Half and Half Tea House (Express)

After a long day of shopping, our last stop is trader Joe's. Half and half is right there so that we can get a cool refreshing drink. The staff is very accommodating, friendly service is great price isn't bad either we love half and half if we're not shopping we go there anyway and this heat for that cool refreshing drink.

This Half and Half Tea Express is one of the original ones in the SGV. I've been coming here for years and the drinks are legit. It can get quite busy here, but make sure to follow the flow of where they want you to enter for the line to order and where to pick up. There are a few tables/seats to enjoy your drinks but seating is limited. I usually try to get something on their top 10 list. But you can't go wrong with the Iced Milk drinks if you're looking for something classic. Parking is a bit tough now that Trader Joe's has opened up.

Half and Half Tea Express is the best boba shop I have been to. The staff is helpful and friendly and the shop has what feels like limitless flavour combinations. Half and Happy also has a few snacks available, but the boba is really where it's at. The only real drawback in the way the traffic flow works around this afternoon intersection. It can be a pain to pull in and get out until you get used to it. tldr: This is the #1 boba spot in the area.

The drinks here are always good. The new coffee jelly topping has a lot of flavor. Tried the high mountain tea today, not plannung on ordering it again. If you enjoy oolong tea, you might want to give it a try. If you are indecisive, there are employee recommendations listed in the back.

There have been few times in my life... when I am not hosting a serious craving for Half and Half. Fresh milk green tea with boba is my favorite. When I go dairy-free, honey green tea with honey boba is equally wonderful. When the lines are long and it is sardine-packed in the narrow space, it's unbearable having to wait. When there is no line, one of those few occasions, I am giddy. There's nothing like these boba anywhere else. I kid you not. I never kid about boba.

This chain is my #1 boba shop visit. I continuously get the Hot Honey Boba and iced milk tea drinks here. They remind me of a bowl of shaved ice with warm boba all put in a large cup. The sweetness of the brown sugar mixed with the honey boba goes very well with the slight bitterness of the tea and the soothing that comes with the slushed milk.

My favorite place to buy boba. I enjoy the variety of tea options and toppings. Oolong fresh milk tea, sesame milk tea and almond milk tea are some of my favorite drinks. Recently have found that they improved the wait times.

Love the atmosphere and the Boba in Half and Half ❤️ Shopkeepers are friendly and they are willing to reconfirm unclear orders with customer during the process of making it. Love their super cup which is massive! Would always come back for a different cup of drink whenever I have the opportunity.

I’m vegan, don’t like a lot of sugar and don’t drink caffeine. I’ve mostly given up on boba in my life, and somehow this place had something for me! The three guys behind the counter all explained different ingredients to me and were super nice and patient. I ended up with a 1/4 sweet ginger boba tea with soy milk and it’s bomb. Happily surprised!!! Thanks guys!

I order a matcha smoothie which is so tasty. I believe you should ask for extra matcha and around 80% sugar drink. This will be the best recipe. Regular sugar will be abit sweet for me

One of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had and great boba? Feels like family every time I come :) Thanks Tommy :)

I want to give the biggest thank you 🙏 to both of the gentlemen that are at this boba 🧋 place not only did they re do my my drinks but fixed an order from the other half n half tea house 🏡 If there is a manager to this store they should be rewarded great customer service and where very patient with me when I was thinking it was there store and wasn’t ! God bless you both . The drinks are delicious 💜 🧋

This is where I got my introduction to boba and it remains one of my favorite spots! I ordered the Large #3 Lychee Green Tea with Aloe Vera and Lychee Jelly and it came out perfect! Service is fast and friendly with plenty of free parking in lot.

Super friendly service, awesome interior! They also sell things like pins, reusable straws, and snacks. Got the mango slush and it was amazing. Just beware that a large is REALLY large lol. Took a picture of the seating they have so I could do the same with cinderblocks I have at home. Chill vibes all around.

The drinks here are delicious and huge! I couldnt finish my own. I like that it follows the traditional Taiwanese recipes and vibe.

This is my second time coming here. They have great jasmine milk tea. For me, their tea is a bit stronger than other places but I like it. There are so many types of drinks on the menu. Would love to come back and try something else. Thank you for great milk tea!

No comparison with their drinks, they are second to none! Definitely the best place to get Boba and they occasionally offer free upgrades to their drinks!

Reasonable price, large portion and great flavor. I recommend the green bean milk green tea with honey boba and pudding.

Sheep in the city

Love the atmosphere and the Boba in Half and Half ❤️ Shopkeepers are friendly and they are willing to reconfirm unclear orders with customer during the process of making it. Love their super cup which is massive! Would always come back for a different cup of drink whenever I have the opportunity.

