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