Go Greek Beverly Hills Changes to Gel Matic Soft Serve Machines

 

Fro-yo girl here. During my recent visit to Go Greek in Beverly Hills, I noticed something was different…they have new soft serve machines. The Taylor soft serve machines have been replaced by shiny new Gel Matic soft serve machines. It was my first time seeing Gel Matic machines in a frozen yogurt shop. The texture seemed less dense and lighter compared to Taylor’s machines. But the settings could have been changed, so I’m not sure if the difference is really due to the difference between the machines vs. the settings.

Gel Matic machines are made in Italy. The company has been in business for over 50 years and specializes in express blending technology. The machines looked fancy and said Made in Italy across the top.

Gel Matic soft serve machines are more common in Australia and Europe.

Go Greek in Studio City still uses Taylor soft serve machines.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Kalamaki Greek LA Opens in Los Angeles and Adds Greek Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Kalamaki Greek LA is a new Greek street food café in Los Angeles that started as a food truck in 2018. A brick & mortar restaurant opened last September in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles (Central LA). The menu includes gyros, skewers, salads, sides, Greek coffee, and Greek yogurt smoothies. In November 2023, they added Greek froyo to the café (but not to the food truck).

The owner of Kalamaki, Antonios Karagiannakis, is from Crete and he made Greek frozen yogurt when Greek froyo became huge in Greece. Then he was recruited to make Greek fresh and frozen yogurt for Go Greek in Beverly Hills.

Kalamaki specializes in authentic Greek street food made with Greek olive oil, Greek feta, etc. Choose from appetizers, skewers (chicken or pork), falafel, Greek salad, and gyro sandwiches (beef/lamb, beef, chicken or pork gyros). It’s not froyo but the Greek salad with gyros was excellent – very fresh ingredients, lots of feta, very flavorful.

I was more than a little disappointed that they were cleaning their froyo machines during the afternoon of my visit. I waited two hours and they only had one froyo flavor available. 

On my second visit, they had all four flavors available.

Froyo flavors:

• Mango
• Plain: rich, smooth, tangy, lots of flavor, softer and creamier 
• Chocolate
• Honey tahini: similar to the plain froyo only with the distinct taste of tahini (yellow sesame)

A small froyo is $11 with a choice of two toppings, while a large is $13 with three toppings. Greek fruit preserves, a hot dark chocolate crust, and hot Nutella crust are extra. The toppings looked healthier: hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, popping boba, fresh fruit, nuts, mochi, granola, coconut, sprinkles, etc.

It’s expensive but the froyo quality and taste are there.

Order at the counter and get a number. They’ll bring the food to your table. The café’s décor is reminiscent of Greece. The neon sign in front and the awning both say frozen yogurt (yay!)

They are understaffed at the moment, so expect a long wait.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* KALAMAKI GREEK LA: 344 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

2020 Froyo Guide to Los Angeles

Pita GR

Fro-yo girl here. My froyo guide to greater Los Angeles will be six years old in October. With so many froyo changes since then, the guide could definitely use an update. Some of the shops in the 2014 guide have closed (e.g., Yogurtland CityWalk, SweetXO) or moved (e.g., Humphrey Yogart).

Downtown/Central LA

Spread Mediterranean Kitchen (334 S Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90034) isn’t a froyo shop and that’s a good thing because you can enjoy a delicious meal here with froyo for dessert. They also have craft cocktails. I like getting the hummus plate with lamb meatballs or falafel, cheesy and spicy style. I also like how the froyo comes in a mini size, perfect for dessert or a snack. The housemade Greek froyo comes in one flavor, plain and it’s icy and refreshing. Note: Spread is currently a specialty market (delivery or pickup only).

Craving super flavorful, tart froyo? Head to an ice cream shop! Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Los Feliz (1954 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027) makes scoopable frozen yogurt that will leave tart froyo lovers swooning. Rainbow Yo features three tangy froyo flavors all made with biodynamic dairy from Ohio.

Yoga-urt

East

21 Choices Frozen Yogurt (44 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105, additional locations in Claremont, CA) stays on the list because it offers something hard to find: housemade froyo flavors that you can customize with mix-ins. Your custom flavor is mixed before your eyes on a frozen marble slab. They’re known for unique flavors like Circus Animal and Nutella Cookie Dough. If you love toppings, this is the place for you. If you like your froyo with more texture, try their Crunchy Choices which has bigger pieces of toppings. 

