February 17, 2019
After working as a corporate trainer at the boba shop franchiser Lollicup, Jason Tsai opened his first branch of Macchiato in 2012 in the Monterey Park area of Los Angeles County and has since opened two more location in Southern California with others on the way. Tsai also operates Next Republic Artisan Kitchen in Alhambra, CA and previously owned the now-defunct Bleu House in Hacienda Height.
Originally centered around a limited list of boba tea and coffee, Macchiato has grown its menu to over 40 items, including espresso drinks, specialty teas, sea salt lattes, milk teas, desserts, and fried foods like popcorn chicken and tater tots. The restaurant has become a social media hit due to items like its macaron ice cream sandwiches, charcoal waffles, and potted plant tea - a photogenic creation of boba-filled milk tea topped with a layer of whipped cream, crushed Oreo cookies, and a final garnish of a single micro green to create the illusion of a sprouting plant.
Macchiato is now serving at 727 W. San Marcos Boulevard, Suite 108, in San Diego's San Marcos community. Based on the success of this first area location, more outposts may be popping up around San Diego County in the future. For more information, visit gotmacchiato.com.
