The Midwest Frozen Yogurt Blog

Kalamazoo/ Portage Yogurt Shop

2010-06-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

There is a new yogurt shop in the Kalamazoo/ Portage area of Michigan called White Velvet. I must say I must give them props for coming out with a very creative name. I am pleased it doesn't sound like every other new yogurt place opening (with names including the likes of fresh..., berry..., etc.). I have a friend in Kalamazoo who will be trying it and reporting back to me.

2010-06-04T17:49:00.001-07:00

The Red Mango in Glenview is NOW OPEN! I went there tonight and today is the first day they are open. Yayyy!! It's attached to a bakery, which I think is unique to Red Mango, but who cares! :)

Carmel Indiana, Fro Yo Capital of the Hoosier state!

2010-06-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

It seems that Carmel Indiana seems to be the hotspot of newly opened/ soon to be opened froyo places. It's a wealthy community near Indianapolis. How do I know this? When I was in high school marching band, during a competition weekend we stopped at Carmel H.S. for a rehearsal. I remember that the school had a planetarium in it. A PLANETARIUM...

I guess that means if you went to a high school that had any obscure facilities in it and are a froyo lover, then you're in luck. If you're like most of us who went to a ghetto-fied place with words carved into the old desks, then fro yo is going to take much longer to open near us. That's my foolproof formula and I'm stickin' to it, damn it! What other yuppified locales do you think would be good for Fro yo stores around the midwest? You know that store owners/ company CEO's secretly troll this blog like sharks hoping for tips about the midwest froyo demographic, so let's give it to them!

Anyways, the Red Mango in Glenview, IL is supposedly opening today, which is within a reasonable drive where I won't be wasting more gas than is coming out of the broken BP pipe to get fro yo. I emailed the PR person for Menchies to find out and supposedly they are still planning on opening, despite Northbrook Court claiming they've backed out of their lease. I think the Menchies plans on leaving it on their website till they make a decision, but their movement as a company seems extremely slow and/or disorganized due to the many "coming soon!" stores i've seen on their website for a very very VERY long time. I hope that they aren't going bankrupt!

Menchie's Public Shaming, etc. etc.

2010-03-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

So Menchie's backed out of their lease in Northbrook Court, apparently? If they did, they are LOSERS! Menchie's: prove me wrong! Thanks to everyone for their comments. If anyone has an iphone or itouch, there is a new app called "The Frozen Yogurt Locator". The icon is a purple cup filled with white froyo with a light blue background- don't get it confused with the "ice cream and frozen yogurt finder"! It's $1.99, so not too bad if you're willing to pony up.

I was thinking about all the new chains opening up- it's getting redundant with naming. it seems like a slot machine. On one side it's words like "fresh, yogo" and all the different colors, and on the next it's the name of random fruits. What combo is next? YogoCado? PurplePapaya or FreshLychee? It screams: "I'm a PINKBERRY/ REDMANGO imitator!!" which let's face it- they pretty much are, and would suck if they didn't hold up to their standards.

"Just like people in the southwest like hot things, people in the midwest like cold things"

2010-03-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

I saw this quote from Pinkberry's facebook fansite by someone from Chicago and thought it was brilliant! So true- so why can't fro yo companies grasp this concept? Yes business may be a little slower in the winter, but the droves that come out in the summer will well make up for that! I see so many fro yo companies teasingly put "COMING SOON TO (insert major midwest metropolitan area here) !" and then quickly take it down from their website. It's either that, or it will say "Coming soon to Michigan" for over a year with no progress. Come on- What are you afraid of you wimps!? The midwest offers all the same demographics that frozen yogurt stores in warmer climates enjoy- the only difference is the weather. I wonder if they think we live like hermits when the temps dip below 40 degrees, or if anyone won't step up from the companies to move from the warm climates to the midwest to open new stores. All I know is that it's lucky for the few stores that have chosen to open up because they're eating the profits up! The longer it takes stores like Yogurtland, Pinkberry, Menchies, etc. to get their acts together and open up stores here, many of the "prime areas"will be already taken by existing stores! I know it's already happening in Chicago and other big university towns such as Madison, WI (new Red Mango) and Ann Arbor, MI (Yogobliss). It seems to me that they are afraid more than anything else. I do hope that Red Mango will start opening up some of their new self serve (ss) concept stores around here, because there's no one that doesn't love the control and choice of ss froyo once they try it, especially because there is more control over price. In this economy it's a selling point. Let's face it, fro yo can be a big rip off because it's trendy- but we can't help our addictions, right? :)

