Tapioca Express

151

2 years ago

Tapioca Express in UCSD is overrated and just for your convenience. If you want the same thing and cheaper, I highly recommended the other TapEx closeby at Regents Rd that offers a daily crispy chicken meal deal for 8.99 with a tea drink. Don't get fooled by the Manager's Special or any discount there because it is not. read more

Business owner information

Alan H.

Hi Daniel,…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Andrew C.

247

710

2 years ago

TapEx remains the centerpiece of Price Center, and for good reason! It's open late, the service is great, and the food comes out fast. The meals here are decent and it's hard to beat how much bang for your buck you get here from its low prices. read more

Tapioca Express - Manager's Special - Crispy Chicken Bowl with Rice and Veggies - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Business owner information

Heather H.

Thanks a ton for the shout-out! Super glad you're digging the vibes…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Eric C.

336

857

2 years ago

#1 combo is a steal in todays economy bruh. 12 bucks for a bev n a filling meal. it's also pretty good. chicken is crispy and rice is nice. also there's a big selection of sauces to choose from for the freeski. shi is just too gas for 12 bucks. can't beat the bargain man. read more

Business owner information

Heather H.

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! We're thrilled to…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jenny N.

266

508

1009

3 years ago

I may not recommend the boba too highly but I do love the popcorn chicken! I get the bag, not the combo and it's about $8 and makes me so full! It can be quick if you beat the lunch rush from the students. They have sauces on the side you can get on your own and there's plenty of seating inside and outside! It can be a long wait at times for the food but they get so many orders in and the food is warm when you get it! read more

Tapioca Express - Honey Green Tea with Boba - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Tapioca Express - Popcorn chicken - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Business owner information

Ally W.

Thank you for your honest feedback! We're glad to hear you love our…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Bellz S.

10 months ago

no one was at the register for a good 5 mins despite a group of like 4 workers standing in the corner in a group chatting. When cashier did come they were rude for no reason. Drinks are also inconsistent. Sometimes they really good sometimes ur snow bubble comes with large unblended chunks of ice read more

Business owner information

Alan H.

Hi Bellz. We're really sorry for your bad experience. We will contact…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

John H.

1 year ago

very ok option for ucsd students. i usually get pork ribs meal which is very underrated Summary: Taste = taste of food Value = price, expertise, other non-food logistics Novelty = memorability among competitors Taste 3/5, Value 3/5, Novelty 3/5. Final score 3/5 read more

Business owner information

Alan H.

Thank you for your review. Yes, the Combo #5 (Pork Ribs) are quite…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Wesley T.

1 year ago

I just want to shoutout the service. Great people, especially one worker named Ethan. Someone received their order wrong and he handled it very kindly even during rush hour read more

Business owner information

Alan H.

Thank you for your review Wesley. Yes, Ethan has great customer…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Emily V.

2 years ago

Great food to great that's on campus. I always use my triton cash! So I leave a very happy camper ‍. Service is fairly quick even when the are at their busiest. There is a place to sit at and it's great. Well there are plenty of places to sit at Price Center. read more

Business owner information

Alan H.

Thank you for your kind words Emily! It's very much appreciated!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Grace N.

Elite 25

165

133

424

4 years ago

A lot of people hate on TapEx. A lot. However, for me I believe that TapEx is severely underrated. $10 bucks for a meal I can eat for two days and it comes with boba? I honestly crave their crispy chicken sometimes and the free green tea goes so good with the combo meal. Been going here as a UCSD student and I still go sometimes for a quick meal! Good place for college students looking for a late night snack or quick meal :) Reccommend: Crispy Chicken Meal with Green Tea (add boba) Must eat the chicken with the sweet chili sauce that they offer on the side! The spice level is also not that bad so I usually get medium spicy. I would also recommend getting the #1 Crispy Chicken Rice over the Manager's Special Crispy Chicken Bowl because it comes with more food and includes a free tea drink. read more

Tapioca Express - #1 Crispy Chicken Rice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Tapioca Express - Front - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Syphu H.

1 year ago

Great service! I was served at the register by a worker named Tyler. He was very helpful with choosing what drink I should get. He was very approaching and kind. read more

Business owner information

Ally W.

We're so glad to hear that Tyler took great care of you and helped…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Leilani M.

104

257

4 years ago

Last time I came my avocado smoothie craving was far from satisfied. I was reluctant but decided to give TapEx one more try and there was some improvement. Luckily my smoothie was blended better. I felt the avocado flavor was still lacking; my smoothie mainly tasted like blended condensed milk; however, I appreciate that it was blended better. read more

Tapioca Express - Avocado smoothie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alice Y.

