AKIHI Bubble Tea — Restaurant in Highland Park

They have manyyy menu options, and all bubble tea I’ve had I’ve enjoyed (I’m a creature of habit but I can imagine no matter your taste you will find something you like).

They unfortunately lost my business twice recently - once when they had no internet (and I was cashless) and once when they ran out of boba near the end of the night. This was quite disappointing, especially when you go and you really want boba, so keep in mind that they do let themselves run out of boba as they get closer to closing. Not too big of a deal since there are so many bubble tea places in the area, but just underwhelming when you show up and have to leave immediately.

Last thing, and the reason for my four star rating… This place has a weird smell. Not bad, just weird enough to note the second you walk in the door. Maybe I’m the only one because no one else mentioned it but it is quite unpleasant. I can’t even necessarily pinpoint what the smell is, and it’s not something I’ve smelt at other bubble tea locations, so I honestly have no idea. It’s just weird to me. Not weird enough that I don’t go back, but weird enough that I don’t find myself hanging out there. Bubble tea is yummy though, so overall...

Maybe it was just the staff there today but I ordered a milk tea and a fruit tea to give this place a try. They tried to give me sugar shock, and I may have diabetes now. The milk tea had no sugar option, and it felt like I was drinking sugar water. I had the fruit tea set to 30% sugar, I received what I would expect from 100% sugar or maybe even 125% sugar. Kinda bummed that I spent $15 on 2 cups of sugar that covered the flavor of what I ordered up. Will update if I have the urge to give them another try.

Edit 2 star down to 1 star for the response from management, such a joke. How am I supposed to have an order number 5 days after I had the order? Also even if I did you left no contact information.

Update: I came by here again today a year later to see if things are different. I don't suppose its just my luck, when I order a pineapple mango drink and they run out of the pineapple so I ask if I can change the order only to get attitude and they let the drink sit purposely before giving it to me. My other drink was grapefruit, I let them get by scraping the bin, usually I get 2-3 slices of grapefruit in drink, today is 0. What a joke. Basically telling a customer FU...

This was my go to bubble tea place for awhile, but not anymore starting today…

Location: easy to find, corner store on a busy road

Parking: street parking only and never had a problem to park my car

Food: I normally order milk teas and salted cheese teas. Always enjoyed their drinks but today, I had the worst drink. I ordered salted cheese oolong with white pearl. When I pick up my drink, I noticed these pepper like particles in my drink so I told the sever. She offered to make me a new one and when I got it, the same issue. Then she said it’s fine, it’s probably just tea residues. So I took the drink and left. After tasting the drink the car, I was very annoyed. There’s small tea leaves sticking on my tongue with every other sip and the tea tasted bitter. I’ve already left the area so had to trash that drink. Ugh. The server should have made a new batch of tea knowing the tea is not good.

Service: 5 minutes normally for a drink, not bad

Price: paid about $6, which is normal these days

Overall: might come back another day but for now, I’m going to so many other bubble teas...