New Mexican snack shop opens in Provo spot formerly occupied by hookah shop
Mangoneada (frozen mango sherbet), Elote (cup of Mexican corn) and Bionicos (a fruit salad with sweet cream and granola) are available at Fruta Crush in downtown Provo on Wednesday.
Bionicos (a fruit salad with sweet cream and granola) is available at Fruta Crush.
Mangoneada (frozen mango sherbet) is a popular item at Fruta Crush in downtown Provo.
Elote (a cup of Mexican corn) is available at Fruta Crush.
Fruta Crush is open in downtown Provo.
Desserts and sweet treats are available at Fruta Crush in downtown Provo on Wednesday.
Mangoneada, a frozen mango sherbet, is a popular item at Fruta Crush in downtown Provo. Visit heraldextra.com/ticket to read the Herald's review.
Bionicos -- a fruit salad with sweet cream and granola -- at Fruta Crush in Provo.
Amid the hustle and bustle of crowds and the sprucing up happening in downtown Provo these last few months, a new shop has taken the place of The Hookah Collection, across the street from the Utah Valley Convention Center.
On the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Center Street, light and playful signage has appeared: Fruta Crush. Passing by it, the name and injection of cheerfulness in the area made us curious enough to stop in.
This new snack shop (not to be confused with the game Fruita Crush, though possibly equally addictive) features authentic Mexican treats — savory and sweet.
So for all the snackers out there or those who don’t mind a light “meal,” it seems Fruta Crush has brought a unique flavor and experience to the array of downtown shops clamoring for business. As a plus for night owls, Fruta Crush’s hours seem to extend to midnight on Fridays and 10 p.m. on other days allowing for some post-entertainment or post-dining fun.
One glance at the menu solidifies the joint’s authenticity. For some, the menu will take them back to Mexico City and for others it will be an exciting cultural excursion. (The owners and family hail from Mexico and have had experience in a variety of restaurants there and in the U.S.)
We sampled a chunk of the menu, including a Tamale, Aguas Frescas, Elote, Mangoneada and Bionico.
Now, if your Spanish is a little rusty, do not despair. From our experience, not only did Fruta Crush have delightful service, but the menu also described the treats’ ingredients in English.
Each snack was a surprise (as I was generally unfamiliar with most of them), but I’ve added some of these new favorites to my roster of go-to’s to satiate cravings.
First, the tamale. I eat a lot of tamales. From various trucks (God bless the Provo tamale lady). From farmers markets. From sit-down restaurants. From Trader Joe’s. When I ordered, they told me the green tamale was the popular one, however, they only had the red that day. Despite that warning, I was thrilled with its flavors and how incredibly moist it was. We all know so many tamales are drier than Utah in the summer. With that first impression, I can’t wait to try the other tamales upon later visits.
Those future tamales will be accompanied by Fruta Crush’s Elote — which is worth a drop in by itself. Elote — Mexican street corn — comes on the cob or by cup. Topped with cheese, butter and possibly chili powder, every bite is rich and creamy.
Our first order (yes, we made two while we were there) was comprised of mostly savory snacks, though as we delved into our food, we noticed every other single customer had ordered something we did not: the Mangoneada. We corrected this lapse. The Mangoneada, essentially a cup-sized mango popsicle, was fruity and refreshing. I could easily foresee it being a favorite in the summer months (when we’re all wishing it was winter again … wait, that isn’t a thing.)
We also tried the Bionico — chopped fresh fruit including melon, strawberries and apples covered in sweet cream, shredded coconut, granola and raisins. Sometimes the phrase “fruit salad” can be a deterrent to people, harking back to experimental 1950s jello molds, though diners would surely be missing out if they allowed that to happen with the Bionico. It was a bowl of crisp and healthy fruit (if you ignore the facts about cream, which I did) and could easily be shared between a couple or friends.
Fruta Crush also has quite the selection of drinks, from fresh squeezed juices to Aguas Frescas and sodas. We tried two of the Aguas Frescas: Lime with Chia and Tamarind. I developed more than a crush on the Lime with Chia and was poised to order a second before walking out the door.
We also tried some of the more traditional offerings — street food like Tostilocos and Chicharron — whose flavors were truly unique. While we maintain our favorite samples were the snacks already mentioned, I’m a firm believer in trying new things and the experience that entails — even if it ends up not being a repeat order.
Where: 198 W. Center St. in Provo
Hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-midnight
Info: Facebook — Fruta Crush