GOIN' BANANAS FOR JOE

I came across this relatively new milk tea shop along I. Delos Reyes St. one December afternoon when I decided to take a different route on my way to UST. They weren't open yet then. When I saw the place, I was like, "Meh, just another milk tea shop" and just continued on walking. And then I passed by that place again, this time they were already open. From the outside, the little tea shop looked really inviting and warm-- too bad I was running late that time. 

When I got back from the holidays, the new milk tea place I was itching to try escaped my mind. Then a friend texted me if I tried JoeMonkey already, my immediate reaction was like "Oh right, that new MT place!" So I went down, hurriedly, and made my way to Delos Reyes.

The first thing anyone would recognize is this:

The grass is greener on this side of UST

Their crazy awesome grass floor carpet! It was uniquely JoeMonkey, I thought. Their white and pink themed shop is very humble, clean and minimalist in design. They have this long pink couch where you could lie down or do the Indian for all they care. And it's couple-friendlier, if you know what I mean ;)

When I am new to a milk tea shop, I always order Wintermelon or roasted milk tea or just the plain milk tea first. It's like my scale on how good their drinks taste. Like when my friends eat at a Korean restaurant, they always get the Bibimbap first, that's their "batayan" on how good the food is there. Anyhoo, my first drink with JoeMonkey was Wintermelon MT with pudding. It was good. And their pudding was the best I've had so far. It was flavorful and not too soft that it would go through your teeth.


Their menu had a lot to choose from. When I went back there, I was dying to get their Wintermelon Mousse-tache which I've heard so much about. But when I got there, they already ran out of stock. So I got this intead: Green Apple Yakult Green Tea.

When I ordered this, I asked to add some pudding (cuz I loved it so much) with it but the one who took my order said it might not go well with the drink and suggested to add nata jelly instead. I was impressed, to be honest, they know what they sell and not just get what the customers want. And it was a good call, the nata went well with the drink. 


Their drinks are really good, the staff are friendly and the place is not too big that it becomes crowded. Just right. And they've got free WiFi! ((: Here are some pictures of the place. Go check it out! 

Joe Ilaog manning the counter (:

JoeMonkey Manila is located along I. Delos Reyes Street, cor P. Campa, Sampaloc Manila. They're open Mondays to Saturdays until 9pm. I'm not sure tho. When I was there they closed at 9PM. (:
Follow them on Twitter! @JoeMonkeyManila