The boba was mediocre and the drinks were not living up to the hype however I will admit that the scenery and the vibe of the place was welcoming. I enjoy the great customer service that was offered. read more

Whoops totally forgot that I wrote a review, but I feel the need to update because a lot is different. Customer service has gotten 100x better. Especially this worker named Stephanie, I think. She's the one with the cute red (or pink?) glasses. She's really nice and sweet. My drinks come out perfect every time. My order always comes out promptly. I love how there are always manager specials that vary from week to week. This location, just ilke the one on Regents, is very supportive of student orgs. My org came here with about 60 people, and the wait wasn't long at ALL. OHHHH and their crispy chicken got a lot better, too. =) They have basil in it now! This is my go-to place when I'm on campus. read more

4 stars "Yay! I'm a fan" takes the words right out of my boba and cripy chicken-stuffed mouth. The location is oh-so-convenient. Perfect for that freshman 15, wait, no, 25. It's one of those things that makes UCSD, well, UCSD. "I'm thirsty. Wanna go on a boba run?" "I'm hungry. Let's get crispy chicken at TapEx." "Hey, there's a fundraiser going on at TapEx, there's going to be hella people, let's go." Ya feel me? If you haven't heard these sentences, you .. need to get out of your cave. Hah :) The workers out in the front are all UCSD students and friendly, most of the time. Shout out to my home girl Jocelyn and broski Joel who worked here for a long time and always had welcoming smiles! read more

Tap Ex on campus is alright. There have been several occasions where the syrup residue was still apparent in my drink (peach black tea, no boba), but then again, the workers are fellow students, so it's understandable. I got turned off by their crispy chicken after finding some gooey stuff inside of it, but I do like their calamari and fried tofu. Yes, they don't use fresh fruit in their drinks, but this place is one of the busiest places on campus, especially during lunch. What do you expect? read more

They raised the prices? Okay, well, I graduated from UCSD last year and I came back to study at Price Center (PC)... got a bit hungry and wanted some food so I decided Tapioca Express for some quick food (yeah, I had many other options at PC). Food was okay... was pretty much like how you'd expect some quick food from a tapioca/boba place to be like. I got their curry pork rice combo and it comes with a drink. I chose simple green tea which was pretty good if you like extremely sweet tea. Atleast I can still taste some tea in that drink. Sometimes I would get their Spring rolls :) Those are pretty good and they go "on-sale" after like.. 3pm? Service was not bad either; like any fast food place, they go by numbers when distributing people's orders. But it IS a fast food place so what kind of service do you really expect? I guess I can say that the workers all seem very friendly. :) Yet, I still can't give them full stars even though a lot of people I know work here because of their food~ Price. Sigh. They raised the prices for their eco-friendly material (no more Styrofoam). Yay planet, boo wallet. ): This place is OK, I would still come back here to lounge around with friends, to grab a milk tea, or to study/work (obviously the boba places down in SD can't compare to any in SGV or Norcal... yet). CHILL PLACE! :D Would come back for food only if I was desperate but will definitely come back for drinks! read more

Tip: Popcorn chicken meal is a little bit dry and not too satisfying in my experience.. Try the curry pork chop as the curry makes everything juicier. Or of course, you can just drown everything in sweet and sour sauce or Sriracha... And I'm sure you already know, but the on-campus TapEx at UCSD isn't exactly on par with off-campus TapEx'es in terms of overall food and service quality. Often, the cashiers and workers are stressed out college students who are working the part-time job to make some extra money, and I kind of feel sorry for them sometimes because it's always so busy :( But really, the reason you go to this TapEx is because you're craving Asian food that isn't Panda Express. And let's be real, eating at TapEx get's the job done. You feel relatively satisfied and full after a meal or drink, albeit wasn't super top-notch quality stuff - but what else can you do when you're stranded on campus because of classes and projects and assignments? The truth is this: Price Center's TapEx doesn't really need to increase their quality of food or service because students will always go to TapEx. We're hungry. We're stressed out. We're going to eat at TapEx regardless. So there you go.. read more

I usually get their crispy chicken + triton milk tea but today i got their fries. I was just craving shoestring fries so i went here and originally i wasn't gonna get any seasoning but i opted for mild. I dont know wtf their definition of mild was but my fries were fucking coated in that shit. Whoever is in charge of seasoning is doing it wrong. I remember i ordered heavy spice before and they gave me my food with barely any on it. Tf bruh?? Might as well get it plain and season it yourself. read more

Tapioca Express - One of my fries, they coated that shit - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

