Chatime Bubble Tea — Restaurant in Toronto

This is the final draw. I am NEVER going back to Chatime, ESPECIALLY this branch, ever again.

I've been here maybe 5 times, usually with other ppl or cause it's by finch station where I take my bus home. But i prefer going to Presotea or Real Fruit at Centrepoint during my lunch breaks.

Last time I came here, I hated the portions. Regular Ice fills uphalf the cup, and the toppings take up 1/3. I'm a very slow drinker, but finished both of my drinks before I got home cause there was barely any tea.

Today, I came from much further, but my little sister has been begging me for bubble tea, but I couldnt save it from my lunch time, so I pass there today. Its Sunday night, and crowded despite the snow storm. 5 minutes in, I make my order. I had to repeat it 3 times, cause he thought I wad only ordering 1 drink. I ordered a mango and passionfruit slush, both with tapioca. No receipt, printer wasn't working. And I didn't even get points cause that wasn't working either. Usually, they print out the stickers for the cups the same time I order, so I stand there, thinking 2 cups on the waiting line were mine....they were milk teas for others. Maybe there's a backlog? I wait...and wait...15minutes go by, I see someone making a slush....but then the second drink turns out the be tea. I'm tired of waiting, and finally bring it to their attention, cause more than 20 drinks have gone out by now, and none were mine. The lady asks whats my number, I wouldn't know cause I don't have a receipt. The guy remembers I ordered passionfruit and mango, and prints stickers again. I notice the girl is making a large double portion of the same drink.....of course its mine. By now, I just want to go home, so I don't say anything. Not only do I spend 30minutes in the store, but they couldn't even get my order right. I get mango a lot, so I wanted to try something new, but oh well. Maybe it's cause Im black, cause Im the only one who had an issue with my drinks. I stood there at the counter for 20minutes (also witnessing the poor hygiene with spilled drinks, reusing utensils, and no handwashing) and no one even asked if everything was okay.

So yeah.. I'm done. No more chatime for me. Id rather walk down further in this weather to go to Gongcha, or even Soban, where the drinks arent that great, but at least the customer...

Review reply:31st December: I presented the drink at the counter directly. The only drink I take from chatime as well as other milk tea shops, is TARO. So, I know which is spoiled milk and good Taro milk tea.

Also about the voucher, it was about the staff behaviour , rather than about receiving the drink. I had my fair share of worst experience. It’s not gonna affect your business, but I am sure I can get perfect Taro Milk Tea from other bubble tea places too.

My experience at this branch of Chatime has been absolutely appalling, and I feel compelled to share it in hopes of saving others from enduring the same.

First Visit (Two Weeks Ago): I ordered a Hot Taro Milk Tea late at night, paying $5.80 CAD. Upon the first sip, it was clear that the milk was spoiled—it tasted curdled. I went back to the employee to address the issue, but their attitude was dismissive at best. Begrudgingly, they made me a new drink, but with the same spoiled milk. It was undrinkable, and I had to throw it away.

Second Visit (Today, My Birthday): Excited to redeem my free birthday drink, I approached the counter and explained the situation when my voucher failed to appear in the app. The employee I spoke to was polite and understanding, but instead of resolving the issue discreetly, another staff member rudely announced over the microphone that no free drinks would be given without a voucher. This was humiliating and unnecessary—they could have simply explained this over the counter.

It is NOT my fault that the app failed to issue the voucher, and as a regular customer (evident from my points), I expected better treatment. Instead, I was embarrassed on my special day over something entirely out of my control.

This branch lacks basic customer service and decency. Embarrassing a loyal customer on their birthday over a free drink is unacceptable. I will never visit this location again.

While my decision to avoid this branch may not impact their sales, I hope they take this review seriously. Respecting customers and handling situations with empathy is the least...

I do like that they have improved their line up process and decor, but several things are still questionable. My wife and I still like the drinks, but here are my concerns.

If you collect points, check your balance before and after each time. Without exaggerating, very often, more than half the time, you aren't given the points when you use your card on the card reader. This also happens at the Leslie and Finch location (Ravel Rd) as well. When this first happened, I didn't make a big deal of it, but I noticed it started happening more often. Now I always check. Sometimes you get one point even when you get multiple drinks. When I ask about it, they just chalk it up to human error, with not so much as a fake apology. This happens less when you tell them your cell phone number for the points.

I also bought their tumbler for $15 thinking it will help with spills in the car, be a bit more friendly to the environment, and save some money in the long run.

Today I gave the cashier my drink, ordered, but I wasn't given the discount. When I asked about the discount, she didn't know about it and another staff came over to recalculate my total.

Either staff is undertrained, frequently makes mistakes, or purposely does this in some twisted ways to nickel and dime you. I really hope it's not the third reason.

I have a VIP card for being loyal to their stores, but they would never let you know that. I realize many people must have VIP cards and I'm no special and I get that.

But offering a free desert under $3 when you claim points for free drinks when there aren't any desert items under $4 since they got Bake Code goods, lacks foresight and customer care.

And more than regularly their credit card machine will be "out of service" and you'll be forced to pay cash.

No free parking available or...