R&B Tea — Restaurant in Houston

Weirdly, I didn't know this boba spot existed in Bellaire until I have been seeing bunch of stories from their account numerous times. So I decided to give it a try only because I was curious about this. I did had some high expectations because 1) the review had good ratings, 2) they have been popping up in my stories on Instagram although I haven't followed them(possibly how they gained their popularity), and 3) there were mixed opinions about how they advertise their shop. So, I wanted to give it a shot and give my opinion.

When I arrived there, the atmosphere inside look good, decent enough. It was packed with customers, and the employees were nice, but I didn't get any welcoming vibe for some reason. Plus, for some reason it didn't feel like I was at a boba shop at all - that was my first impression when I came inside.

Then, I glanced at the menu, and something that is not common for any boba shop, or generally any other restaurant establishment, was boasting their 10k followers in Instagram, like they achieved the impossible. That was the first thing I saw when looking at the menu, not the boba or any drinks. And this kinda threw me off because it made me think that they care more about social media validation with their follower counts more than providing quality boba drinks to their customers, which doesn't go well for any restaurants. There are many boba shops that have good drinks, and they don't flex about have a big followers. Even the popular restaurants in Houston never boast their customer about their number of followers - so why do R&B Tea do this??? I don't know but it goes to show that their boba won't be good as expected. And then the reality sets in...

During the ordering process, the cashier was nice but no hello, or any welcoming. She was decent but when she told me to go follow them on IG(not like she was asking, but more of "you need to follow us"). And I knew that the boba was going to be mediocre. Anyway, I ordered the Horchata Milk Tea... and it didn't tasted like Horchata at all. I was dissatisfied with the drink - it was so bad that I had to throw it away and went to another boba shop across the street just to forget how bad my experience was that day.

Overall, don't waste your money on this place. It might good decent if you're a first timer, but when you tried it, it's going to be mediocre. And my opinion on their advertisement with hitting the 10k milestone on the menu board is a bit concerning. I understand 10k is a big deal, but they need to prioritize the flow of customers to generate revenue rather than the follower counts. If they constantly had to advertise all their boba options being so great with the sorority or ABGs to boost up their followers, then they're losing their prioritization on giving good quality boba drinks to their customers - meaning that their bobas are not going are be good. From my first impression, they're more oriented with getting more followers to standout with other boba shops rather than making good drinks. Therefore, I don't recommend this shop, as there are better boba options all...

I had the most unpleasant experience with a cashier…(i think her name was like Lou or something) yesterday, and I feel compelled to share my frustration. It was an encounter that left me questioning the level of professionalism and customer service skills at this establishment.

First and foremost, I couldn't help but feel rushed during my entire interaction with this particular cashier. From the moment I stepped up to the counter to place my order, it was abundantly clear that she had no interest in assisting me in a courteous or helpful manner. She exhibited a complete lack of patience and appeared to be in a hurry to get rid of me.

As if that wasn't bad enough, she started giving me dirty looks and crossed her arms while I was simply trying to decide which drink I wanted. It was a baffling experience, to say the least. I believe every customer should have the right to take a moment to make their selection without feeling judged or pressured.

The icing on the cake was when I inquired about a promotion advertised in the store. I was informed by this cashier that it was only available to the first 5 customers. However, I couldn't help but notice that the customer right in front of me received the promotion, and there were approximately 7 people ahead of me in line. This made absolutely no sense, and it felt like a blatant attempt to discourage us from claiming the promotion.

To add insult to injury, I later found out from a friend who visited the same store later in the day that the promotion was still available. This leads me to believe that the cashier deliberately lied to us and withheld the promotion just to expedite the line. This level of unprofessionalism is simply unacceptable.

In conclusion, my experience with this cashier was nothing short of terrible. Her rush to get rid of customers, the judgmental attitude, the misleading information about the promotion, and the overall unprofessional behavior left me thoroughly disappointed. I strongly believe that she should undergo retraining in customer service to ensure that future customers do not have to endure such a...

While boba tea offers a unique and often enjoyable experience, it's not without its drawbacks. For some, the chewy texture of the tapioca pearls isn't appealing, and they can be a choking hazard if not chewed properly. The pearls themselves don't have much nutritional value and are high in carbs and calories, which can be a concern for those monitoring their intake. Moreover, the sweetness level in boba tea can be quite high, contributing to excessive sugar consumption. Many boba teas are made with syrups and sweetened condensed milk, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels and, over time, could contribute to health issues like diabetes or obesity. From a mental health perspective, the instant gratification of sweet treats like boba tea might contribute to a cycle of sugar dependency, potentially affecting mood and energy levels. This is especially important to consider if you're conscious about how technology and lifestyle choices impact your mental and physical health. Environmentally, the single-use plastics often used in boba tea — from the cup to the oversized straw — contribute to plastic waste. While some shops offer biodegradable options, the majority of boba teas are still served in materials that are not environmentally friendly. Lastly, the cultural aspect of boba might be lost in its commercialization. What started as a traditional Taiwanese drink has been adapted and changed so much that it might not resemble its origins, leading to a loss of cultural appreciation. While boba tea can be a delightful treat, it's worth considering these potential negatives, especially if you're someone who enjoys it regularly. Moderation is key, as with any indulgence, and being mindful of the choices we make and their impacts on our health and the environment is...