Froyo Guide to Thousand Oaks

 

Sweet XO at The Oaks

Fro-yo girl here. Thousand Oaks, California is the second largest city in Ventura County, with a population of 125,766. It’s 35 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and considered one of the safest cities in the US. Thousand Oaks also has a Tree City USA designation and is home to nearly 20,000 oak trees.

The first froyo shop in Thousand Oaks must have opened in the early 1980s and was probably a Penguin’s. Penguin’s was based in Thousand Oaks. It was founded in 1983 and reached well over 100 locations in 10 years. Penguin’s filed for bankruptcy in 1991. There were at least four TCBY shops in Thousand Oaks.

The Oaks Mall has been the center of the second wave of froyo activity in Thousand Oaks. Most of the newer froyo shops in town have been at The Oaks. The Oaks is currently home to Menchie’s and a Pinkberry vending machine.

There are currently three places to get froyo in Thousand Oaks: Menchie’s, Pinkberry (vending machine), and Wild Cherry.

Current Froyo Shops (& a Vending Machine)

• Menchie’s, 168 W Hillcrest Dr. #1, opened a self-serve froyo emporium in 2012 by the movie theater. This location also sells froyo cakes.
• Pinkberry by iCream, 350 W Hillcrest Dr, is a froyo vending machine by the Sprinkles cupcake ATM at The Oaks. The machine was installed in 2022.
• Wild Cherry Frozen Yogurt, 1724 N Moorpark Rd, is a self-serve froyo shop that also sells boba drinks. When they first opened in 2010, they charged $0.33/oz. Wild Cherry also has a location in Camarillo and one that closed in Ventura.

Former Froyo Shops

• Bericup, 382 W Hillcrest Dr., was a self-serve froyo shop in the food court area of The Oaks Mall. The shop opened in 2009 and may have closed in 2014. BeriCup was a froyo chain founded in Garden Grove, CA in 2007.
• Blizz Frozen Yogurt, 2200 Thousand Oaks Blvd, was a self-serve froyo chain from Southern California. It was open from 2010 – 2011.
• Golden Spoon, 2000 Avenida de los Arboles, closed in 2013. I’m not sure when it opened but probably before 2010.
• Golden Spoon, 1404 N Moorpark Rd., probably opened before 2010 and closed in 2013. The owner changed the concept to Tizzy’s Yogurt Café.
• Go Greek, 350 W Hillcrest Dr., opened in May 2018 at the Oaks Mall and closed less than a year later in March 2019. The authentic Greek yogurteria served fresh Greek yogurt and frozen Greek yogurt. The froyo was self-serve.
• Krave It, 350 Via Las Brisas, was a self-serve froyo shop that opened in 2015 and closed in 2017
• Lotus Yogurt Bar, 540 N Moorpark Rd STE 1, was a small self-serve froyo shop in the Village Square Shopping Center that opened in 2009 and closed in 2011. Lotus Yogurt Bar also had locations in Northridge and Hermosa Beach (both now closed).
• Mali Cuisine, 140 W Hillcrest Dr suite 111, was a Southeast Asian restaurant that also had self-serve froyo. It was open from 2016 – 2021.
• Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, 1344 N Moorpark Rd, unknown opening and closing dates.
• SweetXO, 350 W Hillcrest Dr, opened on the 2nd floor of The Oaks Mall in 2014 and closed in 2015. The shop had self-serve froyo, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, candy, and gifts.
• TCBY, 1772 E Avenida De Los Arboles, opened and closed in 2009 or 2010.
• TCBY, 212 W Hillcrest Dr, Ste M4, probably closed well before 2010
• TCBY, 3170 Los Feliz Dr, probably closed well before 2010
• TCBY, 378 W Hillcrest Dr #K010B, was at The Oaks Mall
• Tizzy Yogurt Café, 1404 N Moorpark Rd, opened in 2013. It was started by an ex-Golden Spoon franchisee and served froyo, shakes, smoothies, Belgian waffles, oatmeal, and coffee. It may have closed in 2014.
• Yozen Frogurt, 2416 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, opened in 2008 and closed in 2011. The original Yozen Frogurt opened in West Hills in 2007. The Thousand Oaks branch was self-serve.

I found 16 former froyo shops in Thousand Oaks. There were probably other Penguin’s locations but it’s difficult to find out much about them because they closed so long ago. Did I miss any froyo shops in Thousand Oaks? Let me know.

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.

Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt Space in South Pasadena Leased to Silverlake Ramen

Fro-yo girl here. Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt in South Pasadena closed in 2020. The sign is still up but the space has been leased by Silverlake Ramen. The windows are covered, so I couldn’t look inside. Silverlake Ramen has multiple locations (e.g., Highland Park, East LA) with several new locations in the works in Burbank, Manhattan Beach, Downey, Van Nuys, etc.

Penguin’s was once of the largest froyo chains in California, peaking at 123 locations. It filed for bankruptcy in 1991. The only locations left are in Westwood and Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles). Penguin’s La Canada closed in 2018, Torrance in 2014, and Redondo Beach in 2015.

