Nestled in the southern region of Lafayette, HTeaO is a delightful destination for tea enthusiasts and casual drinkers. As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that feels both modern and cozy. The bright and inviting decor makes it the perfect spot to relax or catch up with friends.
HTeaO has over 30 varieties of tea, ranging from classic black and green to herbal blends. One of the standout features of HTeaO is its self-serve model, which allows you to customize your drink to your preference. You can choose your ice level and sweetness and add extras like blueberries and lemon. This personal touch elevates the experience, making it easy to create your beverage.
This refreshing tea chain was founded by a group of entrepreneurs living in Texas in 2009: Brett, Lisa McNutt and Ryan and Kelly Collins. They aimed to create a unique tea experience that offered various high-quality iced teas. Their vision of a self-serve model and a welcoming atmosphere quickly resonated with customers, leading to the brand’s rapid expansion.
Over the years, the brand has grown to include numerous locations across Texas and beyond, including Lafayette, Louisiana. With this being the only location in Louisiana, it’s filled with people from all over the state. The citizens of Lafayette were excited to hear about this new addition to the city when it opened in May of this year.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, I had the pleasure of visiting their Lafayette location on Kaliste Saloom Rd. As we walked in, we were greeted by a spirited cashier. We learned how to order our teas when the cashier informed us they have a self-serve model. I was able to try their famous regular sweet tea while my colleague got their sweet blueberry green blend.
After selecting my tea, I adjusted the ice level and sweetness and added an extra lemon. This level of customization is a game-changer, enabling each person to create their ideal beverage.
I decided to go for a light ice level, as I wanted to savor the flavors without diluting them. The self-serve setup was intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate the variety of options available. It was a fun experience to craft my drink exactly how I wanted it, adding an engaging element to my visit.
As we were creating our teas, we encountered two enthusiastic customers, Brandy and Megan. “We’ve been here basically every day since it opened… it’s that good!” Brandy opts for the unsweet tea, while Megan gets a mix of raspberry and watermelon. “I kind of just created my drink. I like the bulk of them, so I chose two of my favorites.”
After we concluded our interview, we decided to walk around the store. I noticed it also has a selection of light snacks that perfectly complement the beverages. I decided to try the lemon scone, a popular choice among customers. The scone arrived warm and fragrant, exuding a captivating lemon scent that sharpened my appetite.
Taking my first bite, I was impressed by its moist texture and the delightful burst of citrus flavor. It wasn’t overly sweet, which allowed the natural tartness of the lemon to shine through. The scone paired beautifully with my black sweet tea, creating a delightful balance of flavors that enhanced both the drink and the snack.
After spending 30 minutes looking around the store, we were about to check out, and I noticed that they make gallons of their famous teas. I, of course, could not resist, so I decided to buy a whole gallon of regular sweet tea for my roommate and me.
Our total was only $16.18, including one small tea, two medium teas, and a gallon. It was reasonably priced despite the high quality of the beverages.
I also interviewed the team lead, Ainsley Horn, a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “I’ve been working here since we opened; I love it here; we call it a glorified snowball stand…I don’t dread coming to work; we all get along, it’s just like a big family over here.
All in all, I enjoyed my experience at HTeaO. The tea and snacks were delicious, and the service was phenomenal. I loved the bright and airy space, thanks to the large windows that let in plenty of natural light. If you want a refreshing beverage at this establishment, they are open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.