3 years ago

Updated review: the crispy pork was nicely fried, with a thin batter. The end pieces had fatty bits of the meat which made it tastier. I will say that the vegetables were mediocre and could use some more vinegar/ could have been fresher but overall it was a better experience. I will say that the lunch combo is a great way to get bang for your buck, they do not skimp on the protein portion and it comes with a drink(tea or soda). The staff is always polite and helpful and food is made to order, which is a plus in this food court. read more

Tapioca Express - Crispy pork rice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nancy H.

Elite 23

222

186

467

4 years ago

I've been to this location since 2010. Every time that I have gone my drinks have been good and the crispy chicken, delicious. I have only had the crispy chicken and either the mango, pineapple or taro boba. Every time I have gone so far, they weren't busy. When on UCSD campus, this is a good place to get a quick snack. read more

Business owner information

Ally W.

Thank you so much for being a loyal customer since 2010! We truly…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tiffany Y.

5 years ago

Kinda a bit of a hit or miss. The drinks are pretty safe since everytime I've gotten them they were great. The snacks are a bit more iffy depending on how busy the day is for them. Days near the beginning of the fall quarter and fundraising days are always a bit hectic. There will likely be a line and the quality of their stuff kinda slips through. Other than that they're a pretty solid go to place! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Qixuan X.

594

4 years ago

Chicken was good. Rice and the cabbage was terrible, Super raw and under flavor. Had only finished the crispy chicken and didn't touch the rice. read more

Tapioca Express - a plate of food on a table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Business owner information

Kyle L.

Hi Qixuan,…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Back

Page 2 of 8

9500 Gilman Dr
Price Center
La Jolla, CA 92093
Directions
(858) 678-8821
Call Now

Full menu

Hours

What time does Tapioca Express open?

Tapioca Express opens at 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Tapioca Express opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Tapioca Express close?

Tapioca Express closes at 11:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 11:00 PMSat-Sun 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Tapioca Express take Bitcoin?

No, Tapioca Express does not take Bitcoin.

Does Tapioca Express take credit cards?

Yes, Tapioca Express takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Tapioca Express have catering options?

Yes, Tapioca Express does have catering options.

Does Tapioca Express have a drive thru?

No, Tapioca Express does not have a drive thru.

Indoor Amenities

Does Tapioca Express allow dogs?

No, Tapioca Express does not allow dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Tapioca Express have bike parking?

Yes, Tapioca Express has bike parking.

Does Tapioca Express have outdoor seating?

No, Tapioca Express does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Tapioca Express have parking?

Yes, Tapioca Express has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is Tapioca Express wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Tapioca Express is wheelchair accessible.

Does Tapioca Express have free WiFi?

No, Tapioca Express does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

History

Beat the heat with our refreshing summer drinks! Choose energizing Yogurt Frosts (caffeine-free) made with real yogurt & fruit (Strawberry, Mango, Kiwi, Combo). Craving something vibrant? Try our Summer Lemonades (Strawberry, Watermelon, Honey Green Tea - contains caffeine) bursting with real fruit flavors. Feeling adventurous? Explore Snow Bubble delights, a delicious blend of milk, ice & classic/real fruit flavors (like avocado!). For ultimate indulgence, sip our Frosti Milk (caffeine-free except Honey Green Tea) - creamy milk, ice & toppings (Mango Nada, Strawberry, Mango, Brown Sugar). We have something to quench every thirst!

Ask the Community - Tapioca Express

Are there non dairy options like almond milk?

Most of our Milk Teas are actually made with a non-dairy creamer. For the drinks that do contain…

Do you accept apple pay?

They do! They take Samsung Pay as well.

Do they accept gift cards or gift certificates?

Yes, we accept Tapioca Express gift certificates. They're in $5 denominations.

Do they allow you to bring your reusable cups for boba tea?

Hi Grace, Yes, you are welcomed to bring your own reusable cup.…

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Juice Wave

The açaí bowls are next level. I've been to tons of places and the toppings win here every time…read more Fresh fruit, almond butter, granola & honey on top of some really good frozen acai. So good! Also service is super friendly considering how busy they always are. They always make sure to spread the good vibes. It's a walk up counter so don't expect a place to hang out but they do have a few seats under a tree for some shade. A perfect place to stop on your beach days.

I loveeee their acai bowl. At first, I was skeptical because one bowl is almost $15. But these…read morebowls are BIG and really loaded with fruit. Their granola is also one of the best granolas I've had at an acai place. They can get pretty busy though, expect up to a 30 minute wait on a busy day. But I would definitely come back if in the area.

