Pop Tea Bar is a cozy small business in the area with a really good selection of food and beverages. The bbq chicken sandwich is my go to. The chicken is flavored to perfection and the bread is pillowy soft. The Thai iced tea with lychee jelly is my preferred choice of beverage on warmer days and I can't wait for the weather to turn. The service is friendly and efficient. Do check them out if you are in the area. read more

Pop Tea Bar - F3. BBQ Chicken Sandwich - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

ordered at the kiosk. passionfruit tea was average and decent. popcorn chicken was good. i liked the spice and was a tasty snack. do not get the garlic fries. preminced garlic was used. the fries were soggy and not crispy. wouldn't be dying to come, but pretty average boba spot near the stanford shopping read more

See all

Ordered the jasmine green milk tea with boba and basil seeds. More on the milky side than I prefer. There's seating outside with two tables but it faces the parking garage. Also a few seats inside too with bar seating. Lots of people coming in and out for take out orders. Would maybe come back again to try another item read more

Pop Tea Bar - Jasmine green milk tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Service is fast. People are always polite. It's clean and quiet. I've only gotten the passion fruit flavor fizzy drink. Here's the thing - I've been to many boba places because my daughters l-o-v-e boba. I typically don't order anything or might try and think, "Eh that was okay." But when I was feeling adventurous and ordered a drink at Pop Tea Bar, their fizzy drink instantly became my favorite non-caffeinated drink. So much so that when my daughter gets her hair done, I am ecstatic. Try it out if you want a sparkling lightly sweetened drink! read more

Pop Tea Bar - Passion fruit flavor fizzy drink - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I came here one day and got a snack, their osmanthus milk tea and a crab mix salad onigiri. The osmanthus milk tea didn't have osmanthus flavor, but it did have an oolong tea flavor. The drink was fine. The crab mix salad onigiri was a nice size. They made it to order which was nice, however the egg on the onigiri was dry and overcooked. The rest of it was fine, the seaweed, rice, crab salad mix and spam. They also have other food options like rice bowls and fried snacks. There is no onsite parking but there is good street parking and a parking garage nearby. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Service was quick and they have a variety of menu choices. The drinks were good and the finger food too. It's mostly for to go though. They only have a few tables. We took the ones outside. Location is good in the heart of Palo Alto. The restaurant is clean and bright . read more

Stopped by the other day for a quick snack as we were craving popcorn chicken. You can tell the oil isn't refreshed often and overall wasn't great. Definitely skip if you're looking for popcorn chicken. Also ordered the onigiri. The spam was ROCK hard and inedible. This place is probably more known for their tea and not their food. Service was nice though and quick. Food just isn't great. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Classic Onigiri - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

The chicken banh mi is delicious. Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and the perfect balance of flavors. I also love their matcha with soy milk. It's refreshing and not too sweet. The service is always great. All the employees are super friendly and accommodating. I also really like the music they play. The food and drinks come out FAST which is perfect if you're on the go. Prices are reasonable and worth it for the quality and portions. They text you when your order is done which is super convenient. They also have bathroom for customers in the back. I highly recommend this boba place! read more

See all

I'm pretty impressed! The price was reasonable at $5.45 for a milk tea. Nowadays, boba drinks can get really pricy. It's even more expensive if you ever doordashed it. The taste was yummy too! I'll be back to try the rest of their menu. read more

The banh mis are fine. Meat and bread are really good, but they don't put any love into the vegetables. There are always massive pieces of carrots that make the sandwich worse, which you can tell the attempted to cut with a machine but didn't cut through and just throw them on the sandwich. Cilantro is just stems. If they put some more effort into it, their sandwiches would be top tier! read more

I work down the street from Pop Tea Bar and I absolutely love their selection! I do wish they had more flavors of their "sparkling fizz" but the peach one is definitely my favorite! read more

Not a franchise, not premade, abundance of vegan option, friendly and helpful staff, quiet environment... Met Kyle, who as a local has tried most the boba in the bay and loved this spot so much he opted to work here. It's the best boba spot around-and as all the other reviews mention, it has the cheapest boba in the bay! As someone who recently moved to the bay and has noticed this seems to be boba central, I have been eager to try a drink. Unfortunately after stopping into many spots it seemed there would never be a vegan option - until I found this spot! We ordered a green tea coconut boba, chose 0% added syrup option: I have to say, it was super sweet and delightful! It's amazing this place is the only one I've found with non dairy options and an abundance of options nonetheless! I also realized today that most if not all boba shops use premade packages, which as a nutrition fanatic I understand how detrimental that is. This spot doesn't do that, they make everything the day of which I greatly appreciate! Overall it was a wonderful first time boba experience for us! Anyone who's body doesn't tolerate animal byproducts or is vegan for ethical reasons, try this place out! And again, thanks Kyle for the above and beyond service! read more

