Regis Highlander 4/11/23 Regis Highlander 4/11/23

Boba Stores with Parking Lots

By Sandra Vo, Staff Writer

Let’s picture this. The car windows are down and the speakers are turned up as you drive into downtown Denver. You’re elated because you found a five dollar bill in your desk after cleaning up earlier and, combined with the pile of change that’s been piling up in your car’s cup holder, you have seven dollars to spend on a cup of boba. Your friend told you about the cutest new boba place that just opened up, and you’ve decided that you absolutely must go.

But there’s no parking lot.

You circle around the block, eyes peeled for any open spot next to the curb, trying not to think about the impending humiliation of attempting to parallel park. You could try heading into a parking garage, but with only seven dollars in your pocket, you wouldn’t even be able to afford being in there for an hour, much less buy boba on top of that.

To remedy that, here’s a list of the top places around Denver that spare you from that parking pain.

By Sandra Vo, Staff Writer

But there’s no parking lot.

To remedy that, here’s a list of the top places around Denver that spare you from that parking pain.

1. Kuluka Boba

Located in Westminster, Colorado, Kuluka Boba has all the beauty of your downtown Denver boba stores, but with a parking lot that has spots you can pull through. They also serve a variety of different flavored mochi donuts and Little Man ice cream. For anybody looking for a nice place to spend the day, Kuluka offers booth, table, and swing seating.

2. Mango Mango

Although mainly a dessert place, Mango Mango still functions as a great place to find boba. Mango Mango offers a variety of drinks, cute seating, and plenty of mango-themed desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their mango-shaped chair in front of the restaurant is the perfect mango on top.

3. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt

Find a parking spot at something a little more unconventional than your average boba place. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt specializes in sweet rice and yogurt that’s creamy enough to easily go through a straw, which you can add different toppings to as well.

4. Kutea

Kutea is the perfect spot to find good drinks inside of a store with a cute atmosphere. They have unique flavors such as the cream cheese smoothie collection, classic Vietnamese juices, and even a place to get a Vietnamese green waffle.

5. Spill the Tea

Although further up north, Spill the Tea has a parking lot big enough to practice for your driver’s license exam and to find boba. Spill the Tea has a fairly extensive menu, and if you’re craving something to eat as well, you can find a bite of one of their bubble waffles or various cake slices.

6. Ding Tea

Don’t be fooled by the location inside of Denver, Ding Tea still has plenty of spots for you to fulfill your parking responsibilities. Ding Tea is also a fairly famous chain that has many different options, including their specialty signature milk tea which is a must-have.

Regis Highlander 2/11/22 Regis Highlander 2/11/22

Boba Spotlight: Colorado Tea Station

By: Sandra Vo, Staff Writer

Nestled just on the border of Denver’s bustling downtown district, Colorado Tea Station is the first pick for our Boba Spotlight and for obvious reasons. More than just a boba shop, Colorado Tea Station serves everything from takoyaki (Japanese octopus), instant ramen, and bingsu (Korean shaved ice) to mochi donuts and cake slices. Their menu truly lives to serve any type of craving you might have.

Overwhelmed by the sheer variety? Don’t worry! Their staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful, and service is quick even during rush hours. While waiting for your drinks and food, you can admire the Instagram-worthy interior and the zither they have on display in the drinking area. Their Korean music playlist is nothing to sneeze at either.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that their boba is anything to sleep on. Having been there a couple times now, my experience has been consistently wonderful. The boba is chewy and soft, and you really can’t go wrong with any drink that you decide to pair it with. Colorado Tea Station also offers a variety of different toppings if you’re not particularly fond of the classic tapioca boba. They have a wide selection of jellies to add to your drink including lychee, mocha, and crystal jelly, and anybody feeling more adventurous can try out their taro and sweet potato balls.

For their drinks, they offer the classic milk teas and fruit teas, but also some non-caffeinated choices for anybody who likes their boba late at night. As a person who prefers non-caffeinated drinks, I’ve gotten their strawberry milk slush and peach yogurt drinks, both topped with boba and incredibly tasty. Not a fan of cold drinks? They also offer a wide selection of hot traditional Chinese brewed teas such as jasmine and rose oolong.

Their desserts are equally tasty and appetizing. My friends have boasted of their chocolate cakes and mochi donuts. Having tried their mango snow ice myself, I can’t say I’m surprised. Colorado Tea Station strives to only put out the best of the best, and they deliver on that promise.

For our overall Boba Spotlight rating, this place deserves a 10/10.