BobaTime - Rock City — Restaurant in Nanaimo

I know that, with only three bubble tea shops in Nanaimo, beggars can't be choosers, but I still think that, with a few minor tweaks, Chatime Nanaimo can be better than ever!

For one thing, the ordering process is always too complicated. It would be great if you could simplify the menu a little. Like a number of other reviews have pointed out, it takes a lot of mental capacity to order a drink, and this can be quite stressful. Having half a dozen of the more popular, "pre-configured" drinks (with pictures) on the menu might help solve this issue (otherwise, we're jumping through hoops just to order a regular bubble tea with pearls).

The other thing, Nanaimo isn't Richmond, so the locals might simply not be as familiar with all the options and varieties. I'm always confused when common flavours like HK-style milk tea are missing. It might actually help to have some explanations around the ordering area so that we don't have to ask dumb questions every time we try to order. 😳

Lastly, now that the pandemic mandates for restaurants have changed, I wish you'd have a seating area, but it still appears to be cordoned off.

Having said all this, I do enjoy getting bubble tea at Chatime and I hope that you continue to improve the bubble tea...

Ordered a latte from Chatime one night, and as I left the store, I realized my cup felt strangely light, so I opened the lid and realized that my 'latte' was almost entirely foam, there was hardly an inch of actual espresso in my drink and the rest was foamed milk. Assuming that they screwed up in the process of making it, I went back in and told them what was wrong with it. The employee tried to tell me that this was how a latte should be, and that they're not a coffee shop so they're coffee drinks aren't perfect... so when I simply asked for a refund, he said they don't do refunds because they're a franchise .. as if the franchise Tim Hortons wouldn't give you a refund. So when he denied my refund he offered a different drink replacement, so I went with a cappuccino instead. He handed me my cappuccino (which felt heavier) and I left unhappy. As a took a sip my cappuccino was barely warm, I had to microwave it when I got home. Brutal customer service and...

I’m sorry but after paying $21+ on doordash for 3 very disappointing drinks I don’t know how to feel and what to do. I do understand pricing might be different when purchasing in store. I want to support businesses in Nanaimo but please put yourself in customers’ shoes what do you think when trying your own drinks???

Is it normal for a bbt tea place to sell milk tea without pearls? Honestly your milk tea was the worst bbt I ever tried in my entire life. Any restaurant with bbt menu would have better milk tea!!! Wasted ~$5 for 1 sip of milk tea, very disappointed.

All other reviews said there’s almost no toppings and I can’t agree more. My 2 other drinks have almost no toppings is this a joke?

Would stay away from Chat time, all locations, all time, at all cost. Worst bubble...