Elise G.
Yelp
My take on Trio's matcha latte:
When I was newer to the concept of matcha, Trio quickly became one of my go-to-spots. However,
after exploring other cafes around the SFV and LA area, I've come to believe that Trio does not use the highest quality matcha.
My usual order: Large iced strawberry matcha latte with oat milk, strawberry cold foam and light ice. This usually comes out to $10.40, because of the additional charges for the milk substitute (over $1) and cold foam (possibly another $1, I'm not too sure).
While the drink looks aesthetically pleasing upon receiving and is fairly tasty--mainly because its quite sweet--you're essentially paying premium price for what ends up tasting more like sugar in a cup than an actual matcha latte. Now that I'm more familiar with what true matcha should taste like, I find myself
wishing I could actually taste the matcha in Trio's matcha latte.
Additionally, Trio does have a certain appeal. I believe they are popular because they cater mostly to the audience of younger adults. They market their drinks to look aesthetically pleasing to the eye, which is definitely nice to see. Their coffee shop is also very cozy and inviting. They even sell merch which I admit is also pretty nice, but I personally wouldn't buy. They've definitely carved out a strong niche by checking off a lot of boxes: aesthetic presentation, community engagement, a meticulously crafted drink menu, and branding that resonates with their target audience. Unfortunately, there isn't another small business in the AV area that competes with all of that combined, which I believe plays a big role in Trio's popularity. For higher-quality options, you'd have to drive nearly an hour to the valley or even beyond, where the real gems are.
Service-wise, I'd rate them 8/10. The staff are always inviting and friendly. However, when it gets busy, wait times can stretch from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the rush and order volume.
Would I visit again? Definitely.
Would I become a regular again? No, at least not for the matcha. The price just doesn't match the quality of what I am getting, especially when you factor in the costs of the add-ons.
Disclaimer: I haven't tried their coffee or other drinks, as I am not a big coffee drinker.
Pro: They offer seasonal menus, which is a refreshing way to keep their offerings exciting and up to date.
Edit: The drink in the picture is a iced strawberry matcha latte. Apologies.