I am definitely a fan, before there was only one Tapex in San Diego and now there are so many! Since the laundry mat is only a few stores away I typically get my crispy chicken and boba fix once everything is getting washed. The staff are all really nice and it's pretty funny I find myself paying in quarters (after laundry) and they totally understand. Orders are fast and the team is super efficient, be warned that it can get busy since it's so close to SDSU. I typically order Lychee Icy with Lychee Jelly, definitely cools you down during the summer. They do have other options that are a bit creamier like a shake! Crispy chicken at a medium is the best to start for new comers, just so you get a little flavor. Definitely a must when I need a break during laundry day! read more

Probably one of the worst crispy chicken meals I've ever had at a Tapioca Express. I wouldn't have bothered eating more than just a couple of bites, but I had a full day class so I needed something to hold me over until dinner. I've had the chicken combo at a lot of Tap X locations so I know they all vary in the sides they gave you. I was a little surprised to see canned corn and edamame actually. For the price we pay you can give us something better! The edamame was COLD. Nothing more disappointing than eating a relatively warm meal with a cold side. I was half expecting to find a frozen edamame somewhere in the mix. The great thing about being in a college area is that there are lots of choices on where to eat. Skip dining here! read more

Tapioca Express - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great quality boba and the drinks are amazing too. The staff is super friendly! Recommend this place.

As I'm sure you know, its just not the same. It is of course Tap Ex.. and while the menu is the same as (the all time champ and best boba spot on planet earth) Tap Ex on convoy, let's be real... this tapioca express is a dismal second. Maybe 3rd because Tap ex national city is honestly better. Except that broken door (at Tap ex in National City) that always slams like a prison cell. Sorry... back to Tap Ex on El Cajon Blvd. It's tiny af. It's the size of a broom closet. Harry Potter probably lived in a bigger room under the stairs. Past the size, its not really the cleanest place I've seen but thats par for the course on El Cajon Blvd. I should say the staff here is more diverse but thats probably because of the college area. Never seen a Y pee poll working at Tap Ex before. Lol. Maybe that's why the tea isn't the same. JK. Or maybe no jk. Idk. But hey. Look. Its still Tap Ex. Just, take yourself in there and get a jasmine green tea with boba and have a good day. read more

Hubby went there today and ordered a drink. Heard metal grinding while they were making his drink but didn't think much of it. He came home and said he tasted hard items in his drink. We looked and they were pieces of metal!!! See pictures. read more

Tapioca Express - Pieces of metal! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is my go-to when it comes to boba! Especially since they got spicy popcorn chicken, which is my fave. Their service is so friendly, and I love how they have photos of their customers posted on their walls, so cute lol! They're fast at doing their job and getting your order right while doing it. It's impressive how they can handle being fast and getting the order right when they're so busy most of the times. read more

Tapioca Express - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

S0ooo... I like this place. I don't give a crap what others say.. blah blah convoy is better.. yadda yadda.. People need to understand when a new business starts.. it's not going to start out perfect, it's called trial and error. And when the first time I came here, it wasn't bad at all. Now I come here more because it's much closer and I kind of think their drinks are much better. The drinks in convoy are overly sweet and my milk tea taste like melted ice cream whereas the tap ex on college has a perfect balance of sweetness. Oh! and just yesterday I ordered their spicy chicken snack and it tasted wayyy better than the one in clairemont.. the chicken seems to be in much better quality and they made it quick... and they offer sauces! lol.. BUT the best thing about this place is that the service is really awesome. The owner is super nice and it's just a pleasant experience. read more

Not satisfied with the drink. Ordered an Icy Honeydew and it just doesn't taste like it. Personally, just tastes fake as if made with flavored syrup, water and ice. The tapiocas have a sour taste, just not a good drink whatsoever. If your going to have a boba near by I'd say go to Happy Tea Time, they have Great bobas and great dessert. read more

April's the best!! I love coming here and she's been the best recently but foods always good!

