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.

Spread Mediterranean Kitchen Adds Baklava Topping to Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. When Spread Mediterranean Kitchen opened in downtown LA last year, I was very excited because of their menu and their housemade Greek froyo with interesting toppings. There’s one flavor, plain (the best flavor). The toppings included beet salt & citrus powder, chai halva crumble, or harissa dry spice & pita chip.

I’ve visited Spread multiple times since it opened. I really enjoy the food and the froyo. I also enjoy the ambiance/décor. The food is high quality and very flavorful but served in a casual (no waiter) setting. I think their falafel might be my favorite, served on top of their creamy hummus. It’s full of herbs with a light crunch outside. Their frozen yogurt is a bit icy but refreshing, not as sweet and less processed tasting. The toppings have changed over time. They added baklava (replacing the halva) but when I asked about it, they said they didn’t have any. So disappointing – but I am craving more falafel and the citrus zest froyo topping is so good.

* SPREAD MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN: 334 S Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90034

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.

New Spread Mediterranean Kitchen in Downtown LA Offers Housemade Greek Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Downtown LA has always been a bit of a froyo desert. While you could find froyo here and there, there were very few places to get your froyo. This is surprising since a thriving downtown area usually has a lot of froyo. Good news: Spread Mediterranean Kitchen opened last month.

It’s got a GRK/Souvla type of vibe and a similar set up for lunch: pick your base (housemade flat bread, basmati rice, hummus or salad greens), pick your main (falafel, grilled free range chicken, lamb meatballs, roasted mushrooms, braised beef) and pick your style (traditional, smooth & cool, savory & red, or cheesey & spicy).

The treats section of the menu includes housemade Greek frozen yogurt. There’s just one flavor, plain. Choose from the mini or large size ($2/$4). The list of toppings is short: beet salt & citrus powder, chai halva crumble, or harissa dry spice & pita chip. The toppings are included in the price of the yogurt.

Their frozen yogurt didn’t taste like the typical plain/original tart frozen yogurt. It was dense, smooth and icy. The taste was mild; I could taste the yogurt and it was sweetened but not as sweet. I like how the flavor had a clean, natural finish but it was on the bland side. There was little tang though it was refreshing. I did like the chai halva crumble – it was a bit crunchy and not too sweet. There was very little topping but she did offer me more after I started eating my froyo. I’d give the froyo 3.5 stars and the toppings a 4.5.

I thought the chicken flatbread wrap, cheesey & spicy style, was very tasty and flavorful though it didn’t come with much chicken. Spread is open daily from 11:30 AM – 11 PM. There’s free wi-fi before 6 PM and Middle Eastern inspired cocktails for the evening.

This is Spread’s first and only location. Will it spread?

* SPREAD MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN: 334 S Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90034

4 out of 5 stars

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.