Pop Tea Bar - B3. Coconut Green Milk Tea 0% added syrup : perfection! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I wanted to like this place so much! They have a nice variety of milk tea and fruit tea on the menu, and drinks start at sub-$5 which is rare these days. But the food quality just wasn't there. Popcorn chicken - good flavor, but most of the bag was tiny crumbs of chicken. Honeydew milk tea - tea was good, but boba was all one big clump. Required some surgical precision to separate enough pearls to actually get some into the straw Mango gogo - was actually less sweet, but the fruit inside did not taste fresh. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Popcorn chicken, honeydew milk tea, and Mango Fresh Fruit Bite Green Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Make sure to order ahead using Snackpass to save some time & to get points! I like the split cup which is nice for 2 kids to share 1 drinks Popcorn chicken is ok, maybe we'll try other food/snacks next time. Very casual place with a few seating... used to have back seating which is nice for large groups but sadly they closed it. read more

Pop Tea Bar - D2. Strawberry Ice Slush & E1. Original Popcorn Chicken - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

My mango gogo green tea came with shredded chunks of hard unripe mango :( the shredded shape made it hard to drink just the tea. My friend's kumquat tea was way tastier. I should have gotten the Rose lemon black tea instead. Logistics: - small counter seating inside and two small tables outside - parking in the California Ave two tier garage across the street - order at kiosk read more

Quick service and delicious tea! Pleasantly sweet and nice boba. Small shop inside but easy to order on the online screen. read more

Pop Tea Bar - C2. Passion Fruit Green Tea with boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

It was aiight. We ordered a mango gogo and a rose milk tea. We liked the bits inside the drinks, like the rose petals and mango pieces. Neither of us got boba in our drinks. I also ordered medium spicy popcorn chicken. THAT was really good. The only issue was that the bag wasn't even full, which is absurd considering the price. The service was friendly and the ambiance was clean and inviting. read more

See all

Some time had passed since I visited this spot - they used to take stamp cards but don't anymore due to new ownership. The woman graciously made a one time accommodation, which was very much appreciated. 5/5 I ordered a matcha latte w/ fresh milk. Very nice that they use organic milk! Although I ordered it with less ice, it still tasted a bit watered down. Definitely more of a 3/5. You can place your order on two different kiosks available. They partner with Snackpass, which I've used before with other establishments. Overall, great customer service which prompts the 4 stars. read more

The bahn mi here is so good! It has a good ratio of veggies, meat, and bread. The sandwich is quite thick and big. I also got a lavender milk tea with boba. The boba has a good texture of chewiness. I got less ice but the milk tea tasted watered down. Would definitely come back here for their bahn mi! read more

Pop Tea Bar - F1. BBQ Pork Sandwich - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

I'm rating this place four stars for the overall service, convenience, and price. This is one of my go-to spots to get a banh mi when I'm on the go and want something convenient to eat. I've only ever ordered through one of their connected delivery/pick up apps but it's very convenient and the sandwich is quickly prepared. The staff are friendly too. I also think the banh mi is pretty tasty. I usually get their bbq pork sandwich and it has a good combination of mayo, meat, and veggies and it's quite filling too. The bread can be a bit thick but I don't mind since I mainly care about the filling. Also it's offered at a good price point too. read more

I love boba. I love banh mi. A place that sells both?! A winning combo. I haven't been this satisfied with an impromptu meal like this in a minute. Came here after a post-work hike and maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the post workout euphoria but boy did this place hit the spot. In a place like Palo Alto that's often saturated with overpriced and overcrowded noms, this little hole in the wall boba shop on Cal Ave was a breath of fresh air! They sell classic boba drinks and have food like popcorn chicken, an assortment of banh mi, and other snacks like fries. Park in the parking structure a minute away (free for 3 hours before 5 p.m. and no limit after 5) and place your order at the kiosk inside. They only had one, but there was no line. Seating can be limited but we were able to grab some bar stools in a jiffy while we waited for our food to come out. Once it did, I devoured my pork pate sandwich like there was no tomorrow, and the mango passion fruit tea was a lifesaver on a hot day. I could have easily had the entire meal again in that same sitting, that's how good it was. Sometimes you need to cut out all the noise and just focus on the taste - that's what I feel like this place did. No frills and all flavor. Everyone working here was really friendly, and the menu provided multiple options without being too overwhelming. I'm already drooling thinking about the next time I come back - this place gets 5 bobalicious stars from me! read more