Good vibes and delicious bowl

See all

SunLife Organics - Del Mar

(74 reviews)

4.9 mi

Delicious acai bowl and friendly staff! I was craving acai bowl and was so happy to find that they…read morewere open even though it was fourth of July. I love that their acai wasn't too sweet. Only thing I wished was for them to have some tea. (They do have matcha)

Been a couple times, and individual menu items are somewhat hit or miss given that the high price…read morepoints naturally engender high expectations across the board... The space is airy and bright, and the service is consistently friendly, so I'll give them that! Loved the Buddha Bowl (Açaí topped with paleo granola, peanut butter, cacao nibs, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, chocolate spread, coconut chips and raw local honey) - take my money, you bad boy - but can't see myself ordering the Dragon Bowl again (Blended dragon fruit, raspberry, mango and almond milk. Topped with granola, strawberry, blueberry, lotus pollen and coconut shreds) which didn't taste as distinctive as its description. Similarly, I found the Garden Matcha Latte (Ceremonial grade matcha, coconut whip, maple syrup, coconut cloud cold foam, choice of milk) a worthy choice but the Peanut Butter Chocolate (Banana, peanut butter, raw chocolate plant protein, raw cacao, almond milk) rather pedestrian. Your taste buds may vary!

Buddha Bowl (Front) & Bliss Bowl (Back)

Inside

See all

Nekter Juice Bar

Always my favorite place. Quality ingredients and great Customer Service. Delicious smoothies that…read moremake you feel great. I highly reccomend this location. Enjoy.

Love their juices --so consistently fresh and delicious love the green juices and acairead more

See all

everbowl

(56 reviews)

1.2 mi

Love how customizable everything is, ingredients are fresh, service is smooth, great experience!read more

This could never compare to blue bowl, but it was still solid. It hit post run :) The best part…read moreabout it was the mango base, it was SOO YUMMY. The chia pudding was pretty bland though, and you only get a limited number of toppings from each category. I liked the fruit!

See all

Shake Smart

3.7

(12 reviews)

0.5 mi

So grateful this was open on July 3! Literally everything was closed. I was also pleased at how…read moretasty the smoothies were. I would pass on the toasts which felt like they came out of the can. The student running the counter was friendly and happy to strike up conversation. I can imagine this being pricey for college students. I found it refreshing given how expensive things are getting. I would come back again especially to enjoy the sea breeze on the rocking chairs!

I've tried this Shake Smart twice. Once because of an event and another time because I received a…read moregift card. I had the greens to go smoothie which I found a little chalky and you could still taste the protein powder a bit too much for my taste. I had the almond butter toast to use up a gift card, which was fine but I'm not sure I would personally pay $5.87 for it. I found this place a little bit inconvenient to go to since the hours on Google and Yelp are incorrect and they didn't have any hours posted on their door, but they open at 10am on Tuesdays and not 7am. I also found it odd that they bill themselves as "on the go" food, but you cannot order ahead for pick up. If you order ahead you still have to go to the register to pay, which makes it a less convenient option than other campus options that do allow pick-up. There is no seating inside, but there are close tables and chairs that are outside. Note: This is on the UCSD campus, so it's not very convenient to go to unless you are already on the campus as you have to pay for parking.

Build your own bowl with blueberries, strawberries, bananas, granola, sliced almonds, bee pollen, and honey

See all

Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies

Robeks is great, I usually get their P-Nut power smoothies and it is always so filling and…read morerefreshing. All of their smoothie options look so good. There is no seating inside this location. There is a table or two in front of the store if you wanted to sit down. They also offer a kiosk to order from, but you can also order with a staff member. There is plenty of parking available.

ROBEKS @ MIRA MESA…read more Parking is available out front. It is also located in a plaza so there is also other businesses and stores around. I usually always order online on through their app, which I definitely recommend. I decided to get their raspberry romance, which is my favourite smoothie from any Robeks location as well as the green smoothie. The prices are pretty expensive. It can get up to $10 for a smoothie so I would definitely just recommend choosing a smoothie that you like and also reading the ingredients before. The service itself was really great we were acknowledged and the place itself was clean. It's more of like coming and grabbing a smoothie and leaving. There is a couple of chairs and tables, but it isn't really a place to stay for super long because it's more like an In and out system. Overall, I really enjoyed the smoothies here and the location itself. It was quick easy and I loved how accessible the parking was. I would definitely recommend stopping by and I really enjoyed all their smoothies that they have.

See all

Superberry Acai

(18 reviews)

1.6 mi

Easily the best açaí in San Diego. Super fresh ingredients, generous portions, and it always hits…read more The staff is awesome, the place is clean, and the service is consistently great. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.

After a workout at the UTC, I searched for a spot where I could get a good protein smoothie or…read moreshake. Superberry Açái caught my eye as it was one of the vendor stands in the middle of the courtyards. This spot didn't look like it was getting much business since the lady inside was just on her phone. I felt bad so I decided to ask her for a protein smoothie that they offer. It was pretty pricey.. at about $15 total for the drink I got. However, it contained 28g of protein and was full of delicious and fresh ingredients. She made my drink to my customized liking and it tasted super good. The acai bowls here look tasty as well and are customizable with any toppings such as fresh fruits, nuts, butter seeds, cacao nibs, granola and coconut. Maybe next time as I was pretty satisfied with the smoothie I got!!! Perfect and convenient if you're at the mall already. They have outdoor dining tables and chairs you can sit at.