THIÊN BẢO HÂN NGUYỄN

I order a matcha smoothie which is so tasty. I believe you should ask for extra matcha and around 80% sugar drink. This will be the best recipe. Regular sugar will be abit sweet for me

Atma Khalsa

I’m vegan, don’t like a lot of sugar and don’t drink caffeine. I’ve mostly given up on boba in my life, and somehow this place had something for me! The three guys behind the counter all explained different ingredients to me and were super nice and patient. I ended up with a 1/4 sweet ginger boba tea with soy milk and it’s bomb. Happily surprised!!! Thanks guys!

erick brigham

One of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had and great boba? Feels like family every time I come :) Thanks Tommy :)

NiNi

I want to give the biggest thank you 🙏 to both of the gentlemen that are at this boba 🧋 place not only did they re do my my drinks but fixed an order from the other half n half tea house 🏡 If there is a manager to this store they should be rewarded great customer service and where very patient with me when I was thinking it was there store and wasn’t ! God bless you both . The drinks are delicious 💜 🧋

Poly Gone

This is where I got my introduction to boba and it remains one of my favorite spots! I ordered the Large #3 Lychee Green Tea with Aloe Vera and Lychee Jelly and it came out perfect! Service is fast and friendly with plenty of free parking in lot.

M M

Super friendly service, awesome interior! They also sell things like pins, reusable straws, and snacks. Got the mango slush and it was amazing. Just beware that a large is REALLY large lol. Took a picture of the seating they have so I could do the same with cinderblocks I have at home. Chill vibes all around.

Stephanie Ingmire

The drinks here are delicious and huge! I couldnt finish my own. I like that it follows the traditional Taiwanese recipes and vibe.

Kris huynh

This is my second time coming here. They have great jasmine milk tea. For me, their tea is a bit stronger than other places but I like it. There are so many types of drinks on the menu. Would love to come back and try something else. Thank you for great milk tea!

Reinz Kevin Luber

No comparison with their drinks, they are second to none! Definitely the best place to get Boba and they occasionally offer free upgrades to their drinks!

It is summer and they offer free upgrade! I like there drinks and specially the cups that they use (big!). It is my all time favorite boba tea place. Half and half has another branch close to my home however it is a little tight and small by Baldwin street in Arcadia.

What’s not to love about giant cups of boba? I love half&half, esp for toppings that aren’t as common elsewhere , like taro pudding. Their almond milk tea is my go-to.

Michelle P

What’s not to love about giant cups of boba? I love half&half, esp for toppings that aren’t as common elsewhere , like taro pudding. Their almond milk tea is my go-to.

Gisela Sydiongco-Baltazar

It is summer and they offer free upgrade! I like there drinks and specially the cups that they use (big!). It is my all time favorite boba tea place. Half and half has another branch close to my home however it is a little tight and small by Baldwin street in Arcadia.

The order :: Milk Tea w/ Boba, Egg Pudding, No Ice Milk Tea :: 5🧋 Boba :: 4🧋 Pudding :: 4🧋 Tea was not too sweet 👍 firm boba and textured pudding 👌 and had a good balance of flavors!

Their options are scrumptious, but it's a bit hard to choose from their extensive menu. There are so many different types of drinks that are all very similar. The staff is very nice but they aren't very helpful when explaining what is what on their menu.

The store that made other boba stores step up their tea/boba game. Your future boba drinks will always be compared to half and half. Be warned, prepare to wait in line.

This is in a side building of a shopping center largely devoted to a Trader Joe's. It's a big parking lot for a TJ's but it's still a TJ's parking lot so it can be crazy. The major distinguishing feature is that the Boba drinks are bigger than average. They also have snacks, I had some dumplings which were not great. The shop has a weird vibe, like maybe it was a teriyaki type place and then switched over to Boba.

I ordered a green tea honey milk boba beverage, but instead received black tea. It still tasted fine, however it would have been nice if they had served me what I ordered. I am not sure if this is a feature of all Half and Half Tea Expresses, or just this location, but they are cash only. Not the worst thing to be, but inconvenient nonetheless.

I think what distinguishes this boba place from others is the pudding you can get in your drink. The drink cups are quite wide which means you can't fit them in normal car cup holders. This location has lots of parking and which is good because it's on a busy intersection.

Drink tastes ok, but the size is huge! Service is good and place is clean. However, the store is quite small, so suitable for take-out.

May 2022 - Consistently yum, even without toppings and drinks are ready promptly! Food/Pricing - Total $14.58 for a large and regular size Rose Milk (black) Tea. One with lychee jelly and pudding, the second with just pudding. I recommend ordering them with less ice and normal sweetness. Service/Ambiance - Friendly and quick service as always. My fave half n half location!!!

Really good boba tea and a huge serving. Their snacks imported from Japan are slightly on the expensive side. The staff is nice and cute interior decorations.

Jose Baldonado

I think what distinguishes this boba place from others is the pudding you can get in your drink. The drink cups are quite wide which means you can't fit them in normal car cup holders. This location has lots of parking and which is good because it's on a busy intersection.

Nathan Nguyen

Drink tastes ok, but the size is huge! Service is good and place is clean. However, the store is quite small, so suitable for take-out.

Kim

May 2022 - Consistently yum, even without toppings and drinks are ready promptly! Food/Pricing - Total $14.58 for a large and regular size Rose Milk (black) Tea. One with lychee jelly and pudding, the second with just pudding. I recommend ordering them with less ice and normal sweetness. Service/Ambiance - Friendly and quick service as always. My fave half n half location!!!

