Katana-ya ramen

Very good place to grab a sandwich. I've only been here twice but the food is delicious and the service is great. Very friendly & they don't skimp on the toppings. The sandwiches are very filing & hearty. I've only ordered the Thai boba and the strawberry creme drinks both were yummy. Definitely recommend. They also have a stamp card to use. If you get 10 stamps you get a free drink. 😋

We had something to do in El Cerrito and wanted to find a comfy place to sit and had snack and drinks. We found Tala on the map and wanted to give it a try. We had salami sandwich, cinnamon toast, banana strawberry smoothie and oolong iced tea. Everything was good! We liked their food menu and a drink list. There were many people in there sitting using their devices because it had free WiFi. The service was great also. And they have a reward card. You'll get a free drink when you get 10 stamps. We'll be back!

Very cute coffee and tea shop. I went on a Wednesday morning, and it wasn’t very busy. There were big sturdy tables, confortable chairs, and soft instrumental music in the background. The place was very clean, and the coffee was good. My main recommendations are for the owners to purchase some firm throw pillows for back support, as the seating is too far back from the tables for extended work. I would’ve stayed and gotten a second drink if so. Secondly, several people I observed (including me) seemed confused about where to order from. A big “order here” sign should help.

Turkeys avocado sandwich is super good !

The price is great. I love the texture of the Boba. I usually find that a lot of places have hard boba but this place has the perfect chew. I had both the rose milk tea with white pearls and the peach smoothie with regular boba. If you're used to honey boba pearls on the sweeter side you may be disappointed. I usually get my sweetness from the drink itself and not the pearls so as long as the texture is right I love.

Daniela

Very good place to grab a sandwich. I've only been here twice but the food is delicious and the service is great. Very friendly & they don't skimp on the toppings. The sandwiches are very filing & hearty. I've only ordered the Thai boba and the strawberry creme drinks both were yummy. Definitely recommend. They also have a stamp card to use. If you get 10 stamps you get a free drink. 😋

Dumnoi

We had something to do in El Cerrito and wanted to find a comfy place to sit and had snack and drinks. We found Tala on the map and wanted to give it a try. We had salami sandwich, cinnamon toast, banana strawberry smoothie and oolong iced tea. Everything was good! We liked their food menu and a drink list. There were many people in there sitting using their devices because it had free WiFi. The service was great also. And they have a reward card. You'll get a free drink when you get 10 stamps. We'll be back!

Shelby Kendrick

Very cute coffee and tea shop. I went on a Wednesday morning, and it wasn’t very busy. There were big sturdy tables, confortable chairs, and soft instrumental music in the background. The place was very clean, and the coffee was good. My main recommendations are for the owners to purchase some firm throw pillows for back support, as the seating is too far back from the tables for extended work. I would’ve stayed and gotten a second drink if so. Secondly, several people I observed (including me) seemed confused about where to order from. A big “order here” sign should help.

Moonly Cheers

The price is great. I love the texture of the Boba. I usually find that a lot of places have hard boba but this place has the perfect chew. I had both the rose milk tea with white pearls and the peach smoothie with regular boba. If you're used to honey boba pearls on the sweeter side you may be disappointed. I usually get my sweetness from the drink itself and not the pearls so as long as the texture is right I love.

I wish more people knew about this place, it's really nice and all the tea and food is great. I hope they stick around for a while longer!

Went on a Wednesday and kids were out of school early so it would be much quieter on another day but it wasn’t too bad the kids were well mannered

The coffee and tea drinks were delicious

Decent boba drink. I always get the taro smoothie, never fails. Nice and quiet for those looking to study or work from a cafe. Lots of space.

My favorite place for a Thai Tea smoothie with boba! I already love Thai Tea but it being a smoothie is the cherry on top! My husband always gets annoyed that I send him to el cerrito to get me boba instead of down the street to Tea 4. Tala’s tea is smooth and sweet, not sandy like T4 or other places, the boba is also on point as far as texture. Definitely the closes tasting to authentic Thai Tea. I really enjoy their customer service as well! Thank you Tala!

