Aboba Tea & Coffee — Restaurant in Murrieta

I'm giving it 5 stars because I don't want to hurt a local business, but the experience they offer could use some significant improvement. The quality is satisfactory and the service is good. The staff are friendly and welcoming. This place's shortfall is twofold: first, the prices are way too high for a basic black tea boba. I was shocked to learn my basic 20 oz black tea boba was nearly 6 bucks. Then when you take into account nearly a third of the cup was ice and that it was empty within 3 blocks of driving, it became even more disappointing. I made a few quick calls and found that I wasn't just imagining the price was high, local competitors offered the same product for $3-$5 on average. Which brings me to the second gripe, if you're going to charge me nearly double the normal cost for a product, don't even bother spinning the little screen around to me to give you a tip; seriously, don't even waste your time. The inside is clean and trendy. It's clear a lot of hard work went into its presentation; I could have seen myself becoming a regular, frankly. But, the price and tip-audacity left me with a sense to avoid this place. In fairness to management, I realize most prices aren't arbitrary, nor the result of greed- I just hope the lease and other overhead hasn't forced these prices into their present elevated state, because if it has, there's no bringing them down, and that might spell the end for this cool...

Their menu looks great, their drinks look lovely, the interior is very nice and welcoming. However, I left without anything.

First, their hours say they open at 9:30am but now they open at 12pm. Cool I get it. But maybe keep the door locked until you're open and change your hours online.

Next, I wanted to order one of each taiyaki. Do you know how rare it is to find taiyaki outside of LA in California!? I was so excited when I saw it on their menu. Unfortunately, they no longer serve food because they needed a special license during COVID. Again, I get it. But, maybe alter your menu and take the food off.

Finally, the whole reason I went in was for a coffee drink with boba. No boba. The gentleman behind the counter told me it would be an hour or so unyil it's cooked. Maybe pay your employees come in an hour early so the ingrediant that is in the name of your business will be ready.

So, I left. I really wanted to like and try this place out. I just moved to the area and was so excited to see an establishment such as this. :(

I dont know if they're a new business, and running a business during a pandemic must be so stressful, but I feel management and the owner should make a few changes to their establishment for the operation to run a bit more smoothly. This is meant to be constructive, not malicious and I hope I came off that way. Hoping to try it another day...

Got a iced lychee black tea and taro iced. My lychee drink was absolutely horrible, tasted like slightly sweetened milk...neither like lychee or black tea. The boba was not really fresh or good either. Was not even drinkable really and complete waste of like $7! The taro drink was much better, only because it basically tastes like sweet cereal milk. We got both drinks 1/2 sweetened and the taro was still pretty sweet. The atmosphere and drinks is clearly geared towards teenie boopers and kids. Only redeeming quality was the owner lady was nice enough to be friendly and talk to us a bit but she didn't bother asking how our drinks were, the drink sitting there barely drinken for 15 min shouldve been a clue (We didn't want to complain and act...