Menchie’s remains open in South Pasadena but it usually only has a few flavors (today they had 7 flavors, half the froyo machines were empty).

* PENGUIN'S FROZEN YOGURT, 1105 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030

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.

Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt in South Pasadena Has Closed

Fro-yo girl here. Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt in South Pasadena is now permanently closed. The first time I visited a few years ago, the chocolate dip tasted terrible and waxy, so I didn’t go back for a few years. I didn’t realize that ownership changed in 2015. Before 2015, the same people owned the Penguin’s in La Canada Flintridge and South Pasadena. 

I knew times were tough during the coronavirus, so I went back a few months ago and bought two takeout cups of peanut butter froyo. The froyo wasn’t the best ever but service was pleasant and they had many flavors of froyo to choose from and even ice cream, froyo cakes, froyo pies, muffins, cookies, sundaes, floats, shakes, smoothies, and Peet’s coffee. They were open early, so you could even get froyo for breakfast. And they had free wi-fi, easy parking, and plenty of places to sit, including outdoors.

It looks like the closure occurred in late July. I think I went in early July. The sign is still there, so I didn’t notice anything when driving by (I drive by that area often). The contents have been removed. There was no sign on the door explaining the closure. This leaves one froyo shop in South Pasadena, Menchie’s. Menchie’s South Pasadena is only open Friday-Sunday now and they only offer 6 flavors now.

Penguin’s was once of the largest froyo chains in California, peaking at 123 locations. It filed for bankruptcy in 1991. The only locations left are in Westwood and Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles). Penguin’s La Canada closed in 2018, Torrance in 2014, and Redondo Beach in 2015.

Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, 1105 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030

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.

Where to Get Froyo for Breakfast (Los Angeles)

Chill, Studio City

Penguin's, South Pasadena

Fro-yo girl here. With Yoga-urt adding breakfast items to the Glendale location recently, I was able to enjoy froyo for breakfast again. I also realized that I hadn’t updated my froyo for breakfast post since 2013!

All the places that I mentioned in the 2013 post have since closed, except for Caffe Ambrosia in downtown San Francisco’s Financial District. Sadly, I can no longer get my favorite froyo for breakfast item, the SF Chronicle Special (Slow cooked, warm steel cut oatmeal, your choice of five toppings in between and your choice of yogurt or frozen yogurt on top) at Fraiche Yogurt. The ownership changed and the froyo went downhill.

Of course, now that Yoga-urt has breakfast, my froyo for breakfast woes are over. And, it turns out that a lot more places are serving froyo early than I thought. So, here’s an updated list of places to get froyo for breakfast in and around Los Angeles. These shops are open at 10 AM or earlier.

• The Bigg Chill, 10850 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles (West Los Angeles), CA 90064: This froyo institution has been around since the 90s. It’s not self-serve but they pile on the froyo and toppings. People love their housemade vegan cookie dough.
• Bon Bon Berry, 1848 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles (West Los Angeles), CA 90025: Bon Bon Berry is known for acai bowls. They also have froyo (not self-serve), smoothies, oatmeal bowls and other drinks. The acai smoothie comes with a swirl of froyo on top.
• Chill Café, 11706 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA 91604: Chill Café serves bagels, crepes, sandwiches, coffee, and self-serve froyo. I haven’t been there since the ownership changed last year.
• CoffeeWalk YogurTalk, 700 S Flower St., Los Angeles (Downtown), CA 90017: I went once and didn’t like it but it’s convenient if you work right downtown near the BLOC. The space is small but they manage to offer self-serve froyo and toppings.
• Crepes N Shakes, 7105 Eastern Ave, Ste H-A, Bell Gardens, CA 90201: When I visited this shop, it was called Tutti Frutti. I think they still have self-serve froyo, plus crepes, waffles, milkshakes, and more.
• Go Greek (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Woodland Hills): Fancy, high end Go Greek Yogurt offers fresh Greek yogurt and frozen Greek yogurt. The yogurt is actually from Greece, where the founder is from. You can serve yourself and add healthy toppings, including some Greek toppings. 
• Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, 1105 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030: They open at 7 AM every day except Sunday! They serve Peet’s Coffee. It’s an old school froyo shop with lots to choose from: soft serve, shakes, smoothies, sundaes, and even ice cream. The froyo side usually opens at 10 AM though.
• Pinkberry, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230: Since it’s a mall-based location, Pinkberry Culver City opens when the mall opens. 
• Pressed Juicery (various locations): Not every Pressed Juicery location has Freeze, their dairy-free soft serve product but Freeze would be delicious for breakfast. The best sauce is the almond butter. Get extra almond butter! 
• Red Mango, 1011 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles (Downtown), CA 90015: Since Red Mango at LA Live offers juice, smoothies and acai bowls, in addition to self-serve froyo, they open early. 
• Yoga-urt, 1407 ½ W Kenneth Rd., Glendale, CA 91201: The homemade waffles are gluten-free, soy-free, vegan and yes, still scrumptious. You can get them topped with a scoop of vegan froyo, toppings, maple syrup, and Cocowhip. They might even be good for you? I like how the waffles aren’t too sweet and they have a chewiness that remind me of moffles (mochi waffles). 

