World's Largest Frozen Yogurt Store

Fro-yo girl here. The other day someone suggested that I should review the world's largest frozen yogurt store. That sounds like a task I'd be up for...if only I knew where it was. I'm not even sure which shop is the largest in the Bay Area.

Coco Swirl Walnut Creek has the most fro-yo machines (10) and it has plenty of seating. Maybe it's the largest in the Bay Area? Tuttimelon Union City might be the largest in the Bay Area?

Back in 1987, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt claimed that its Lawrence, Kansas store was the World's largest frozen yogurt store. I don't think that location is still open. I Can't Believe It's Yogurt is now owned by Yogen Fruz.

Here's another blast from the fro-yo past. Back in 1991, four girls were killed at the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt location in Texas. The crime was shockingly brutal and it happened at the fro-yo shop. How awful.

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

* COCO SWIRL: 1273 Locust St., Walnut Creek, CA
* TUTTIMELON: 32200 Dyer St., Union City, CA

Tartini Now 30 Cents an Ounce

Fro-yo girl here. This morning I saw Tartini’s shocking announcement; they lowered their price from 38 cents an ounce to 30 cents an ounce. Go there. Their tart flavors are more natural than most self-serve fro-yo shops. It’s my impression that they have higher quality fro-yo by self-serve standards. I haven’t tried their sweet flavors but the tart ones are definitely better than Yogurtland’s.

Thinking about the announcement also made me think about the trend towards self-serve fro-yo. I looked at my list of fro-yo shops that opened this year and new self-serve shops outnumber full-serve fro-yo shops. Some full-serve shops like Papamingo and Café Aroma (now Honeyberry) even changed formats, going from full-serve to self-serve. Even Tuttimelon has a self-serve store now.

Self-serve really appeals to a younger crowd that doesn’t seem to mind the germs. I guess it’s a good trend since it increases demand for fro-yo and appeals to a wider audience.

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

* TARTINI: 20488 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite 2040, Cupertino, CA
* PAPAMINGO: 2510 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA (also 30 cents an ounce – they must have seen the crazy lines at Yogurtland)
* HONEYBERRY: 3488 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA
* TUTTIMELON UNION CITY: 32280 Dyer St., Union City, CA

Why I’m Anti Self-Serve Fro-yo

Fro-yo girl here. I know self-serve fro-yo is all the rage these days, but I just don’t like it. I will never like it for the following reasons:

1. Inferior quality. While there are plenty of bad full-serve places, on average self-serve fro-yo is inferior in taste and texture to full-serve. Often self-serve fro-yo is runny, watered down or too icy. Part of it may be that people might not put the handle back up after they’re finished with dispensing.
2. It's Unsanitary. I have seen more than one person TOUCH the nozzle to sample the fro-yo. Imagine how many dirty hands have touched the levers and spoons. Gross people could sneeze on the toppings and touch the toppings. Also, I have the feeling that they clean the machines less often than at a full-serve place because they have more of them and it takes 25 – 30 minutes to clean each machine.
3. Buffet atmosphere. Like a buffet, self-serve fro-yo encourages you to take a little bit of everything, which can result in a crappy combination. I don’t need to have that many fro-yo flavors or toppings.
4. Less attractive. A pretty swirl of fro-yo with toppings pleases one’s senses. My self-serve creations look like crap. Those ginormous cups they usually give you don’t help either. I’d rather have someone who knows how to swirl dispense my fro-yo.

The only positives about self-serve are (1) you can take just a tiny bit, (2) you can control the toppings to fro-yo ratio, (3) it’s cheaper (usually), and (4) you get exactly what you pay for - the hole in the middle becomes irrelevant. However, if the fro-yo is good, I don’t want just a tiny bit and I’m happy with the usual toppings to fro-yo ratio. I don’t mind paying more for better fro-yo.

People say that it’s more fun to swirl the fro-yo yourself and add your own toppings. I completely disagree. I like having people serve me!

P.S. There are some good self-serve fro-yo places out there. Tuttimelon UC tops my list, followed by Nubi, Tartini, Zuckersuss, Pink Swirl and Yogurt Paradise.

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

Tuttimelon Union City Grand Opening Coverage

Fro-yo girl here. April 11th marked another major day in Tuttimelon’s history, the grand opening celebration for their first self-serve location at Union Landing in Union City. After attending many Tuttimelon openings, I can say that the UC event was by far the biggest and most tuttilicious of them all.

All five fro-yo machines were ready for action as an eager crowd formed in front of the store. There were many families and very excited looking fro-yo eaters. Roy L. and Patrick W. were kind enough to let me in before the doors opened to the public.

