Fat Panda Boba Tea and Market — Local services in Bangor

Three years ago, I rated this place five stars. The tea was great, the staff was friendly, and I had zero complaints. Two years ago, I dropped my rating to four stars because they often ran out of tapioca. I don’t like poppers so that meant I wouldn’t get any tea at all.

Now, I’m dropping it to two stars due to the current and new management. I’ve been a loyal customer for years, but today probably just changed that. I ordered my usual large banana tea with tapioca but this time I asked for extra because lately I’ve been getting barely a tablespoon of it. Five sips in and the tapioca is gone, the tea filled over halfway still. This isn’t the first time I’ve asked for extra and in the past, they gave it without issue. Today, I was told it would be an extra dollar. Shocked was an understatement. I know what you are thinking “it’s just one dollar” that’s not the problem. In fact, it makes sense to charge if someone wanted over half a cup of tapioca. The problem is that I wouldn’t need to ask for extra if it was filled properly the last few times I’ve gotten it.

Charging extra for popping boba is also ridiculous. Not everyone likes tapioca, in fact I’ve seen many people in my life who I’ve introduced fat panda to absolutely despise it so having poppers as a second option without price was considerate and amazing. This is coming from someone who hates poppers. Charging customers for it is greedy.

On top of that the tea has gone downhill. I had one (not today) that tasted like expired milk. How? No clue but it was terrible and I almost went back to get my money back. There are other times where it tastes bland, no flavor or it tastes disgustingly bitter and it’s never filled to the top anymore.

All customers deserve what they pay for and that’s how it felt back with old management. I got what I paid for. Now I have to hope that it’s a good day at Fat Panda in order to get a drink that’s at least decent.

The owner before (not sure if he is now but from the looks of it, he probably isn’t) literally said to me and my friend once that he just wanted people to enjoy boba tea.

Very very disappointed in this new management. Also very sad to see that one of the women that used to work there and always made my boba perfectly each time I went in is no longer working...

Brought my Boba obsessed 13yo in yesterday and she was SO happy with her order! I was even able to find a couple items I've been looking for. We will definitely be back and are excited to see the progress unfold!!

Congratulations on opening!!

Edit: Feb 2nd 2025, after keeping up well for quite a while, things have changed. They are constantly out of stock of regular flavors. I haven't been able to get our usual order since before Christmas. They never have bao buns it seems. Very very rarely. There is one woman who works there that cannot make a drink at all. I ordered 2 of the exact same drink and they were wildly different. I won't order if she is working. It's too bad because we loved coming here very regularly. I've given up at this point because it's just a waste of time and gas to drive there and find out if they have restocked yet. The phone does not ring to the store, so that doesn't...

Great family. Wonderful small business running a much needed store for this area. Remember that when we leave reviews and critiques, keyboard warriors! Finally an Asian market past Portland, Maine! The tea makers absolutely will make the drink to the exact order you want if you tell them what you want. I like mine legit milk tea. Steeped black tea and boba. No sugars. Boom. Got it. Delicious. Love it! Just communicate what you want at the counter and they’ll make it for you with a smile. Also a growing grocery section! Went in the store when it opened and it was pretty bare but now the shelves are stocked and growing into a really great grocery store as they listen to customers wants and needs. Ever evolving into something better! Worth a visit...