Kayden Mc

I wish more people knew about this place, it's really nice and all the tea and food is great. I hope they stick around for a while longer!

Rose Usher

Went on a Wednesday and kids were out of school early so it would be much quieter on another day but it wasn’t too bad the kids were well mannered

Alexis Parker

Decent boba drink. I always get the taro smoothie, never fails. Nice and quiet for those looking to study or work from a cafe. Lots of space.

L M

My favorite place for a Thai Tea smoothie with boba! I already love Thai Tea but it being a smoothie is the cherry on top! My husband always gets annoyed that I send him to el cerrito to get me boba instead of down the street to Tea 4. Tala’s tea is smooth and sweet, not sandy like T4 or other places, the boba is also on point as far as texture. Definitely the closes tasting to authentic Thai Tea. I really enjoy their customer service as well! Thank you Tala!

Emily Hou

Really tasty boba! We were happy to find this place to fulfill our sweet tooth craving, given that we tried to go to the donut shop next door and it was closed for some reason. This hit the spot!! Will be back.

Even though I had to wait in line now, I really didn't mind the wait. It really wasn't bad at all. The people who work hete are always very helpful and polite. I love the fact that the have actual manners here. I didn't however want to leave my cart outside while I shopped. But they really assured me they would watchit and in fact everthing turnef out fine. I love the fact that their patient with older individuals and the young people don't have a snotty attitude Thanks for the Love, keep up the good work!😊😊😊

The closest to my home and the best prices I've seeñ.He doesn't have everything listed on the menu .If you're looking for a good Boba beverage at a great price.....you can't beat TALA.

Good boba place overall, and a lot of menu options! I got the mango milk tea with mango popping boba (no ice) and it was great and tasty.

I'm a fan because of the quality, low prices, good selection, and ease of access. Everywhere else in the area is much more expensive, and/or parking is difficult. The bathroom is currently out of service, and a few tables towards the back have been repurposed. I'm sure that they were hurt during the pandemic, so please support them!

drinks are always good and it’s never a hit or miss. i always get the same thing but it’s always good or better than the last time never a one hit wonder! the sandwich i got which was the turkey avocado sandwich was okay. a lot of avocado and onion but little turkey. i’m sure you ask for your specific topping preferences that wouldn’t be a problem. found out about this place a couple weeks ago and have been a regular ever since. my new favorite boba place ever since the first time i came. highly recommend! (the boba in the picture is the devil zang zang, if you like boba and oreo and don’t know what to try definitely get that. it’s also the middle boba picture on the window.)

Corley Lacey Whitfield

drinks are always good and it’s never a hit or miss. i always get the same thing but it’s always good or better than the last time never a one hit wonder! the sandwich i got which was the turkey avocado sandwich was okay. a lot of avocado and onion but little turkey. i’m sure you ask for your specific topping preferences that wouldn’t be a problem. found out about this place a couple weeks ago and have been a regular ever since. my new favorite boba place ever since the first time i came. highly recommend! (the boba in the picture is the devil zang zang, if you like boba and oreo and don’t know what to try definitely get that. it’s also the middle boba picture on the window.)

Love the atmosphere of this place, not to mention the drinks are delicious and priced very well compared to other cafe’s

Mag

Love the atmosphere of this place, not to mention the drinks are delicious and priced very well compared to other cafe’s

Daytime staff seems OK, but still takes way too long to get a coffer drink such as mocha. After five, forget anything like reasonable service. Not unfriendly, just under staffed and and super difficult time communicating in English. Drinks and confections are tasty, and slightly cheaper than Starbucks or Petes, which have become ridiculous in their cost.

Didn't expect to wait 15 minutes for my chai latte, considering there were only 2 people ahead of me. Other than that, it's good. Upd: Stopped by again. The asian girl at the register is very nice, but this place still has the longest wait time due to lack of staff.

