Hi Tea
“Food – Admittedly, some items are not as great as others, i'd say stick to your basics: chow fun, fried rice, cherng fun, congee.”
“The egg sandwich is just like I remember it from childhood too.”
“Some people might complain about wait time and service, but I watch as they make me one bubble tea, and there are so many steps involved.”
Hi Tea
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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The ONLY reason I would come here is if I wanted a very quick to-go snack..And that's only as a last resort. It's literally 4 mins walk from where I live. Cheap prices. Their selection of bread and pastries is dismal. Their bubble tea is awful. If you look behind the counter, on a table, there's at least 20 different powders, each a different flavor for their bubble tea. A few tables inside, for those who actually wanna sit down and eat. Plenty of parking in the back.
So happy this place open in our neighborhood. My daughter can get her bubble tea fix and I can get my Chinese take out! My favorite dish is the salt/pepper pork chop, spicy. They add handful of hot peppers which makes the dish just right. Also the Chinese breakfast here is a bargain. A cup of coffee, plate of chow mein (stir fry thin egg noodles) and a bowl of thousand year old egg congee for 4.50! Cheaper than the diner and bring me back to my childhood. The egg sandwich is just like I remember it from childhood too.
3.5 Stars.
When you need something quick and fairly priced, and tastes okay, this little bakery/fast food cafe isn't too bad.
Parking in the rear or metered street parking in the front.
They have breakfast specials that are less than $6 when you order a combo.
Had the spicy chicken wing appetizer with an order of curry Singapore noodles . The chicken wings had a nice chop of jalapeno, onions, garlic not spicy at all bit very tasty. The curry noodles had baby shrimp and were also tasty. All totalled $12, pretty tasty and cheap. Enough food for 2ppl.
Tables were not exactly clean or even wiped down, so thats a minus but there is ample parking in back and enough seating within the dinning room.
My go to spot for quick, casual, cheap, and effortless classic eats. It's a cafe and fast food type joint – no need to tip (not table service, you order and then sit) and has a few sit-down tables. Lunch time rush on the weekend gets really busy so either order ahead or hope for a table to sit while you wait. Line is pretty quick but it's a narrow space. There is parking in the back of this whole shopping plaza but even that is limited due to the Key Food supermarket steps away.
The menu is very inexpensive and has all the classic "Chinese Comfort To Go" dishes. Macaroni in soup with ham or hot dog topping, add an egg for 75 cents more. All different kinds of noodles – mei fun, chow fun, lo mein, egg noodle, thick yellow noodles, ramen, etc. They have a huge variety of rice plates – all economical and flavorful. Try the creamy fish rice plate or the "classic" salted fish and diced chicken fried rice…one of my favorites if you're feeling daring.
For the more "American style" fare, try any of the Baked Spaghetti plates…baked fish, minced beef, pork chop/chicken/Portugese Style is the better one, and you can ask for cheese. These choice can be served over rice as well. Suggestion, the beef stew…classic and full of beef and soft stewed veggies. Hits the spot on a cold rainy day. They also sell Toast (not just your regular toast – bread and butter…try their other flavors…I like the condensed milk and peanut one), egg sandwiches with your choice of meat or no meat, and other snack-y foods like fried cuttle fish balls. Small plates…are always fun as you get to try more things before filling up.
They even sell Bubble tea, fruit smoothies (note: likely the powdered kind) and the hard to find "Hong Kong style Tea" – which is really Chinese Coffee and Chinese Milk Tea combined. Not many places make this and it's delicious – especially if you can't decide which you'd prefer. No worries, there is a beverage fridge with soda, OJ, and bottled water.
In short – good cheap eats and it's a neighborhood gem. Don't be deterred by the minimal look … it's a cafe … buy food, eat and enjoy. Then jet…fast and easy.
Even though I gave this place three stars I still come here once a month. I like their fast service, beef with tomato over rice, cobdensed milk over toast and their fruit drinks.
My baby Luke's their noodle soup. The broth is so clear but definitely tastey. I feel comfortable feeding him their soup.
Now whether or not it has good Hong Kong style food, no clue. Not an expert in Hong Kong food by far.
I rank this Hong Kong style western Influenced breakfast snack spot ranked number three. When I'm in Queens riding around I prefer Tea Shop on Utopia but the golden standard is M Star on Division Street in Chinatown. The stir fried flat noodle is to die for and they have some pretty kick butt Steam Noodle wrapped in dough that none of the spots in Queens offer.
The ramen at HI Tea is average and the eggs and spam over rice needs more kick as in Salt or seafood sauce. The price is ok but the spot is convenient because they offer parking.
This place is in the perfect spot because there's nothing else like it in this area. The next closest spot for HK fast food is probably Fresh Meadows. The food is served fast, but the taste is ok. It's nice that they have their own parking lot, as well as fast turnover for street parking. Come here if you don't want to fight through Flushing for quick HK style foods. We've had satay beef udon, chow fun, milk tea, fried rice, and others. Like I said, food is only ok. Good thing portions are plentiful and wait time is minimal.