Banana + granola + PB Bowl

Our most traditional bowl with granola, peanut butter and bananas.

See all

Superberry Signature Smoothie with a blend of antioxidant-rich acai, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

Fruittitude

acai bowls are delicious. vibes inside are cool but a little pricey-- still people are niceread more

Cute stop in La Jolla to get juice, coffee, or healthy breakfast/lunch items. For my first round, I…read moreordered beet juice and a medium hot Mexican decaf coffee. It was a nice ambiance to sit and enjoy your juice and coffee. We ordered quite a bit of items as we were waiting for another member of our party to meet us here. The bathroom is beautifully and nicely decorated but they are super strict about using the bathroom even if you are a customer as they had a bathroom (there is a key you have to ask for) "wanted bandit sign"apparently for vandalizing it....which I understand however When another member of our party came, we went inside and the line was so long we decided to use the bathroom before ordering more, we were in there less than 5 minutes and the owner/manager knocked and knocked, I came out and apologized and asked if she knocked. She did apologize but said other people are waiting. I ordered another juice and was going to order sandwiches and acai bowls but felt like we probably were at cafe more than an hour and out stayed our stay. I understand as a business you have to be strict about the bathroom and that is their policy however if it is a juice/coffee place your customers are bound to use the restroom several times especially if they are continuing to order. Unfortunately, It did turn me away to try the food which I actually was looking forward to as they did offer organic croissant sandwiches. We decided to just choose another place to order food. I'll have to think about returning as we are always in La Jolla for yoga.

Bathroom

See all

Greenspiration

Banzai Bowls

4.0

(27 reviews)

5.9 mi

Make açaí popular again! Açaí reminds me of 2016 for whatever reason!…read more I've heard of the place as I grew up in OC and decided to stop by on a warm day. So yummy I went again! The bowls are gigantic (even the small is generous in my opinion). I had the banzai bowl with guava juice instead of what it typically comes with, it's delicious. I also love how they put some toppings at the bottom of the cup to keep it interesting. It's tasty and the service is quick. Staff have always been nice and chill. There is a small parking lot.

The quantity was really good for $14 small. But I feel like it was kind of basic. Just like meh to…read moreme.

Small Makaha Bowl with guava juice

Pupukea

El Capitan Smoothie

See all

Sip Fresh

A bit pricey but is as expected from this mall and part of town…read more My kids enjoy their juice since there isn't a Jamba within the mall. Sweet and refreshing. Great service and a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the fresh air.

I start my daily routine with some fresh watermelon juice. This would not be possible without Sip…read moreFresh! The other juices are also great.

Very Berrylicious Smoothie

Mango Tango

See all

Guava Strawberry Sip

Shore Rider

Top notch services - super friendly and helpful... Food was…read moregood, especially the tuna poke nacho Ambiance was great - we watches a few World Cup games there...like the breezy indoor outdoor setting

Second time here. The first time I really loved it. This time not so much. Maybe because I ordered…read moredifferent things. Love that they have outdoor seating so you can feel the breeze from the ocean. Indoors is also great as they have TVs for watching or you can sit at the bar. Service was great! We ordered: Longboard (cocktail) Guava Jellyfish Both were delicious but not a lot of alcohol. Too sweet for my taste. It's good though. Fish and Chips - very thick batter. They fish looked like eggrolls. The fries are weird. Like they're not real potatoes or something. Shrimp Rolls - decent Calamari - pretty good. Liked the pinkish sauce over the white sauce which I think might be ranch. I preferred pouring malt vinegar all over it! Kale Caesar - lots of tomatoes which I like. Maybe that it's kale instead of romaine missed the mark for me. I like a crisp to my salad. Burger - can't go wrong with a burger.

Shore Rider Interior from West Wing, featuring wrap around bar seating.

Salmon Tacos. Seasonal.

See all

Shore Rider Burger with Tots.

Cheese Shop

Family owned since the 1970s. I met Dave the owner today and got to chatting with him. :) Learned…read morealot! The food is delicious... known for their sandwiches! They also have smoothies, their "world famous cookies", candies, chips, etc. It's one of the oldest sandwich shops around. Quality ingredients with friendly staff. I used to come here a lot more in my 20s... I'm 35 now. It's always been consistent. I've never had a bad experience. There is seating outside you can eat your food at. Inside the shop, it has an old beachy sandwich shop vibe which I hope never changes. Great memories coming here. Will continue to come. Expect to spend around an average of $20 here.

