Located at 4258 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Fat Straw is a neighborhood favorite with 4.5 stars on Google Reviews. They have a large sign out front. It’s a cartoon cup with tapioca pearls. The pearls have little faces on them, going up a straw. You can see it from a couple of blocks away. You immediately feel welcomed by the little smiles pictured.

When I entered the establishment, I immediately noticed the interior design choices. The shop is filled with greenery, making the room feel much brighter and open. There is an elevated seating area with barstools against the window so you can look over Hawthorne. The large window brings in a lot of natural sunlight which opens up the space.

When ordering, the staff were very nice. The menu is quite large which can be overwhelming. Luckily, the staff are quick to help you out. The majority of their staff are teenagers and college students. The owners are often in and working amongst them. 

As I’ve stated before, the menu is huge. They have a versatile flavor selection for their boba, ranging from fruity flavors such as peach and strawberry to more tea-based flavors, for example Thai tea. You can change the temperatures of drinks with options such as iced, hot, and slushy – fit for any weather. You can change what boba you’d like in it. There are jellies you can put in, tapioca, or fruit. They also have Bánh mì, a Vietnamese cuisine similar to a sub sandwich. There are multiple meat and vegetarian options for those.

The first drink I tried was the honey lavender milk tea with tapioca. I was worried the lavender would be overpowering, but it worked very well with the honey flavor. It’s a pretty sweet drink, but you can change that if you’d prefer your boba to be less sweet. There’s a good ratio of milk to tea so that was appreciated.

The second drink I tried was the blended melon with lychee jelly. I preferred the lavender milk tea more, but this one was also enjoyable. 

My friend and I split two Bánh mì sandwiches, the first being their classic, and the second being their avocado. I personally enjoyed the classic more due to the sauce that was added, but I know my friend enjoyed the avocado one more due to the classic being too meat heavy. Both are filled with pickled vegetables, which adds a different flavor profile.

Overall if you are a fan of boba, I would definitely recommend this spot. Great customer service, great food, and a very comfortable and easy environment to be in!