Danny Dines: Ma’s Tea House

Over the past month, I’ve had quite a few submissions urging me to go to Ma’s Tea House to try some of their legendary boba tea drinks.

Believe it or not, I have never had boba tea before.

The only Boba I know is Boba Fett, and in my opinion, tea is a whole bunch of hoopla for me.

Ma’s Tea House made me change my stance on all things tea, and helped me understand the hype.

So, let’s get to it! On a Saturday afternoon, I hopped in my Jeep and ventured to Ma’s Tea House to try some of this boba thing.

I had just watched Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” for the third time, and my confidence was running high because I am “Kenough.”

You walk in, and you immediately notice the zen vibe. The employees know the customers by first name, they have couches, red balls hanging from the ceiling, fake grass on the wall …everything makes you feel like you are in a garden.

Ma’s Tea House is owned by the husband-wife duo of Lorenzo Trujillo and Jennifer Huynh, and they are now going on their third year of business.

“My inspiration to open a boba shop was my wife’s addiction to the delicious treat,” Trujillo jokingly said. “So, instead of allowing it to bankrupt me … I figure, I create her love for it into a business.”

I came in having no idea what to order. They treated me like a king and brought out a haul of food and drinks as far as the eye could see.

I got a Royal Milk Tea, a Ponderosa Pomelo, a Thai Green Milk Tea, seasoned fries, a barbecue pork steamed bun, and Ma’s OG popcorn chicken. Three drinks, and three food items. Truly, a sight to behold.

It was time to get to work.

The Royal Milk tea had chewy boba balls, was sweet, bold, milky, cold, and had that great black tea flavor.

The Ponderosa Pomelo was fruity, tangy, and the boba balls were filled with juice, which was very refreshing.

The Thai Green Milk Tea was smooth, sweet and creamy which paired nicely with the chewy tapioca boba balls.

Now, to the food. No lie, Ma’s OG popcorn chicken is the best popcorn chicken I’ve ever had: a clean bite, amazing breading and a great crunch. The seasoned fries were loaded with some delicious seasoning and were very crispy. Finally, the barbecue pork steamed bun was sweet, fluffy, and had savory barbecue pork in the middle, which was fantastic.

“We want people to know that we aren’t ‘the boba in the mall.’ We have come a long way to make drinks with fresh in-house daily made boba, fresh-cut fruit, and freshly brewed teas which are never reused or carried over from the day before.”

This place is amazing! And an ideal spot for friendly get-togethers, reading a book, first dates, studying or even planning classic tomfoolery with the boys.

“To hear the feedback that we are a ‘favorite place’ means the world to us, and it’s really backed by the actions of our Boba Fam when they bring their friends to the shop or when they have out-of-town relatives they make sure to show them our place during their visit!”

If you want to know more about Ma’s Tea House, call 505-459-0402 or visitmasteahouseus.com.

Ma’s Tea House is located at 6510 Paradise Blvd NW Suite B, Albuquerque, and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Where should I go next? Email me zunigasauce@gmail.com