by Vivian Le, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Main Squeeze | Desserts, Teas, Lemonades | 9430 Warner Avenue Fountain Valley, CA | 714-377-0861
Having previously been popular for selling lemonade at food markets, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) students were surprised when early July had greeted them with the grand opening of a Main Squeeze store a block away from campus. In addition to their classic lemonade, the new store introduces teas, “Squeezers Faves,” and various other desserts including the internet-viral soft serve in a watermelon. And in our opinions, the store lives in favor of the legacy of its name.
Stepping in, you are immediately greeted with the brightly themed decor that pays homage to a classic American lemonade stand aesthetic with neutral colors accented by bright pops of yellow. The walls are adorned with textures varying from wooden tiles to a pattern of lemons. The seating areas are decorated with fake plants and ceiling lights which have cleverly been crafted in the shape of their classic Main Squeeze mason jars.
Soothing jazz and pop music played throughout the entire store. The restaurant had been relatively empty when we visited on a Thursday at noon, and with the calming music, the place seemed like a nice place to lounge and possibly study.
The employees who we had met have all been kind, greeting us upon entrance and wishing us a good day when we left. We had tried ordering the watermelon soft serve that other customers had been trying, unfortunately, the employees had been completely polite in telling us that the store only served the item during the weekends.
The Milk & Cereal, a Squeezers Faves, was milk-flavored soft serve resting on top of a bed of frosted flakes and garnished on top with more cereal and a drizzle of honey. The item costs $5.55 and had little to no wait-time. The ice cream itself had the taste of milk after being soaked in sugary cereal and had a slightly icy texture, which says something about the quality of the milk used in the item. The cereal had added a pleasurable crunch to the ice cream, and the honey, while short-lived, had been a nice touch.
You received a fair amount of ice cream for the price you paid, however, the cup was filled in a way where the swirl of soft serve was hollow in the inside which can be a pet peeve that some people may have. However, we found that the hefty amount of ice cream was perfect to share with a friend.
In addition to lemonade, the store has added teas ranging from milk tea, thai tea, and a variety of other iced teas. Each drink costs $3.85 for a 24 oz plastic cup and $5.35 for a 32 oz mason jar. The Hokkaido milk tea had slight coffee taste with nutty undertones. It had a nice airy taste that wasn’t too overpowering, and overall, it was perfect for a summer’s day.
Lemonade is the staple of the Main Squeeze legacy, therefore naturally, we ordered a classic of theirs, the Butterfly Peach tea. This drink is perhaps the most beautiful one, the bottom half of the drink being the classic lemonade-yellow color and the top being a vibrant, royal purple. Within the drink are chopped up pieces of peach to add more texture to the drink and emphasize the peach flavor already in the lemonade. Initially when taking a sip, you are met with a strong peach flavor and is then received with an aftertaste that distinctly tastes like classic lemonade.
Main Squeeze had been a pleasant experience and is sure to be the same for FVHS students looking for a place to cool off with their friends. All the prices were reasonable and the store provides a unique range of menu items that students should try before the winter returns.