Cheese Shop and Sandwiches in La Jolla Shores is super popular with locals and tourists mainly for…read moretheir sandwiches and oatmeal cookies. This shop on Avenida De La Playa, which is the Main Street closed off from cars, so people can walk freely, but parking is a challenge. The cheese shop can't be missed, with the green ivy covered store front. It's standing round only, no seating inside but limited outside seating. You order from the counter and they bring your order to you if you decide to sit outside. I selected the popular sandwich: Turkey, Jack Cheese and Avocado on sourdough bread with every veggie: lettuce, tomato, red onion was all it had. Just baked from the oven were the famous oatmeal cookies in caramel and chocolate, looked so yummy I didn't order any but the guy behind the counter complementary gifted a pair to me, so nice, friendly and cool!! Inside the shop didn't appear clean, I would describe the ambiance as divey. Sat outside and shortly my order was presented nicely wrapped sandwich and warm cookies. Took pics and took a bite and my consensus is that I was not a fan of this sandwich because I really prefer smoked turkey and not plain turkey. The sandwich looked subpar, the layering of ingredients weren't assembled as aesthetically layered as it can be and tasted just ok. My pup usually doesn't like smoked turkey or unfresh meats but she liked this plain roast turkey, which means it's more likely fresh and pass her approval. She also ate the contents of the sandwich sans the bread and onions of course. The oatmeal cookies were a real treat and lived up to the hype, kind of gooey, yummy and good for you...hence oats is fiber! As a cheese aficionado, this shop is not really a cheese shop with no abundant cheese selections. The shop should just be named sandwich shop, since sandwiches and candies seem to be their cash cows. If you're looking for a cheese shop, this isn't the place, but it might the place for a sandwich. Recommend

The signature and most popular ordered sandwich Turkey, Jack Cheese and Avocado on sourdough topped with a pickle spear

Deli

See all

Entrance

Bacio Di Latte

4.8

(73 reviews)

0.8 mi

Service 5 Gelato 5…read moreStore 5 10 out 10 best gelato in San Diego Glad I have this amazing gelato in los angeles

I was really excited to see a new gelato shop open in this plaza and the store is really aesthetic,…read morebut unfortunately the gelato was just alright imo. I really like hazelnut, and I got 2 hazelnut flavors so the taste itself was pretty yummy, but the issue was that the gelato was wayyyy too melted even right when it was served. I wish it was a lot more frozen. Also it is really pricey for the small portion size. The small was almost $10 :/ Also, if you get a waffle cone, you can only get 1 flavor in the small versus 2 in a cup. Nice to try for the first time tho, and they let you sample the flavors!

Entrance to Gelato Heaven

Comfy. chair

See all

Bar area

PopUp Bagels

Update: A few…read morepeople have asked me if I thought these were similar to New York bagels. Honestly? I don't know because the last time I had a New York bagel, I was just a little girl. I just know I really enjoyed the flavor and texture here, which, in MY opinion, are the best I've had in San Diego so far. I loved the flavor and the soft, crispy, chewy texture. The salted bagel was so good with their chive cream cheese. I didn't realize they also had truffle butter, so I can't wait to try that next time!

Fresh, "hot bagels!" you will have, the iconic "pop" of the fresh bagels getting dumped quite…read moreceremoniously into baskets with wax paper creating the sound effect. It's pretty much straight up bagels and schmear here; no sandwiches with the exception of adding smoked salmon to a bagel. Your main options are a 3- ($15), 6- ($24), or 12-pack ($48) of bagels, the 2 aforementioned coming with 1 tub of schmear, the 12-pack with 2. There are plain, everything, poppy, salt, and sesame bagels with a number of schmears, some flavors which appear to rotate. I chose the 3 bagel pack though there was a wait for the poppy so they gifted me with a 4th bagel which was nice. The poppy bagel, while incredibly messy, was uh-mazing with the scallion cream cheese. Definitely save said tub of cream cheese for later. I ate it outside at the tables, grabbing a paper plate and utensils from the front counter. The bagels were quite dense and chewy though the outer layer not as crusty until it cooled. This did make it a little annoying to cut the bagel in half to schmear the inside. My strategy to eat another bagel the next day and freeze the others after they cooled proved to be the best. I just defrosted the next bagel in the fridge the night before. This prevented them from getting rock hard, a constant complaint, as I've been told. While the amount of carbs every day would cause many to pause in this toxic carb-fearing world, to me carbs are fuel. Never ever fear the carbs and eat your bagel enamored heart out!

Assortment of pure deliciousness!

Jalapeño cream cheese

See all

Everything bagel made into a breakfast sandwich.

