I distinctly remember the best smoothie I’ve ever had: a scrumptious banana and pear concoction at Pine Restaurant — silky smooth and impossible to set down. While simple, the smoothie had all the necessary characteristics: fresh fruit, the subtle use of yogurt and a refreshing temperature that avoids the dreaded brain freeze. Unfortunately, the Pine no longer offers smoothies, leaving me with a burning question: Where is the best smoothie in Hanover?
4. The Works Café: 4/10, $0.48/oz
As I walked into The Works on the first day of my Hanover smoothie tour, the dim lights, brick interior and crowded space raised my expectations. At the suggestion of the cashier, I ordered a 12-ounce-chocolate-peanut-butter smoothie for $5.79 before tip — a tad pricey, but hey, the prices clearly haven’t scared off their customers. The watery, thin texture left significant room for improvement. With a heavy chocolate flavor overpowering the banana, this smoothie felt more like a melted chocolate-peanut-butter milkshake.
3. Collis Café: 6/10, $0.49/oz
Because Collis Café is located in one of the busiest centers of student life at Dartmouth, it is difficult to find a time when it is not packed or closed. While not located on Main Street, the Collis smoothie is an incredibly popular item, and, in this writer’s opinion, deserves a seat at the table. Sneaking in between the breakfast and lunch rushes, I was able to get their Life Changer smoothie, which consists of strawberry, banana, mango and guava juice, without a wait. While it came from the fridge, the Collis smoothies are always made in front of you with well-practiced speed. The texture and blend of fruits are refreshing, but I noticed a bitter aftertaste that left something to be desired.
2. Dirt Cowboy Café: 7/10, $0.38/oz
I walked into Dirt Cowboy Café sorely wishing I was touring their various delectable pastries. At the cashier’s suggestion, I ordered a large — their smallest option — “pineapple-mango-strawberry smoothie” and came away content with my choice. The cheapest of the Main Street cafés, Dirt Cowboy’s smoothie is fluffy with a strong yogurt flavor and a pleasant aftertaste.
1. My Brigadeiro: 9/10, $0.46/oz
Escaping torrential rain into My Brigadeiro one day last week, I was both excited and intimidated by the brightly lit boutique bakery and their extravagant smoothies. My order — mixed berry, once again at the cashier’s suggestion — fell in the middle of the price range, costing $11 after tax. The Works turned out to be the most expensive, as the only size at My Brigadeiro was an enormous 24 ounces. Filled to the brim with blueberries, strawberries, bananas and orange juice, my smoothie brought a level of sweetness only attained through letting excellent fruit speak for itself. The consistency — thick, with seeds still visible — felt practiced to perfection, and the balance of ingredients allowed each fruit to shine through evenly.
Final Thoughts
While I’ll rarely turn down the convenience of a Collis smoothie — available for the unbeatable deal of a meal swipe — my quest inadvertently granted me a newfound familiarity with Hanover and its quality café scene, allowing me to immerse myself in the town in a way that the libraries, food court and classrooms couldn’t. Each smoothie and location had its niche — Collis for convenience, My Brigadeiro for freshness, Dirt Cowboy for variety and affordability and The Works for atmosphere. I’d recommend a favorite food tour to any and all; not only do you get to sample variations of something you enjoy, but you also get to discover hidden gems and escape the bubble of the Dartmouth campus in a fresh way.
