Future Fro-yo Shop Picture: Menchie’s Belmont

Fro-yo girl here. About a month ago, the Belmont Patch reported that Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt would take over the Golden Spoon space in the Belmont Village Shopping Center. Golden Spoon never opened their Belmont location and they seemed to have abandoned the space. The Golden Spoon signs and menu board are still up and there isn’t any sign of the future Menchie’s location yet. Menchie’s signed a five year lease for the space. Menchie’s is expected to open in fall 2012.

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

* MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT: 1200 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA

TuxedoSam Yogurtland Spoons

Fro-yo girl here. The new TuxedoSam fro-yo spoons and Miami cups arrived on 7/24 at participating Yogurtland locations. Yay! Here’s a picture of my spoon. I was inspired by TuxedoSam to select Frosty Vanilla froyo (which I think is Madagascar Vanilla renamed) and snow caps. I also selected salted caramel pecan fro-yo, mochi, crushed Butterfingers, toffee and a Nutter Butter cookie. 

Yogurtland also mentioned there would be a special prize for those who collect all four spoon designs, so save your spoons.Of course I’m wondering what the prize will be...I’m hoping for a special fro-yo spoon. Kuromi? A coupon for free fro-yo would be welcome too.

The TuxedoSam spoons will be available for two weeks (or while supplies last).

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

Red Mango Returns to the Bay Area

Fro-yo girl here. Red Mango is back in the Bay Area. Today was the first day of their Emeryville location. It was my first time to try their self-serve format. They’ve introduced many new fro-yo flavors that I haven’t had the chance to try (e.g., white peach, lemonade, honey badger, winter caramel) and specialty drinks like smoothies and lemonade chillers. The cups are cuter now. There are red spoons everywhere. 

RM Emeryville has 10 fro-yo flavors a day and about 30 toppings (fresh fruit, candy, cookies, granola, graham cracker crumbs, mini chocolate chips, syrups, honey, mochi, cereal, nuts, popping boba, etc.) for 45 cents an ounce. You can either grab a cone, fro-yo cup (multiple sizes) or clear parfait cup. Instructions are provided.

I didn’t see any opening day promotions.. Maybe later? Check their FB page for news. Of course you can always earn perks by signing up for their loyalty program. Plus there’s a Taste of Bay Street event tomorrow from 1 - 3 PM with free food samples but the samples are already free at RM.

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

* RED MANGO FROZEN YOGURT: 5616 Bay St. 5609, Emeryville, CA

Poll Results: Favorite Flavor of Fro-yo

Fro-yo girl here. I recently asked readers to vote for their favorite fro-yo flavor. I chose two popular sweet fro-yo flavors and two popular tart fro-yo flavors. The results are in. Original tart won with 37% of the vote, followed by Chocolate (26%), Vanilla (20%) and Pomegranate tart (15%). 

It’s interesting that 16 Handles surveyed its customers in 2012 and found that Vanilla was the most popular flavor (40.8%), followed by Chocolate (34.1%) and Tart (25.1%). I guess my readers like tart fro-yo much more than 16 Handles customers. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, 92% of ice cream companies said vanilla was their most popular flavor. Vanilla just wasn’t as popular with my readers. I suspect that my readers are hardcore fro-yo fans who love fro-yo for its tangy quality rather than the casual fro-yo eater seeking an ice cream substitute.

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

Looking for Used Taylor Machines

Fro-yo girl here. A buyer is seeking at least three late model (712 or 713) used Taylor frozen yogurt machines in excellent condition, preferably water cooled. Contact me at froyogirl@gmail.com for additional information. 

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

Yogurtland to Open First Store in SF

Fro-yo girl here. The San Francisco Planning Commission met this week to discuss Yogurtland’s plans to open at 1250 Ocean Avenue. Thanks anonymous tipster for the heads up! The space in question is brand new (the Avalon building), by City College of San Francisco (CCSF). Whole Foods is opening up in the same complex. My fingers are crossed that SF will finally get a Yogurtland.

What a momentous week it’s been for Bay Area fro-yo.
* July 10: New Sanrio spoons arrive at Yogurtland
* July 12: Pinkberry opens first SF store, store #200, Planning Commission meets to discuss Yogurtland’s application
* July 13: Easy Breezy opens in Noe Valley

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

Pinkberry’s 200th Store Opens in SF

Fro-yo girl here. I just returned from the grand opening of Pinkberry Union Square, the first Pinkberry in SF. I’m perplexed by the lack of publicity for the event...I didn’t get a Pinkberry Groupie email or see a Pinkberry tweet. But Union Square is open FINALLY (as of a few minutes before 5 PM)..

They’re giving away free fro-yo (small size with any toppings you want) till 10 PM tonight. There’s a big tent out front with tables and a DJ. I saw them roll out the famous pink carpet. The employees are really friendly. There must have been 30 of them. They’re squeezed in tight behind the counter. It’s really loud inside. I recommend getting those luxe toppings today. If you don’t want to wait in line, they had free samples for passerbys (you don’t have to be in line).

Fro-yo flavors:
* Original: a great balance of tangy and sweet, creamy yet refreshing, very smooth, sweet aftertaste
* Strawberry: very nice, tangy, sweet, smooth
* Mango
* Watermelon
* Chocolate
* Peanut butter

Tomorrow is the first official day. Welcome to SF, Pinkberry!

Fro-yo prices (without toppings): Cone/Mini ($2.95)/ S ($3.50)/ M ($4.50)/ L ($6.50).

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

* PINKBERRY UNION SQUARE: 170 O’FARRELL ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CA