Fat Straw

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4258 Se Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215 (at Southeast 43rd Avenue)
Portland, OR 97215

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(503) 233-3369
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Fat Straw - Portland, OR
Fat Straw - Portland, OR
Fat Straw - Portland, OR
Fat Straw - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 15 )
( 4 )
( 2 )
( 0 )
( 1 )

Best

Pros: Everything on the menu\r \r Cons: None\r \r I am very finnicky, and I REALLY scrutinize places to eat. But I honestly couldn't find a thing wrong. The prices on the sa...

Worst

I became a member of citysearch to specifically express my frustration with waiting 25 maybe 30 minutes for a bubble tea. The counter help opted to make 15 smoothies before making...

Great bargain. Great food. Great atmosphere. 2/25/2010

Pros: Everything on the menu\r \r Cons: None\r \r I am very finnicky, and I REALLY scrutinize places to eat. But I honestly couldn't find a thing wrong. The prices on the sandwiches are low and they are soooo tasty. The pina colada bubble tea is heavenly and uses real pineapple. Very clean place. Pros: Pina Colada Bubble Tea more

Vegan Bubble Tea 2/21/2010

I've been to both locations and have to say I like this one overall. The space is larger, it offers bagels... more

Vegan Bubble Tea 2/21/2010

makkim Provided by Partner
I've been to both locations and have to say I like this one overall. The space is larger, it offers bagels on the menu, free wi-fi and has staff th... more

They have more choices on drinks than a Swiss Army Knife! 3/16/2009

When I first walked into this store, I had no idea what bubble tea flavor to buy, but luckily, this cheerful looking, rosy-cheek Bald Asian Man popped out of nowhere from behind the counter and offered help. I took his suggestions and bought a Mango Smoothie + bubbles + jelly + eggnog + extra mango for a cheap price. It tasted way better than Jamba Juice! Pros: Many choices on drinks and happy employees and customers! Cons: I can't think of any. more

Excellent bubble drinks, lousy service 3/8/2009

Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly on this cafe: \r \r The good: The drinks are excellent, they have many flavors, and you can add various extras to your drink. \r \r The bad: Sometimes there is a bit of a wait, and the seating area is odd. If you want to read in this cafe, you probably will be doing it using artificial (lamp) light as the natural light comes in where the computers are located. \r \r The ugly: The service problem really strikes me as being associated with the 30-something year old man behind the counter. He seems to be eternally cranky (but in a cool, hipster kindda way) and/ or bored. It is clear he wants you to place your order and get the heck out of his line of vision when you're done. I have seen this guy in there often enough that I almost wonder whether he is the owner, in which case his behavior is absolutely unexcusable. I don't have high standards in terms of what a cafe staff member should be like, but this guy's bad behavior is so bad, it stays with you. \r \r Overall: the Fat Straw is a place I will likely go to again DESPITE the bad service, although it would be nice if the business made some small changes to make customers enjoy the experience BECAUSE of the service. Pros: good drinks Cons: cranky employees more

Frequent Customer 7/20/2008

I used to work next door to Fat Straw & used to go their for lunch all the time (and during breaks!) but today I had a really crappy experience & I was pretty disappointed. One of my biggest pet peeves when I am ordering something or just greeting an employee is when they're rude & quick. I experienced that today. I asked how the person was doing and they looked at me blankly and just said ""What can I get for you?' not a casual tone, or anything..just like a hurry-the-hell-up-and-order tone. I understand that it's busy & you're in a rush, but I don't think it's ever too busy to be polite to a customer & not rush them through a transaction. \r \r I'll go again because the quaility of their drinks and food makes up for the service at times, but I hope people are more friendly next time around. Pros: delicious drinks. Cons: a little small when it's crowded, but I can't really do much about that, it's not my business =) more

Never will i wait 25+ min for BOBA 4/1/2008

I became a member of citysearch to specifically express my frustration with waiting 25 maybe 30 minutes for a bubble tea. The counter help opted to make 15 smoothies before making my drink (takes 30 seconds). To worsen this situation they made a friend who came in after me her drink first. I work in the service industry and can understand being busy, but rude and careless? You probably should not be in that business. Will never go back. more

