Artea Bubble Tea + Eats — Restaurant in San Antonio

I usually don’t like posting reviews like this, but this is just what I have observed….

The food and drink is really good, but the customer service in regards to staff taking in consideration of customers’ requests on their orders is quite disappointing. I have noticed that it’s easier for them to say “no” when you request them to do something, without logically explaining why they can’t do it.

For instance, we usually order hot tea because my husband likes it and they have good ones here at this place. However the temperature in their tea is extremely / scalding hot, almost impossible for you to drink it the first 15 mins. We usually asked for them to double cup it, which 75% of the time they say ok, few times they said No, we can’t. We’ve also told them that they need to decrease the temp a bit, because once it had spilled on my husbands legs while he’s driving and caused redness for several hours. At my last visit I asked them if they can maybe put maybe 1-2 cubes of ice so that the temperature won’t be as hot, but the lady we spoke said No. After bringing up my concerns, she still was insisting that they can’t do it without giving a valid reason from their end. I let it go and proceeded with my next order, the popcorn chicken. I’ve had this chicken before which uses a lot of basil leaves. Basil is good, but in moderation. So I asked them again if they can just put a little bit, because the taste can be overwhelming from the herbs. The lady said No again, and it’s “either we put it or there’s none.” And of course, without giving a valid reason…

Safety and preference, from a customer’s perspective, is almost difficult to ask from this restaurant. Again their food is good, but building a good customer service is much better in keeping the business going and essential for customers...

Is this a restaurant that sells boba, or a boba shop that sells food? I don't know, and neither do they. I have never been to any other Artea location, but I live in the area and decided to stop for a drink on my way home, instead of my usual haunts. I walked into the massive foyer to see a legal paper sized menu taped to a wall with a couple of people around it, and two televisions with advertisements for their seasonal offerings. I go up to the counter, expecting a boba menu above the register like every other boba shop I've been to. Nope, no menu sign to be found anywhere, despite ample space. I ordered a milk tea with boba, my usual. I'm given my receipt and a buzzer. My buzzer goes off a couple of minutes later, but there's nothing to indicate where I need to go to get my drink. I look around holding my buzzer up, and the person with my drink waves me down. I comment on the lack of sign, and the employees says that yeah, everyone gets confused. I get in my car and taste my tea, and it's disappointing. The boba consistency is ok, but the tea tasted like it was either steeped too long, or the water was too hot while it was being brewed. The store was busy, so I don't think the tea was old. A pinch of baking soda will do a lot to keep tea from being bitter.

The staff was super nice, however. I'd go back and check them out after they've been open longer if they do something about the menu situation. I understand not having their food listed, but if I'm just popping in to grab a drink on my way home, I don't want to have to crowd around a small paper menu with other people just to order a drink. There are three other boba shops in the area, one in the same shopping center, that have menu boards above...

I went here for the first time today, but I won't likely go back. The food was decent in terms of portion size, taste and temperature, but it was quite pricey, and the customer service was terrible.

Despite me telling her that it was my first time there, the front desk server seemed annoyed by my questions and hurried me through placing my order, even though there was no one behind me waiting. When I came back to order a drink for my youngest child, I was told I had to add a topping or they couldn't sell me the drink, which makes no sense to me at all. My food and drinks were served quickly and the presentation of both were beautiful, but there was way too many onions in the rice. Also although there is a sign inviting customers to sample the oolong tea, when I asked, the front desk server looked completely confused by my question and just asked me to sign my receipt without really acknowledging my request. I asked the drink server about it when I picked up my drink, and I was ultimately given a sample, but that was just another example of the poor customer service from the front desk server.

Additionally, the sitting area wasn't very clean, and there's only one restroom (per gender), which was occupied for quite some time after I arrived, so I had to wait a while to wash my hands before I could eat.

My children and I shared 3 drinks, one order of fried rice, one order of pot stickers, and a teriyaki chicken bowl, and I spent nearly $60. It was enough for all of us to walk away satisfied, but still expensive IMO.

I won't likely go back to artea in Culebra Commons nor encourage others to eat there either given...