I've been coming to this Tapioca Express since it first open last year and it was only so-so to me. However, things have recently changed at this store since the end of the school year. Before, I really dislike their boil veggies, it had no FLAVOR. Recently, the store has made some changes to their food. They no longer serve those gross veggies, instead, they have a little salad with some oriental salad dressing. It taste so much better! Also, they put basil in their crispy chicken now, just like the Convoy store. There's got to be a reason why this store is more expensive than the one on Regents, I mean they're owned by the same people. I can kind of understand why. I mean its right in UCSD, so the rent has got to be really high or something. Anyways, I will definitely come back for Crispy chicken w/ basil! YUM! read more

I've eaten here twice in my undergraduate career, and each time I have done so, I have regretted it almost instantly. ---\\\Food- Short Rib Combo I ordered the Short Ribs Combo off their menu. For $8.50, you get about two scoops of rice, the short ribs, a serving of iceberg lettuce, and a fried potsticker. Quite frankly, it was disgusting. The salad was soggy and droopy-- probably sitting in their tray a day longer than it should have been. The potsticker was extremely dry and unseasoned. The short ribs on the other hand... was excruciatingly painful to eat. They were were doused in soy sauce, and were by far the fattest chunks of meat I have ever seen. Literally, half of the ribs were fat-- not meat. To top it all off, the ribs were absolutely burnt to a black crisp. I took one bite and almost lost a tooth. Utterly inedible ---\\\Service It's a pick up and go place in a food court. But, the cashiers are always super friendly. They took my order promptly, and didn't mind answering a few questions I had about the combo. Very nice customer service. ---\\\Final Count Food - F Service - A Overall Value - D To be honest, I have no idea how the owners here can send out food prepared the way that they do. I'd be ashamed. This establishment clearly thrives on college students who can't get off campus, or people stuck in Price Center studying. If you have any other option. I recommend taking it. read more

This used to be the only place on campus to get any boba before dlush came. I used to come here if I was in the area for some boba. I think that this is a good place for boba but the food portions are a bit small compared to other tapioca express places. And it's tough to come here if you weren't already on campus for something else because coming here just for boba is really hard considering the parking is far and the walk is also pretty far for a cup of boba. I usually order the crispy chicken also! But the chicken at this location isn't very good and there is not much. I like the sauces that are available on the side though. I also order the meal combos sometimes when I'm hungrier. I think the meals are good at traps express locations in general but this location is just some how not as good... There's a good location on regents that's more quiet and conductive to doing homework than the price center is (I find that PC is really crowded and loud). They also give more food I think. It's for the older crowd I feel like. read more

'Twas going to go to the VA cafeteria, but changed mi mind last minute. I got the chicken combo, grilled, mildly spicy. Should've gone medium just to make things interesting. The taste of the chicken was good. The fried dumpling I didn't much care for. Salad... was just OK. I actually don't like iceberg lettuce as a salad, prefer it in a burger. Being Asian, my tummy was comforted by the rice and chicken. I'm satisfied with that. I picked away at the salad going after the carrots. TapEx excels in the boba and milk tea department. My milk tea was very tasty. This is a much better lunch than a cafeteria. Glad I came here instead. read more

If you really want boba, it's always really nice to have somewhere on-campus that conveniently satisfies your craving. Service is usually quick and always friendly. Since they're open late-night, it's always great to have a snack while studying for midterms and finals. It's a bonus that they treat students well and they're always open until 1am during finals week! :) read more

Since I work at UCSD, it makes it very convenient to have lunch here. It is a nice addition to the selection of restaurants here. Come early when school is in session. Anywhere from 11:30 to maybe 2, don't bother coming unless you have some time. Gets way packed with students. Got the chicken steak curry chicken combo. I thought it was a bit pricey for what you were getting, but it did come with a black tea boba, which was really good. The food was average. Not bad, nothing fantastic. One other time I had the icy taro drink with boba and seemed a little bland. Over all an ok place to visit for lunch, snack or a refresher drink, but don't make a special trip out here. read more

Hi, my name is Ana and I am addicted to the Mango and Strawberry flavored Snow Bubble boba. Toward the end of this past Spring Quarter I was relying on one of these at least once a week. What Starbucks is to you, the Mango/Strawberry Snow Bubble is to me. I got some of my friends to try it out for the first time and they became addicts as well. What can I say? I had to have enablers... As for the food, to be honest, I never bother with it. I have tasted the chicken but never understood why people order it... The 4stars is for the great service and the amazing snow bubble! read more

I'm a sucker for their crispy chicken. So good that it must be bad for you.. And it's been proven! Every time I finish off an order of the crispy chicken, I end up feeling a bit nauseous and uneasy. Don't get me wrong - I've never gotten food poisoning, just... nauseated... But still... even though it makes me feel crappy afterwards, I always come back for more! o_____o read more

