08/11/2025
The Shop by EBNS Review
By Everett Smith ‘29
When paying up to $8 for a matcha latte, quality matters. As tight budget college kids, most can’t spend big bucks on mediocrity. So, to help you spend your fun money wisely, I’m here with my matcha reviews.
For our first stop, I went to the popular The Shop by EBNS a.k.a. Every B*tch Needs A Scrunchie. Started by Kenzie Beam during her senior year of high school as a homemade scrunchie brand, it eventually evolved into the physical store/café we know today!
I’ve visited a bit, both to study and introduce to friends. With its very feminine atmosphere, all pink and floral, it sparks immediate joy. It isn’t some soulless corporate creation, it’s a light and happy environment.
EBNS has a wide range of drinks, all leaning towards sweet flavors like birthday cake and caramel. They’re not like other cafés, with no drip coffee or espresso. They still have lattes (using cold brew) but it could upset coffee purists. It’s more for a fun drink rather than an everyday place like Moka or Valentia. So, it didn’t surprise me that when I got my raw bones matcha (iced with almond milk, no sweetener or syrup) it wasn’t up to their average drink standards.
It isn’t bad in the slightest: Good quality milk, smooth drink, even once the ice melts and waters it down. But, the matcha itself isn’t particularly high quality. It had that grassyness matcha haters usually mention and would be improved upon with one of their signature flavorings and syrups. It makes sense as that’s their standard and what’s on their mind when they source the powder.
The drink itself is cheaper compared to other local places with a 16 oz being $5, a 20 oz being $6 and a 24 oz being $6.50. For context, a 16 oz grande at Starbucks is $5.45 (and less fun). They also don’t charge for alternative milk which is uncommon in Madison, annoyingly.
In short, I’ve enjoyed EBNS a lot. I love going there to study with friends and have a drink. The experience can be taken up another step if you get their muffins which are immaculate (get the chocolate chip and french toast flavors!). Stop by 626 Langdon St and pick up your weekly fun drink with a heart pink straw!