Most Delicious Bubble Tea 1/15/2008

Fat Straw was my first introduction to bubble tea, and as soon as I tasted it, I was hooked. Since I can't always go to there, I've tried other bubble teas around town (4 other shops) and none are as delicious as Fat Straw. Fat Straw uses coconut milk and tapioca pearls (not jellies) for a creamy taste and consistency, while many other shops use soymilk or non-dairy creamer as a base. Fat Straw has a spacious, clean restaurant with fast computers, micro-suede couches, friendly, knowledgable staff and tasty food. Go there! You'll love it. \r more

Why you should come to Fat Straw and see for yourself why it's the best! 7/10/2007

I used to walk by the Fat Straw all the time, and I never thought about entering; I didn't know what bubble tea was, and I thought that it was a fad that would be disappearing anytime soon.\r \r I WAS SO WRONG! I came to Fat Straw finally, and as soon as I walked in I knew it was special. It has a great front room that lets light in and feels cozy all at the same time, and it's great to socialize, eat delicious bagels and drink - well, so many kinds of tea that you'll have to come see for yourself. You just may find yourself addicted to bubble tea.\r \r They play music, as do most cafe's, but theirs is fun, transendental, smooth, chill, jazzy and bouncy and it is always a nice background, rather than a distraction or irritation.\r \r Then there is the back room - my home away from home ( I should change my address to 'Fat Straw' !!) There is a large table, ideal for group studying or for meetings. It's quieter in the backroom, and there are couches, plants, lots of outlets for your computer needs.\r The colors are soothing, and I feel like I'm in someones living room when I'm back there.\r \r I have seen all kinds of groups meet there, from mom's with toddlers, to a non-denominational group that meets together frequently just for having fun and playng games.\r \r Oh yeah, and everyone who works here is awesome!!!\r \r I think that YOU should come check out Fat Straw, but...I must admit that I want it all to myself ;) Pros: It's right on Hawthorne. Easy to find. They have great hours, they let me study all day! Cons: I just can't get enough... Not really any con's; Fat Straw fits its niche very well. more

Puts all other bubble tea shops to shame 9/28/2006

This is the absolute best place in Portland to get bubble tea. I used to feel this way about the Tea Zone in NW, but Fat Straw far surpasses TZ; without the bad attitude! The selection can be overwhelming, but they will make great suggestions based on your taste buds. It's a great environment, relatively easy-to-find parking, and superior customer service. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the backroom can be a little hot during the summer. Pros: Excellent selection, location and service. Cons: Back room gets hot. more

The best Green milk tea in Portland 8/20/2006

I love your bubble tea place, it's so comfortable and the fresh bagels is YUM YUM...\r PS: I love the Green tea, lemon, honey but didn't forget the Taro. more

""Simple yet extraordinary"" - Dr. John Troy 8/17/2006

Don't let the name fool you; despite the name ""Fat Straw,"" this simple bubble tea (also known as Boba or Pearl Tea) and bagel sandwiches store has many advantages for everyday customers looking for a fun place to eat and drink. \r \r After talking to the owner, I have found out that that their boba ingredients are freshly imported from Taiwan and that their bagels and its contents (e.g. veggies, meats, etc.) are kept fresh daily. Giving the food a delicious yet healthy taste.\r \r The atmosphere is also quite relaxing and unique, featuring a private room with comfy couches, free internet connection, chessboards, and friendly staff members to take your order.\r \r All and all, I give this store TWO THUMBS UP. So try ""Fat Straw"" today as your healthy alternate to fast food places such as McDonalds and Burger King. \r \r - Dr. John Troy, Nutritionist. Pros: Great healthy foods that serve as snacks or meals. Cons: Hard to find location. more

Fat Straw serves the best bubble tea in the state of Oregon, so make sure you drop by and try for yourself! 7/31/2006

