The greater Austin area is set to savor the arrival of two boba tea cafe chains this year. Firstly, the national chain Fat Bee Cafe has opened its first Texas location in Round Rock at 1312 Round Rock Avenue on February. Additionally, the international chain, The Alley, is poised to open in Cedar Park at 1468 East Whitestone Boulevard, Suite 400, in early 2024.
Fat Bee Cafe, originating from Overland Park, Kansas, is a Vietnamese cafe chain renowned for its diverse tea offerings, including boba, fruit, milk, and slushies. The menu extends to various mix-ins such as bobas, jellies, and bursts, alongside coffee drinks like cold brews and espresso-based beverages. For dessert enthusiasts, croffles (croissant-waffles) with toppings like cinnamon sugar or Oreo crumble are also featured.
On the other hand, The Alley specializes in “deerioca” drinks, boasting a distinctive logo featuring an antlered deer and offering a variety of boba tea flavors such as brown sugar, ube creme, and matcha. The menu encompasses teas, fresh fruit drinks, “snow velvet” drinks (teas with cheese foam), milk teas, yogurt drinks, and an array of desserts, including croffles, both sweet and savory.
Fat Bee Cafe, originating in 2017, has expanded its footprint from Overland Park, Kansas, to Missouri, Ohio, Washington state, and now, its inaugural Texas location in Round Rock. Meanwhile, The Alley, founded by Chiu Mao Ting in Taiwan in 2013, has achieved a global presence with locations in Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States, including existing cafes in Katy, Plano, and Garland, Texas.
