For a true bobadouche, it has been a tale as old as time that there was no decent boba outside of the SGV. This makes sense, as boba, or bubble tea or pearl milk tea, is a somewhat recent invention from Taiwan and the SGV is the hub of Taiwanese immigration. But a couple new places are challenging the old wisdom, bringing quality boba to the other loci of Taiwanese and Chinese immigration, UCLA and USC.
Half & Half Tea House has risen above the fray of boba shops all over the San Gabriel Valley to become the premiere boba shop. As a testament to this fact, hordes of people wait in line for a chance to suck down the intensely sweet, intensely tea-y drinks.
I went on Sunday to boba-up at Smiling Face and heard from the owner that her supplier in Taiwan won’t be sending boba for maybe two weeks! That was on Jan 13, so you can do your own math. Keep in mind that she wasn’t sure when she would get them for sure. Until then you’ll have to either queue up at Half and Half or get one of Smiling Face’s amazing fresh grapefruit drinks. No boba, but it’s a heck of a deal when you consider what a pain the butt peeling grapefruit is.
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