Shorehouse Kitchen

This is a great brunch / lunch spot w great food and drink options. Been a few times never…read moredisappointed

What an amazing place for good food and great vibes in La Jolla Shore. Although parking can be…read moretricky, it's well worth the effort for a great spot for fresh quality food. And it's delicious!!! Allie was our host and was able to find a great place to eat. All the tables are great with even an outside covered patio available. Jade our waitress was very friendly and nice. She was very patient and professional and listened to us in a kind way. With young ones with us, it is challenging. However, Jade ensured that we enjoyed our meal at the Shorehouse Kitchen. At brunch, my go to dish is the French toast that will tell me the quality and care from the kitchen. I was blown away at how delicious the French Toast was. The name is the "CARAMELIZED TAHITIAN VANILLA BEAN FRENCH TOAST with Fresh Blueberries or Bananas and Chantilly Cream, or a Grilled Pineapple". Jade gave away the secret ingredient to me and I was impressed. An applied Maillard reaction with brown sugar brought the French Toast a new level of yumminess. The Chantilly Cream took it over the top, not to sweet and very creamy. Yum!!! Also tried the "RASPBERRY TRUFFLE MOCHA St. George Vanilla Bean Vodka. Raspberry Liqueur, Callebaut Belgian Chocolate, Espresso, Steamed Milk, Chantilly Cream" . AMAZING!!! The Shorehouse Kitchen is a gem with fantastic food and service. Definitely a return visit call for the family!!!

Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny

See all

Banana walnut bread Mocha with oat milk

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

This is a Happy Hour review for BJ's. Recommendation: YES !…read more I was seeking a margarita and some HH food, and BJ's did it for me. My order of a Happy Hour Brewhouse Margarita ($6) arrived in a large simple glass, salted rim, too much ice, a slice of lime and orange, and some margarita mix, which was a bit light on alcoholic content. I found to be just right, all things considered. My solid food order was Happy Hour Chips & Dips ($4) which was a large tray supporting containers of good guacamole and tasty salsa, accompanied by a generous amount of fresh, warm corn chips. Perfect food for Happy Hour ! The server was Taylar D, soft-spoken, and very efficient. Good job !

Just not worth it. The pizza was like Pizza Hut but drier…read moreyet saucy as well. The dessert cookie was like pillsbury premade that'sbeen refroze then thawed and cooked. No good. Ice cream was good. Looooong wait for the food even though we preordered to go.

Hot Fudge Brownie Pizookie

The bar area!

See all

Prime Rib

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

41 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Lana S.

101

2 years ago

I had both the Taro Tea Snow Bubble and the Thai Tea Snow Bubble, and they were each unique in their own way. The Taro Tea Snow Bubble was slightly sweet but had a pleasant flavor that's hard to describe--smooth and creamy with a hint of something special. On the other hand, the Thai Tea Snow Bubble had a wonderfully rich aroma, reminiscent of well-brewed black tea or perhaps Pu-erh tea, with a touch of warm spices. It wasn't too sweet, which I really appreciated, and the flavors felt balanced and distinct. If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go with the Thai Tea Snow Bubble next time--it just had a more intriguing and memorable taste. Both are worth trying, though! read more

Tiffany K.

14 years ago

I guess its really more around a 3.5 BUT the location on campus is awesome. There are tons of tables and chairs around the place so you can get your studying done while getting your boba fix in. They also sell spring rolls! Which is amazing because boba and fresh spring rolls are two of my favorite things. I agree with people who say that the drinks are inconsistent though, but they're never THAT bad. They are just mixes after all. If you're willing to make the drive out to Tea station then yes the milk tea is better, but if you're in the area and trying to stay on campus this is the place to go. read more

Stephanie L.

16 years ago

I'm a big fan of their boba-it's always nice and Q! I usually stick with milk teas such as almond milk tea or hong kong milk tea, but when it comes to snow bubbles, I like the orange dream and cappucino snow bubble. They also have this new tea, the hibiscus tea, which I find very refreshing (it comes in a cool dark red color too!) As for the food, the combos are reasonably priced for being on campus, and the crispy chicken is yummy! read more

Sunny A.

13 years ago

The drinks are a bit sweeter than I like (compared to other boba places I've been to), but that can usually by mitigated by telling them to put less sweetener (for the not-fruity flavors). The food is okay, but like some earlier reviews state the quality is not consistent. Especially with the crispy chicken (get it spicy... it's good). You do get a decent amount of food for the combo plates though so hey. read more

Beau L.

2 months ago

A great spot on campus for affordable full meals that is consistent in its quality. I tried most combos and I usually enjoy their chicken steak or crispy chicken steak combos meal. The manager special also good for a cheaper option for those craving popcorn chicken! Usually when I go there is some line but never an obscene amount of waiting to go through. read more

Powerful Physiques S.

4 years ago

It's a very great and easily accessible boba place. Since moving to SD area from Orange it's been difficult finding them. I must say though I've found some small Thai and Chinese food places that serve better boba, mainly because it's bought or made daily and never frozen. Still 5 stars because of exceptional service, great flavors, never too busy ! read more

James N.