Yoga-urt (two locations: 1407½ W Kenneth Rd., Glendale, CA 91202 & 2211 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) was the first plant-based, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free, organic “froyo” shop in Los Angeles. I’m thrilled that they’ve done well enough to open a second shop in Echo Park. They make their own froyo (yes, it is froyo because it’s probiotic) from scratch. The main base is almond and cashew milk. Their flavors are unique and often intriguing, e.g., Purple Power has beets, Ganesha’s Sweet Greens has spinach. Their yogurt is so fresh and delicious that you don't miss the dairy at all. My favorite flavors are Vanilla Harmony, True Tahini, Pistachio Passion, and Ganesha’s Sweet Greens. 

West Side

While the original Pinkberry location in West Hollywood has closed, the Beverly Hills Pinkberry (240 S Beverly Dr #A, Beverly Hills, CA 90212) continues to offer what Pinkberry is known for: original tart froyo and a chance to spot a celebrity or two. While you’re in Beverly Hills, you can walk over to the next spot, Go Greek.

Another returning shop from the 2016 guide, Go Greek (425 N Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, other locations in Santa Monica, Woodland Hills & Las Vegas) offers self-serve premium froyo made with Greek yogurt, smoothies, and fresh Greek yogurt. Authentic imported Greek toppings like sour cherry, quince, rose and carrot are available. Their froyo is super thick, creamy, and rich.

South

Pita GR (9905 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90240) is a fast casual Greek street food eatery with a Greek chef. They make their own frozen Greek yogurt with their own recipe. There's only one flavor, plain. It can be topped with sour cherry syrup, lemon preserve, housemade baklava, or wildflower honey. The food is also delicious. Warning, the froyo is large so don’t order a big meal. Save room for froyo!

OC

Yes, there are countless Yogurtland locations in Southern California, but there’s only one original location and it’s in Fullertion. Yogurtland Fullerton (501 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831) opened in February 2006 and has been remodeled several times over the year, but a few things stayed the same: self-serve froyo and proprietary froyo flavors.

San Fernando Valley

Menchie’s started in Valley Village, CA in May 2007 and grew to become the largest self-serve froyo franchise in the world. The original location feels different. The décor is a bit different and the service is something that every Menchie’s should strive towards. Even the cheerful phone manner makes this location different. It’s always clean and well-stocked.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Go Greek Thousand Oaks to Open on May 29

Fro-yo girl here. There aren’t a lot of details yet, but I heard that Go Greek The Oaks Mall will open next week, on Tuesday, May 29. It’s on the second floor, the outdoor part, by Vans. Nothing official has been announced yet, so it’s probably a soft opening, with a grand opening to be announced later.

Go Greek will offer fresh Greek yogurt, self-serve Greek frozen yogurt, and Greek coffee. 

Update: They had a soft opening and special sampling on May 26 from 2-5 PM.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 350 W Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Go Greek Yogurteria Grand Opening at Glendale Galleria

Fro-yo girl here. Today was supposed to be the grand opening of Go Greek Yogurteria, the authentic Greek frozen and fresh yogurt mini chain, at Glendale Galleria. Go Greek’s kiosk can be found near the center of the mall (by JC Penney and Green Crush). However, apparently the grand opening was a private, invite-only event, even though Go Greek didn’t mention this on Facebook or Instagram @gogreekyogurt. The public was allowed try some samples. For the frozen yogurt, each person received one tiny sample cup. 

They had six flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt today and they had the imported fresh Greek yogurt as well. I think it’s 85 cents an ounce. I saw the toppings bar, but didn’t get a close look at it because it was crowded.

I was told the shop would be open for business this Monday, March 12. The scariest thing happened at the Glendale Galleria this afternoon during the grand opening. The mall was evacuated and on lock-down. I kept hearing about an active shooter but I didn’t see or hear anything. We were told to duck and run as we were let out of the back door.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 100 W Broadway, Glendale, CA 91210

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Go Greek Yogurteria Glendale Galleria Grand Opening This Saturday, March 10

Fro-yo girl here. A few weeks ago, I shared some pictures of the future Go Greek at Glendale Galleria. I think I was the first to break the news, since I didn’t see a mention of that location prior to my blog post. When I saw the location, it looked close to opening.

Well, the grand opening date has been announced. It is Saturday, March 10 from 2 PM – 5 PM. I’m not sure what, if any specials, they’ll have, but they had a buy one, get one free special at their Santa Monica opening last year. There may be additional updates from Go Greek on Facebook or Instagram, @gogreekyogurt.

