Half & Half Tea House Monterey Park — Restaurant in Monterey Park

We used to love half and half and everytime we came to this area (we’re from West LA), we’d stop by to get some drinks. Today (9/21/23), we stopped by as we were already in the area, to pick up some drinks. We picked up an Iced Brown Sugar Milk with boba and pudding, and an Iced Brown Sugar Milk with pudding and grass jelly. CAREFUL when you get the drinks, since either one, they wipe the cup with a wet rag before giving it to you, or two, the condensation makes it wet outside. Thankfully I had a napkin and took my drink with it so it didn’t fall, but my boyfriend didn’t use a napkin so when he grabbed the drink, it slipped off his hands. The drink fell and spilled in the floor. The server asked us which drink we dropped, so we thought they were making us another one. We waited for a bit, but never got the drink. Another server then asked if we were waiting for something, and we replied that we were waiting for the drink that fell. They told us we had to pay for it. We were super surprised, so we didn’t bother and just left. We basically paid close to $14 for 2 drinks (regular size btw, not super size, kinda pricey imo), but only got 1 drink. I understand we could’ve avoided the spilling, but who would’ve known the drink was slippery. It would’ve been a nice and touching gesture if they offered to make us another drink (which most places do already, it’s happened to me before).

Also, they charge 3.5% on all card transactions, no matter the minimum. I believe this will be the last time...

Seriously, overrated.

Whoever tells you that this is the best tea spot IN THE WORLD, you should instantly not trust their opinion on any other recommendation considering taste.

I'm not saying it's bad, it's actually pretty good tea. I'd say...4 stars.

The reason why it's getting a 3 is for everything else. Unless the tea makes you physically orgasm at the taste of it (which it doesn't or else you'll see everyone laid out in ecstasy on the sidewalks) it's NOT worth a 1 HOUR WAIT. Typically when you are there the line goes straight thru the back to the back door while you wait half an hour like cattle. After you order, you have to wait another half an hour like cattle. No tea is worth that wait, seriously people.

Second of all, which is the biggest deal breaker is the damn (patented) cup! Who makes a cup in that strange size? It doesn't fit in your cup holder in your car, and for most tiny asian women, they have to use two hands to hold the damn thing. Okay, fine...I get it...make the cup a strange size so that you will stay in-house to enjoy the drink....NOPE, there's like 2 tables to sit at outside, so what's the point of the Pho...

Pretty expensive, but the best boba (honey boba) that will definitely fulfill your milk tea/tapioca cravings. I like the simple interior design, and how when you walk in you can smell the brown sugar/honey that is loaded in their sweet, sweet tapioca pearls.

The boba itself comes in a mini-jar, and you have to order honey boba (not regular). I like the Taro Milk Tea (it comes with taro bits) and honey milk green tea, I would avoid the fruit flavored milk teas which are either too sour or too sweet. I have tried pudding, honey boba, caramel, and red bean, and this place is pretty generous with extras. Everything tastes pretty fresh, especially the honey boba (which is what they are known for).

My complaints are the service and the prices. My order has been messed up the last 2/5 times, where I think they just put regular boba instead of the honey. It's also pretty expensive, be prepared to pay over $5 for a large with two toppings. The drink is just sugar and I know they want a large profit margin, but it really should only be $4 max for a large. This place is cash only and be sure to stamp on a card when you buy...