VeryBerry in Buffalo Grove, IL

2010-01-16T18:47:00.001-08:00

Great frozen yogurt taste- with very thick and heavy consistency and no ice crystals. However, they are very stingy with toppings and the people working there are amongst the most unfriendly and rude I have ever encountered at any establishment. The atmosphere is different and looks like a typical coffee shop. They have magazines to read, which encourage you to stay longer. It is located in a desolately abandoned strip mall with a strange smattering of stores. Overall, take it to go!

Pinkberry Polls!

2010-01-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

In the Pinkberry "where should we come next" polls section of their website, Chicago is currently in the lead! That means YOU need to go online and vote! Even if you don't live in the Chicago area, that means it could be at least in driving distance for you! VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!
http://www.pinkberry.com/frozen-yogurt-polls.html

Pinkberry? WTF

2009-11-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

On the Pinkberry website it now specifies many new states finally getting a pinkberry. All I have to say is: WTF PINKBERRY!!! New Orleans gets one before us? BASTARDS!

That's Right- You Heard it Here FIRST folks!

2009-11-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Red Mango's newest Chicagoland location will be opening in Glenview. On Milwaukee, one block south of Euclid/Lake Street. It is a strange location with little to no foot traffic, and in an unincorporated area of town, but no doubt they will get many drive bys. Don't be fooled by other "Chicago" froyo bloggers. We have the first and best info about tart froyo! Ohio's location in Columbus is open and running, demonstrating Red Mango's agressive efforts to be the first big froyo chain in the midwest. Of course, the local single store options around still rock- but come on Pinkberry, jump on the bandwagon. Also, self-serve locales are NOT catching on as quickly. If anyone has any news and reviews about new stores opening up around the midwest, or info/ideas, please let me know! xoxoxo

Summer.. The perfect time for fro yo!

2009-07-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

I hope this summer finds you all enjoying delish tart frozen yogurt on warm days! During the course of this summer there have been many new locations opening of tart fro yo places. Hopefully you will not have to drive (or fly?) quite as far to obtain frozen yogurt including Ohio and Indiana.

The Michigan based Swirlberry chain, primarily found inside the Plum Market grocery stores has opened its first actual storefront in downtown Ann Arbor on State Street. I feel this is very ambitious, considering the very successful (and yummy) Yogobliss operates only a few minutes walk away. I had a chance to try Swirlberry in Ann Arbor's Plum Market several weeks ago and found the actual frozen yogurt to be a little icy in consistency, but still containing a good piquant tartness. I was disappointed at the lack of topping. I ordered mine with just kiwi fruit and they really chatched me out giving me only a few pieces. The swirlberry website lists more Michigan locations opening soon, and also lists that it will be coming soon to the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.

In addition, I also traveled to the midwest's only self serve froyo location "Yogostation" inOak Park, Illinois and found it to be mediocre at best. The yogurt was watery, loose, and melted very quickly. The yogurt had a slightly sour aftertaste. The manager had little affect and was unfriendly. I know if anyone has ever visited Yogurtland in California, coming here was a disappointment compared to that. I wish one would open here!

