Half and Half Tea House: Was it the "Best Boba in the U S of A?" (San Gabriel)

In Front of Half & Half Tea House

A few months ago, some idiot (Ya, that idiot was me) proclaimed Half & Half to be "The Best Boba in the U S of A." Well, fast forward to the present day, do I still hold the same opinion? Or was my infatuation with this specific tea house similar to the crazy Angelinos believing Kogi Tacos is the best thing out there since sliced bread?

Pudding Ice Milk w/honey boba ($4.58)

What I would say about Half & Half is to try their ice milk drink with honey boba and either their grass jelly, coffee jelly, or pudding. It's their signature drink, where I've yet to find anywhere else in the SGV. Truthfully, their boba milk teas are really just OK. I prefer the boba drinks at Ten Ren/Tea Station much better.

Hot Taro Milk Tea ($4.38)

Like I said earlier, the milk tea here isn't anything special, and that carries over with the hot version(s) as well. Just as FYI, you're able to get pretty much any cold drinks here, hot. For me, the tea based drinks are slightly lacking in the tea flavors that I like and can be a tad too sweet. (Of course, you can also ask for less sugar when you order)

Sweet Butter Brick Toast ($2.50)

Sweet Butter Brick Toast w/Almonds ($2.50)

The above 2 are the various types of brick toasts you'll find at any Asian tea place. I personally feel the ones made here are top notch, and at $2.50/each, it's one of the cheapest in the area. I'd stick with the regular sweet butter version, as sometimes, when chocolate, or strawberry syrup are added, it makes the dessert just a tad too sweet.

Taiwanese style Shaved Ice ($6.99)

In addition, they do have TW style shaved ice at Half & Half. This is one of my favorite desserts, ever! It's one of my regular orders when I'm back in Taiwan or some sort of post dinner dessert at Sin Ba La. Honestly, the version here is OK. I was pretty gung ho about it at first, since they do use those damn delicious honey boba, and brown sugar in the shaved ice. Yet, after comparing to a few places I frequent for this stuff, I prefer the much bigger (and cheaper) version at Sin Ba La and *gasp* Shao May. Honestly, for the price you pay for the shaved ice here (~$7), it's not a good deal.....

So, to answer the title of the post: No, Half & Half does not have the best boba in the U S of A. Although it has some nice flavor options (Lavender, rose flavored milk tea), in an area of tough Asian food competition, it really doesn't stand out to the pack. My recommendation is that, if you do venture out in the SGV in need of something sweet, come here for 2 things: The ice milk (my favorite is the pudding one), and the brick toast. Trust me on this one.

Oh, as a side note. Don't get the food here. I just don't recommend it.

Final Grade

• Taste: 3.5 out of 5
• Decor: 4 out of 5
  
• Service: 3 out of 5

Half and Half Tea House
120 N. San Gabriel Blvd.
Unit H
San Gabriel, CA 91775