Vampire Penguin — Restaurant in Riverview

The sign had been up for what seemed like forever. It's only been open for a couple of months. I didn't get a chance to try it until a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I should just start by saying that all my friends were absolutely right about Vampire Penguin. They said I would love it, and I do.

I originally thought it would be like Hawaiian shave ice. It's not anything like it. The only similarity is that it's light, and it melts in your mouth. Their shave snow does not come from a block of ice water. These are frozen dessert bases made with vanilla, tea, coffee, peanut butter, taro, or natural fruit flavors. The base is shaved into super thin ribbons, and then formed on your plate. The toppings and sauces are added to make it your own, or you can choose one of their signature concoctions. They have 2 sizes. I chose the regular size for both visits. It was more than enough. If you're having trouble deciding on a flavor, then you can go with a flight of 3 different flavors. They also have specialty drinks called potions.

I initially ordered the Snow Thaiger. It really does taste like Thai tea, but not as sweet. It's so light and airy, and melts in your mouth. The Oreo cookie crumble went very well with it. I looked at the menu again and noticed that the Halo Halo and Dulce de Leche desserts come with flan. There was no way I could write a review without trying the flan.

Well, today's visit was even better. I went with the Dulce de Leche. I love the vanilla snow! Some would say it's basic, but I love vanilla. It actually has bits of vanilla bean in it. The sliced banana was fresh and beautifully presented. I was keeping my expectations low on the flan. I didn't want to be disappointed. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was a deliciously smooth & creamy flan de vainilla. I later found out that their flan and cheesecake are sourced locally. How awesome is that? It's great knowing that they truly care about the quality of their ingredients.

The staff is patient and helpful. There's plenty of seating. The interior is cool and relaxing. The treats are refreshing and light for Florida weather. What...

If you're looking for a unique and fun dessert adventure, Vampire Penguin in Brandon, Florida, is a must-visit. This place offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling like a kid again with its incredible flavored snow desserts. The options are plentiful, whether you want to select from their custom desserts or create your own concoction. The flavored snow is absolutely delightful, with a variety of flavors to play with. During my visit, I crafted my own dessert with banana and strawberry snow, topped with strawberry sauce, mallow cream, and whipped cream. It was a perfect blend of flavors and textures that hit the spot! My girlfriend opted for their Summer Crush dessert, which featured mango snow drizzled with honey and accompanied by blueberry, banana, strawberry, kiwi, and granola. It was a refreshing and delicious combination. The service at Vampire Penguin is fantastic. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. The decor is vibrant, stylish, and comfortable, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhances your visit. Overall, I absolutely love Vampire Penguin and will definitely be back again. If you're in the Brandon area and craving something sweet and unique, this is the...

Hey! Don’t normally post reviews on here, but I felt like I needed to for this occasion. I recently had a not so good experience/encounter with one of your staff members when I was placing my order. I loved the food, and the restaurant was very nice and clean except the lady taking my order was not so kind. She had a name tag on which I recall to be “Macsey” or something along those lines, forgive me if I am incorrect. As soon as I walked in I got no greeting, no recommendation, and when I asked what’s her favorite, I was ignored because she was talking to someone else behind the counter. Very disappointed but it didn’t end there. She misheard me 3 times in a row and seemed visibly annoyed because she could not understand what I was asking for and let out a sigh. I felt disrespected and after watching her interact with more customers it was not just an isolated incident. Also, when I left she was still in the front counter. No goodbye, no thank you, nothing. Not many other people in the establishment either. Don’t know if it was just a bad day but I expect higher standards for staff for a place with...