What can I say!! Not just a Vietnamese cuisine but an authentic take on all dishes served! Excellent !! GOAT!! As we entered the restaurant we were immediately warmly greeted by who I think is the owner ( found out she was indeed) !! Ordered at the counter and was a table number: Beef Pho Egg rolls Banh Mi Sandwiches Grilled Pork Bowl Egg Rolls are very crispy with very tasty filling !! Bahn Mi buns made fresh ! Grilled Pork Bowl was a generous serving of grilled pork meat, sliced crispy egg roll, fresh veggies served top of vermicelli noodles with a side of their house sauce!!! read more

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Drink: I ordered a large peach and mango fruit tea (no ice, 25% sweetness). The flavor itself could've been great, but the sweetness level was shockingly high, more like 100%. If it was made incorrectly, that's fine, but just offer to remake it. It's a $7 drink; the cost to fix it is minimal, and customers remember when you take the time to make something right. Because I requested no ice, the drink also wasn't filled to the top, which felt dismissive considering it was a full-priced order. Unfortunately I cannot drink super cold drinks or food. Seems silly to let a customer walk away with 2 oz shy of a full drink because you usually put ice Service: The staff member was polite when I walked in and even suggested one of their specialty drinks, which I appreciated. However, after I explained that I wanted a simple peach and mango tea and didn't want the specialty item that included strawberry and jellies, she continued to try to steer me toward her suggestion -- saying, "I think you'll like this better." I value recommendations, but once a customer has clearly declined, it's important to respect their preference. After receiving the drink, I realized how overly sweet it was and politely asked if it was truly 25%. I was told it might be because the boba had honey, but having visited hundreds of boba tea places, that alone wouldn't cause such a strong sweetness. I mentioned that I'm pregnant and watching my sugar intake, an opportunity to show care, yet there was no offer to adjust or remake it. When I politely set the drink down and left, there was no follow-up or acknowledgment. I didn't ask for a refund; I simply walked away. If keeping that one cup meant more than keeping a customer, that says something about priorities. Ambiance: Poppa Bear has a cozy café setup with Wi-Fi and a warm, casual vibe. When I visited, a few college students were working quietly on laptops. It's the kind of space that could easily become a community favorite. However, the experience felt like the team was more focused on avoiding loss than creating loyalty. In business, especially hospitality, a small margin for remakes or mistakes is simply part of good operations and it pays back tenfold in customer trust. Overall: Poppa Bear has real potential. The drinks and environment are inviting, but consistent service and responsiveness will determine its long-term success. A little attentiveness and flexibility go a long way in building loyal customers. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - I love it when you call me Big Poppa Bear - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

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Everything is so stinking good and fresh! Cozy vibe as well. I had their broken rice dish and the fried egg rolls both were amazing. The Vietnamese coffee is also killer! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun drink or a quick bite. Both times I've been service is prompt and friendly. read more

SOOO GOOD!!!! Beef Pho, broken rice, egg rolls, two bobas and we demolished every last bite. Make this your new boba/pho place and keep it going in Waco! read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Demolished it! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

Our little family really loves Vietnamese food. We often drive all the way to temple for our favorites when we're craving it. But the we found THIS LOVELY PLACE My friend and I were after some nice refreshing spring rolls & peanut sauce, and I saw Poppa Bear Boba for the first time on Yelp. So we decided to stop in. The inside is simple, but very cozy, and super inviting! There is a shelf with stuffed animals and board/card games to play. The teas here were incredible. I got the sunset cliffs tea, and now catch myself wishing I had it on tap cause it is so so good. They even have caffeine free option that's can be made with zero sugar, which was fantastic for my toddler who wanted "Juice"! The food was so comforting, delicious, and exactly what we needed on a hot day! We tried both the chicken spring rolls and the pork spring rolls. They're huge portions and just packed full of refreshing veggies. The peanut sauce was a little underwhelming (and the only reason this isn't a 5 star review... I love peanut sauce ) but still went very nicely with the spring rolls! We also ordered the specialty fried rice for my kiddo, and the lemongrass patty Banh Mi. This banh mi was nothing any other I'd ever had before. It may have been my favorite one I've ever had... I'm just so sad that I later learned you can get a dipping soup to go with it! The young gal behind the counter was very helpful, friendly, and full of information that helped us decide what we wanted to try. Seriously. This place is incredible and I can't wait to bring my family back. read more

