Boba Up:
Boba up’s claim to fame is its self-serve boba machines. $5.43 for a small, $6.43 for a rEvyular, and $8.43 for a jumbo cup. Given the wide variety of topping and drink choice, the price is not too crazy although the food is a bit pricier.
Reina: 6/10
I’ll start with the positives first. I like the atmosphere of Boba Up a lot, and I’m a big fan of the brown sugar milk tea and the “free” jellies. However, the Thai Tea did me so dirty. I can’t branch out with my flavor choices after that, I’m traumatized.
Evy: 3/10
I’ll give this place points for creativity. But in my opinion, this place is totally quantity over quality, which results in subpar toppings, teas, and smoothies. If you’re paying almost $7 for a drink that you make yourself, you might as well pay someone else to make you a much more delicious and quenching drink than whatever messed-up combo you have going at Boba Up.
Recommendations: Leave (or get brown sugar milk tea!! -r)
Timeless Tea:
Timeless tea is located just west of the ave. It is both a dessert place and a drink place. Their drinks vary in both simplicity and price: the cheapest being $5.50 and the most expensive being $11.25 with an additional fee for toppings. Some of their desserts are a bit more expensive like their super creepy cake, shaped like a dog.
Reina: 9/10
Timeless tea has my absolute favorite drink that I will order until the end of time, (see recommendations). I’m docking one point for the price, because with the tapioca and tax I usually end up paying around $8 for a small drink but it is so so good I can mostly ignore it. Especially when doordash has a promo, I feel on top of the world.
Evy: 9/10
This place has one of my favorite atmospheres for hanging out and chatting- so much to the point that I can overlook the steep price. As for the actual drinks, some of the options are a little bit out there, but once you find your favorite, you’ll stick with it. The cat decor can be a bit alarming, but you’ll get used to it after a while.
Recommendations: Milk Cream Watermelon/Mango + Pina Colada
Young Tea
Young Tea is on 45th, close to Lincoln HS. They’re a bit higher end, with most of their drinks costing around 6-7 dollars after tax. However, they use freshly brewed traditional teas and real milk and make their boba fresh every day.
Reina: 7/10
More Sea Salt Crema! If you can’t already tell I’m a sucker for a drink that’s both sweet and salty. The drinks are a bit expensive since I usually tip pretty well here, but they’re all very good. The ave is much closer to my house so the only time I ever go to Young Tea is after school or when I feel like a longer lunch. Basically, it’s not my go-to but it’s a solid option.
Evy: 10/10
Young Tea will be the direct cause of my bankruptcy and downfall. I am absolutely obsessed with this place. Many boba places use pre-purchased tea “powders” and use powdered milk and water instead of real ingredients. Young Tea is the last of its kind- they use real milk and brewed Chinese teas in all of their drinks. Everything is made fresh, and while you do pay for that with the steep prices, you can taste it in the drink too.
Recommendation: Jasmine green tea w/ crema + High mt. oolong milk tea
Oasis
Oasis is a mainstay on the Ave as a hangout spot with both food and drinks. Their popcorn chicken is delicious and shareable, and their large list of drink options makes it a great place for everyone to go. However, some controversy has called the popularity of this place into question.
Reina: 4/10
I will be honest this would’ve been a good 8 or 9 if it weren’t for the really weird recent theories and revelations. I always got the milk with strawberry purée and a nice order of popcorn chicken. I just don’t know if I can go again without picturing rat feces in my food or that bobarista who got stabbed.
Evy: 4/10
I heard through the grapevine that this place was a money-laundering front for the Chinese mafia, but true or not, they make some good popcorn chicken. Their drinks are fine and the atmosphere was always at least a bit creepy, so I guess it’s kind of a bummer that there’s several generations of rats living in the kitchen.
Recommendations: Don’t. (unless you’re starving then get some chicken I guess)
Happy Lemon
Happy Lemon is the U-Village boba mainstay for most people. The employees work so hard while they make bubble waffles, smoothies, and all sorts of teas.
Reina: 9/10
This is a bit awkward because I used to be Happy Lemon’s biggest hater. I was always a huge fan of the bubble waffles, the puff cream dip situation is just so buttery and puts me in such a good mood. What I hated was the actual boba, it always gave me a stomach ache from the insane amount of sugar but once I realized I could just order with less sugar my world changed. I basically order my Young Tea order with 50% sugar and a bubble waffle on the side. One point docked for long waits and kind of high prices.
Evy: 8/10
Unlike Reina, I always had faith in Happy Lemon and believed in them from the start. Their drinks run a bit sweet, but once you pick out a drink you like you’ll figure out your order adjustments. Bubble waffles will always be essential too. When I had Covid in October, my Dad went and got me my favorite drink, and the next day I tested nEvyative. If that isn’t proof of healing, I don’t know what is.
Recommendations: Mango matcha + Strawberry Jasmine Green Tea with Rock Salt Crema (50% sugar)