From what I can tell, they will have fresh and frozen Greek yogurt (imported from Greece), like their other location. Expect 6 self-serve flavors of froyo a day and healthier toppings. According to the sign, it will be 85 cents an ounce. Go Greek is upstairs by Green Crush, near the center of the mall.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

By Lolia S.

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 100 W Broadway, Glendale, CA 91210

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Future Froyo Shop Pictures: Go Greek Yogurteria at Glendale Galleria

Fro-yo girl here. Glendale Galleria is the fourth largest mall in Los Angeles, but it feels like the busiest. You could get your froyo fix at Haagen Dazs or go across the street to Pinkberry at the Americana. Menchie’s is also nearby in downtown Glendale.

A new froyo option is coming soon to the 2nd floor of Glendale Galleria. Go Greek Yogurteria, the authentic Greek frozen and fresh yogurt mini chain, is opening a kiosk near the center of the mall (by JC Penney and Green Crush). You can’t get any more authentic when it comes to Greek yogurt because they import their yogurt from Greece and they have Greek toppings. The original location opened in Beverly Hills. There are two other locations in Santa Monica and The Village at Topanga in Woodland Hills.

With the fresh yogurt, you can go sweet or savory and build your own bowl with 0%, 2% and 10% fat versions of imported Greek yogurt.

I saw one froyo machine there but it looks like there will be room for three, so they should have 6 flavors a day. They’ll carry the house flavors of Greek Honey, Plain Tart, Chocolate, and Wild Berry with two other flavors from their Rotational and Seasonal flavors. It is self-serve. The froyo is made with 2% or 10% fat Greek yogurt. The toppings are healthier (fresh fruit, dried fruit, cocoa nibs, chocolate chips, premium sauces, Greek biscuits, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, nuts, peanut chews, granola, coconut). According to the sign, it will be 85 cents an ounce.

The kiosk looks almost ready to open. I'm pretty sure I didn't see it when I was at the mall doing my Christmas shopping, but I rarely go up to that part of the second floor.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 100 W Broadway, Glendale, CA 91210

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Go Greek Yogurteria Opens in Santa Monica

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve been a fan of Go Greek Yogurteria since they opened because it’s one of the very few places where you can get authentic Greek frozen and fresh yogurt. By authentic, I mean yogurt that is imported from Greece. And the overall experience at Go Greek is hardcore Greek. The yogurt is from Greece and the owner is Greek. The mostly white décor with blue accents is Greek and some of the toppings are Greek too. The yogurt is kept in terracotta bowls, just like they store it in Greece. It’s very Greek.

This location is across the street from the ocean and close to Santa Monica Pier. There are quite a few froyo shops in the vicinity (including Yogurtland, Forty Carrots, Pinkberry and Sunny Blue) but Go Greek is the closest to the beach. And you can build your own yogurt bowls (sweet or savory), sip on Greek coffee or serve yourself a bowl of Greek frozen yogurt.

With the fresh yogurt, you can go sweet or savory and build your own bowl with 0%, 2% and 10% fat versions of imported Greek yogurt. They had flavored fresh yogurt which I don’t recall seeing at their other locations.

They emphasize being authentically Greek and offering healthy fresh products. It looks like a shop you’d find in Greece. It’s not uncommon for Greek yogurterias to offer fresh and frozen yogurt which is what Go Greek does.

The froyo is made with 2% or 10% fat Greek yogurt. The froyo is self-serve. There are six flavors of Greek froyo at any time. Sample cups are kept by the full size cups. The toppings are healthier (fresh fruit, dried fruit, cocoa nibs, chocolate chips, premium sauces, Greek biscuits, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, nuts, peanut chews, granola, coconut). While it’s pricier at 79cents an ounce, the quality is higher (and it’s imported from Greece). Ask for the sauces (honey, rose preserve, peanut butter, agave, etc.) because they’re not kept with the other toppings. The rose preserve has a strong rose flavor – I like it but in small doses. I also like the crispy Greek biscuits with sesame. They're not too sweet.

Their frozen yogurt is richer and more indulgent. It doesn’t have that refreshing edge. It’s for people who like really creamy froyo. It’s more satisfying and filling. It also has a distinctive taste that I haven’t tasted in domestic yogurt.

The official grand opening is February 25th from 2-5 PM when you get enjoy a buy one, get one free deal.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

By Lolia S.

* GO GREEK YOGURTERIA, 1431 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.