Tea Station (one more post)

Here you are, reading mmm-yoso!!! on this lovely day.  Kirk and His Missus are still vacationing while Cathy is writing.

The first time I wrote about Tea Station was in 2007; I was fascinated with the concept.  This San Diego Franchisee location of an internationally owned snack/small meal/beverage/shaved ice dessert spot remained open during COVID-19, which is so nice. (The Mister and I stop in pretty regularly, with posts about visits in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2019).  We usually order one item to share, along with a beverage.  There are Monthly Specials and Lunch Specials but I am listing the regular menu prices.  There have been a few changes, with the ability to order from your table as well as at kiosks and the cash register.

The menu is about the same, serving some tasty food. Green onion pancake with egg ($7.99) is a good choice.  The flaky, crisp egg topped pancake is served with a good chili sauce.  Tasty and a nice snack.
 Tea dumplings ($13.50) are pretty much a craving.  Sure the price has increased over the years ($6.50 in 2007), with the flavors remaining consistent.  
 Marinated chicken meal set ($16.96) was our choice one day.  The plump pieces of lightly breaded flavorful chicken were memorable and served with the sides of three condiments and rice.  You might notice everything above was served in disposable packaging...another COVID-19 result, but also easy for leftovers.  We did eat in.  Desserts, however are served on 'real' plates.  Peanut butter toast ($6) was a perfect snack along with a pot of hot tea.
 One very hot day, the Iced coconut combination ($8.50) was what we craved.  Everything-sweet red and black beans, grass jelly, mochi and coconut milk over ice, served in this very large bowl.  A great choice when you do want a bit of everything. Then again, my craving was dark plum with grass jelly shaved ice ($7.50)-prune juice and grass jelly.  Pure flavors and yes, a definite craving.
 Peach yogurt snow ice ($6.75) is a great beverage.  I notice that there are quite a few yogurt based (probiotics or just tart?) beverages available everywhere and have started to order those, because maybe they are "better".  Anyhow, this was tasty.   Fresh lemon green tea (large)($6.50) was ordered with no sweetness and light ice.  We were warned.  Fresh squeezed lemon juice- tart! You can taste the green tea as well as the lemon, which is quite fascinating. Will order again. 
 There are three ordering kiosks at the entrance (in the cash register area).  The screen saver all summer was for these fresh fruit teas ($3.99 each, with a minimum order of two).  You could choose black or green tea.  Apple, pineapple, watermelon, lemon, lime, kiwi. Not too sweet, very refreshing. The screen saver/offer stopped at the end of September.  I sure hope this beverage/fruit salad comes back.  

A good spot for relaxing with a snack. Some changes due to COVID-19.

Tea Station 7315 Clairmont Mesa Blvd San Diego 92111 (858) 268-8198 Open 11:30 a.m.-midnight daily website

Comments

[kat]

nice assortment of savory & sweet

[Cathy]

There are some good quality, tasty choices here, Kat. The prices increased within the past two weeks (I scanned the QR code above, to be sure of prices before sending up the post) and it was surprising. Since we stop here as a short mid-week 'date', choosing a monthly or lunch special is the way to go; always a good variety.

[caninecologne]

I didn't expect the PB toast to be that expensive. Do they use a certain type of bread? Just wondering why so much. Green onion pancakes look so tasty.

[Cathy]

I scanned the QR code in the photo to get current prices to finish writing post and most had gone up in less than two weeks-It was $6 when we were there, cc. EDIT TO ADD: I just scanned the QR again and am correcting the prices in the post (toast is back to $6 and each of the ices dropped $1).