Tapioca xpress in Houston

This place was very inviting the people that worked there were very attentive. They have a wall full of art made by people and it is honestly just a very whole some vibe in there. I have only been there twice but I more than likely will go again in the coming weeks

There are some days where I'm not feeling the big chain boba and can find solace in the mom and pop feel of Tapioca Xpress. Many independent spots usually offer basic flavors but that's most certainly not the case here. TapX has done a pretty good job with their variety, but it's the customer service I appreciate the most. The place is small and the ordering area is really just a small counter. The feel is as unpretentious as it gets and they usually have a number of Vietnamese pastries out front. This isn't one of the places to sit down and chill while working on their WiFi. It's more of a takeout joint -- order the drink and perhaps a bun and move on. I appreciate their attempt at variety. They have a good mix of fruit based and milk teas, but many of their drinks tend to slant to the sweeter side. There are things like sea salt taro coco blend or cap n' crunch cream blend or even the infamous cinnamon toast crunch. I personally have enjoyed their wintermelon milk tea, as well as their lavender honey so minty drink. The classic TapX milk tea is easily one of their most popular choices but I think their Vietnamese iced coffee (caphe sua da) is super underrated. There is some limited outdoor seating and plenty of parking. They also offer a limited selection of pre-made foods ranging from fried rice to summer rolls (goi cuon). The folks behind the counter are super sweet people and generally are pretty helpful when recommending drinks.

Happened upon this small boba shop after getting some lunch in the same strip and was pleasantly surprised! They had a whole system of letting you customize your own drink but I kept it simple with the strawberry matcha with boba. It was SO good. Not too sweet and perfectly flavored. The boba was fresh and chewy just like it should be. One of my favorite things was the art wall I got to look at while waiting for my order. So funny. Don't confuse this with the TapX chain. This is way better and a local spot. I hope I can come back soon!