Established in 2017, Jack Eats is a Filipino inspired pop-up bakery that has become most well known for specializing in desserts made with Ube, a purple yam vegetable that is indigenous to the Phillipines.
Jack Eats is owned and operated by a husband and wife team whose names are Julienne ("Jools") and Justin Gilbo.
Jools is their supremely talented and friendly baker, while Justin is her backbone of support, providing her with tons of inspiration and serving as the main taste tester for her creations.
They launched their first pop-up at the Nomarama Munchie Market event held last May in Norfolk's Chelsea Business District. They have since moved their pop-up home to the Selden Market in downtown Norfolk with Saturday appearances at their kiosk.
Their Saturday pop-ups in the Selden Market started sporadically last November and have most recently been appearing on a regular basis During my last visit, Jools told me they are planning to be there every Saturday and also hoping to schedule some Sunday pop-ups as well.
She also informed me that their original plans to relocate to Granby Station have been discontinued for the time being. Based upon my personal observations, they are doing just fine and thriving at their current Selden Market home.
Their Instagram page is my primary source of information for finding the details of their pop-up appearances, including dates, hours, and the specific desserts that are being served on their rotating menu.
During each of my visits, a long line of eager customers has been found waiting in front of their kiosk, even before they have opened. During my visit last Saturday, a line had already started forming about a half-hour before their 10 am opening.
Special advance orders are also provided. During my most recent visit, one gentleman left with a huge and beautifully decorated cake he had ordered to pick up. It was topped with an eye dazzling ube frosting, and I wish I had stopped him to take a photo.
I have only tried a small sampling of their creations to date, all of which are described below. Each one blew me away, sending my taste buds soaring to where they had never gone before.
UBE CRACK BLONDIE: This one is a dense and decadently delicious brownie like dessert. It is made with homemade ube butter jam and an ube cream topping that is drizzled with a white chocolate ganache.
I've enjoyed this one twice to date and will surely order it again. My Rating: 5 Stars.
UBE CREME BRULEE: Served in a small foil container, an eye dazzling, rich, and creamy ube custard lies underneath its delicately torched crust surface. This one truly packs a compact powerhouse punch of flavor.
After only taking one bite, I was hooked and practically inhaled the rest. My Rating: 5 Stars.
BUKO PANDAN CRINKLE: This is a popular Filipino dessert cookie made with buko, which is a young coconut, and pandan leaves, which come from pandas, a tropical fruit grown in Asia with a flavor resembling vanilla with a sweet taste and mild aroma.
The cookie strikes a perfect textural balance with its firm crinkly edges and soft interiors. Its greenish tones present a visual treat, exceeded only by its profoundly unique flavor. My Rating: 5 Stars.
BRIOCHE DONUTS WITH UBE CUSTARD: These donuts exhibit a heavenly soft and pillowy texture, richly filled and oozing with their delicious purple ube goodness.
I have never been much of a fan of donuts in general, but these were a game changer. Due to their high demand, these are limited to two per customer. My Rating: 5 Stars.
UBE BRAZO CHEESECAKE: This one is packed with layers of ube meringue, coconut custard, and ube cheesecake in an ube blondie crust. This is the most memorable and uniquely flavorful cheesecake I've enjoyed in many years. My Rating: 5 Stars.
This might be the first time I've ever given each food item in a review of any type of eatery a 5-Star rating. I tried in vain to find something to nitpick, but was unable to do so. Everything I tried exceeded my expectations and blew me away.
I am looking forward to my future visits and enjoying some of the many other delectable creations they offer that I have yet to try.
In the meantime, this review comes with a rousing and well deserved slam dunk 5-Star rating. read more