In the Chicago area, the new Lincoln Park RedMango is open for business! I arrived within the first week of opening with a friend who had never tried tart fro yo before with promises of becoming addicted (I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has ever "popped someone's froyo cherry", right?)... well she loved it of course! Although, it's not froyo I'm excited to try their new probiotic iced teas. They have 3 flavors: Lemonocity (a green tea with a lemonade taste), Mysteaque (a black tea with vanilla), and Fanteasia (a berry hibiscus tea). Of course they all have the benefits of probiotics. The people running the store were very nice and even in the first week opening found things in the store to be moving efficiently. I have no doubt that people will be lined up outside the door even in below zero temps. FYI: the Lincoln Park RedMango is having their Grand Opening celebration on Saturday August 8th from 4-7 pm. Anyone coming in receives a free small original tart with one topping. Enjoy!

Also, as a shout out to Chicago local chain Berry Chill, the people working the location in Northwestern train station are awesome! They are always patient with my frequent indecisiveness since they offer such a variety of toppings! They are still planning on opening a location off the red line on Belmont sometime in the near future.

Does anyone else find it interesting that many fro-yo places are offering more variety rather than just frozen yogurt such as Pinkberry's new fruit and yogurt Parfait, and the new iced teas. CeFiore (a Cali based Italian tart frozen yogurt chain) offers froyo topped waffles. Yum! Many companies are trying to diversify and fight their competition with new menu items, which is great- but at the same time I feel this gets away from the original simplicity of tart frozen yogurt shops. If anyone remembers old school T.C.B.Y. we know their downfall was the fact that they stagnated and were not the "new thing" anymore. I invite you to ponder two ideas. Do you like all the crazy new menu items fro yo is rollin' out or do you like to keep it simple with just fro-yo and toppings? Second, what new ideas do you have for frozen yogurt shops/chains to add to their menus?

I live in an area of Chicago which is more or less completely lacking in tart fro-yo, and I'm sure many of you reading this blog live even further than I do from their favorite frozen libation... I'm wondering if anyone does the same thing that I do- when you see a vacant storefront or a new strip mall being built, do you think "please PLEASE open a (Pinkberry/ RedMango/ YogurtLand/ insert your own dream froyo spot) there!" and begin fantasizing about the amazing venture capital they would make- thanks to your amazing location scouting skills! And you would get froyo at any time you could ever want it I hope I'm not the only one, and if I am- I hope that gave you a laugh! :) Have a great rest of the summer!

Ann Arbor's Yogobliss

2009-05-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I went to Yogobliss while on my trip to Ann Arbor for the first time yesterday and it was excellent!

I had a tart green tea with strawberries and bananas, and I also tried a bite of my husband's original tart with blueberries and captain crunch, and sampled the cheesecake (not tart) before I ordered. My brother-in-law enjoyed the Mango tart, although I did not try it.

The place itself is light and open, with a river rock floor and a combination of circular low bubble chairs and tables, and regular height clear lucite chairs. The menu is all on digital flat screens. It was all very clean.

The yogurt is creamy and cool, with no hint of ice crystals or bad dairy aftertaste. The fruit toppings were wonderfully fresh and they didn't skimp on the amount given. Nothing drives a frozen yogurt enthusiast more crazy than a froyo with only 3 berries, but this didn't happen at Yogobliss. The presentation was very nice as the swirly-ness of the yogurt was not messy or tipping over.

If you're passing through or staying for awhile, Yogobliss is a great place. Enjoy!

New chain: Swirlberry

2009-05-24T14:53:00.001-07:00

Upon Checking Swirlberry's website, it's good news for the Midwest! Of course, their first location is open already in West Bloomfield, Michigan- but their website states that they will be coming soon to Ann Arbor, with a location confirmed at 209 S. State Street that will be opening sometime in June. The website also confirms a Birmingham, Michigan location as well and also states a less specific "coming soon to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois". We'll be eager to see where they will open next!

