Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » iTea – San Francisco
iTea - San Francisco
Photo from iTea
iTea at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🍜 Taiwanese Restaurant
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#2208 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#10 Taiwanese Restaurant out of 14 in San Francisco
Average
5.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
242
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality drinks
- Good value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Hidden fees
- Boba inconsistency
- No seating
The restaurant iTea in San Francisco’s Sunset District is a Taiwanese restaurant that truly stands out for its great tea selection. You’ll discover a welcoming spot where you can enjoy authentic flavors.
This establishment offers a perfect escape, inviting you to explore a range of refreshing beverages and delightful treats.
Overview: Introducting iTea
ITea offers a substantial selection of beverages, with many appreciating the quality of their teas and toppings. Patrons often find the overall taste of their drinks satisfying, making it a popular spot for a quick refreshment.
However, some experiences with drink preparation, like the boba pearls texture, have been less consistent. While the establishment is noted for its competitive prices relative to other shops, be aware of potential card transaction fees.
The space itself is often described as small and better suited for takeout, as seating is limited, and lines can form during busy times.
Average
5.8
out of 10
242
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
92
negative
29
neutral
121
positive
ITea earns a respectable 5.8 overall, indicating a generally average experience. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 50%, suggesting a mixed reception among patrons.
With 242 customer observations, including 121 positive and 92 negative remarks, there’s a clear picture of what works and what needs attention. The Food (6.5) stands out as a strong point, frequently praised for its quality.
However, Value (5.1) receives a more moderate assessment, often due to additional fees. Both Service (4.2) and Ambience (4.4) fall into the lower average range, indicating areas where the experience could be improved for a more consistent visit.
What people like
- Quality drink selection
- Competitive pricing
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Card transaction fees
- Inconsistent boba texture
- Limited seating
With a Recommendation Score of 6.1, iTea is a reasonable choice if you’re seeking a quick, well-priced beverage. It particularly shines for its diverse drink menu and the quality of its teas.
However, be prepared for a grab-and-go experience rather than a leisurely sit-down. If you prioritize a wide selection and good value for your boba, this spot is worth considering.
Just be mindful of potential card fees and the occasional wait, especially if you’re particular about boba consistency. It’s best for a convenient refreshment.
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Verdict: Our expert take on iTea
Food (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, particularly the drinks, theres a lot to unpack! Many customers rave about the boba and tapioca pearls, praising the variety of flavors and toppings and the use of real fruit. The customization options for sweetness and ice levels, alongside an extensive selection of teas like oolong and Hokkaido milk tea, are frequently highlighted, making for a satisfying drink.
However, its not all sweet sips. The overall score for food sits at an average 6.5, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 62.8%. This is based on 164 customer comments, with 103 positive remarks and 49 negative ones.
Some experiences mention issues like drinks missing boba or jelly, or running out of popular items. Complaints include drinks being too sweet, tasting like artificial powder mix, or having a metallic taste. There are also concerns about boba pearls having a poor texture.
Food
164
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
49
negative
12
neutral
103
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Wide flavor variety
- Customizable sweetness
- Real fruit ingredients
What people don't like
- Inconsistent boba texture
- Artificial/metallic taste
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- bobaMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their boba. I found it to be the best boba on Irving. While it wasn't quite as good as SuperCue on Taraval, it was pretty close.
- boba teaMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their delicious boba tea and a great drink selection. However, it's important to note that the place is quite popular, so you should prepare yourself for a wait.
- teathe tea and the toppings are high quality
- Hokkaido milk teaMy boyfriend got the taro milk tea with boba. I thought the toasty taste of the Hokkaido tea was delicious. The taro milk tea was excellent as well.
- BobaMost Delicious Amazing Honey Sweetened No Caffeine Delicious Boba Treats
- boba placesits still better than a lot of other boba places
- milk teaHowever, I suspect this was due to us arriving so late, so it's likely not their fault. Otherwise, this is one of the many hidden gems in the Sunset District that you should definitely check out if you're looking for boba, milk tea, or shave ice. The service was very friendly, and it's one of the few places open late on Irving past 19th Avenue.
