or Toft’s Ice Cream pre-made and shipped several months before…
RECOMMENDED: Waffle, Black Sesame, Cashew Caramel, Yuzu for those looking for a fruity taste.
AVOID: Red Velvet, Going too late when Macarons are sold out…and Kenny G.
TIP: Those who fancy Boba will be happy to know that $1 can be saved via Yelp! Check-in.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