Kathy Wan

Really good boba tea and a huge serving. Their snacks imported from Japan are slightly on the expensive side. The staff is nice and cute interior decorations.

Scott Pactor

This is in a side building of a shopping center largely devoted to a Trader Joe's. It's a big parking lot for a TJ's but it's still a TJ's parking lot so it can be crazy. The major distinguishing feature is that the Boba drinks are bigger than average. They also have snacks, I had some dumplings which were not great. The shop has a weird vibe, like maybe it was a teriyaki type place and then switched over to Boba.

The "fresh" Taro boba milk tea was interesting but good - I finished it. Pluses are a patio seating and its open late. Workers should be friendly to everyone not just certain people.

The large is HUGE but we are quality boba tea drinkers who like alternative milks and low sugar. We get that every place can't have Artisinal milks, but we don't get when we ask for less sugar that it tastes extra sweet. I went in twice and the staff just doesn't get it. It could be because when we went in on Sunday it was crazy busy, but then just take your time. And although the staff is friendly the overall feeling is they don't care if your drinks are ok like other boba shops in the area.

Bordering Cities: Pasadena (CA) & San Marino. Parking: Somewhat Difficult to find Parking.

It tasted just so so. I ordered the mango milk smoothie with the most less sugar. It tasted without real mango and too too sweet….

Half and Half does some tasty milk tea. Great selection, including fresh taro! Ample seating inside and out, the homey decor, and yes, a large but comically busy parking lot full of bad drivers. Also note that the street corner they’re on is impossible to access if you’re going south- please don’t make the illegal left turn into the lot, it’s not worth the risk!

Brian Won

Half and Half does some tasty milk tea. Great selection, including fresh taro! Ample seating inside and out, the homey decor, and yes, a large but comically busy parking lot full of bad drivers. Also note that the street corner they’re on is impossible to access if you’re going south- please don’t make the illegal left turn into the lot, it’s not worth the risk!

MATTHEW LOK

Bordering Cities: Pasadena (CA) & San Marino. Parking: Somewhat Difficult to find Parking.

This place has the same quality drinks as other Half & Half locations, but the air inside reminded me of being in a sauna or a room with a jacuzzi in it. It was entirely too stuffy - i have no idea how people were studying in there ... I couldn't stand it for more than a few minutes. I'm definitely not turned off by all Half & Half locations, but this one is a no go moving forward.

Pro: good drinks - ordered the Taro and Rose Black tea with Boba and Jelly Taro was fresh. They offer soy milk Drinks get a 5/5 - reason for 2 stars - see below: Cons: 0.58 cents extra for all drinks to be made Hot ????? Never ever heard of this and I have had boba tea in several places. This is a rip off and as customers we would prefer if this was not the case to return. 0.58 cents for soy milk and 0.58 cents for toppings. - these are fine still on the higher side. Not sure I can return or suggest this places due to the hot drink charge:)

Rebecca N

Pro: good drinks - ordered the Taro and Rose Black tea with Boba and Jelly Taro was fresh. They offer soy milk Drinks get a 5/5 - reason for 2 stars - see below: Cons: 0.58 cents extra for all drinks to be made Hot ????? Never ever heard of this and I have had boba tea in several places. This is a rip off and as customers we would prefer if this was not the case to return. 0.58 cents for soy milk and 0.58 cents for toppings. - these are fine still on the higher side. Not sure I can return or suggest this places due to the hot drink charge:)

I was very unhappy with their communication skills today. I called ahead of time before I went today to see if their credit card machine worked (it wasn't working previously). The girl couldn't answer my question so she passed it to some other lady & she told me they don't take credit cards. So I went to get cash. When I got there, i saw a sign that said that minimum card purchase was $10 & no American express was accepted. They didnt say this at all! Why couldn't they tell me this on the phone??? Oh! when I was about tour leave they usually give you a bag if you're carrying a bunch. They wanted to charge 5 cents for the bag even though the girl saw me struggling carrying the drinks! I'm sorry I was not happy with the customer service today.

Horrible odor in the shop. Boba is delicious, but it was so fresh it was hot, causing all the ice to melt leaving a watered down tasteless milktea. 🤔

Tasted like overpriced water down boba tea. I don’t know if it was due to us asking for “less ice.” Horrible service. A bunch of teenagers who did not treat first time customers well. We had asked for recommendations, to which they did not show great enthusiasm. Will not come back.

I don’t normally write reviews but I had to provide feedback on a most unpleasant experience with “Marcos”. My son attends the math class upstairs every Sunday so I would sometimes get boba from Half and Half. Last week, I ordered a drink and while waiting, thought I might share some with my son. I went back to the cashier to ask for a small cup. He wanted to charge me 50 cents. Wow, for real? When I expressed my shock, he said, “hey, I just work here so yeah 50 cents”. The attitude was unbelievable. When I picked up the drink from another employee (a girl) she gladly gave me a cup for free. If the owner reads this review, please make sure you train the employees properly. Because of this terrible experience, I will never buy a drink from here again.