The Lowdown on Customer Service

2009-05-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

In this post, I would like to explore a the concept of customer service related frozen yogurt and ask you- the readers- to post your positive and negative experiences you have had in Frozen Yogurt. I will post your responses later.

One of the signatures of the "tart frozen yogurt experience" is the positive customer service for which they are known for. The first time I ever tried tart frozen yogurt at a California Pinkberry location, those working there were incredibly friendly, and I have noticed this positive employee attitude at multiple other chains including RedMango and the Chicago Starfruit location, and even a store called Passionberri in Norman, Oklahoma. On the other side, I have experienced rudeness at a location of BerryChill in Chicago and at a suburban YogenFruz location. At BerryChill, I have always felt extremely rushed and the employees were not as friendly. I even mentioned the blog and asked if they had any updates I could post about new openings, and the person I talked to was extremely unfriendly. I try to separate my idea of good customer service from the taste and/or quality of the product I receive, but of course they do go hand-in-hand.

What is YOUR definition of good or bad frozen yogurt customer service? Messy or lack of toppings? A friendly greeting? Not being rushed when asking questions? What are some great experiences you have had?

Please post your encounters in the comments section of the blog!

Completely unrelated to customer service, I am heading to Ann Arbor to visit my in-laws this Memorial Day weekend and can't wait to try the new Yogobliss. Thanks to Samantha for this review she posted on the comments section about her experience:

"The owners of Yogobliss have done a wonderful job with the interior (they have the requisite stark/modern decor that all of the new yogurt shops have), but more importantly, the yogurt is AWESOME! Tart and tangy and not too sweet. They are generous with their toppings and all of the fruit is really fresh. I happily wait in the line that is usually extended out the door (I am so glad that it is doing as well as it is!) For anyone craving Pinkberry/Red Mango/Berry Chill/Ce Fiore, come on down to Ann Arbor, you are sure to love Yogobliss"

I'm very excited, and hopefully I will get to introduce the other half of the family to the amazingness of tart froyo! I have updated the blog to add any new stores, and added a list for Michigan Yogurt. If you live in the Detroit suburbs, my friend Jen was awesome enough to find a place called Swirlberry in West Bloomfield (located inside a Plum Market) and let me know. Thanks to everyone who leaves feedback about new locations and comments. This blog would not make it without you! I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Hello and New updates

2009-04-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hello to all purveyors of tart froyo ! My name is Erin, and this is my first post, as I will be taking over the Midwest Frozen Yogurt Blog. We should all wish Kate (and Chloe) good luck and best wishes as she departs for New York City. Thanks for keeping this up through the years! I currently live in the Chicago area and was hooked on tart frozen yogurt the first time I tried it on a trip to California.

Last weekend I was able to attend the Grand Opening of the new Red Mango in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. While I enjoyed one free small original with 1 topping and was able to speak with the midwest district manager. Here are a few updates:
-Indianapolis Red Mango location will be opening within a few weeks
-A location at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio has been slated
-Hopes to open a location in Ann Arbor, Michigan sometime soon (Go Wolverines!)

Berry Chill (based out of Chicago, Illinois) will be opening two new locations in the next few months: one at the Merchandise Mart and another on Belmont near the Red Line.

Lastly, (thanks to my helpful brother-in-law for checking on this) the new Yogobliss is up and running in Ann Arbor, Michigan! Here is the info for anyone in town, or passing through since there is not a website yet:
Yogobliss
1229 S University Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 274-4161

Bright Lights, Big City

2009-03-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

I am happy to announce that during the month of April my husband and I will be packing up and moving to Manhattan.

Despite a tremendously difficult past year, I have accomplished two lifetime goals: traveling through Asia and moving to New York City.

While tart yogurt shops are plentiful in NYC, I won't be able to report on their proliferation in the midwest anymore. Anyone want to take over the blog?

Good news for yogurt-deprived Michiganers!

2009-03-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Elisabeth from Ann Arbor alerted me to a new tart yogurt shop coming soon (if not already up and running). Yogobliss on 1229 South University Ave. (formerly Campus Dollar Store) is slated to open its door sometime in March.

