Tea Chai Te: 7.0/10

Hello! We went out to 23rd Ave in Portland again... and this time, I went to the OTHER teashop. The majestical Tea Chai Te. It makes Fat Straw seem commercial. I can only describe Tea Chai Te as a lil hole-in-the-wall-get-away-from-people-upper-floor teashop, made more magical by the combination of strong incense and clutter of decoration. Really, once you step through that door and ascend the stairs, prepare to experience the manifestation of Portland hipsterness.

Hot milk tea w/ boba.

TEA CHAI TE
(PORTLAND, OR)

Drink Taste: 7.0/10

Boba: 6.0/10

Cost-to-Size: 7.5/10

Available Drink Options: 7.0/10

Available Food Options: 5.0/10

Customer Service: 8.0/10

Ambience: 8.0/10

Recommended: Better than Fat Straw

Summary of Scores: Again, I ordered a hot milk tea because of the freezing weather. This tea had the same traditional milk tea taste, but more light with a hint of vanilla. It could be due to the type of creamer used? THE BOBA WAS INTERESTING. It was a size between mini and regular. The boba was the same softness all the way through, but it wasn't the overcooked, unpleasant squish. I can only describe it as... a thick tapioca gel. Not all that chewy, no added sweetness. The consistency may have been due to the tea being hot, but I don't think that's completely it. It wasn't bad, but very interesting. Surprisingly, the cost was very affordable. My 16oz milk tea with boba was $3.25 and I believe the 20oz is $4.00. Especially being located on 23rd... this was very reasonable. For drink choices, there was the typical tea affair as well as exotic herbal blends. This was also the first Portland place that had green milk tea on the menu. I don't think there were food options, I could be wrong. Tea Chai Te definitely specializes in different teas and kombucha. Service was nice, although there was only one girl working that night. I like to think she was the face of Tea Chai Te with her straight-cut bangs and soothing voice. The ambience was other-worldy. The shop is small and quaint, with a nook where some are studying and others quietly chattering. There was a strong scent of incense... personally, I would not be able to lounge for long because of this. Tea Chai Te has SO MUCH tea and random decor. Dimly-lit. I think everyone should come here just for the experience, but do make sure to wear your most hipster attire possible.

Psychedelic.

Overall Experience: 7.0/10

Like I mentioned earlier, I would prefer Tea Chai Te over Fat Straw if I was walking along 23rd and in need of a boba fix. Its tea is great but next time I would probably pass on adding boba. 

-T

Fat Straw: 6.5/10

Greetings from Oregon, again! The first post of 2013. Don't worry, Angelenos, we will be back in LA soon enough to blog about boba places NOT 1000 miles away. This blog focuses on Fat Straw, a hidden teashop tucked in the lower level of one of 23rd Ave's many cute, little boutiques and shops. Most Portlanders have probably walked by it... but this time, we decided to give it a try.

Hot milk tea w/ boba.

FAT STRAW
(PORTLAND, OR)

Drink Taste: 7.5/10

Boba: 6.0/10

Cost-to-Size: 5.0/10

Available Drink Options: 7.0/10

Available Food Options: 7.0/10

Customer Service: 7.0/10

Ambience: 8.0/10

Recommended: Not bad...

Summary of Scores: I ordered a hot milk tea with boba because it was below freezing outside. Fat Straw uses coconut milk instead of half & half. The milk tea tasted like a blend of milk tea meets thai tea meets... floweriness. It was aromatic and we all liked it. The coconut milk added a slight nuttiness but also made the tea very rich. The boba was not so great, it was mini with a too-soft outside, too hard inside. The price was hefty, $4 for a 16oz with 1 small scoop of boba. I guess Oregon doesn't have sales tax though. The drink options were the typical tea and smoothie affair. Food options consisted of different types of banh mi but I have not tried any. Customer service was kind of awkward... where all three HS girls behind the counter stared at us while we read the menu. Regarding ambience, the shop was small and not for the claustrophobic. But it was cute because it had a cozy, aged feel with tea jars displayed along with random knick knacks. We sat on some couches. There were also two girls studying ochem. Fat Straw also provides complementary computers. I personally wouldn't study here but I can see why it appeals to others.

Overall Experience: 6.5/10

I think Fat Straw was alright. I'm doubtful I would come here for boba again, but I would come here if I needed a place to lounge around in with some friends to escape Oregon's freezing cold. 

-T