The lucky first 50 received a cute portable set of iPod speakers w/ the Tuttimelon logo (a true collector’s item). I received the first gift (it pays to be fro-yo girl). The first person in the store was a young boy.

From 12 – 2 PM, free fro-yo flowed (good times). Patrons received a small cup which they could fill to their hearts content, selecting from 10 types of fro-yo and the fresh fruit, mochi balls, cereal, nuts and so forth at the toppings bar. I had the chance to chat w/ many of the Tuttimelon employees (they are so nice!). Spotted at the event: Keith, the manager of Tuttimelon San Mateo, incognito in regular street clothes.

I’m not sure who won the raffle but there were three prizes given out to lucky fro-yo eaters: a Best Buy gift card, iPod Touch, and a Sony Playstation 3.

I have visited nearly every self-serve place in the Bay Area and I can say with confidence that Tuttimelon has the best self-serve fro-yo in the Bay Area. Lucky Union City!

I also wanted to show off this beautiful cup of pomegranate fro-yo w/ Lucky Charms and coconut that Roy L. styled just for me. Yes, it’s self-serve but he was nice enough to still serve me (swoon). I need swirling lessons.

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

* TUTTIMELON UNION CITY: 33280 Dyer St., Union City, CA

Tuttimelon Union City Grand Opening (4/11): Free Fro-Yo, Prizes and Gifts!

Fro-yo girl here. Get there early for the grand opening of Tuttimelon Union City this Saturday and enjoy two hours of free tuttilicious fro-yo (you do need to bring a flyer to get the free small cup of fro-yo) from 12 – 2 PM. The first 50 customers will receive a fabulous Tuttimelon gift (I know what it is but I’m not telling) – it is something special created just for the grand opening. The first 500 customers will be entered into a raffle to win a Best Buy gift card, Apple iPod Touch and a Sony Playstation 3. This is their biggest grand opening event ever, so you don't want to miss it.

Can’t make it by 2 PM? You can still get 25% off with the flyer.

Let’s provide a warm welcome to the newest and largest Tuttimelon location!

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

* TUTTIMELON UNION CITY: 33280 Dyer St., Union City, CA

Tuttimelon Union City Friends & Family Night Coverage

Fro-yo girl here. I thought my Tuttimelon obsession was scary but I met someone who is even more Tuttimelon obsessed than I am, Roy L’s partner and store manager of the Union City location, Patrick Wong. His enthusiasm for Tuttimelon can truly be characterized as extremely passionate (and yes, scary). Patrick was Roy’s fro-yo apprentice for six months and he’s committed to making Tuttimelon a household name (Tuttimelon world domination). Roy and Patrick live, eat, and breathe fro-yo (and they barely sleep).

The Union City location is the jewel in the Tuttimelon crown, the largest Tuttimelon shop and their first self-serve location. They want to raise the quality level of self-serve fro-yo, emphasize customer service and create a fun environment for hanging out. The space feels like a cross between a lounge/night club. During the friends and family private event, they had a DJ on hand, unlimited fro-yo and lots of picture taking.

Expect to be greeted by a friendly face upon entry. The Tuttimelon greeter will assist you with samples. Then you’re free to pick up a cup and start swirling (there are 10 flavors to choose from, 38 cents an ounce). They’ll even help you pick out toppings if want. They may even come by and offer you a beverage.

I had the privilege of seeing the prep/storage area and the Tuttimobile. What’s a Tuttimobile?? It’s a car plastered with the Tuttimelon logo. Patrick hopes to install a fro-yo machine inside and take it to special events. He also promised me a ride in the Tuttimobile.

For the grand opening event on Saturday, April 11th, be sure to arrive early. I’m told that the first 50 customers will receive a special Tuttimelon branded gift and the first 500 customers will be entered into a raffle for various prizes. Also be on the lookout for 25% off coupons. It should be the biggest Tuttimelon grand opening event thus far.

Congrats to Patrick, Roy and the entire Tuttimelon family!

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

* TUTTIMELON UNION CITY: 33280 Dyer St., Union City, CA

Update: Tuttimelon Union City Grand Opening Moved to April 11th

Fro-yo girl here. Breaking news from Tuttimelon HQ - the Union City store's grand opening has been moved to April 11th. For those of you who can't wait for the grand opening, the store will make its debut and open its doors tonight (soft opening). I will try to learn more about what's in store for the grand opening.

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

* TUTTIMELON UNION CITY: 33280 Dyer St., Union City, CA