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Amazing and delightful meals. Healthy fresh Pho with shrimp and shrimp spring rolls were delicious. Coconut milk tea so delicious . Lovely customer service was attentive and helpful. Nice atmosphere to dine in and enjoy or take to go orders. read more

In Waco for work with two coworkers and we decided to try Poppa Bear. The menu is limited but everything on it is amazing! Between the three of us we ordered almost everything on the menu! I had the broken rice and loved it! My coworkers raved about their meals as well. I believe it was the owner that helped guide use on the menu and stopped by to make sure we were happy with every thing! When in Waco we will definitely be back! I highly recommend everyone to give Poppa Bear a try! read more

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Great Authentic PHO in Waco? Yes, please. Pho was packed with flavor, the right amount of beef and noodles, garnished perfectly with green onion, white onion and a heaping side of bean sprouts, basil and jalapeños. Best in Waco. Place also offers great Boba in all kinds of flavors. Kids really enjoyed the different shaped Boba and flavor options. Tried the Beary Peachy and Mango Tea with Star Jelly Boba. Did not disappoint. So happy to have this place on the Waco food scene. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Beef Pho, Boba and Chicken Bowl - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

I found this place on Yelp. I got there around noon as there was only one other customer. The ambiance was unexpected though fine. Clean tables... I didn't see any Vietnamese people working in the place. Boba tea was strange on first sip as it is any iced drink but I got warm tea through the straw!!! So not made correctly. Ice melted too soon because they didn't cool the tea beforehand. Flavor was fine but for $4.75 I was disappointed. The dish was pretty good just was disappointed that the pork was warmed up not freshly grilled and there were some badly burnt pieces and some very sinewing pieces. If I had not paid extra to add shrimp I would've have had enough meat to eat with all that I threw away. Flavor was ok but the grilled pork was less lemon-grassy than what I am accustomed to. Good meal but couldn't have been better. Lunch was 20 dollars so a bit pricey for what I got served. read more

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Wonderful food, best boba in Waco (IMO), and the sweetest people working there. The atmosphere is so relaxing and encourages conversations.

Visiting my hometown and went to this awesome venue with lots of space and comfy seating.This place was amazing! The food was fresh and tasty and the customer service is 10 stars. read more

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I'm so blown away by the amazing authentic Vietnamese food in a town like Waco. My friends have been talking about Poppa, so we finally stopped by over the weekend for lunch. FYI, you know this place is legit if all the Asians in Waco are here. We ordered beef pho, pork bowl, and drinks. I was shocked by how delicious everything was. Their pho is one of the best I've ever had in the States. The broth is thick, smooth, and clean. They give generous portions, and everything is seasoned so well. You won't leave disappointed but with a full belly. read more

Everything about this place is top notch. Food, boba and service cannot be beat in the area. The staff is welcoming and the owners are there all day everyday to ensure the quality of what's going out! Tonight, I ordered to plates to go and the owner came over and opened both containers to ensure they were the quality she expected. The boba? Incomparable. They have a gift of keeping it chewy, never too hard or over cooked. As a boba lover, I've tried boba all over the country and genuinely this is my favorite. Love the quant nature of the restaurant as well, they have super comfy chairs, free wifi, and good lighting which allows me to get some work done while I hang out. Cannot say enough good things about this place, I tell everyone I see to go here so if you're on the fence- just go. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Broken Rice weekly Special! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

This is an awesome boba place in Waco! The place looks really cute inside and they have a huge bear. The drinks are great and my wife and I were a big fan of the mango slushie. It would be perfect for a hot summer day. I would definitely recommend this place! Lots of parking in the area. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - a plastic cup on a wooden table - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

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It's in the middle of nowhere, but walking in feels like coming home. The service is amazing and they are pretty fast. I didn't try the food because I got boba (pretty good) read more

Very cute boba cafe, I ordered the tiger milk tea with regular boba and was a delicious treat. The boba pearls were perfectly chewy texture and the milk tea wasn't too sweet or bitter but a great balance in between and was exactly what I was craving. The workers were very friendly and the menu had a lot of variety, the specialty drinks looked yummy so will definitely come back to try those. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Tiger milk tea with regular boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