It’s a good boba shop because it’s not that expensive the drinks are amazing! The boba is ok kinda flavorless but good it takes a while when there is a line and by 5pm they are always out of boba they lady who works there is nice and it always comes faster and better when she makes it they drink is usually great but some times it can be eh sometimes the boba is hard and do not buy the food it’s always there and never gets changed but if you are looking for some cheap boba it’s good for the price and it’s clean!

Boba taste is great but the pearls are usually harder than most. I personally recommend Thai. Mango here has like a piña colada taste which is a rare thing but really good. I’ve tried honeydew and oolong. I recommend you try them at least once. The taste always compensated for the pearls.

Leo Cruz

Boba taste is great but the pearls are usually harder than most. I personally recommend Thai. Mango here has like a piña colada taste which is a rare thing but really good. I’ve tried honeydew and oolong. I recommend you try them at least once. The taste always compensated for the pearls.

A man with limited English took my order and made a completely different drink. When he called out the drink I did not take since it was not what I was expecting, a confused kid grab the drink and left. Then the man called out the second drink and told me that the first one he called out was mine although it was the wrong kind. I end up switching with the kid’s order as the guy was getting upset over something that for me was not a big deal.

Redeye coffee was good but the Italian Melt wasn't worth the $10ish. spent...just 2very thin slices of salami, tomato, a lil cheese...and looked like one super thin slice of prochuto...took about 20min. 2make....very disappointed😒...had 2take home and doctor it up. Coffee only next time.

I asked for the egg and avocado sandwich because it looked so good on the pictures but they gave me an avocado sandwich with a boiled egg on the side, so check your to-go orders before leaving the place. The coffee was very good tho.

M P

I asked for the egg and avocado sandwich because it looked so good on the pictures but they gave me an avocado sandwich with a boiled egg on the side, so check your to-go orders before leaving the place. The coffee was very good tho.

I came here yesterday, really excited to try my local boba spot. I asked for my regular, a brown sugar Thai Tea. The barista, a nice young woman mentioned that it would be really sweet. Most folks say this when I order, so I agreed and gave my card. She made my tea perfectly. So perfect, in fact, that I came back again today to get another. An older man was at the register this time. I asked for the exact same thing: a brown sugar Thai tea. This time, however, the barista immediately rejected my order, saying they do not serve that. He said I could get a Thai tea or a brown sugar milk tea. I told him I'd ordered and received the requested drink yesterday; he said no (as if to deny the fact it ever was provided). It's one thing to deny someone their requested drink, it's another to do so in such an abrasive way that even made other patrons look up. I left my loyalty card and walked out the door. I really wanted this to be my local spot too. EDIT: I see this is not the first time he has disrespected Black patrons specifically. I question whether Black lives and/or business matter to him.

Rude owner, very rude. A green tea with some buba , very little ice for $5. I left $1 tip. The atmosphere is morbid. Everything is dark, walls, floor, counter...etc. hakf if the place was closed with tables. I asked for the wifi code and the guy pulls a paper with the code and he shows it to me from distance. I thought I caught it, but it was a bit complicated. I came back to ask for it again, at that point you can see the guy getting irritated. He shows me.the code again and looks at me like I was a bother. I tried again and couldn't get it. I left his drink on the counter and left the place. If you are unable to provide a good customer service ice and treat people like this. You should probably close your shop.

Most inhumane owner I have ever encountered. The Chinese cashier/owner was super rude with his expression. This was my girlfriend’s one of the regular cafe she visits with her fiends. However, the service I got was extremely offensive. My girlfriend got her drink and sat dow first and and I sat down with her so I can decide what to order but as I was, trying to decide, he yelled at me saying I needed purchase something too, if both of us wanted to sit and stay in the cafe. Everybody in the cafe was shocked for a second. There was no sense professionalism. Instead of yelling at me across the cafe, he could’ve waited for me to order to could have said it more tactfully. It’s safe to say we are never coming back to this dehumanizing environment.

