.Most Unlikely Venue for Board Game Geeks

One of the bajillion new bubble-tea-slash-froyo joints that have opened up in the Bay Area in the past few years, Mr. Green Bubble doesn’t initially appear to have anything to set it apart from the crowd — the pleasant, brightly lit space and above-average drink and frozen yogurt selection notwithstanding. But those in the know head straight to the back of the shop, where the owners keep a bookcase stocked with a surprisingly well-curated selection of board games. We’re talking serious “new-school” strategy games like Puerto Rico or Maori, as well as quirky, lesser-known word games like Quiddler — none of that Yahtzee or Trivial Pursuit nonsense. Throw in the fact that the shop serves some of the tastiest Taiwanese-style fried snacks (popcorn chicken, anyone?) in the East Bay, and Mr. Green Bubble is the perfect place to while away a few hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon.