Williamsburg’s new Saturday Smorgasborg has dozens of stands offering everything from Asian street food and fried chicken biscuits to artisan mayonnaise. But we were most surprised to find not one, but two, frozen banana stands. Previously, we thought these only existed on “Arrested Development,” but now the foodie flea has two frozen banana purveyors to choose from, Rob and Anna’s (say it out loud) and Nana’s. So which one is worth trying?
Nana’s |
Rob & Anna’s |
Point |
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Technique |
Whole frozen bananas on a stick, dipped in chocolate sauce and sprinkled with toppings. |
Frozen bananas pureed and run through a soft serve-like machine so they come out looking like ice cream.
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Rob & Anna’s gets credit for creativity.
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Toppings |
Sea salt, toffee, coconut, candied nuts and sprinkles. |
Raw raspberry coulis, peanut butter agave cinnamon sauce, apple cider syrup, Nutella sauce, vegan chocolate, Nilla wafer dust, walnuts, wildflower honey.
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Rob & Anna’s wins here, if only for inventing Nilla wafer dust. |
Price |
$4 for a simple chocolate banana, $5 with one or two toppings. |
$5 for a six-ounce cup with one topping (add $1 for Nilla wafer dust, walnuts or wildflower honey). $7 for a cup with a chocolate
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Neither seems particularly affordable for frozen |
Taste Test |
A satisfying snack, especially when coated in sea salt, which makes for a nice mix of salty, sweet and chocolatey.
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The toppings are delicious, but the texture of the banana concoction makes us think of frozen baby food. If you really love bananas, you’ll go for this; otherwise it’s
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Nana’s wins on both taste and texture. |
Visual Appeal |
Super cool. These things are selling like hot cakes as people parade them around Smorg like a fashion statement. |
Again, a little flat. |
Nana’s. Banana on a stick is the hot new accessory in Williamsburg this summer. |
The Verdict: While we applaud Rob & Anna’s for trying something unique, Nana’s, made by Cecile Dyer of Pies ’n’ Thighs, is the Brooklyn banana champ.