This tapex is horrible, even by your average tapex standards. It's the most inconsistent place I frequent by far. I'm glad the employees are happy working there, but I think it's rude to ignore people waiting in line while they chat with their friends. Their drinks are *always* mind-numbingly sweet. Even if you ask for less sugar, they'll still apparently dump in the same amount of sugar. I don't expect a lot from an on-campus location, but their boba is so undrinkable it's more appropriate as a glorified sweetener for black tea. The snacks are ok during peak hours, but old and cold at any other time. read more

"Why do I frequent this location? Convoy is only few miles away..." I question as I leave Tapex unsatisfied with my mediocre, chewy boba. The associates here need to be trained on their order accuracy and their guest service. The cashiers never smile. No friendliness or warmth whatsoever. At least plaster a decent fake smile on your damn face. Take caution when ordering a hot drink as well. They either forget to put the boba or make the drink lukewarm. Maybe I'll learn my lesson some day and never return here. Or maybe that'll happen on my graduation day. Who knows. read more

This is my go to whenever I'm in SD visiting my boyfriend. The service is very quick. You shouldn't wait no longer than 10 minutes regardless of how busy it may be. The boba and potstickers are the best. My favorite place to go for boba in all honesty. They're open late too since they're on a university campus. It's plus because my boyfriend works here too, lol. read more

Price value and quality are sub par. Only keep coming here because they're on campus. Pretty much all the student staff are rude and make it obvious. read more

I just ate here for the first time and i was left with a very mixed feeling about this establishment. I got the #7 short ribs, they were very tasty yet cold, and since i have class in a few minutes i didnt have the time to let them know that my food was cold. The rice tasted old and dry. The pot sticker was good and the salad is a waste in my opinion ( as a business expense). It doesnt look appetizing and is very plain and bland. The boba tea was ok. I am willing to give this place another try because it is cost effect and quick service( which is kind of a downside to customer service). I do love the quickness of overtime for order to readiness but the cashiers are very blunt and rude and rush you out of there. I hope they can have a more warm and welcoming greeting next time; it seems like they are just used to being quick and savy because they are constantly busy, but no one was behind me in line and seeing as this is my first time eating there, they did not leave a good impression. This place has potential to do better! read more

The workers are really friendly but the food is meh. The quality and amount of food they give varies every time I go. I usually order combo A (crispy chicken) with mild spice and the spiciness level changes every time. Sometimes there's barely any spice and other times its too spicy. The chicken can also be really dry at times. Considering how convenient it is located on campus, I guess its ok. But if you have the chance to go off campus, I suggest to go somewhere else for food. It will probably be cheaper and taste better too. read more

Tapioca Express is always good for a quick drink or snack! Service is fast and I've not been disappointed by any of the drinks I've ever gotten there. I do recommend the snow bubble drinks. They're fantastic and the perfect median between slushie and smoothie and the fruity flavors are perfect with the mango stars or rainbow jellies. I do love their chicken and tofu snacks too. read more

I love love loveeee Boba, but for some reason, the Boba here for me was a miss. They have great chicken though!

I like the convenience of being able to grab almond milk tea on campus but gosh, their food is TERRIBLE and expensive. Got a sausage rice and it was burnt and nasty. Do NOT recommend food here, unless it's their crispy chicken as a snack or something. Just grab a drink, and go to BK or shogun nearby instead. Also, seating is rather inconveniently sparse. They could probably easily fit in another 3 tables. read more

OKAY. I'm not gonna lie, I go here nearly every day since it's on campus. The drinks here may sometimes be less than perfect due to the inexperienced staff but it still provides that great boba fix (unless it's almost midnight where they routinely run out of boba T_T). Passionfruit snow bubble + crispy chicken snack so good. read more

I've been charged double on my credit card Watch out for the cashiers and this is my second time they charge me twice

Tapioca express has some good combo and some bad ones. The pop corn chicken is too dry but i love the fried squid balls !

$7 manager special somehow came out to $12.5. The special comes with a drink. I ask if I could sub it for matcha milk tea but instead I got charged an extra $5 for it when the drink cost $3.50 by itself? Also the chicken was literally just fat and breading. There were 3 or 4 piece of actual chicken meat. Disgusting. Threw up. And got ripped off by incompetent cashier. I was asked to pay an extra dollar for bring up a mistake in the order. In total, even if the Mata milk tea was extra, I didnt get the included drink with the meal. RIP off never again. read more

Honestly not the best tapioca place to get boba or snacks but can really occasionally satisfy a popcorn chicken fix.

