HTeaO - Glendale (Glendale & 91st) — Restaurant in Glendale

This review is solely based on 2 interactions I have had recently!

To start off on a positive note, the staff is quick and friendly. I understand this is the first location in Arizona, and this location does well on timeliness FOR THE MOST PART. They are always very friendly. The teas and refreshers are great! I am not here to complain about anything pointless. I also want to note, I will go back to this location.

However, the last 2 times I have gone here, I could have gotten way better service. Like I said I understand this all completely new staff and they are still learning. However, my first bad experience was around 4 P.M. ish and I was sitting in the drive thru for about 6-7 minutes waiting for someone to take my order. There was nobody in line in front of me and nobody at the window. Just me and one person behind me. I said hello multiple times with no response. I was not acknowledged until I pulled up to the window and told her I had been waiting. She had the drive-thru headset on and looked confused while saying “Oh that’s so weird, I’m sorry, let me take your order now”. Her and her co-workers were talking before, so she was likely distracted. I wasn’t really bothered at this occurrence, because it happens. I work in retail, which is similar to food service, so I know sometimes things just fly past ya. She was very friendly and apologetic about my experience. I never wrote a review because I didn’t really mind.

However, Just today at 10:03 P.M. after my shift I came to the drive-thru to get a drink. I understand it is irritating to get those last minute customers, but I really wanted a drink from HTeaO. When I pulled up the open sign was still on and a customer was just pulling out of the drive-thru, and I was happy I barely made it. I knew they closed at 10:05 so I was very happy. I am waiting at the window for about 3-4 minutes AGAIN… I see a staff member go to turn the open light off, so I roll up to the window. This time I am annoyed, why are you still open, AND ignoring customers. I should definitely not have to be rolling up to the window to get acknowledged once much less TWICE!! Well, whatever, I roll up and she tells me they’re closed. I told her I had been waiting at the window for a couple minutes, and she said well we are closed. “We have been closed since 10”…. When online it clearly says they close at 10:05.

I do not know if these employees are getting trained to ignore customers at the drive-thru, but it’s irritating. You have me waiting, I have to ask to be attended, and now you’re lying to me??? She looks like she wants to laugh, but I don’t understand, what’s funny???

Like I mentioned I work retail. I am a manager in retail, if you are open you give customers the full experience. You are getting paid to do so… I don’t know if she wasn’t paying attention to the drive-thru, purposely ignored me because of the time I arrived. However, she could have handled it so much better, and with a better attitude. HTeaO fix this issue with your employees! Just by her owning her mistake, and fixing it, could have made my 1 star review to a 5 star! The girl was ginger, light skin, and younger. Like I said, I enjoy the drinks and will be back! I leave this review to give you feedback, take it and apply it, it will...

Editing my review so that management may see. I still love this place and have had many great experiences. Yesterday my husband and I stopped in. The girl at the counter was rude! I asked politely to change the milk in my coffee (as I’ve asked before with no issues) - and she was just so rude about it “we don’t do that here” and rolled her eyes at me. Enough to where my husband and I both noticed. The other girl who has been there for a little bit and always super kind thankfully took over. The other new girl remained salty. This would have been october 3 around 530pm register closest to the gallon teas.

We didn’t know what we were walking into- but wow was it awesome! I loved creating the perfect tea flavor for me. The customer service was amazing- they answered everything happily and helpfully. Very friendly. The place was immaculate for cleanliness. We had so much fun trying the flavors (don’t forget to find the secret menu). The tea is high quality and the flavors really shine. It’s southern sweet tea but won’t make your jaw hurt after a few sips. You can taste everything. Love the snacks,gear, and side topping bar. The sizes are insane! Pretty good priced. I am so happy to have this addition to the area. I missed true sweet tea for so long!

My tea combination: 1/2 blueberry green 1/2 mint with a splash of Georgia Peach and some cherries on top.

Hubby: Apple Pie ( Texas chai and...

First off, with our Southern roots, we've had our fair share of real Southern sweet tea—and this wasn’t it. When I think of Southern tea, I think cavities. This didn't even have enough sugar to make my tongue say, "Hey fella, you’re drinking sweet tea!"

Sorry, but if you're going to slap the state of Texas on your logo, my expectations are going to be high—extremely high.

Also, be prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with others, practically stepping on people's feet while saying “excuse me” every two seconds just to grab a cup. Nearly half the 40 or so people inside were frantically jumping to get free tea samples, filling their mini cups with every flavor it seems at least twice.

Now, to be fair, here are the pros. The quality of the tea bags was excellent—you can really tell they use high-grade tea. But without that classic Southern sugar overload, it just couldn’t shine the way it should’ve.

On a positive note, the variety of flavors was impressive—peach, berries, passion fruit, and more. That definitely makes them stand out and is a cool concept.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for bold, sugary, true Southern sweet tea—this might not hit the mark. But if you're on a low-sugar kick and enjoy variety, it could be worth a try. Overall: 2 out of 5 Flavor Variety: 4.5 out of 5 Tea Sweetness: Great—if...