WICKER PARK — Looking for an alternative to the liquor-fueled happy hours popping up around the city?
Bee & Tea's Wicker and Lincoln Park spots are both offering $1 iced bubble teas from 5 to 7 p.m. through Friday as part of an anniversary week celebration that coincides with new menu additions of acai bowls, "closed bao" (instead of open-faced buns) and a black milk tea dessert cupcake.
The deal also includes 20 percent off all food with purchase of a bubble tea.
Normally costing up to $4.95 per cup at Bee & Tea, Taiwanese boba or bubble tea is made with tapioca pearls, which became popular in Taiwan before reaching the U.S. West Coast and eventually expanding across the country.
Customers can select a black or green tea base; options include adding milk, a flavor or a mix of flavors, and various types of tapioca, including tapioca flavored with pure honey (hence the "Bee" name).
Bao are Asian steamed buns filled with meat, veggies or a dessert filling.
Until recently, Bee & Tea, a small chain owned by the team behind Forever Yogurt, only offered open-faced buns, which look more like a taco than a bun. The new closed bao, which will replace the other buns, are offered in BBQ beef, pork, shiitake & vegetables, curry chicken, miso steak, and sweet red bean varieties.
Located at 1843 W North Ave., Bee & Tee opened last August and expanded to Lincoln Park spot at 818 W. Fullerton Ave. in April.
Bee & Tea's five new acai bowls, which cost $9, include an Antioxidant Blend, Protein Blend, Fiber Blend, Immune Booster and Mood Booster.
The antioxidant blend includes a mix of acai, banana, milk, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries and flax seeds, topped with granola and honey. The protein blend mixes acai, banana, milk, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter and flax seeds, topped with almonds, granola and honey.
Five varieties of acai bowls at Bee & Tea. [Provided]