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I grabbed some dinner from this restaurant. I got the broken rice plate with a Wide - A - Waco drink from the specialty drink menu. The staff was attentive and very friendly. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. read more

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Came to Poppa Bear after seeing some posts on Instagram about them. 4-5 food items on the menu - including rice bowls, vermicelli bowls, and pho. Numerous drink options from milk tea, herbal tea and slushes. Vietnamese owned and ran. I ordered the chicken bowl and one of the special tea drinks - the Sunset Cliff. Both hit the spot! The grilled chicken was both flavorful and juicy. Home teriyaki sauce was also very very good. The drink was refreshing on his hot summer day. Will definitely come back to try other menu items. Friendly, superb service from start to finish. Provides great recommendations and menu explanations. Quick turnaround time. Cute and hip. Mixture of tables, benches and couches. Current music played in the background. Think they may also offer karaoke as I saw their sound system. 10/10. read more

Very delicious pho-- the broth is so flavorful with deep beef flavor and spices ! My husband had the chicken bowl. Both dishes were packed with flavor. Nice simple menu. I also tried the taro tea and it was very nice. I highly recommend this local Waco business! Staff were very quick and friendly. They brought the food out pretty fast . Very relaxed . read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Beef pho - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

Waco's newest hidden gem! Whether you're new to trying boba / vietnamese food, or you grew up with it, you will love what Poppa Bear has to offer. Not only does everything taste amazing, but the customer service is wonderful. I also like the theme/aesthetic concept. This is a family-run business that makes you feel at home. I would be a regular here if I was a Waco local. Give them a try! In the photo, the chicken bowl is top left, broken rice on top right, and grilled pork bowl is on the bottom. Seriously crave-worthy. The drink is the red guava green tea with lychee star jelly - 50% sweet. All delicious! read more

Poppa Bear Boba - chicken bowl is top left, broken rice on top right, and grilled pork bowl is on the bottom. red guava tea with lychee star jelly! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

Amazing food and great boba. Owner was friendly and staff was fast and attentive. The inside was clean and they had games you can play while you wait for your food. read more

This is my Dad's favorite spot, he literally comes here 6 days out of the week. So when I came to visit home I had to come here! It's really cute inside, the seating is so cozy, they play good music, and they have a big teddy bear! I could totally see myself ordering food/boba and coming here to study (they have WiFi) or spend time with friends. I had their Tiger Milk Tea with boba, it was delicious and the boba was the perfect consistency. My boyfriend and Dad had their coffee and my brother had their Mango Tango, I tried both drinks and it was all yummy! Their food portions are great too-- we had their chicken bowl, pho, egg rolls, and spring rolls. The service is amazing, everyone is so nice and I really felt welcomed. I'll 100% be back to Poppa Bear! read more

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The pho is wonderful as well as the spring rolls and the pork. A hidden gem. Staff is friendly and conversational. read more

Fantastic Pho. The best in Waco in my opinion. Really happy with this restaurant. Probably eat here twice a month.

Everything was so delicious, custom service was immaculate, such a nice place to relax as well. Great music selection! I love it. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Grilled pork bowl + added shrimp - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

Locally owned, very family run, clean, and friendly business. The whole family appears to work there, including mom, kids, grandma, dad, thus they take great pride in the food, service, and ambiance. Not a huge menu, but everything we have had thus far, excellent. Seriously the best Thai Tea I have had since moving here. It is not just a clump of sweet with boba...you can TASTE the tea and the care that went into making the drinks. Each hand made while you wait. Everything is made fresh to order, so don't expect the bag of deliciousness to just be handed over in 1.5 minutes. The chicken bowls were super tasty with a good portions. They have a wide variety of different drinks, and will gladly answer questions or make adjustments if you request. The location is not hugely crowded, so parking is pretty easy. Has only been open a few months, so hop on in and get some yummy while supporting a locally owned business. read more

