Oak Park is at the epicenter of the boba craze, with many shops in the surrounding areas of Thousand Oaks, Westlake and Agoura. We visited the four closest locations to Oak Park High School, asked for their top drink and tried their specialty recommendations.
We ordered a different drink at each place to rate the star factor of their top menu item. Other factors like cost, taste and atmosphere were considered. If seniors want to risk a 45-minute lunch period to grab a drink before class, or if you’re simply looking for an after-school snack, here is our review of what these boba places offer.
- Malibu Boba – Agoura Hills
Order: Passionfruit Tea
Overall Rating: 3/10
Cost: $6.84
While surf-shop themed inside, don’t be fooled by this boba shop’s name. Malibu Boba is within lunchtime range, just down Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. We hope that despite our rating, when it comes to Malibu Boba, you’ll keep an open mind. The Passionfruit Tea, though recommended by a worker, was not our favorite. The boba pearls were still good and the variety of other flavors seemed promising.
- A Tea Thing – Westlake Village
Order: Green Thai Tea
Overall Rating: 5/10
Cost: $7.34
A Tea Thing is a very average boba shop. The flavor did not stand out, even though the drink—a green twist on Thai tea—was unique in theory. The workers’ recommendation was oddly flora, like drinking from an expensive soap dispenser. People who enjoy lighter drinks that go easier on dairy may still appreciate this style.
- Q Boba, Pan Kitchen – Thousand Oaks 1.9 miles
Order: Brown Sugar Milk Tea
Overall Rating: 8/10
Cost: $6.04
Closest to OPHS at 1.9 miles away, Q Boba is located inside Pan Kitchen, a Thai restaurant. On the menu, the drinks are advertised as either $4 or $4.50 for the small size, but when you request to add boba and pay with card, the price goes up to $6. We ordered a standard milk tea, but as far as the classics go, Q Boba is a solid choice.
- Azuki Tea – Westlake Village
Order: Tropical Fruit Tea with crystal boba
Overall Rating: 10/10
Cost: $6.17
With a variety of different styles of drinks on the menu, Azuki Tea is our first choice. The Tropical Tea, paired with crystal boba, is better than any Starbucks refresher and crowns our boba list. Another location of Azuki Tea is opening soon in Agoura Hills in the Agoura Hills Shopping Center, which will be 2.1 miles from OPHS. To get a discounted price at Azuki Tea, you can reuse a cup for 10% off.
