4.5/5 stars! Here's a really quick run-down:
S/o to Jason and Kathy the best Sharetea workers B)
PROS:
+ stampcard
+ decent prices
+ no card minimum(!!!)
+ you can adjust the sweetness/ice levels
+ free/reliable wifi
+ clean bathrooms
+ incredibly friendly staff
+ opens late on weekends
CONS:
+ can get SUPER busy on the weekends
+ it's in Dun Huang plaza of Chinatown, so parking can be a strugglebus, and beware because if you stay for too long, you'll probably leave with bird poop all over your car T_T
[AESTHETIC]
This place has a nice, bright, clean look with great lighting.
There's a variety of seating options, like smaller tables for groups of two to larger tables that can seat 4-6, as well as a bar area on both sides of the door against the windows. Because it's so bright, you can stay for hours on end without it feeling like the walls are caving in on you.
The only down side to this is that w/light colored floors + Asians who shed hair like no other, the floors (esp in the bathroom) can get a little dirty. BUT they're pretty good about cleaning the bathroom so it's not too much of an issue (except during the weekends)
[DRINKS]
They make their drinks on the sweeter side, which is fine b/c you can always adjust the sweetness levels of most of the beverages. All drinks currently only come in what's typically a "large" size elsewhere.
They have some cool specialties, and one of my favorites (if I'm feeling something sweet) is the Okinawa milk tea, which is a classic milk tea with roasted brown sugar.
Otherwise, I typically just go for the Oolong milk tea, 30% sugar, light ice.
I've come with a variety of different groups, and they all seem to like their drinks. Only one person thought it was a life changing experience, but overall, all of the drinks were solid. I will say, however, that the creama--as much as it's a unique menu item--is not for everyone. Some think that the salty cream is too salty.
[ETC.]
Wifi is reliable/free & outlets are plenty, so if you want to get some work done during the week, it's a good place to come. Just beware because you'll probably run into some people you know throughout the day!
As mentioned, there's no card minimum, and there's a stamp card!! Compared to its rival counterparts like Kung Fu, this serves as a huge advantage.
The staff is super patient and explains menu items very thoroughly. Such happy people [':
They normally call out the order number, and if it's super busy, they have this cool new mic system so it's easier for both the customers and the workers. If the order isn't picked up, the workers actually go out of their way to go around and ask the customers what their order # was! And seriously they're so chill--one time my stamp card was passed in plain sight from person to person, garnering about 4 stamps for the same stamp card and they were cool with it LOL.
OH and if at all possible, avoid Saturday afternoons. The line goes out the door, they run out of tapioca, and the wait time for your drink can go upwards of 45 minutes. But the fact that so many people willingly stay and wait that long says something, in my opinion. On a typical weekday, you should have no trouble finding several unoccupied tables, though, especially during the day or really late at night!
Funny side story: some friends of mine visited from Austin, and one of them came 5x within a span of one week, AND he waited in that ridiculous line on a Saturday afternoon on his way back to Austin. He's seriously obsessed. We rushed over at 11:40PM the day before, and when asked, "On a scale of 1-10 how happy are you?" He answered "Sharetea," and finished his drink within 10 minutes. (S/o to James--tyvm for understanding my obsession with Sharetea [': )
[OVERALL]
This is my go-to spot to hang out with friends in Chinatown! I come here way too much for my own good, but I like the vibe! I would come more to hang out than for the drinks, though. I mean they're tasty but not the most amazing boba I've ever had. But yeah I seriously come here several times a week it's unhealthy LOL
I would rate it 5/5 if it was bigger, the service faster. read more