Great boba its best in town i love it definitely worth the stop my son loves it too and the service is faast

Sick boba. I love the boba here. It is so so so so delicious. If I could only get boba at one more place before I die it would be here.

The best boba!!! I had never tried this location until now and it is some of the best boba in sd!!

This is the best place for cheap, good boba in the SDSU area! My go-to that never disappoints!

Tapioca Express is a franchise so I assume they make their drinks the same way at pretty much all locations. For some reason, this one gets compared to the other ever so popular one in San Diego in Convoy. Well in my opinion, it's pretty much the same, if not better. Better in the sense it's smaller and less crowded and you can avoid the smokers that often hang out in front. We often order the crispy chicken and various drinks. Crispy chicken is good and they give you a lot! I'm not a big fan of the boba itself but egg pudding is a nice touch to the milk teas. Also, they have mango star jellies and they're just so cute! Pros: Not crowded and at good location with various stores in the plaza. Cons: Small, not many tables so not an ideal hang out spot like many other boba places. Tapioca Express should have cards to stamp for free drinks! I mean, c'mon they make a lot off the drinks and with stamp cards, the surely will get more visits. I'd recommend coming here for boba, especially if you live in the area since it's close and pretty much the only one around. read more

Honestly the worst customer service I've ever experienced. There was a mixup with my order and employees made me feel absolutely horrible. They were unprofessional and rude. Never coming back to this location again. read more

This place is small, but wasn't super packed like the location on Convoy always is. Not to mention, parking is so much better here. There was like four tables and a little bar style counter to sit at. It's probably best to come here just to order your drinks or food and go. I ended up ordering a large Lavender Matcha Snow Bubble and my boyfriend got a Green Apple Snow Bubble. The Lavender Matcha was DELICIOUS! One of my new favorites, and I'm not really a fan of the Green Apple Snow, but it my boyfriend loves it because it's tart. For both it came out to around a little over $9 a bit pricey but that's fine. They don't have that much selection to choose from compared to the Convoy location, but as long as they got something good to choose from, I'm not complaining. I also forgot to add, they practically topped our drinks off! :D read more

Tapioca Express - Green Apple Snow Bubble and Lavender Matcha Snow Bubble - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I like this TapEx. It's much smaller but not as obnoxiously loud as the Convoy location. I had asked for an Okinawa milk tea - it wasn't on the menu board, but the girl at the counter was so nice about accommodating my order. I think they had to look up the recipe in their milk tea manual! My niece had the cantaloupe snow bubble which was amazing. It totally smelled and tasted like cantaloupe. Staff was upbeat and friendly, place was bright and clean. If I don't feel like driving down to Kearny Mesa to get my milk tea fix, I can just go here. And that's awesome. By the way, if it makes finding this place easier, it's right behind Popeye's. read more

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Not my fav. tapioca express location. The 2 (college) kids behind the counter didn't really know much about the drinks and they pretty much made my drink so nasty I sipped a little and that was it. HUGE BOBA TEA DRINKER HERE...don't mess up my drink! I rather drive to the one on Convoy. read more

Tapioca Express - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been here twice since they've opened, and it really isn't that bad. They definitely still have some kinks to work out on drink and food menu, but they'll get there. They're brand new, so can't hate on them as they're still learning the ropes. And for being brand new, they're pretty good! For now, this is my review, PROS- Service, the workers are really nice and friendly The store is decorated nicely, it's pretty cute, but small (they should have taken the location of the old Starbucks where that Buddha store is now) CONS- The option of a scoop of ice cream in the drinks! (But I asked the worker and he said that it will be on the menu but they're still in the process of learning the drinks) Combo meals! I will update my review once they get the menu completely up and running! But for now, it's better than any other boba places that has ever been in the College/Rolando/East Side area. read more

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They don't consistently run the AC so the atmosphere is not a place you want to linger. They don't consistently put basil in the crispy chicken and they only give you on skewer. Other than that, no complaints. read more