Business hours have changed due to COVID-19, so check with the froyo shop before heading out there. 

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.

West Los Angeles Froyo Update

Fro-yo girl here. I recently heard that Frozen Land opened, taking over the old Yogurtland space in Westwood Village, across from the UCLA campus. I never had the chance to go to that Yogurtland, since I figured it would be open for a long time. It was there for ten years, so that is a long time.

Interestingly, there is no self-serve frozen yogurt left in Westwood Village. What’s left? Frozen Land is the only froyo option in Westwood Village proper and it’s no longer self-serve. If you go down Westwood Blvd., you’ll run into Bon Bon Berry, Penguin’s, and The Bigg Chill. Frozen Land offers 10 froyo flavors a day, along with scoopable ice cream and gelato. Bon Bon Berry replaced Frost Frozen Yogurt in 2014 and is known for acai bowls. The Bigg Chill and Penguin’s are old school, from the 90’s. Ralph’s the supermarket in Westwood Village, had self-serve froyo for awhile, but they no longer offer it. I was surprised to see the soft serve machines were still there and the empty toppings bar.

This move away from self-serve is surprising, when self-serve was all the rage for years. You can still get self-serve froyo in West LA but you have to go to Century City. Culver City, Brentwood, and Santa Monica. West Los Angeles was an important place for froyo, but it no longer feels like froyo central. Red Mango opened its first US location in Westwood Village, Pinkberry’s first location was in West Hollywood, and Pinkberry HQ was in Santa Monica. On the other hand, Westwood Village has a lot of empty storefronts, so it’s not just froyo that’s suffering.

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.

Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt Closes in La Canada Flintridge, CA

Fro-yo girl here. Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt in La Canada Flintridge was a LCF institution. It just closed last Sunday, October 19, 2018, after 30 years in business. The Penguin’s signs are already gone and the windows have been papered over. The story is that the owners were evicted.

There was a sign on the door with a farewell message from the owners, Marc & Patti.

Penguin’s had six soft serve froyo (it’s not self-serve) flavors a day including sugar free and low carb varieties, ice cream, smoothies, shakes, banana splits, etc.. The freezers held froyo cakes and to go cups.

One last froyo shop remains in La Canada: Pinkberry. If you love Penguin’s, the South Pasadena location is still open.

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

* PENGUIN’S FROZEN YOGURT: 711 Foothill Blvd, Ste A, La Canada, CA 91011

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.

Beverly Hills Froyo History & Roundup

Fro-yo girl here. There are frozen yogurt shops all over Southern California but there’s something special about froyo in Beverly Hills. It has something to do with the Beverly Hills mystique. People on the streets of Beverly Hills look different. They wear expensive clothes, drive expensive cars and they’re willing to pay more for quality froyo. 

There are currently four frozen yogurt shops in Beverly Hills: FroyoLife, Go Greek Yogurt, and Pinkberry are in the main downtown area while Toppings Yogurt (349 S. Robertson Blvd.) is closer to Pico-Robertson. Toppings, which opened in 2008, is kosher and self-serve. 

Old school Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt had a Beverly Hills location which closed in 2012. I never made it to that location because I was busy going to my favorite froyo shop, Sno:la, next to the Montage Hotel. Sno:la was different – organic, less sweet (with no white sugar), house flavors like sour cherry (my favorite), fresh mochi, healthy toppings and eco-friendly. It opened in 2007 and closed in 2009. They still have a shop in Kyoto, Japan and also a pop-up in Tokyo.

Pinkberry opened its Beverly Hills location (240 S. Beverly Dr.) in 2007 and it’s still open today, nine years later. The Beverly Hills location is their Innovation Kitchen where they test new products (currently these include organic acai and salted caramel coconut milk).

Blanc Haute (9465 Charleville Blvd) was the next upscale froyo shop to open; it opened in 2009 and closed in 2010. Blanc Haute had fancy toppings like figs and truffles. It was a stylish place and I was sad to see that it didn’t last. The space is now occupied by a juice shop (not surprising).

Self-serve froyo finally arrived in downtown Beverly Hills when mini-chain FroyoLife (241 S. Beverly Dr.) opened in 2010. It opened directly across the street from Pinkberry. It was a lower cost option with more flavors. They’re still open today. 

Go Greek (452 N Bedford Dr.) was the first Greek froyo/yogurt shop in Beverly Hills; it opened in 2013 and has expanded to Newport Beach (2 locations) and Canoga Park with a Santa Monica location slated to open this year. It’s higher in quality than your typical self-serve froyo place. The yogurt is flown from Greece and is available non-frozen or as frozen yogurt. Authentic Greek yogurt does taste different and it has a smooth, rich texture. Most people only have access to Greek style yogurt. People in Beverly Hills can enjoy real Greek yogurt – seems fitting.

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.