Pom Pom’s Should Be “Yum Yum’s”!
A few years ago, I wasn’t a patron of any establishment that billed itself as a “teahouse” or anything really tea-related - not that I don’t like tea. I do enjoy a good high tea whenever I can get it, complete with Devonshire creme and scones but the majority of my tea-drinking has been relegated to the sickly sweet Southern variety. One of my closest friends pushed me to try Pom Pom’s for their “most excellent” sandwiches and another friend had artwork hanging at the Bumby location, so I decided that if Pom Pom’s was going to support my artist friends, I was going to support Pom Pom’s.
And support I have. Between semi-frequent trips to the Bumby location and hammering out order after order on DoorstepDelivery.net (thank GOD my ZIP code allows me to order from Pom Pom’s!), my daughters and I have tried nearly everything on their menu. Repeatedly.
I most recently went for dinner the other night at the Bumby location - I’ve not had a chance to try out the UCF/Alafaya location yet, but I hope to soon. The Bumby location’s seating is small - only about 6-7 tables and a bar seating area. I haven’t ever had a problem getting a seat, luckily. There is also a beautiful and eclectic seating area up front as well.
Their hours are perfect if you’re a night owl: open Mon-Weds until 10pm, Thursday until 5am, and then 24 hours (no, really!) starting from 11am Friday morning until 6pm on Sunday evening. Pom Pom’s menu consists of the following items: soups, sandwiches, teas and beverages, salads, sides, and desserts. They sell local, imported, and domestic beer (I usually see a double chocolate stout there - yum!), wine, and sake. The teas are houseblended and regular, and you can order them hot or cold and sweetened or non-sweetened. They have milk teas, too. We love the Arabic Mint, the Green Tea Pear, and the Green Milk Tea:
The Bumby location has breakfast from Friday through Sunday, but I haven’t tried it yet. Breakfast is served on the weekends until 4pm, so I really don’t have much of an excuse NOT to have tried it! You can order a variety of pressed sandwiches or make a BYO (Build Your Own) sandwich. The pressed sandwiches have a variety of fun names and amazing combinations. My first sandwich at Pom Pom’s was the Mama Mama Ling Ling’s Thanksgiving sandwich, which has Turkey, Ginger Cranberry Chutney, Gouda, Stuffing, Mashed Potato, Cream Cheese & a Side of Gravy. Wow. My next attempt was the Fu Manchu sandwich, which has Asian Pulled Pork, Watercress, Goat Cheese, Ginger Cranberry Chutney and Red Onions. Then I tried the Woody, which is Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Spicy Honey Mustard, Thousand Island, Cole Slaw and Red Onions, then the Low Rider (Turkey, Avocado, Black Beans, Mexican Salsa, and Cream Cheese), and finally I found the love of my life … the Danny G (Ginger Cranberry Chutney, Almonds, Brie, Red Onions & Apples). You can choose from white bread, wheat, pumpernickel, or rye from their wall of bread:
Rarely have I encountered a shortage of something at Pom Pom’s, and their items have always been very fresh and their vegetables crisp and delicious. The wait staff is friendly and very active, bringing your food out quickly and always very knowledgeable about the menu and options available to you. The other evening we ordered the Low Rider on pumpernickel:
…and the Cobb on white:
Breaking with tradition, I ordered a salad. I got the Yellow Curry Chicken Salad and opted for the Creamy Peanut Vinegarette dressing, as was recommended by my kind waitress:
Many of their eight salad offerings are reincarnations of their pressed sandwiches, which is really cool. My salad was unbelievable - the greens were so crisp and fresh, and the Yellow Curry Chicken salad was delicious. And it was HUGE. I had to take about half of it home with me for later. You can also make a BYO salad, just like the sandwiches.
Another thing I love about Pom Pom’s is their sides. I highly recommend the German potato salad, which is served warm, and also the Noodles with Peanut sauce. I have not tried any of their soups, but they offer creamy black bean, tomato cheddar & Cointreau, and various chowders. They usually announce them on their Facebook page, which is cool.
For dessert, I recommend their cupcakes. I always get the Red Velvet (the icing is quite yummy), and here is my Red Velvet cupcake with the Grasshopper cupcake (chocolate and mint icing):
Overall, I can’t say that I’ve ever had a negative dining experience at Pom Pom’s, at least at the Bumby location (I can’t wait to try the UCF location!). The food is consistently good and fresh, the service is quick and friendly, and the atmosphere is fun and sometimes colorful:
Give them a try, and buy some local artwork while you’re there!
Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria
67 N Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 894-0865 Fax: (407) 894-0866
Hours: Mon - Tue - Wed 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Fri - Saturday 24 Hours Sunday Open ‘til 6:00 p.m.
12275 University Blvd., Orlando, FL 32817
Phone: (407) 275-4493 Fax: (407) 275-4494
Hours: Mon - Tue 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. Weds - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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