- selection of drinksMy experience at this popular boba chain was positive, largely due to its large selection of drinks. They offer standard customization with 5 sweetness and ice levels, including options like 80%, 50%, and 30% sweetness.
- taro milk teaI thought the toasty taste of the Hokkaido tea was delicious. The taro milk tea was excellent as well. Price was great compared to other boba shops in SF.
- tasteMy experience at this bubble tea place was exactly what I expected. They offer a large variety of options, and the drinks taste good.
Frequently criticized
- bobaI don't order boba here bc they don't have the right consistency
- drink2/3 of the drink is just filled with ice cubes
- drinksgot my drinks cold every time but I decided to tried it hot today
- milk teaI told the waiter twice that the paper on the cup wouldn't stick, but he refused to change it for me. As a result, the whole car was covered with milk tea. 😠
- teaWe were driving for a while to get a tea, but we’re not able to buy it
- Thai teathey did not have the Thai tea I ordered
- amount of mangoesamount of mangoes in the drinks was significantly reduced
- artificial powder mixSeems like they got lazy and made too big of a batch since the slushy had sat too long and DIDNOT taste like fresh watermelon. It tasted a bit metallic and more like it was made from an artificial powder mix. It was also full of sugar (probably an attempt to mask the taste).
- bad mangoesserved with bad mangoes that had turned brown
- boba pearlsIt was also full of sugar (probably an attempt to mask the taste). If that wasn't bad enough, the boba pearls had sat around and were like the texture of rice porridge. (Probably lazy and made one big batch in the morning rather than smaller fresh batches throughout the day like other stores.) All soft, no chewy al dente texture anywhere!
If youre looking for a customizable boba experience with a wide variety of flavors and real fruit options, its worth a try. Just be aware that consistency can be an issue, with some drinks falling short on taste or quality, and occasional stock problems.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
Looking at the service, some customers have had good experiences, especially when they order ahead for pickup, noting that orders can come out pretty fast. There are also positive remarks about customizing sweetness and ice levels. These bright spots come from 9 positive observations out of 41 total remarks.
However, the service generally struggles, reflected in an average score of 4.2 and a low customer satisfaction of just 22%. Many customers report long lines, significant waiting time, and issues with orders being wrong or even missed. With 24 negative comments, slow service and staff efficiency are common concerns.
Service
41
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
24
negative
8
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast order pickup
- Customize drinks well
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Orders often wrong
- Items run out
Often praised
- Boba Baby GurlOur Lovely ITea Boba Baby Gurl made us the Most Delicious
- San Franciscans lining upsaw some San Franciscans lining up outside
- customizing sweetness and ice levelsgood at customizing the levels of sweetness and ice
- order aheadWe usually call in our order and pick up. It's way faster!
- ordersorders come out pretty fast
- pickupWe usually call in our order and pick up. It's way faster!
- serviceVery friendly service
- situationThere were many people in line, and orders were confused a couple of times. I believe they might have been understaffed, but they handled the situation fine. My classic boba was good.
- takeoutonly takeout though
Frequently criticized
- long lineMost of the drinks here have lots of stuff in them already (boba, jelly, etc.), but there are some classic options too. Depending on the time, there can be a crazy long line out the door, so your patience may be tested, but if you're not in a rush, then it's a good place to be for some good boba tea. Like most places in Sunset, cash would be preferred since there's a $15 minimum charge to use a credit card.
- serviceHow come they didn’t ask before I ordered?
- bad business practicesbad business practices when you intentionally give your customers
- customer serviceNo accountability for the quality of customer service
- efficiencyThis is one of the better boba places in the area. However, I wish they were more efficient. There is often a line, which can be deceiving since there isn't much room inside.
