The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

The drive-through
phenomenon evokes the type of laziness and apathy that modern services seem to
cater to more and more. In Cairo, though; it’s the type of luxury that Egyptians
love. What’s better than having your food delivered to you at the wheel of your
car while you get your gangsta lean on and scope out the scene? Cairenes can now
even have their shisha through their car window; too far? Yes, definitely too
far. You see, the best evolution of a service is always simple, something that
Cassata has taken to heart.

Located on a
stretch of road that seems to lead out of the Marioteya area to nowhere, Cassata’s face looks
like a huge billboard, and the colours and lights will make you wince even from
afar. Upon arrival, a staff member bursts through a door that you didn’t know
existed, and hands you a menu before your car even pulls in.

The menu is
vast and divided into several sections. Fruit juices, vegetable juices and ice
creams as well as milkshakes; the basics are all there. If that’s too dull for
you, then you can also dip into the special Boreo-infused milkshakes, the ‘world
of mango’ section or the even more ecstatically peculiar Korombo menu, which is
presumably inspired by the Egyptian TV cartoon detective.

The most
expensive item on the menu is the quite extravagant fruit salad ice cream,
which only costs 11LE. Basic juices cost between 4LE to 5LE, while the house fruit
cocktails and milkshakes cost a few LE more. The combinations and peculiar
ingredients will have you humming and ahh-ing for a good while. It’s easy to be
overwhelmed; but don’t fall back on a meagre lemon juice – be brave.

Now you may
find yourself studying the peculiar exterior of Cassata. The imagination can
only run wild to picture what lies behind the huge wall of colours; there are
probably oompa loompas in there making your juice.

Just as you
are on the verge of becoming agitated and giving the staff looks, a small
window slowly opens to a drum roll in your stomach. Two dark mysterious hands,
maybe those of an oompa loompa, slide out with your drinks, which sparkle
in the light and dispel any uncertainty towards your order.

Be warned;
upon receiving your drink or ice cream, the scene suddenly turns into a cheesy
TV commercial. A couple sits in the back
seat and feed each other ice cream; people are leaning on their car bonnets
with their drinks; they all hold their spoons and straws playfully and flick
their heads back as they laugh loudly. Everyone is having a great time, and for
a split second, you think that you’re on the beach or something.

Cassata may
not have the same hallucinogenic effect on you; but it does deliver a great
range of fresh juices, smoothies and ice creams. The menu is creative and well
thought out, and the prices are amazingly cheap compared to its juice bar peers.