Pop Tea Bar - F4. Fancy Pork with Pate Sandwich - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

The bahn mi is more like a deli sandwich because of the bread. They should be on a baguette, not a roll. The Shrimp Tempura Onigri is delicious, and the boba teas are too. read more

Pop Tea Bar - This is not a bahn mi as much as it is a deli sandwich because of the bread. This should be on a baguette, not a roll. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Was craving a banh mi and didn't want to deal with traffic down to San Jose so we stopped in to grab some sandwiches. This. Is. Nothing. Close. To. A. Banh. Mi. The closest thing was the very sweet pickled daikon in the sandwich. The bread was thick and gummy. Not light and crunchy. Hard pass. Boba drink was okay... it feels like they're sourcing products and ingredients. It's like they Americanized everything and the flavors don't taste authentic. read more

5 stars for the best Super Fresh Fruit Tea: green tea 25% sweetness and light ice. I recommend as a takeout spot in the summer because there's no A/C, or for a few people to sit at the counter and barstools facing the window, a few chairs and tables outside. read more

Pop Tea Bar - 5 stars Super Fresh Fruit Tea: Green tea, light ice, 25% sweetness (tastes exactly like it sounds) - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Stopped by after work for a bite and some boba. When I saw they had banh mi and other Vietnamese things, I was a bit hesitant because pho places often have powdery drinks. Not the case here. You order on a kiosk and it's pretty straightforward so no troubles. I'd come back for light or quick bites. Green Milk Tea w/ Boba - authentic tea taste! Stronger tea to milk ratio. Boba is chewy and seems to be honey boba as there's a hint of sweetness. Nothing crazy though. Chicken Wings - small, but you get 6 for the price which is a standard price. I didn't care for the sauce as it was pretty average. On their own, the wings are still decent. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Chicken Wings - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

Eh- not great experience. The cashier was busy talking to her romantic partner so service was very slow. At one point they were kissing in the corner while there were customers (including myself) still there which was awkward and unprofessional. Place looks very unclean as well- the counters, napkin/straw area- was just very grimy looking...Surprised my drink was still tasty (hence the 2 stars) but makes me question how sanitary the kitchen is. read more

Pretty average boba shop. Satisfies your cravings but the flavors won't really blow you away. The texture of the boba was good, but the drinks were a bit on the sweeter side. One thing I like about the drinks was that the tea flavor was strong. Although, those who don't like strong tea flavor will probably think the tea is too strong. I got the Jasmine Green Milk Tea and the tea flavor was strong with a good balance of sweetness. The Thai Tea was decent, but it wasn't the best one I've had. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Thai Milk Tea and Jasmine Green Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I was walking with my Taiwanese friends around the area. The girls wanted boba so we passed by this shop. The guy took one look at this place and said it wouldn't be a good idea. Undeterred, I ordered some taro tea. Whole milk with boba. Wow, did it suck. I have a feeling they didnt actually add any milk because it tasted watery, even though I ordered whole milk.... The boba pearls cost extra, so if I didn't get that I would literally have watery purple drink with nothing in it. A plain glass of milk would have tasted much better. I let everyone in my group try it. They literally recoiled at the taste. I dont like to waste food so I tried to finish it but it made me so nauseated that I just threw it out. Here I am, about an hour later, still feeling sick. I will never go back here. read more

This place got bought by new owners this summer; so far this seems like a positive thing. Even with a whole new set of employees, they managed to maintain the friendly service, modest prices ($4.75 for a milk tea before toppings), and good-tasting teas (I believe the menu's the same). Thankfully, they dropped the previous crew's habit of watering down the drinks. Tip: their black milk tea tastes better than their green. read more

Was craving popcorn chicken and decided to give this spot a chance. Waste of $10.00. I ordered, washed my hands and came back to my order already bagged, first red flag. Basil soggy not fried second red flag. Chicken tasted old and chewy. The only reason I give it 2 stars is because cause the flavor was there, but chicken tasted old like it has been in the freezer for months. Maybe the drinks are decent but the pop corn chicken was TRASH! read more

