CHIBA POKE — Restaurant in Jacksonville

First impressions were the powerful tobacco smell that hit me when I walked in. I almost walked back out but I really wanted that boba and didn't want to drive somewhere else. I don't know if it was a customer or an employee but someone is actively smoking inside, and that's just not an attractive smell around food.

The front lady was very nice, and I decided to try the royal rose with half sugar. It tasted decent, although it looks like they mostly use powders and syrups. The price seemed a little high for something with just powders and syrups. To be honest I'm still looking for somewhere that brews legit teas in Jacksonville, though, so this seemed pretty typical of most of the boba places I've been to here in JAX. The tapioca was excellent, great quality, and perfect texture.

I'll be honest I felt no desire to try any of the food set out for making poke bowls with that smell permeating the shop. Basically, I wouldn't eat anything there that hadn't been in a sealed container or stored in the fridge. I highly recommend that management do a thorough cleaning to get rid of the smoke smell and provide an appropriate smoking station for employees far away from any doorways to the shop. Otherwise you should likely assume that your only customers...

I will say the food was yummy... but theres some big service issues. There was a 5% processing fee for ordering online, yet It didn't have an option to pay online, only cash or card in store. It asked for a tip online which i did give $2, but then when I arrived & paid, an additional $4.50 tip was automatically added on by the restaurant, and then there was another fee for using a credit card. Because of the tipping, and all of the fees, the order went from 53$ to 61$... for two entrees, an appetizer and a tea... then when I got home, my tuna poke bowl had no tuna! I had to go back to get my tuna! I am just disappointed, as this place was way too expensive for its...

I LOVE everything about this place !! From the food , to service and atmosphere 😌 Also the person working there, went ABOVE and beyond on my second trip ... The quality of the food is fresh , tasty and over all, worth the price !

I ordered the Jonny Utah for the first time yesterday, and came back for more 😅 Definitely will be eating this delicious food more often and bringing some family /friends!

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