4 years ago

my second time being here. first time was with my roommate and friends from college. this time i brought my aunt. she has never tried boba before and she absolutely LOVES it. the employees were super sweet explaining what was inside certain drinks and much more to meet her dietary accommodations. looking forward to next time! read more

Ken P.

4 years ago

Omg the crispy chicken was mad dry and I couldn't even chew through it, it was absolutely disgusting , paid a whole eight dollars for this bs, the bag was also not filled full, and they didn't put the fried basil leaf the other locations usually do read more

Sim S.

2 months ago

Tapex is my go to spot when I am studying late into the night. I don't always crave fast food and this place has the best food. I recommend the popcorn chicken and their Thai tea with boba. The workers there are really sweet as well! read more

Cody F.

2 months ago

This is my FAVORITE place to eat on campus. I love the workers and the food and drinks are always out fast, hot and yummy. Also, the best combo is the grilled chicken steak rice with no vegetables and extra rice + a Jasmine milk tea. read more

Crystal S.

2 months ago

I love tapex! They have such a wide variety of drinks and their food is always fresh and out fast. My favorites are the thai tea snowbubble and a classic passion fruit green tea. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Christopher C.

4 years ago

It was really good! The tea I got was very fruity and the Boba was pretty well done. I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy fruity teas and slushies. Will definitely come back! read more

Shunyu L.

4 years ago

The drinks are yummy! My favorite is the honey milk tea. The food is tasty, I love the crispy chicken snack, friend pot stickers, and cream cheese dumplings! It is a bit loud though. read more

Stefanie H.

11 years ago

They are very efficient for the amount of customers they get. There is almost always a really long line but it goes by really fast. The drinks are inexpensive and food is good. read more

Khang T.

2 months ago

Amazing service and great tasting boba. I really enjoy all the milk teas here, they all taste pretty well and are made really fast. Britney was an amazing helper with my drink! read more

Michael M.

13 years ago

I like this place. It is in the campus so I can eat when I think i am studying. Also food and drinks are cheap and I am a student. Whenever I am in ucsd I eat here. Thank you. read more

Tyler H.

2 months ago

The service is great and the food is amazing! I loved the popcorn chicken and fries especially and the portion sizes are pretty big. Definitely coming back! read more

Sophia J.

12 years ago

Just your ordinary Tapioca Ex branch. Pricey milk tea but the taste is just similar to other milk tea places. Better get your bubble tea on a cheaper shop. read more

Brian C.

2 months ago

I love tapioca express mmmmmm and ethan is so cool and awesome. The fried chicken is also fire and dont forget to put your seasonings sweeeeeeeet read more

Luiza G.

2 months ago

I love any Jasmine tea they have here, I could genuinely get it for the rest of my life. It's also very quick service, so that is a giant pro. read more

See more unrecommended reviews

Tapioca Express - coffee - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Tapioca Express also viewed

Arteazen Handcrafted Tea

3.9

(237 reviews)

•$$

We stopped in one evening for some after dinner drinks. Liquid dessert so to speak. Have to be…read moretruthful - wasn't a good experience. Started off good though. Lots of parking. In a plaza that appeared to be slow or dead leaving lots of space. I parked almost in front - just off to the side. Walk in and it's order at a kiosk. I get automation as it's something I do, I've done and will do as times change. However, I had questions and ended up just ordering something else as there was no human interaction to answer me. Place is deceivingly small - there are a bunch of seating - I wouldn't go in with a large group but definitely places to sit, chat or work on your laptop (saw several students? hammering away on their laptop keyboard). Not sure, but maybe they also offer WIFI.? Drinks seems watered down in my opinion. And I've ordered the same drinks at other locations and either the ingredients were off or it was prepared differently that didn't quite align to my expectations and taste. However, place was busy so maybe it's just how it's served as business was steady and I saw a few order the same as what I got. Don't live in the area so highly unlikely that there will be a return visit.

Happy Lemon

3.8

(140 reviews)

•$

Wonderful service as always! During my most recent visit, we ordered our drinks and honestly I…read morethink they were done within 2 minutes, it was so fast. They have always been fast here, at least what I have experienced, but this was definitely the record. Our drinks tasted amazing too! I had the strawberry matcha latte with soy milk and my friend had the strawberry lemonade. I loved both but the strawberry matcha was perfect. I did get it at 50% sugar, and it was still very sweet. I would go as low as 25% next time because the sugar with the strawberries did overpower the matcha, but again still delicious. I don't think you could go wrong with ordering anything off their menu as it's always delicious.

We were definitely happier after trying Happy Lemon. The line was pretty long on a Sunday afternoon…read morebut glad we waited. We tried the lemon yokult green tea and the Mango green tea. We reduced the sweetness to 75% and glad that we did. It was perfect with less sweetness. The drinks did take a few minutes. There are small tables and areas where you can seat while you wait or seat after you get your drinks. We would definitely go back and try some of their other drinks.