Studies have shown... 9/10 people who had tried FAT STRAW'S BUBBLE Tea, have come back for more.\r Fat Straw's Bubble Tea... it's the best thing since slided bread O.O....\r \r - AnySlower [dot] Com Pros: Their bubbles and bagels are the best and their Coffee is better than that nasty stuff at StarBucks Cons: None? more

Nice place, good bagels and bubble tea. 7/18/2006

This place is awesome! So nice inside. Most items are well priced with good quality. I like the organic cup of coffee for just a buck. Can't find that anywhere else. Pros: inexpensive, good bubble teas and bagels Cons: a bit hard to find but the cute sign with their logo on it helps more

Good Tea, Coffee, and Breakfast bagels! 6/24/2006

I like this place. I was going to Homestar Cafe down the street, but since they have closed, and Common GRounds is always too packed with people to sit, Fat Straw lured me in and has become a regular hotspot. Wireless bandwidth is competitive in that it's much fast than the other local hotspots. It you want to sit, have coffee, and check your e-mail, this is the place to go. And be sure to have a bagel sandwich; they are soooo good! Pros: Bubble Tea, Espresso, bagel sandwiches Cons: Not for large groups. more

BEST GREEN MILK TEA! 5/24/2006

fat straw is awesome! the service is extremely friendly, the coffee is fresh, and the bubble teas are very tasty! i'd recommend the green milk tea with COFFEE jelly, or ANY of the smoothies!... all very refreshing and a great treat for the summer! the bagel spreads are yummy too! more

Nice Surprise! 3/3/2006

I heard about this place from a friend. He was raving about the bubble tea so I had to swing by and check out the place. Upon arriving, I was greeted by a hot asian girl which later i found out is the owner of the place. The scene looks comfy with an easy going atmosphere. The bubble tea hmmm... is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Its unlike any of the bubble tea i have tried before, there's just something about it. All in all go check it out, it'll be a worthwhile treat. Pros: cool place, Good Bubble Tea Cons: hard to find more

best bubbles ever 2/15/2006

I gotta have my bubbles. Once when I was needing a chewy bubble fix I hopped upon this random bubble tea joint. These were the best bubbles ever. They even have a poster on the wall that tells you exactly what the tapioca pearls actually are. If you love bubble tea then you should make your way out to this joint and try their pineapple milk tea. Best Bubbles in town! Cons: not enough pearls more

By far the BEST bubble tea ever! 12/21/2005

If you are in the area and need a bubble tea fix, Fat Straw will do! I'm a bubble tea lover and this is by far The BEST bubble tea ever! Not to mention their great selection of morning coffee/tea and bagels! Yes, Bagels!! I know, I was like damn! This was hella good!!! So I usually have one there and take one To-Go. hehehe. They are super delicious. I can't tell you which one is the best because they all are!! Seriously! If you are new to this delicious treat try a taro milk tea with tapioca pearls. Sweet, creamy and delicious. And definitely great to hang out with friends. Their sofa are super comfy and soft, which makes you feel right at home! On top of it all, the service is great. It's like going home to see mom. =) Pros: Inexpensive, Good Service, Awesome Bubble Tea more

fatstraw is king of hawthorne 12/16/2005

what a nice place!!!! i love arriving here every morning for coffee and bagel sandwiches .on the super real tip fatstraw is an unrecognized paradise waiting to be realized by those who know whats good for the soul. i enjoy the very nice atmosphere relaxed and warm i can hardly wait for my refill!! remember this is not only a coffee shop fatstraw is also a bubble tea heaven with over 50 flavors to try . i am excited for those who experience fatstraw!! see you there..... Pros: local, family business, inexpensive more
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Menu for Fat Straw


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Editorial
  • Fat Straw attracts Portland locals who need time off to recharge with flavored milk teas, tapioca drinks and fresh-made sandwiches.

  • 11/9/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm Sat 9am-9pm Sun 10am-7pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Richmond
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