Honorary yogurt blogger Samantha will hopefully be one of the first in line!

Yogen Fruz in Chicago

2009-02-25T07:18:00.000-08:00

While Yogen Fruz's store locator still only shows a presence in the burbs, commenter Shawn reminded me that one has apparently opened up in the Loop now.

303 W. Madison Ave.
Chicago IL 60606
Telephone 312-332-3789
Store hours, according to a press release, are "7:30 am til 7:00 pm" (really? I usually get my hankerings for yogurt at dinner, not breakfast, making these hours problematic). Store hours, according to Yelp, are Mon-Fri 7:00 am - 7:00 pm and Sat 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.

I'm heading into Chicago for my birthday on Saturday; if I can make the store's narrow window of open hours I look forward to trying it! (You may recall I was underwhelmed by Yogen Fruz in Thailand.)

Progress on West Lafayette's Red Mango!

2009-02-24T10:57:00.001-08:00

Reader Emily was awesome enough to send along a picture of West Lafayette's soon-to-open Red Mango, located on Chauncey Hill near Purdue University. This branch seems to be further along than the Indianapolis one. Very exciting:

The next natural Indiana location would be Bloomington, home of Indiana University, no?

Another option in Indy...

2009-02-24T10:37:00.001-08:00

Nick's Cafe, located in downtown Indy's Circle Centre mall (49 W. Maryland St.), is offering Edy's brand "Tartisan" soft serve. Their largest size - with one fruit topping - rung up at just over six dollars. (Strawberries, raspberries, and pineapple, my usual go-tos, were all soaking in syrup, so I passed.)

I honestly can't muster up the effort to describe the product, it was that underwhelming. Proceed only if you have spare cash and low expectations.

Chicago yogurt roundup

2008-12-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

Yoberri (2814 N Halsted St) appeared to be closed this past Sunday at noon when I stopped by. There were no hours posted on the door and the place was dark. Yoberri's Yelp page lists Sunday hours, but they have no official website to confirm whether those have changed, a rogue employee just didn't open the place on time, or they've shut down altogether.

So on to Starfruit, my first visit to the frozen kefir store in Wicker Park. Cute design, nice employees, and a product with a great, icy consistency (my husband wasn't as keen on the taste of the Original flavor as I was). Best of all, look at the generosity of the toppings:

(I learned I'm not a fan of Goji berries. Not Starfruit's fault - I should have stuck with my old standbys of strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.)

Topping overflow:

Exciting news for Indianapolis!

2008-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

A Red Mango will be opening soon, according to the company's website! (It was Yogokiss's owner, believe it or not, who tipped me off to this).

Remember the old trophy store now partly occupied by Brothers bar/restaurant? Red Mango will be moving into space at 910 Broad Ripple Ave.

A location will also be opening in West Lafayette at 102 N Chauncey Ave.

Some details on Kansas City's new self-service frozen yogurt shop

2008-10-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Name: Yummo
Address:1360 Walnut St. (next to Chefburger)
Kansas City, MO
Owner: Rob Dalzell
Price: 49 cents/ounce
Set-up: 16 different flavors of self-serve soft serve with over 40 toppings
Target open date #1: October 7
Target open date #2: October 15
Actual open date: ?

Two things I glean from this craigslist ad: they aren't open yet because they still are hiring, and they don't employ the most progressive of hiring practices now, do they?

How much does design matter?

2008-10-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

I recently received a very thoughtful email from a yogurt entrepreneur wanting to know my thoughts on store decor. My short answer was that the yogurt is by far the most important part of the experience, but awesome design really enhances my opinion of a place. That said, if a shop's interior is lacking, it really doesn't detract from my overall assessment of it. Decor can only help, not hurt.

Then I got to thinking about both form and function of store interiors and realized I am actually quite opinionated about the subject.

