
Finley Bisch
If you're in the mood for a great bubble tea or fruit smoothie, be sure to visit one of these local finds.
Due to social media, bubble tea is all the rage. Plenty of new places in the western subs have popped up this summer, but which one is the best?
“Make it yourself” bubble tea recipes have been all over the internet, mostly because of supply chain shortages all over the world. The drink, which originated in Taiwan, can be easy to make at home, but only if you have patience and the right materials.
If you’re like me and you don’t have either of those things, here is your guide to the best bubble tea shops in the western suburbs.
At all of the places I went to, I tried two main drinks. The first being a black milk tea with tapioca and the second being a peach smoothie with mango popping boba. Black milk tea is one of the most basic drinks that you can get, and an easy one to master. Since that is an acquired taste, I thought that I had to include a fruit smoothie as

Chi Tea – 4 out of 5I started this project by going to a place that just recently opened up this summer. Chi Tea is located at 413 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard. Nestled in between a Cricket Wireless and a Panda Express, is this hidden gem. The restaurant seems to be always busy. When I called in to order, I was placed on hold and given a 20 minute wait time for four drinks.
When you go inside to pay, you are met with a clean and cool atmosphere. One feature wall is leafy and green with a gold sign that says “That’s the tea.” The sit-down portion of the restaurant is nice as well. White benches with matching tables and chairs make the interior feel open. The many plants along the floating shelves lend themselves to an organic atmosphere.
