Sweetheart Café & Tea — Restaurant in Oakland

This place is SO SLEPT ON! This review is only for the popcorn chicken.

Ever since I moved from SoCal to the Bay Area, I’ve been trying to find a popcorn chicken spot that meets all my requirements: has to have basil, use chicken dark meat, super crispy, fresh, consistent, and reasonably price.

This is THE SPOT! And the pricing is so good especially in this economy. Half size is decent portion for $7.55 and Full size is $10.25.

The service is as good as it gets - people generally do takeout. You order on the monitor outside or can do mobile order, and they’ll text you when your order is ready, which really helps if you’re struggling to find a parking spot.

Parking is typical in Chinatown - it’s usually bustling and packed but no one is going to give you shit if you emergency park on the street haha.

The inside of the place has some snacks and candy. You CAN sit down and eat there but it’s not the best dining spot and there’s a lot of clutter.

In my opinion, drinks and boba are pretty mid. It does the job but nothing amazing.

My go-to spot for popcorn...

I recently visited and was blown away by their incredible offerings. The black milk tea with boba was an exquisite blend of flavors that left me craving for more. The Hong Kong style milk tea was a delightful balance of sweetness, and the boba pearls were cooked to perfection – soft and chewy, enhancing the overall experience.

What's even more remarkable is the affordability. Shockingly, Sweetheart Cafe offers their delectable treats at half the price compared to other places, like the one in Berkeley. So if you're in the mood for some top-tier milk tea without breaking the bank, this is the place to be!

*THERE'S an exciting bonus for all Pokemon Go enthusiasts out there. Sweetheart Cafe offers a unique Pokemon Go Level Discount that truly sets them apart. As a long-time Pokemon Go Player, I never imagined I would get tangible benefits from my gaming passion. Here's how it works:

Level 1-28 = 5% Discount Level 29-38 = 10% Discount Level 39-46 = 15% Discount Level 47-50 =...

It was my first time coming here, and what I like is that I’m supporting a local mom/pop when I have a boba or popcorn chicken fix!

I feel like their milk tea is pretty good quality. I like the fact that they don’t add ice which means the pearls stay soft and chewy just the way I like them! My husband’s ube drink was good as well!

I like their spicy popcorn chicken, pretty delicious and crunchy! I was hoping I’d get the basil but perhaps they just forgot this time, no big deal! I will still return!

When you order a drink and snack, you get $1.00 off! Their prices are reasonable!

Please continue to patron, and support local. You’re supporting a family and perhaps a high school college student learning the value of hard work. . For whoever was complaining about service, they were friendly and nice to me, perhaps because I give positive vibes...