Best boba and best calamari EVER! I just wish they offered an avocado snowbubble. Line is usually long but it goes fast. The wait is usually about 5 minutes. read more

I love boba! but this tap-ex is alright... Super convenient since its right by school and there are no other boba places in the area really, so thats nice! I always get the coconut pineapple jelly since its my go-to! Here, it doesn't really taste like there's any real TEA in it. More like a flavored milk tea powder or something! At times, it tastes old or chalky and my stomach becomes upset shortly after. Can't ever go wrong with the spicy crispy chicken, EVER! The only thing is that they don't really put any basil in there unless you ask. Place could use some new furniture and decent looking chairs rather than the plastic fold-ups you get at costco. Other than that, nice girls that work here! They just make your drink and say see ya! read more

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Tapioca Express is very delicious and it makes me feel like boba heaven. It is so delicious because it's so sweet and and makes me have a bigger craving for it. read more

Tapioca Express - Coconut iced boba - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Too small! I don't know where to stand/sit where I wait for my drink, especially when it is busy. And the drinks are pretty expensive. However, they are good :) I just don't like how they put fructose in everything. read more

Went in and got two large Taro Milk Tea with Boba for little bro and I . Hands down nasty! It tastes slimy and weird milky texture; I don't taste any tea at all. We both ending up throwing it away after second sip. Gross. Never come back! read more

I've only tried the taro boba and the taro snow boba, both are really good. One of my favorite go-to boba spots. I recommend!

YUM! My favorite drinks here are Milk Tea and Coconut Milk Tea, I alternate between here and Trinitea Tea in San Carlos because they both make the milk tea's I love differently and DELICIOUS EVERY TIME. Their fried wonton/potstickers/chicken are hella bomb and always fresh + you can customize how spicy you do or don't want it. Love the college atmosphere/nightlife usually packed every time I go. read more

Mm extra spicy chicken. Need moar. More like, bomb AF, just buy me some, friend (: wtf is a photo caption? read more

Tapioca Express - This milk tea tastes like chicken. I love it. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Started coming to TapEx during my college years When I was too young to drink any types of beer Dreaded the drive all the up to Convoy To get some boba that we all could enjoy So glad they opened something close by Now I get to drink boba all the time, my oh my! Some of our favorites were the slushies The best flavors were avocado and lychee Rated four stars for being the originators Docked one because they are not as great as their duplicators! read more

Craving bubble tea. Looked on yelp for the nearest one, didn't check the opening time on the first one, and found not it was closed. Luckily, this place was already opened. There are A LOT of flavor choices and tea choices. Maybe it's because I've gotten older, but I decided to go with the Iced Thai milk tea with boba. It was delicious and hit the spot, and I absolutely love that they offer different sizes (regular or large), because often times, a large BBT (bubble tea) is like three meals (depending on your stomach capacity). And in case you get the munchies, they have some snacks for sale as well. read more

Bubble, boba, tapioca call it whatever your little heart desires but I love these squishy, jelly little pearl balls. It makes my tea drinks super yummy and adds a little fun in my mouth. Gives that squish-squish sound in your mouth. I've been a fan of bubble tea ever since I discovered a cute chinese dessert spot in chinatown in New York City. P.S. I am born and bred new yorker so bubble tea is a must in my life. When we moved out here in SD, I had to make sure to have my go-to spot since bubble tea is like my safe haven to fulfill my sweet tooth cravings. I also simply love how tea and tapioca go so well together like peanut butter and jelly. Anyway, this spot does it's justice by making so many different flavors which I can try since I am like always here lol but my go to is Jasmine milk tea, taro milk tea, matcha green milk tea. I especially like how they have tiny boba pearls here too so I can switch it up if I don't want the regular size boba. I still can't decide if I want to call it bubbles, boba or tapioca. I just go with whatever my mood is that day and blurt out which ever seems easiest to say lol. Other flavors I enjoy since my husband and kids get them religiously, strawberry green tea and mango green tea. When I'm in my "fruity" mood I opt for those two. I also really like the honey dew snow bubble, which is such a cute name but it's just a flavored slushy which I think really intensifies the flavor for the flavor you pick. I like getting the honey dew as a snow bubble the most. They also have food at this spot, like little bites to eat. I've only had the crispy chicken which is really good and addicting. They come in different heat levels, I've ranged from not spicy to medium spicy which was a bit too spicy for me but I still ate it all up since it was delicious. This spot is small and a lot of young college students since its around College area. The staff are very friendly and helpful when your stuck on which flavor to get. They're also quick on making the drinks and never get my orders wrong since I order like 4-5! Of course not all for myself. read more