- employeesI wanted what I paid for, but they were too lazy to redo the order. Rude, loud, and 0% effort employees.
- experiencedelivering a good experience worth everyone's time, attention and money
- false advertisingmarked by false advertising
- linesthe lines can be long
- miss ordersthey sometimes miss orders
If you're planning a visit, be prepared for potential waits and order mix-ups, as the service can be quite inconsistent. While some appreciate the convenience of ordering ahead, you might want to manage your expectations regarding speed and accuracy.
Ambience (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, this spot has a few things going for it. Many appreciate that its one of the places open late, often described as the cleanest and brightest. Some even found the vibe of a small shop quite charming, despite its size.
Based on 17 customer remarks, with 3 positive observations, these aspects certainly stand out. However, the overall ambience score sits at an average 4.4, and customer satisfaction is quite low at a poor 17.6%. This stark contrast is largely due to the physical space, with 10 negative comments highlighting issues like a lack of seating, being a tiny cramp place, and essentially a grab and go place with no ambiance.
Dont expect to dine in here.
Ambience
17
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
10
negative
4
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and bright
- Open late
What people don't like
- No seating
- Very cramped
- Takeout only
Often praised
- cleanest and brightestit was the cleanest and brightest
- places open lateone of the places open late
- small shopMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their Okinawa bubble tea, which was very good. I observed that the small shop was popular, with San Franciscans lining up outside around 8: 30 in the evening. Inside, the space was really cramped, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment as I find boba tea delicious in any setting.
Frequently criticized
- seatingCan’t wait to try some of the other drinks! There is no seating inside. Definitely takeout only.
- ambianceA grab and go place with no ambiance.
- crampedInside it was really cramped
- internet accessMy experience at the restaurant was marked by false advertising. I was led to believe that the tea would provide internet access, or perhaps was made by Apple, neither of which was true. This was a significant point of confusion and disappointment.
- place to dine inI 100% recommend this place for its drinks. Sadly, it doesn’t have any place to dine in; it's only takeout though!
- seatsOnly a few seats
- smallSmall, with not really any seating
- talking really loudI ordered a strawberry fruit tea with boba and a typical milk tea with boba. They were talking really loud to each other. Two drinks took 30 minutes.
- tiny cramp placetiny cramp place, no seating area
If youre looking for a quick grab-and-go experience, especially late at night, this place might work for you. However, if you prefer to sit down, relax, and soak in an inviting atmosphere, youll likely be disappointed as there's virtually no seating.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, some customers find the prices here quite reasonable, often noting them as good prices or even great prices compared to other places. Out of 20 customer comments, 6 were positive, highlighting that for many, the initial cost feels fair. The overall score for value sits at an 5.1, suggesting its generally seen as average.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy. A significant number of customers, 9 out of 20, expressed frustration over hidden fees, particularly a 50 cent fee for card payments under a $15 minimum. This has led to a rather low customer satisfaction of just 30%, indicating that while base prices might be okay, these extra charges really sour the experience for many.
Value
20
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Competitive base prices
What people don't like
- Card transaction fees
- Minimum card spend
- Poor portion value
Often praised
- pricesgreat prices, relative to their competitors
- PricePrice was great compared to other boba shops
- pricedecent tea for the price
Frequently criticized
- $15 minimumPay a fee if you don't reach the $15 minimum for card
- $8For $8 I would like to drink the entire thing easily
- 50 cent feetheres a 50 cent fee
- card feepay with card there's a $0.50 fee
- card paymentscard payments for orders under $15 get charged $0.50 extra
- credit card transaction feeThey seem well-staffed, as orders come out pretty fast. The prices are good, lower than other bubble tea shops, but be aware of a credit card transaction fee.
- feesgetting charged 50% of the total cost
- happy hoursDon't come during happy hours!