Every time I come here it makes me regret coming back, the guys attitude SUCKS so badly he definitely shouldn’t be taking orders and dealing with customers, he has the worst customer service ever ! He needs help he’s doing everything by himself and it shows

DO NOT EAT THE FOOD HERE! This was my second time going here, as it’s right next to my residence and as I was locking my bicycle up, I saw through the window, the employee dropped a few pastries on the floor and put them back in the display case!!! When I confronted him about what I saw he denied it! I told him I saw him through the window and then he proceeded to play it off. This makes me question their adherence to current health codes…NEVER COMING BACK!

Watermelon slushie was terrible, watered down and mostly ice. He asked me three times if I wanted extra sugar, probably to cover up the fact that he was putting in hardly any watermelon. Paid over $5 for a cup of ice, basically.

It was not a pleasant experience at all. Me & my wife go on our morning walk. We frequent the local businesses in the area. This particular morning we said let's go to this particular establishment. It's kind of nippy today, so I said let's get a couple of lattes. Mind you, I'm not a avid, daily coffee drinker. Only cold days, but anyways. My wife went in & I kept walking. She has a head injury, so she can wander sometimes which is a typical symptom of head trauma. She said she asked for water, the latte & then went outside because the place was abnormally warm inside. Upon going back inside, she said the lady at the counter overtly & quite loudly said she Had TO PAY NOW!! She wasn't handed anything except a cup of water & why would you act that way in a place of business? Do people usually try to not pay for a $5.00 coffee, either way she walked out, & refused to pay for the coffee solely on that premise of blatant disrespect. We will definitely not be spending any money there again. The servers were very disrespectful to say the least.

Don’t come here. Customer service is terrible, & the matcha isn’t real matcha

I came into the shop at 6 and had to wait 15 or 20 minutes for the person working there to get off the phone. Then had to wait another 10 mininutea for him to come from the back kitchen area to serve me. Just for him to refuse to make a white mocha because he said that he is closing at 7. However there were other peiple there doing there homewor or reading. So i asked him if he refusing to serve me he said yes because they close at 7 i told him it was only 6:30. Instead of argue with him. I just got the name of the owner and email because i dont argue with workers. I address other bosses about my grivences with their company.

Big waste of time. I waited by the cashier for 10 minutes and the guy didn’t even acknowledge me or even say to wait a few minutes. terrible.

Apparently didn't want to serve based on color of skin before I say this I've been in a few times an the same result then it hits me no wonder there no one sitting an enjoying this place there all nextdoor

No matter how much I ask for almond milk they somehow always mess up and give me cream I’m extremely lactose intolerant. So I end up really sick. I’m never coming here again!

Rey R

No matter how much I ask for almond milk they somehow always mess up and give me cream I’m extremely lactose intolerant. So I end up really sick. I’m never coming here again!

I am a lifelong fan of bubble tea, so I’ve had my fair share of experiences with these from various cities that I’ve lived in in my life. This place has hands-down by far the worst bubble tea I have had in my entire life. I went here with my niece yesterday- we both ordered Jasmine green tea with bubbles, and when we started drinking them in the car, we both agree that they were both extremely bland and unsweet. I got mine with 50% sweetness, and it tasted like there was no sugar at all in it, and my niece got 100% sweetness, and she said that it tasted like it had no sugar as well. There was absolutely no flavor either of the supposed tea that was in these drinks. All either of us could taste was the milk. Additionally, I got almond milk put in mine, which I should add is an extra dollar charge to switch from the default they add which is powder milk. That is just absurd.. May I add that these drinks were hefty as far as the cost. It was about $16 for two of these drinks, including tip, which I severely regretted giving later. These people do not deserve your money!!! They are a scam! I seriously hope that they go out of business and I don’t say that lightly. There are so many bubble tea places in the Bay Area to choose from, so there’s no need to go to one that is so bad and overpriced. I guess the icing on the cake is that the people that work there aren’t very friendly. AVOID at all costs!