I'm embarrassed to admit that It took me way too long to stop coming here. I've spent many a night inside Price Center pulling unnecessary all-nighters, messing around, drinking too much boba, and eating too much crispy chicken. It'd be midnight and after many hours of "studying" soooooo hard for my midterms/finals, I'd undeservingly reward myself with something to munch on "for energy" for the long night ahead (hahahaha). My options were either Burger King or TapEx. I'd always end up going with TapEx; I'm sure they stayed open until 1am during finals week especially for me, so I could stuff my fat ass with boba and chicken. The drinks here aren't even well made; often times, the drink I ordered was not mixed well, so the syrup settled to the bottom. I know, I know--I probably should have shaken it up a few more times before I stabbed the seal to death with a straw, but you know. Also, the teas never taste fresh at all; they kinda have a weird, sour twinge to them. The crispy chicken isn't even that good either. Those little unidentified chicken niblets would have the shit fried out of them, rendering them hard and dry. So why did I come here so often? It was probably because I knew I would fail that ochem or biochem test, so I would subconsciously buy myself these things as a pre-consolation prize for having failed so miserably at studying. I guess I could have also bought myself something from Burger King's dollar menu, but why settle for 24-hour-anytime BK when I can have special-hours-just-for-you TapEx. I always felt so touched by the fact that they would stay open an hour later than usual during finals week just to make more money off of fatasses like me. HOW THOUGHTFUL AND GENEROUS :') read more

Whenever I have my boba craving, this is my go-to spot. The employees are super efficient and nice. Also, for a broke college student like myself, you can't beat $2.95 for a milk tea WITH boba. Also, for these chilly days in San Diego, I totally recommend the hot Triton milk tea for $3.50. Totally soothes my soul. 10/10 would recommend. read more

This is an update to my previous review back in January. Since then, they've slightly improved on their food. I only order F Combo, which is the Stir-Fried Vegetables & Tofu because it contained actual vegetables (broccoli and carrot) as opposed to the defrosted peas and corn. I don't know if it's just today, Finals, week, or because I ordered at 12:30, but the stir-fry today was disgusting. First of all it had absolutely no flavour, as in it was literally just rice and raw vegetables on top. Yep, the broccoli and carrots were still raw. I might as well went to Ralphs and cut me up some salad if that's what I wanted. There was also no sauce, which I'm thinking either they ran out or this is the new way of making their stir-fry. Furthermore it featured the defrosted peas and corn that I so love. (sarcasm) CONCLUSION: 1. CONSISTENCY does not seem to matter to this restaurant except with their drinks. Those are more-or-less the same at any tapex you go to. So stick to their drinks. 2. Their SERVICE is pretty good. Their Manager Alan is very considerate and friendly. I've had several mix-ups with my drink, such as them using sugar-free milk tea for my milk tea by accident making it taste oddly like water + boba. (I thought I was crazy). Their employee tasted/confirmed it and quickly made me a replacement. So yes, if you are not satisfied they are willing to fix it for you. By the way the TapEx on Regents (same ownership) has a slightly larger drinks menu. read more

After years of good food/drink, transparency, and reliability with our fundraisers (aka "boba runs"), Tapioca Express @ UCSD is the place to be at!!!! They have good food and drinks for a very reasonable price. One of the best places to eat at UCSD if ever in need for a quick drink, snack, or meal! Nice staff and are willing to accommodate any customer's needs. Truly one of a kind, so stop by and enjoy! read more

I love going here for a quick bite to eat between classes. Lines can be long at times but it's worth the wait.

A nice Taiwanese fast food located inside the Price Center of UCSD. It offered boba milk tea , slushes and other goodies. Rice with crispy chicken or ribs etc. read more

I often visit here seeing as its one of the only good food joints at UCSD. The crispy chicken here is tasty so order that if you don't know what to get as a newcomer! I've tried other snacks and combos as well including fried calamari (yummy), spring rolls, curry chicken, and more. All which were very satisfying. The boba drinks here are also very good. The teas are refreshing and the smoothies are perfect for a hot day in SD. Some of my favorite drinks are taro milk tea, regular milk tea, strawberry smoothie, lychee green tea, and of course thai tea. I recommend trying other Tapex locations off campus as you might get better and larger portions of food. read more

Trash food and scum quality. The crispy chicken felt like its been out for hours. The rice was hard, brittle, and dry which probably meant that it has been out for hours without cover. I was really hungry before but after taking two bites, I lost my entire appetite. I masked the awful taste with massive amounts of siracha sauce. This place only deserves 1 star for siracha sauce. read more

The almond snow bubble is so plain...I can barely taste the almond The tapioca milk tea tastes good but tea is way too strong read more

This is a decent Tap Ex, meaning that I have had better. The drinks here are never full to the cup, they give you like 9/10th of it. Food is also decent, however the food is ready so fast that I doubt its fresh. The boba is also very hard and stale. I am not sure where else you can get boba on campus, but I guess this satisfies people, seeing from the amount of people that come here. Try it out if you get a chance. I love the Honeydew milk tea, thats the only thing I like so far. read more

Best tapex I've been to in San Diego. Me in line today: "I wish all boba places were as fast as tapex". Literally your drink is sometimes out before you can get to the pick up counter. The manager is ;) too. read more