Quickly Boba Cafe - MACOMB — Restaurant in Macomb Township

I am so blessed that I have a Quickly in my neighborhood. Boba to me is much more than just a beverage I am unsure if people who live in the Midwest understand me when I say that. Boba was a very big part of my childhood. I grew up in Los Angeles and am often homesick. I have a deeper connection with Boba than I would guess most people do. To me Boba is not just a drink. It represents my childhood. I am south East Asian. I was born in Los Angeles. Most of my friends went to Quickly because it was a place where we shared memories and laughter and bonding over a beverage. Plus as it is marketed (they are VERY quick). LA gets hot, being a dehydrated kid means we do desperately do need a drink. When I was 9 my dad gave me a classic milk tea with boba. I was a stubborn 9 year old who didn’t want to try anything new. He said “if you take 3 sips, I promise you will fall in love with it forever” after the 3rd sip. I had boba every Sunday with my dad, it was a treat we shared together for many years. Unfortunately that routine stopped when I made the decision to move across the country to live in Detroit. Before this location opened up, I needed to drive more than half an hour to get boba. And I am so blessed it’s now right around the corner.

Most people don’t understand that in my home town, when someone asks you “hey do you want to grab boba?” They are not asking you “would you like a beverage” in my Asian bubble in Rosemead CA. This is what it really means: “I just broke up with my high school boyfriend, let’s talk over boba”. “There’s an history test and I don’t remember all 50 states of the US, Quickly opens pretty late, let’s go there” my favorite: “wanna go hiking, we can grab boba and drive all the up the mountain and enjoy the view with our favorite drink”. So back at home when some asks “do you want to grab boba?” What they are really asking is: hey do you want to hang out? It meant being able to sit in a safe place sharing good memories.

As odd as this may sound Boba is a part of my identity. It represents a community of Asian Americans. It was a place where we could talk about our favorite Pokemon or which Hello Kitty character we liked the most. Quickly Macomb provides a charm to the community. And Tom, the owner is wonderful. About a year back I asked if I could teach a polymer clay class at is store for Chinese new year. He said yes. It was a joy sharing my culture to those who were never exposed.

Now I sit there almost every Sunday making polymer clay. I’ve been introducing people to clay therapy by making clay flowers. It is a very comfortable place to be. I’ve met wonderful people and learned that there is a charm in this community. Dakota high school is down the street and I have met many bright young minds. I am impressed. And I really do believe in some of these students. That they have what it takes to thrive in this world, to create positive change.

Bridget is also extremely welcoming. She makes me smile every time I enter the store. Keep up the good work...

UPDATE: Gave the establishment another chance. Definitely will be a returning customer. Seems the management has gotten onto kids conversing with friends while working. Seen multiple teens try and talk to those behind the counter but got told they couldn't talk as they're working. So you don't really see anyone taking up space and talking like when they first opened. Better atmosphere all around the second time here. Hopefully the first time was just because of the opening week and some employees starting their first job. Felt guilty about my first review so wanted to give another chance. Glad I did. Only downfall was the waffles still was slightly over cooked. That can be adjusted by asking for less time cooked on my order if I purchase again.

I wanted to like the establishment so bad. Especially since there was so much business. Unfortunately customer service was horrible. I informed the young lady working that my order was wrong. She insisted that they had no tapioca boba. Even tho you'd think that was a main seller. I honestly would have talked to the manager yet they were beyond busy. I believe the owner was out greeting customers as well. It's just sad for the experience for something I was hoping to be positive for myself...

I understand that the staff is all teenagers. Yet it seems like they're more worried about talking to their friends. I walked around several girls worried about talking to a younger girl behind the counter. The place is packed as is. I ordered a Nutella drink just to receive strawberry popping pearls. Which was not appealing. I did ask the female to fix and was told she wasn't allowed to do so. Looking through the comments I see this is an issue. I think maybe a team meeting after work would be in place. As some of these employees are teenagers possibly working there first job. The just need to know that talking to friends during a busy shift is not the way to go. As well as treating customers more politely. I would have been fine with just an apology. Not a snotty remark. Like I said I understand they're kids. We all have to start one way into adulthood. I just hate to see you lose customers over things like this. Other than that. I fully enjoyed your Nutella waffles and my friend enjoyed your chicken and I believe tiger tea. We will definitely give this another shot. Hopefully with a better turn around as these kids are trying the best they can. Thank you for having...