Genuinely terrible experience and a scam. I placed an order online, I got multiple confirmation messages about the order, one even saying the “order was confirmed by the merchant.” Once I arrived I had to get the owners attention because he was on his phone in the back. When he finally got off his phone and came to the counter he started aggressively giving me directions on how to order. I said I had an online order, but he claimed otherwise. I kept trying to show him proof of my order but he continued aggressively saying that he didn’t get an order. He didn’t care that I had already paid for the order either. At a certain point I was just fed up with his rude behavior, so I just left. Waste of money and time, do not come here, terrible service.

I’ve taken my daughter here a few times for boba since it’s near where we live. I should’ve listen to her and gone to Ranch 99. The guy always look like he doesn’t want to be there. Today May 20, 2025 my daughter asked for a blended taro smoothie but he made a taro milk tea. We asked him if he could remake the drink and he gave a short answer “I can’t”the look of disappointment on my daughter’s face after he rejected hurt me. Let me tell you the drink tasted like perfume and not even close to taro. Last time we will ever go back to the shop. 1 star for poor customer service and 1 star for the disgusting drink.

THEY DELETED MY REVIEW ON YELP SO CROSSPOSTING HERE AND YELP AGAIN Witnessed a racist encounter committed by (what I assume) is the boss of Tala and I’m deeply disappointed in his conduct. I had already ordered my drink and was sitting and working in the corner. A young Black couple came in, trying to decide what to order. After deciding what they wanted, the woman said “oh maybe they only take cash, I’ll walk back to the apartment to grab some since I only have Apple Pay.” The man said okay, and decided to wait for her in the shop and started to charge his phone in the outlet. After she leaves, the boss comes through the front door asking the cashier aggresively “他定了嗎?” meaning “has he ordered yet?” Gestering to the man but he had only sat down for literally 30 seconds. I knew the boss’ intent and tone, and that he had racist bias that the man wasn’t a paying customer (for context, I am Taiwanese and a fluent Mandarin speaker). After the cashier responded no, the boss started yelling at the man, telling him if he doesn’t order he can’t stay here. The young man responded he was waiting for his girlfriend to come back with cash, and that they were just about to order. The boss doubled down and told him he had to leave if he wasn’t going to order immediately. The girlfriend came back with cash soon after and they *obviously* decided to take their business elsewhere. Absolutely unbelievable. This would have never happened if the patron was any other race. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I witnessed the whole thing and they were going to be paying customers and you assumed otherwise. If I could give 0 stars I would. It really sucks to see my own community react in such a manner and I will no longer support this business.

The man that works there is super rude and I feel every time I go in there he is rude and standoffish towards the black customers. I have witnessed how he treats white customers vs black and there's a distinct difference. I live in the neighborhood and I am completely saddened at how I was treated. I didn't like how the tea I received tasted and I communicated that to him in a calm manner. He went straight to raising his voice at me and refused to hear me out. I will never go back or recommend the place to anyone else. Go get boba where you are treated with respect.

Cloudy

I am a lifelong fan of bubble tea, so I’ve had my fair share of experiences with these from various cities that I’ve lived in in my life. This place has hands-down by far the worst bubble tea I have had in my entire life. I went here with my niece yesterday- we both ordered Jasmine green tea with bubbles, and when we started drinking them in the car, we both agree that they were both extremely bland and unsweet. I got mine with 50% sweetness, and it tasted like there was no sugar at all in it, and my niece got 100% sweetness, and she said that it tasted like it had no sugar as well. There was absolutely no flavor either of the supposed tea that was in these drinks. All either of us could taste was the milk. Additionally, I got almond milk put in mine, which I should add is an extra dollar charge to switch from the default they add which is powder milk. That is just absurd.. May I add that these drinks were hefty as far as the cost. It was about $16 for two of these drinks, including tip, which I severely regretted giving later. These people do not deserve your money!!! They are a scam! I seriously hope that they go out of business and I don’t say that lightly. There are so many bubble tea places in the Bay Area to choose from, so there’s no need to go to one that is so bad and overpriced. I guess the icing on the cake is that the people that work there aren’t very friendly. AVOID at all costs!

