Black Straw Tea Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Spokane Valley

Very disappointed with our last 2 visits. For the second time our take out order had smaller portion sizes, lower standard of quality and this past visit even had items missing. We have been loyal customers of the restaurant and have always enjoyed the food. The price was high but the quality of the food and portions were worth spending the extra money. We almost always get the same order spending over $60 and even as high as $80. Unfortunately our last 2 visits have been upsetting. The portions in some items were cut in half. A cup of soup that normally came almost full was LESS than 1/2 a cup - rice was missing, chicken was cut smaller with more breading which dried the chicken out. The chicken fried rice for the second time hardly had any chicken and the pieces were grisly. The broccoli and beef dish didn’t even have enough broccoli for more than a few pieces for 2 adults and 1 child. And the beef in the dish was noticeable less. But the most shocking part if this experience was when we called to complain about the missing food from the order, decreased portions and an orange “tea” that was now basically an orange juice - the response was they changed syrups, a denial of decrease in portions size and regarding the missing food - a free drink with next order. We used to recommend the restaurant and like supporting small businesses but we will no longer be eating at this restaurant and we will be sure to not recommend it to family and friends. There are many other choices for small and family owned restaurants that truly appreciate the community frequenting their businesses. They have lost a loyal...

The food was great but half way through my meal I found a hair in my food. The waitress came by to ask if everything was ok and I said yes except for the piece of hair in my food. I asked if they would be willing to replace my meal and she said absolutely. Minutes later she came back with my half eaten plate and the piece of hair in her hand and said she could give me a discount but couldn’t replace my meal because no one working there had that color of hair and that it looked more like mine. WOW! Nothing like calling your customer a liar! I was so shocked and so embarrassed. I told the waitress to go ahead and take the plate back. Minutes later she came back again with a full plate of food and said she “Sweet talked them into replacing my meal”, and that I would still get a discount on top of it. Kudos for trying to make it right. My bill came to $35.11. I put (2) $20s, (1) $5, and (2) $1 = $47.00 dollars cash on the clip board, giving the waitress a $12 tip for attempting to make things right with my meal. I handed it to the guy at the cash register and left. No sooner did I get in my car the same guy I handed the clip board to came out to my car and said I only gave them $22………I counted that money twice before I put it on the clip board, took it up to the cash register, and left…….the mistake I made was not waiting for him to count it in front me, so again my integrity was questioned. The most humiliating embarrassing worst customer service I have ever...

Best Boba drink location in the Valley, often the boba is properly soaked in sweetner which most places forget to do, it makes the tapioca boba have a so much more savory flavor I love. They also have the best selection of proper teas and a decent selection of other flavors and actually put the fruit in many of their teas or milk drinks. Just note they do use taro powder instead of the crushed root which only one location so far does which is ok, just wanted to state it incase of your(the reader) has a preference.

They are a little more pricey when you add the boba, but only by a 40 cent average, and I think it is worth it, especially with how tough it is to be a business nowadays.

Also their chicken and food dishes are absolutely wonderful, I do regret what I got but thats because I wasn't thinking towards my actual taste, my friends chicken they ordered was far better, and my partners beef n broccoli was absolutely great and well seasoned.

Also note to be very cautious if you can't handle spice, read the signs or ask about their policy on if you accidentally order something too spicy as you can't refund it.

But even with all this in mind I give them a 5 star rating I rarely give, especially with impeccable polite customer service for people like me who struggle with pronunciations and decisions the multitude of times I have gone to this place. (10+ times only for drinks in the past years, and only once for food for a special occasion because I...