Pop Tea Bar - Pop corn chicken jerky - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We stumbled upon this hidden gem while searching for brunch spot nearby. We got one Tofu Sandwich (Banh Mi), one BBQ Beef Sandwich (Banh Mi), and a Rose Black Milk Tea w/ Agar White Boba & 2% Milk. The total was ~$29 (w/ tax not including tip). My beef banh mi was delicious. The fillings included perfectly seasoned bbq beef (mostly lean with some chewy tendons, adding texture), fresh shredded carrots, crispy cucumber & daikon, spicy jalapeño, and light mayo. The baguette had a crisp crunchy crust and soft inside. I'm usually not a fan of mayo (because it's unhealthy) but have to admit that it adds good flavor to a sandwich. My partner also enjoyed his tofu banh mi. Both were gigantic and super filling - lasted us for ~8 hours. The Rose Black Milk Tea was a great find! We asked for less sugar so the sweetness was quite subtle. I still wish they offered no sugar option. The rose flavor was aromatic but not overwhelming. The tea flavor wasn't as strong as I'd prefer but still made a good combo with the rose flavor. The agar white boba was the perfect mate for the rose milk tea - so tasty with a hint of rose/lychee flavor! Overall we were impressed that this hole-in-the-wall snack bar offered such good-quality food/drink at a great price, especially given its Palo Alto location. read more

See all

I was really surprised here about the food. Both the banh mi and the rice bowls were packed--enough for me to get two meals out of them. Very flavorful. Service is quick. People were nice. Boba itself is also really good. Usually grabbing lunch for work so I haven't stayed to eat, but the little tables outside look cozy. read more

My son has been going to Pop Tea Bar and he's been raving about good it is. I decided to give it a shot...I got to say, it was delicious and soothing during this hot summer day. The owner and staff were amazing!! read more

Pop Tea Bar - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We wanted some boba at work so we ended up ordering doordash on a Friday for this place since it was one of the boba places that were open the earliest. Food came after 20 to 30 minutes. Service wise, there was no problem. However, the food was not the best but it was okay. Drinkable and eatable. Everyone at work said it is okay, but probably wouldn't get again. I got the mango tea with mango pieces, and I didn't like it as much but it was still drinkable. My friend that ordered the regular green milk tea told me the tea part wasn't too strong or like they maybe didn't use good tea to make it. The grilled beef banh mi wasn't bad, but for that price might as well get the good ones. If there is no place close to me that sells banh mi and I am craving one, then I will probably get it here if there is no other chose. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Grilled beef banh mi - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

Got the taro milk tea with oak milk and boba. The boba was a good consistency (chewiness level was good). The drink itself though had too little taro flavoring, and so it tasted too watered down. read more

Pop Tea Bar - taro milk tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California

6/26/21 After lunch, I was craving something sweet and the closest boba spot was Pop Tea Bar. They had about 15-20 minutes until they closed for the day so I was appreciative that they still accepted my order. The shop itself it pretty tiny. I ordered Matcha with sea salt crema with aloe topping. I was unable to get boba in my drink since they said they had run out. I only had to wait a few minutes until my drink was ready for pick up. Overall, the drink was refreshing on that hot day. It was salty on top and the matcha mostly hung out at the bottom so certain sips were uneven. I generally like aloe but I don't think it went well with the drink itself. Honestly, the drink was okay, as was the service. I think it might have tasted better with boba instead of the aloe or just no toppings at all. Thanks for the drink, but I have had better. read more

See all

Chicken was chewy and dry. Cross contamination because there was shrimp in it. They used old frying oil. The drink was watery and tastes like flour. read more

See all

What a complete disappointment. I used to like this place, they had solid drinks before. It's been a couple years, seems like now it also serves more food options. I stopped by recently and the milk tea was lacking any flavor. Usually at least either the milk or tea flavor comes through, but somehow neither one came through! Very watered down. And the boba was just sad... it was very soggy and misshapen and bits of it were breaking off in my drink. That's how you know it's not fresh when it can't keep its spherical shape. Super disappointing. read more

Pop Tea Bar is located on one of the quieter streets for this area. It is a small shop and it may be easily missed. Parking is street parking right out front, or there is a parking garage I saw across the street, but I am not sure if it is public parking. Ordering is through their kiosk. I tried the green milk tea with boba and mango ice slush with boba. The milk tea was a bit on the stronger side - I wished it was more creamy, but overall, it was decent. The mango slush - it was sweet, but a bit tart as well. I saw that they also have banh mi sandwiches on their menu, so I will keep that in mind for next time, if I am back. read more

The bánh mì had delicious light, crisp bread, with lots of good produce and BBQ pork filling. But the entire sandwich and pork could have used more flavor. The ube milk tea was watery with little flavor. The popcorn chicken was some of the worst I've had in a while; rubbery texture and too salty. It tasted like they had fried it hours ago and just microwaved it to serve. read more

Pop Tea Bar - Rubbery, chewy, inedible Original Popcorn Chicken - Bubble Tea Near Me - Palo Alto, California