I have very mixed feelings about Poppa Bear Boba. I was in Waco for a medical procedure and it was recommend . I lived in Houston and ate plenty of Vietnamese foo, but that was back in 2020. I asked for a Bsun Mi , egg rolls, Pho with extra tendons, iced coffee and a pomegranate slush. My friend order pho. He got mine neither seemed to have much noodles & the side of herbs was very minimal compared to what I was use to. The table lacked all of the other fixings, but rather were brought to the table. The egg rolls were not the fat pork stuffed ones I was use to. Never seen the Bahn Mi. It was definitely was lacking compared to my idea of Vietnamese food. I'm really glade my late wife was not there as she would have been pissed. I felt bad that we didn't go to Terry Black's as my friend had mentioned it. He was my designated driver as I was giving some meds for the procedure. I know that Terry Black's would have been easily $100.00 more then what I spent, but I would have felt much better about it. Now I feel that another 1 hour road Trip to Waco is needed to properly repay my friend for the day that he did me a huge favo. read more

Lived in Houston for 35 years, then bounced around the state and recently landed in China Spring. Asked my son for a good Vietnamese restaurant, and he said he hadn't found one yet (he's been here a few years). After reading reviews, I decided to give Poppa Bear a try and ordered the grilled pork bowl. Just as good as any I had in Houston. Plenty of pork with great flavor, fresh veggies. The only change I would suggest is cutting the pork either in strips or bite size pieces. Even though I am way on the other side of Waco, I will be making it back here soon, and bringing my son and his family with me. read more

Great food, drinks and service! The Pho is some of the best I've had...very savory and all the flavors complement each other, with nothing overwhelming the others yet you can taste them all. The boba tea is great...and they give you options on the sweetness level (none, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) that others don't. To top it off, the entire staff (owners included) are very friendly, helpful and personable. Very happy repeat customer! read more

First time trying this boba shop in Waco and I love it! I got the poppa bear drink with boba. Their milk tea doesn't not lack in flavor unlike other places I've been to in Waco. I also had the pho which was amazing! They give you a lot of meat and the soup broth is very flavorful. It's a great place to stop by for lunch but also has a study atmosphere. Service is great, the workers are soo friendly. I'll definitely be a regular here. read more

Poppa Bear Boba - Pho and poppa bear milk tea with boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

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We went for the boba, but stayed for the food. I was in town to live my daughter in for BU and we went to get boba. They had a delicious looking menu so we got (and shared) the special chicken and shrimp fried rice and the shrimp spring rolls. It was a great portion and both were very good. The fried rice was extra delicious! Highly recommend this place. read more

Everything on the menu is so delicious and you can taste the quality and authenticity every time. You can taste the pride and care Nikki and her team put into their food. BEST Bani Mi I've had in a long time. read more

The place is family owned and oriented. The best Boba drinks n Pho. Though the menu for food is simple but each item is unbelievable tasty, fresh and delicious. The egg rolls, Pho, Chicken rice bowl are recommended. I hardly write comments but this place deserve 5 stars. I don't want to ignore talking about drinks. You should try them to like them on your own. read more

Best pho in town, and great not just by Waco standards. Ordered to-go and the broth stayed super hot which was a great sign. Spring rolls and boba are also excellent read more

Ordered the chicken bowl, pho, and pork bowl. They were all okay. A bit overpriced for the portions served. It was annoying to pay extra for meatballs when usually the special pho includes them at other restaurants. Had the jasmine milk tea boba but it wasn't very flavorful. Overall it was just okay. Will not come back. read more

The food was amazing once again. I really recommend the pho. The service is always such a delight, they make it feel like a family oriented place. The atmosphere gives you such an uplifting and relaxing feeling every time you walk in. I will definitely be returning. Thank you guys for the amazing hospitality!! read more

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This is easily the best pho in the Waco area. The owner is extremely friendly. 8 hour bone broth is all you need to know.

Awesome snacks and food! Even better customer service. Really awesome spot for some boba and snacks! Check this place out! read more

Poppa Bear Boba - The Poppa Boba is really great! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

Ordered eggrolls, beef pho, grilled pork bowl along with boba drinks. Everything was delicious. Eggrolls were served hot & fresh. They were so tasty! The right amount of crunch. The pho was amazing, nice to find a good pho soup in Waco. Love supporting local places. read more

The restaurant looks very nice and is clean. The service was fast and prompt. The food came out nice, hot and was delicious. The pho broth tasted a little sweet, but it was still tasty. I highly recommend! read more