Bubble Tea Lab Libertyville — Attraction in Libertyville

I've been going to Bubble Tea Lab for around three years. It's a cozy spot in Libertyville, IL, and I've had the pleasure to see this small, family-run business evolve throughout the years. I've enjoyed bubble tea for close to a decade. Bubble Tea Lab does this specialty drink justice!

In the heart of the Midwest, it's incredibly hard to find the variety of flavors that Bubble Tea Lab carries! My favorites are Blueberry, Chocolate, Matcha, Banana, Taro, and Mango! There are also rare/obscure flavors like Papaya. One can order no boba at all or jellies, popping boba, and tapioca in many popular flavors (I enjoy lychee jelly and mango popping boba). Most importantly, for me personally, they offer about 4 dairy-free alternatives. Those being coconut, almond, soy, and oat milk. As someone who suffers from lactose intolerance, I deeply appreciate a restaurant's understanding of and actions to accommodate people's food allergies/dietary concerns. I've been to other bubble tea spots where I ask about dairy alternatives and the staff looks at me like I'm from a different planet. Bubble Tea Lab is not like this; they are willing and able to accommodate.

The staff are all wonderful. I couldn't even imagine anyone having a negative experience in terms of customer service, and staff friendliness is a huge part of why I keep coming back. Also, the atmosphere is so cute. They sell collectable K-pop merchandise, Kawaii culture keychains, Anime/Anime-inspired goods, Mongolian cultural souvenirs, and cute bubble tea plushies of all different colors and sizes. There is always something new in terms of merch, every time I visit. I even tried Chinese Pineapple Cakes for the first time there. Think of a very miniature Chinatown!

I recommend Bubble Tea Lab to both bubble tea novices and aficionados; especially to those whom enjoy East Asian culture! If you or a family member/friend have lactose intolerance, yet still want to enjoy bubble tea, look no further! My favorites/recommendations are: Blueberry Milk Tea with mango popping boba and Soy milk, and Chocolate milk tea with almond milk...

Pros: Excellent Sushi Burrito, Good quality powdered tea beverages, Cute and modern shop design, customized milk choices.

Cons: Tea is not real tea, the price is quite high, considering it's just powdered tea.

I have had a lot of powdered tea drinks in the past, and this one is good. The boba has been consistent in texture, as far as the times I've gone. I do agree with other reviewers when I say, I wish I could adjust the sweetness, because my drink is usually very very sweet. Unfortunately, this shop isn't really authentic tea, it's pre-packaged powder, which isn't a knock on them, it's just sad because this is Bubble TEA lab, not bubble powder tea lab.

I'm not sure if the staff is just shy, but I didn't get a mean vibe from them. When I spoke to the man behind the counter, he was friendly, but quick and to the point. I can see how this might come off to people, but I haven't had any issues with this rudeness people are talking about when I went in.

It's funny though, because where this place REALLY shines is their sushi burrito, it's fantastic. The only downside is that they don't serve it after a certain time, or they're out of the ingredients. I've gone to this place a few times now, and I will most likely go back, but, just know what you're...

(UPDATE: of course I did shake it well before drinking. I know my bubble tea. I’ve been addicted to it even before traveling to Taiwan years back. Anyways, it was still too sweet for my taste. But don’t worry I will still go back and give it another try.)

Tried their Brown Sugar Milk Tea. The milk tea itself tastes good (at first) but it was too sweet. We ask for lesser sweetness but the drink was still super sweet for my taste. So I’m not really sure if it was actually lessened. I will try to ask for 50% less sweetness next time. Also, their tapioca boba is a BIG NO. Do yourself a favor and skip adding this one. It wasn’t chewy at all. It’s hard! Not a good texture. Very disappointing. Worst boba pearls I’ve tried. I will definitely skip this next time or maybe just try the other sinkers like the coffee jelly, maybe. But aside from those, I still think it’s an okay drink—especially if you are craving for milk tea. It still has a subtle tea taste plus the milk was creamy delicious.

We also ordered their salmon tuna sushi burrito and this is definitely a bomb! Super good and delicious. The ingredients are fresh and the “burrito” is packed with salmon & tuna until the very last bite. Worth it. Will order...