Feng Cha Teahouse - San Diego

(371 reviews)

•$$

Best boba & milk tea. Unusually get the crème brûlée brown sugar boba. Got the summer fantasy…read moretoday. Very fresh. Nom nom... Good!

Great spot to grab boba and some snacks like popcorn chicken!…read more My favorites are the strawberry freeze, mango freeze, and taro freeze. They're really fun and refreshing, although I do sometimes wonder if they use real fruit because the flavors can taste a bit artificial at times. Still a solid go-to when I'm craving something sweet and quick.

Ding Tea

3.7

(787 reviews)

•$

I've always like getting bubble tea from here. Their boba is one of the most tender and just…read moreperfect ones out there. This particular visit, we got three drinks: Roasted Oolong Tea (one of my go-to's; so refreshing and always a hit for me) - 5/5 Hokkaido Black Milk Tea with Boba (just the right amount of sweetness with a bold black tea flavor; boba cooked to perfection) - 5/5 Orange Green Tea with Rainbow Jelly (not my favorite combination; the OJ had a slight bitterness that didn't sit well with me) -3/5 The place was bright and clean when we stopped by. They have some tables and chairs if you wanted to enjoy your goodies there. Service was okay--we got our drinks pretty quickly, but the lady at the counter was a little meh. Maybe because it was later in the day and she was tired.

BOBA AND SNACKS (3.4 stars)…read more Ding Tea Mira Mesa is in a plaza and directly behind/adjacent from Little Sakana. You cannot see it from the parking lot. POPCORN CHICKEN ($9.25) - this was tasty, after working all day and thus being "dinner". HONEYDEW BOBA (~$6.50) - I asked for very little boba. The drink itself was average kind of on the sugary sweet side. But the boba pearls were hard. Next time I'll order this without boba! Until the next review...

Cafe 86

(336 reviews)

•$

This place is complete and utterly UBE HEAVEN!! The place was small, but charming; the feel and…read moreaesthetic was welcoming. The staff also greeted us once we stepped inside. They don't have a lot of seating inside the cafe, but there are lots of tables and chairs outside at the plaza area. We were incredibly happy and super impressed with every single thing we got--from the drinks, to the desserts, to the famous halo-halo. Everything was delicious and perfectly balanced in flavor; none of them were overly sweet or bland. Here's everything we tried: ORIGINAL HALO-HALO: 9/10 This one was the more traditional version, having the brown sugar milk base with ube ice cream on top. It was really good, a little more on the sweet side. But I just loved and preferred the upside down version more. UPSIDE DOWN HALO-HALO: 10/10 This one had the ube base with vanilla ice cream on top. I loved this one so much more than the original. I really liked how the ube flavor stood out. I just think this one was more balanced compared to the original. UBE MATCH LATTE: 9.5/10 I love that the ube flavor was prominent enough here that you can really taste it with the matcha. None of the two overpowered the other--it was the perfect balance. It wasn't too sweet either. I also appreciate that they did not charge an additional fee for any of their milk substitutes. UBE BUTTER BAR: 9/10 This dessert tastes *so much* like the ube halaya we have and LOVE in the Philippines. Ultimate *chef's kiss*! UBE CRACK CHEESECAKE: 9.5/10 Creamy and luscious with a really good amount of ube flavor! Would gladly have another piece of this dessert, or five. UBE LECHE FLAN CUPCAKE: 7/10 I had high hopes for this one, but the leche flan on top was not as soft and bouncy as a leche flan should be. I found it a bit dry, like it was sitting out for way too long. The cupcake was okay--good ube flavor, but a bit dense and dry too. MILO CUPCAKE: 9.5/10 This one was really good--the cupcake was moist and fluffy with a great amount of chocolate flavor. I think the Milo was only in the icing, but I only got a slight hint of it there. Still very very tasty though! Overall, this was by far the best and most Filipino-tasting ube I've ever had here in the US--and we've had a lot of ube here. Will definitely be back!

I visited Cafe 86 again after many years. I had previously been to their Irvine location, so I was…read morea little surprised by how much things have changed. I ordered the Halo-Halo, but personally, I don't think it's very close to the traditional version. For me, Halo-Halo should include beans and a variety of classic Filipino ingredients, not be blended like a smoothie. There's another place in Mira Mesa that serves a Halo-Halo I enjoy much more (although they're closed every Monday). The menu mentioned jackfruit, but I couldn't really find any in my dessert. To me, this tasted more like a brown sugar smoothie than an authentic Halo-Halo. That said, the staff were very friendly and welcoming, which made the visit enjoyable. The shop itself is small and fairly simple, without anything particularly memorable in terms of the atmosphere. They do have a nice selection of ube-flavored pastries that looked beautiful and very tempting. I may come back to try those next time.

everbowl