Teapioca Lounge — Restaurant in Austin

Firstly, let me say that I came here for a cup of coffee, and perhaps that was the mistake. Cliff Notes version of my review: Do not come here for hot coffee. ............................

I was not familiar with this chain prior to entering its premises this weekend. The description when you google their website is "Teapioca: teas, coffees, smoothies." The description under Google Maps is "Modern hangout with a wide range of cream teas, coffee & smoothies, plus desserts & board games."

The store is very clean and organized with very polite and friendly staff. They appeared to have a very extensive menu of sweet bubble teas and frozen drinks - all great for someone who is seeking a sweet treat or dessert.

However...

Again, I came in for coffee. I happened to be in the area and because I can't stand the taste of Starbucks I decided to try Teapioca instead. I have never thrown a cup of coffee out without even trying to drink it, but there's a first time for everything. This was, quite frankly, the worst, most undrinkable coffee I have ever attempted to consume. I should have realized my mistake when the server pointed to their frozen coffee drinks and said "we can make any one of those hot."

My partner ordered a drip coffee with cream and sugar, but was never asked how much he wanted. He wrongly assumed that he would be given the cream and sugar to prepare his coffee himself (or even given an option of how much he wanted), and instead was handed a lukewarm cup of diabetes. If there was actual coffee to be had in either of our drinks, it was indiscernible; instead it tasted like synthetic coffee flavored syrup pumped into something that used to be milk. Maybe.

Mine was no less sweet than his despite requesting "half sweetness" (although there may have been a bit of a language barrier). We literally walked straight over to Barnes & Noble, dumped both cups into the trash and proceeded to purchase Starbucks.

Unfortunately (and fortunately), I'm not much for sugar, so I won't be...

I have been to the Parmer Ln store many times and loved it. I know that one is the first store in Austin and this one in Great Hills is the 6th and just opened a couple of months ago. I'm very grateful for the new one since it's much closer to where I live. This is actually my 2nd visit to the Great Hills store. The first visit was on the opening day and everything was great with the free drink. But the 2nd visit was a nightmare. Went there on 2/4, a Sunday afternoon at around 3:40pm. Ordered two original milk team with pearls (bubble tea). After a few minutes of waiting, I was given two fruit tea. OK no problem they said sorry and will remake it. Another few minutes later I got two cups of milk team with no pearl(bubble). OK fine redo it again. This time I was given milk tea with tiny pearls!!! I didn't say anything on the 3rd time and just left. I just don't want to embarrass them again. I ended up paying more (I think she charged me with the fruit tea which costs more and I even paid tips upfront) for sth I literally threw away.

I understand the business was doing great and expanding in a fast pace. But if the quality of service is this low I won't go back again. The young girl obviously needs training (if she ever had any) and I don't blame her. The owner of the store/chain needs to pay attention or else there are always other...

You can get pretty good tea here but to do so you have to ignore the flashing giant menu and essentially argue with the deeply confused or exhausted barista who is trying to sell you a cold, sugarless and milkless tea for 7 dollars. If you do not emphatically insist that boba tea should also include milk and boba, you will not get them, despite the fact that that is how boba works and that the image on the menu includes both. This is even if you order the name verbatim while pointing at the drink.

I have been here so many times and its always the same, regardless of who is working here. For a long time, I thought it was user error, but no I've just entered the twilight zone of tea shops where it is impossible to get a drink. You may return here, thinking that surely things will improve but this is a trap. It was always be bewildering and half the time your order will be unrecognizable. It is not your fault. Do not return here. You deserve better.

(Also an allergy risk as they regularly add or substitute ingredients without saying i.e. swapping dairy for non-dairy creamer etc. If you do go here, be sure to read the label on the actual drink...