For instance, I am a big proponent of variety. But I dislike indecisiveness. For most of the American population, these are mutually exclusive concepts. I, however, refuse to stand in line and ponder my choices while an employee feigns patience and the patrons behind me curse me silently. Remember the sample abuser on Curb Your Enthusiam?

Ideally, a frozen yogurt store would give you plenty of opportunity to decide on your toppings before you even approach the register. It should start before you arrive, with a detailed, up-to-date website. Frozen yogurt is gaining popularity, and queues often stretch to the door. If there is no room for the topping bar anywhere but beyond the register, some sort of "toppings visual" would be much appreciated while waiting in line. It would increase efficiency of ordering and help me alleviate my phobia of holding up the line.

I could go on, but I'll throw the question out to you - do you have strong thoughts about design? Leave a comment if so!

Revisiting Chicago's Berry Chill

2008-10-27T04:04:00.000-07:00

Amazing toppings:

Better bowls (yay!):

Either they've reformulated or my tastes have changed, because I really, really enjoyed Berry Chill the two times I had it recently. The yogurt had a fantastic taste and texture.

The Midwestern Frozen Yogurt Blog goes international!

2008-10-27T03:58:00.000-07:00

I recently spent a month alone in southeast Asia and didn't have to go entirely without tart frozen yogurt during my travels. Although it was very much against my nature, I didn't research anything in advance of arriving, including yogurt. I had no itinerary, no reservations, no tickets....If I happened upon a yogurt shop, I was thrilled, but I didn't go seeking any out. Therefore, Malaysia and Vietnam (both short stops - the former, fortunately; the latter, regrettably) aren't represented in this post.

Bangkok, Thailand

Red Mango
Siam Square and Central World

No berries and a plethora of gummy tapioca offerings meant I chose kiwi, mango, and pineapple as my toppings. The yogurt was the same as Red Mango's in New York City - that's international consistency for you!

Yogen Fruz
Central World

Located inside a Swensen's Ice Cream Parlour, Yogen Fruz is the only merchant I have come across that blends fruit into the yogurt. Because of this, their fruit is frozen, and it isn't recommended you ask them to put it on top of your yogurt, which is why I opted for my order to be unadorned. The yogurt was very creamy and only slightly tart. I found myself wishing I had gone back to Red Mango instead.

Singapore

Yoguru
Raffles City Mall

Yoguru was by far my favorite yogurt place in all of southeast Asia. The plain flavor (they also had pomegranate) was tart, not sweet, and had a delicious icy whipped texture. Although I have always been an advocate of fruit-only toppings, I had such a strange hankering for cereal while traveling that I chose Fruit Loops in addition to strawberries. This combination was perfection after one of my dosa feasts in Little India.

J. Co
Raffles City Mall

J. Co is a doughnut shop steps away from Yoguru, and I can only hope their signature product is better than their J COOL Yogurt. Their excellent website touts J COOL as being 97% fat free, which explains the creaminess but not the chemical aftertaste. I recall less than a dozen topping possibilities but was delighted to see strawberries, until closer inspection showed little bits of fruit suspended in sickeningly sweet syrup. I took two bites, threw it away, and sashayed myself over to Yoguru. There apparently are also J. Co locations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Fruit N Toot

To access this particular location of Fruit N Toot I visited, you have to enter a 7-11 type convenience market and ascend a flight of steps. (My directions are fuzzy - it's right next to the hotel I stayed in, which was gloriously close to Bar Street. I was too busy partying to take detailed field notes.) The space was chic - a long white banquette spanned one wall, and the view was spectacular. Unfortunately the three flavors of yogurt available were taro, pineapple, and mango - all very sweet and not at all tart. Although the topping selection was wide, the Fruit Loops were definitely stale. If the 2008 presidential election doesn't turn out as I hope and we pack up for Cambodia, I doubt I'll visit Fruit N Toot very much.