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Really nothing bad to say. Fast, friendly and the coffee tasted good. Had a Carmel Iced Latte. Very sweet but had this odd after taste, which I liked. The gentlemen was polite and told me "Merry Christmas" which i appreciated it because I'm tired of all this "Happy Holidays" bull. Homie.....ITS CHRISTMAS!!! LOL. Anyways, coo spot. read more

Tapioca Express - Pretty coo set up - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Alexis the cashier is really rude and has a bad attitude, my co-workers and I always like coming to this place for some snow bubbles, yesterday I purchased one of them along with other items snow bubble was overfilled there for the lid wasn't secured properly, she realized it but didn't say or did anything about it. Well, as I am there trying to fix it, it slipped out of my hands and it fell in the table, my cup wasn't even a quarter full anymore, yet she told me she'd only give me a lid without offering a new one or at least a discount on another one... So upsetting because it clearly wasn't my fault my drink wasn't secured properly. Terrible customer service! Food is delicious there though!! She got the one star if possible I would've given none.... There's been several times I happen to see them putting their hands in the food at the kitchen and eating, while being at the cash register. read more

I used to do laundry first thing in the morning but I have changed my schedule to be there when Tapioca Express opens! I can't get enough of this place! My usual is a Carmel macchiato and tots! Make sure your hungry because the portions are huge (not complaining one bit!) the pot stickers are so yummy as well! I look forward to laundry day now!! read more

Tapioca Express - Carmel macchiato, green apple snow bubble and tots! So freakin good! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't know why I kept going there when every time was a disappointment. I was otw home and wanted tapex but missed my exit for the one in convoy.. so I decided to just go to the one in College Area. Couldn't call in my order but when I got there, they weren't even busy. My food came fast which was good but probably because they gave me fucken RAW chicken. Their Thai tea was horrible too. They just aren't properly trained on how to make their foods/drinks. read more

Tapioca Express - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Been going to this tapex for years. It's pretty good usually, I prefer the convoy location though. The reason for the 3 stars is because every time we go there, they mess up atleast one drink ): they almost always give us a regular jasmine tea instead of the jasmine milk tea that we order. We are sure to double check the order screen when ordering and we check the receipt too after we get our order. We usually don't notice until we get home since we double checked the order screen but since we're home it's too late to go back and get the correct order. Such a bummer getting the wrong order almost all the time. read more

The menu isn't as awesome as Convoy's but it's new, they're still getting started. But the reason why I go to Tapioca Express is because the food. So I think I'll continue to trek up to Convoy until they really get the menu up and running. Small and very clean. Probably will be a perfect spot to catch up with old friends. read more

Tapioca Express - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Average for everything. The restroom was also closed for customers because it was out of order. Also, the AC is broken? it was extremely hot. It was so hard to stand there just to order. read more

Location is very small, does get busy all the time like any other location. Except there's only a few tables inside and outside. Not good for large groups for dining in. They don't carry all the items on the original menu, like the frosti milks for example. I dont know if its just me, but their fruit snow bubbles are extremely sweet and concentrated. Could barely drink my honeydew snow bubble. This place is okay, prefer the original location in Convoy. read more

great boba! never a bad trip. yummy yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum