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

Best Baguette: 5.0/10

FIRST OF ALL, MERRY CHRISTMAS! We hope that your day had a wonderful beginning (now possibly made better by this review). Even when it's cold outside... or wet in the case of Oregon, warmth can always be found amongst family and friends.

Second, speaking of Oregon, consider this a Special Edition for Portlanders. I am back in my hometown for winter break; therefore, I thought it would be fun to revisit some boba places here. Quite frankly, I have a much greater appreciation for LA boba and the plentitude of shops that exist there. Ya'll get both the quality and quantity, Portland is not so lucky. I may try some other boba shops as break goes on, but enjoy this review on Best Baguette for now.

Honeydew smoothie w/ boba + mixed jelly.
Milk tea w/ boba on the right.

BEST BAGUETTE
(BEAVERTON, OR)

Drink Taste: 4.0/10

Boba: 5.5/10

Cost-to-Size: 7.0/10

Available Drink Options: 7.0/10

Available Food Options: 7.0/10

Customer Service: 6.5/10

Ambience: 6.5/10

Recommended: Yes, but for their banh mi.

Summary of Scores: Generally, I try maintaining a standard by ordering milk teas. My parents got a smoothie which was good. Don't get too excited though, it was merely good, thus unable to counter how not good the milk tea was. Good news: the milk tea had the right color. The bad: the little flavor my tastebuds could make out was a confusion between milk and thai tea. The tea was extremely watered down, which is scary due to the little ice there was to begin with. The honeydew smoothie was generic, followed the typical powder recipe, hence the good. Nothing memorable. Cost versus size... it was alright. $3.85 for milk tea, a little more for a smoothie. No tax though :) A common problem in Portland are the tapioca pearls, often being bland and overcooked. Amongst the several times getting boba here, it is too soft on the outside half of the pearl. Unfortunately, this happened again. Opt for jelly -- which they have 10 flavors of. Drink options are not too shabby, with ~20 flavors of smoothies to choose from and milk/thai tea. Food: ok, now if I was reviewing banh mi, Best Baguette's score would be off the charts. They're really quite good, that must be why their name is "Best Baguette" and not "Best Boba". Customer service is meh, very down to business. Ambience: the place is clean with plenty of seating but do not plan on studying here. It is very much a dining-only type joint. Overall, I would only recommend food, but if you are really craving boba... get a smoothie with jelly. Oh, there's also durian for the adventurous spirits like me. That gave them an extra 0.5 points towards the overall score of...

Overall Experience: 5.0/10

That's about that. Once again, Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays! Yay to surviving the Mayan Apocalypse! 

-T

Banh Mi Che Cali: 6.75/10

Boba boba boba... banh mi? We decided to stop by Banh Mi Che Cali today to get some boba FOR CHEAPZ. If you don't already go here for their sandwiches and other Viet deli items, I'd recommend it. Especially because you will not drop more than a honest Abe ($5 bill) on a light meal. The only item I would not recommend is their banh pate chaud (apologies for lack of textual accent marks) because it has a slice of sausage inside instead of ground pork. So wrong. ANYWHO, we review boba. This place is limited to only milk tea with tapioca pearls, but IT IS BOGO for $2.25 ($2.45 w/ tax). Bottoms up.

Milk tea w/ tapioca pearls.

BANH MI CHE CALI (ALHAMBRA)

Drink Taste: 7.5/10

Boba: 6.5/10

Cost-to-Size: 9.0/10

Available Drink Options: 4.0/10

Available Food Options: Viet cuisine

Customer Service: 6.0/10

Ambience: 6.0/10

Recommended: Yes, especially for the budget-saavy or someone wanting a quick lunch

Summary of Scores: Even though their milk tea comes from a spout, it has a surprisingly pleasant depth and richness which makes for good milk tea. Good balance of sweetness, imo. Today's boba was pleasant with its chewy consistency. However, mentioning that today's was good... Banh Mi Che Cali definitely has off days where the boba is overcooked and sad. Their boba is mini and not flavored, which I'm indifferent about. Cost is excellent, where two 16oz milk teas are $2.45 with tax. You get the portion control and when split with a friend, you get boba for super cheapz. Food options are great, with the various banh mis, pastries, noodles, and rice dishes. Drink options are literally: milk tea (w/tapioca), green milk tea (no tapioca)... and I do not remember the other two. But really, your only boba option is the milk tea. Though I'm sure they'll add tapioca to the green milk tea at your request, but you may be charged extra. Since Banh Mi Che Cali is so cheap, with so many options, it is always busy. So customer service and ambience is lacking. Overall, the recommendation is a definite yes for the going in-and-out for a quick and affordable meal.

Overall Experience: 6.75/10

It was hard to give an overall score because BMCC is not a boba specialty shop. Their boba is not outstanding, but the drink will still hit the spot and the price/convenience is fantastic. Therefore, a 6.75 was the most fair score for BMCC relative to other boba places reviewed. I hope you agree! :)

-T

Half & Half Tea Express: 6.5/10

Greetings Boba Friends! It's been a long time, apologies. Apologies to Esther as well because I am stealing her review (though she will write one about Ten Ren this upcoming break, keep your eyes peeled). This was my first Half & Half experience, versus Twee and Esther's one thousandth time. To me it was "aight". And I'm aware of the Half & Half die-hards, like Twee. Maybe it was a fluke. Maybe my taste buds be lackin'. Maybe it's because we were at the Express location. Maybe I should give Half & Half another try. Either way, there's always a shoulda coulda woulda situation. But I will attempt to justify my score to you now.

The Half & Half specialty.
Photo credz to Esther.

HALF & HALF TEA EXPRESS (PASADENA)

Drink Taste: 7.0/10

Boba: 7.0/10

Cost-to-Size: 7.0/10

Available Drink Options: 9.0/10

Available Food Options: Not Existent

Customer Service: 6.0/10

Ambience: 6.0/10

Recommended: Sure... if you're in Old Town. 

Summary of Scores: I got the milk tea with boba and pudding. The milk tea was good but nothing remarkable. Boba was good because it was honey flavored and warm. Though I think the whole "drinking boba while it's warm" is still... not kosher. But peeps be in to that, and all the power to 'em. Their cups are squat and reasonably priced for their size. I don't like the cups since they don't fit in most car cup holders. IF ANYTHING BRINGS YOU HERE -- let it be their drink options, it gets pretty crazy. Apeshit crazy. Such as strawberry jam topping... yogurt tea... ginger milk tea... I consider Half & Half the Phoebe in Friends. No food, probably due to its "expressness". Since I like food, I docked for this. Customer service, meh, not great. The cashier gave me the wrong change and the dude that made my drink was a robot. I'm no princess but the environment was not as welcoming if compared to other places. Ambience score is a given. Express location = coziness is impossible. 

Overall Experience: 6.5/10

In retrospect, my score might be a tad harsh. But we gotta dish some tough love sometimes. I also think this location just did not have a chance because it was an "express". However, I do dig their mini menus. I also like their spunk. If you choose to try this place, look for mine, Esther's, and Twee's initials scratched into a table! You can see it etched in our image above ("TET"). HAPPY NEW YEAR! Get it?

-T

OZERO: 8.0/10

Yes yes... We are a little Cofftea biased. But really, I think it's me. Due to rising gas prices (almost $5 per gallon!?) I have been more hesitant to drive 10-some miles and risk unsatisfactory boba at a new place. But don't worry folks, further reviews will come. After all, Esther is in the midst of writing a Half & Half Pasadena review! But for now, I'll review OZERO Little Tokyo to help ease the passing of time.

Courtesy of David Sacci
(Future hand model of milk
teas worldwide.)

OZERO (LITTLE TOKYO)

Drink Taste: 8.5/10

Boba: 8.5/10

Cost-to-Size: *8.0/10

Available Drink Options: *7.0/10

Available Food Options: *7.0/10

Customer Service: 7.5/10

Ambience: 7.5/10

Recommended: Yes, if you're downtown.

Summary of Scores: Drink taste, still dependable, light and refreshing. Boba is almost as good as Alhambra's, though today's might have just been a fluke. The categories of cost, available drink and food options are *asterisked because they are identical to the Alhambra location, so the grades and comments are the same. To summarize, OZERO has a $3-6 cost depending on your drink type and topping(s). I don't spend more than the lower end of $4. Drink options are enough to fulfill cravings for the classics. They do have the fantastic-looking fruit teas with seasonal fruit chopped in which I have never seen elsewhere. Customer service was meh, nothing worth noting. This location is more quiet in my opinion. It may be due to limited street parking and the fact that peeps avoid driving downtown unless need be. Although... it can be argued that for good boba, we'd climb mountains and storm the raging seas.

Overall Experience: 8.0/10

Another note -- the same rewards points and rules still apply to this OZERO. I do like this Little Tokyo location, but personally, I'd still make my drive out to Alhambra's OZERO by Cofftea. As Caroline would say, they are always "on point". I mean, CHECK OUT THIS THAI TEA AMAZINGNESS (DOUBLE BOBA'ed):





Sidenote, they're also hiring.

-T

REAL TARO SMOOTHIE

... so it does exist.

We have been to Cofftea 3 more times since our Cha outing. What can I say... we're human and we naturally resist change.

However, I'd like to update that there are now some male hires. (Influenced by my post? I'd like to think so!)

But most importantly... I got a smoothie for the first time in a long time. I ordered taro and yes, the smoothie is NOT purple. I have never been fortunate enough to get anything but that artificially sweet purple stuff other boba places offer. Don't get me wrong, I do like that faux taro, that's why I ordered it. But this Cofftea Taro was delicately sweet and had a very real taro texture (+ honey drizzled on the side). All I can say is: NOMS.

-T