Anya Shcheglova

Genuinely terrible experience and a scam. I placed an order online, I got multiple confirmation messages about the order, one even saying the “order was confirmed by the merchant.” Once I arrived I had to get the owners attention because he was on his phone in the back. When he finally got off his phone and came to the counter he started aggressively giving me directions on how to order. I said I had an online order, but he claimed otherwise. I kept trying to show him proof of my order but he continued aggressively saying that he didn’t get an order. He didn’t care that I had already paid for the order either. At a certain point I was just fed up with his rude behavior, so I just left. Waste of money and time, do not come here, terrible service.

Papa K

I’ve taken my daughter here a few times for boba since it’s near where we live. I should’ve listen to her and gone to Ranch 99. The guy always look like he doesn’t want to be there. Today May 20, 2025 my daughter asked for a blended taro smoothie but he made a taro milk tea. We asked him if he could remake the drink and he gave a short answer “I can’t”the look of disappointment on my daughter’s face after he rejected hurt me. Let me tell you the drink tasted like perfume and not even close to taro. Last time we will ever go back to the shop. 1 star for poor customer service and 1 star for the disgusting drink.

Kiki Ong

THEY DELETED MY REVIEW ON YELP SO CROSSPOSTING HERE AND YELP AGAIN Witnessed a racist encounter committed by (what I assume) is the boss of Tala and I’m deeply disappointed in his conduct. I had already ordered my drink and was sitting and working in the corner. A young Black couple came in, trying to decide what to order. After deciding what they wanted, the woman said “oh maybe they only take cash, I’ll walk back to the apartment to grab some since I only have Apple Pay.” The man said okay, and decided to wait for her in the shop and started to charge his phone in the outlet. After she leaves, the boss comes through the front door asking the cashier aggresively “他定了嗎?” meaning “has he ordered yet?” Gestering to the man but he had only sat down for literally 30 seconds. I knew the boss’ intent and tone, and that he had racist bias that the man wasn’t a paying customer (for context, I am Taiwanese and a fluent Mandarin speaker). After the cashier responded no, the boss started yelling at the man, telling him if he doesn’t order he can’t stay here. The young man responded he was waiting for his girlfriend to come back with cash, and that they were just about to order. The boss doubled down and told him he had to leave if he wasn’t going to order immediately. The girlfriend came back with cash soon after and they *obviously* decided to take their business elsewhere. Absolutely unbelievable. This would have never happened if the patron was any other race. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I witnessed the whole thing and they were going to be paying customers and you assumed otherwise. If I could give 0 stars I would. It really sucks to see my own community react in such a manner and I will no longer support this business.

Cam Cam

I came here yesterday, really excited to try my local boba spot. I asked for my regular, a brown sugar Thai Tea. The barista, a nice young woman mentioned that it would be really sweet. Most folks say this when I order, so I agreed and gave my card. She made my tea perfectly. So perfect, in fact, that I came back again today to get another. An older man was at the register this time. I asked for the exact same thing: a brown sugar Thai tea. This time, however, the barista immediately rejected my order, saying they do not serve that. He said I could get a Thai tea or a brown sugar milk tea. I told him I'd ordered and received the requested drink yesterday; he said no (as if to deny the fact it ever was provided). It's one thing to deny someone their requested drink, it's another to do so in such an abrasive way that even made other patrons look up. I left my loyalty card and walked out the door. I really wanted this to be my local spot too. EDIT: I see this is not the first time he has disrespected Black patrons specifically. I question whether Black lives and/or business matter to him.

brianna robinson

The man that works there is super rude and I feel every time I go in there he is rude and standoffish towards the black customers. I have witnessed how he treats white customers vs black and there's a distinct difference. I live in the neighborhood and I am completely saddened at how I was treated. I didn't like how the tea I received tasted and I communicated that to him in a calm manner. He went straight to raising his voice at me and refused to hear me out. I will never go back or recommend the place to anyone else. Go get boba where you are treated with respect.