- priceI paid $6.50 so I expect my drink to be filled to the top
If you're looking for generally decent prices, you might find them here. However, be prepared for potential extra charges, especially if you plan to pay with a card for smaller orders. To avoid disappointment, bring cash or ensure your purchase meets the minimum for card payments.
How are the prices at iTea?
Expect to pay about 6 per person, based on 14 reviews. That places it in the $1–$10 category. For a Taiwanese Restaurant, it’s fair – not the cheapest, but reasonable for quick bites.
Looking at the numbers, almost all guests (13 out of 14) are spending in the $1–$10 range, with just one venturing into the $11–$20 bracket. This tells us prices are pretty consistent and lean towards the budget-friendly side.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 14 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value compares to similar places in San Francisco.
Considering its a Taiwanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. Its a great spot if you’re looking for good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about iTea
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Hidden Fees and Poor Service
My experience was frustrating due to unexpected charges. I ordered for pickup, and while the website stated there were no fees, I was charged 50% of the total cost. It seems they have an app, but this information isn't readily available.
There was also a lack of accountability for the poor customer service I received.
- app5
- fees1
- customer service2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
9
Delicious Boba Tea, Will Order Again
My experience at the restaurant was centered around their boba tea. I ordered two cups this morning and I am already planning to order it again. The boba tea was clearly a highlight of my visit.
- boba tea9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Terrible Service, Messy Experience
My experience at the restaurant was terrible! I told the waiter twice that the paper on the cup wouldn't stick, but he refused to change it for me. As a result, the whole car was covered with milk tea.
😠
- milk tea2
- waiter1
- paper on the cup1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Flavor Selection and Lukewarm Drinks
My experience was largely disappointing due to the limited availability of flavors and the poor quality of the hot drinks. I wouldn't recommend getting too excited for the amount of flavors they have. Chances are, you ask for a certain flavor and they'll tell you "oh, we don't have that one yet".
And I wouldn't recommend spending another second looking to get another flavor because chances are, they won't have that one either. My guess is they probably only have 38% of the flavors displayed on their screen. Furthermore, their 'hot'* drinks carry the heat of a 20 seconds microwave session.
The 30% sweetness felt like it was giving me 100% diabetes; I can't imagine what 100% tastes like. All in all, these are simple things that can be corrected if they're truly interested in delivering a good experience worth everyone's time, attention, and money.
- flavors2
- hot drinks2
- sweetness3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Tasty Mango Pomelo Sago, But Tall Cup Issue
My experience at the restaurant involved trying the mango pomelo sago, which was tasty. However, there was a significant issue with the cup size. The straw didn’t reach the bottom of the extremely tall cup, leaving about an inch of drink inaccessible.
For $8, I expected to be able to drink the entire portion easily.
- mango pomelo sago8
- straw3
- extremely tall cup3
- $84
What iTea offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What service options are available at iTea in San Francisco?
At iTea, you have several convenient service options to choose from. You can enjoy your meal or drink with their dine-in service, or if you’re on the go, takeout is readily available. For ultimate convenience, delivery service is also offered directly to you.
Is iTea in the Sunset District accessible, and what makes its tea selection special?
Yes, iTea ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it welcoming for all guests. Beyond that, you’ll find their tea selection to be a true highlight, offering a diverse and high-quality range of beverages that truly sets them apart.
How does iTea generally perform according to customer feedback?
iTea holds an overall score of 5.8, indicating an average experience. Its Food (6.5) is a strong point, while Value (5.1), Ambience (4.4), and Service (4.2) are rated as moderate to lower average.
What do customers appreciate most about iTea's offerings?
Customers frequently praise iTea for its wide selection of delicious boba teas and high-quality toppings. Many also find the prices to be competitive compared to other boba shops.
Are there any common issues customers encounter at iTea?
Some customers have noted issues such as additional card transaction fees for smaller orders and a generally cramped space with very limited seating, making it primarily a takeout spot. Long lines can also be an issue.