Menchie’s Holiday Dessert Fair Returns with New Flavors, Part II

Fro-yo girl here. It hasn’t been easy to find the new November holiday flavors at Menchie’s even though November is almost over. Menchie’s South Pasadena rarely answers the phone and no Menchie’s in the area posts flavor updates. If I want to find the new flavors, I can usually rely on Menchie’s Huntington Oaks in Monrovia.

I finally found Spiced Gingerbread Cookie and Dark Chocolate Mousse made with almond milk.

* Dark Chocolate Mousse made with almond milk: This flavor is dairy-free (vegan). I really like almond milk and it works well here. It mutes the chocolate and gives it a slightly nutty flavor. The texture was quite creamy. Recommended toppings: Cool Whip, Ande’s Mints, Oreos

* Spiced Gingerbread Cookie: This lowfat flavor tastes more like gingerbread spices than gingerbread cookies. The spices like ginger and cinnamon are definitely noticeable but not overpowering. Recommended toppings: almonds, Heath, Magic Shell and brownies.

It looks like the December flavors won’t be arriving on December 1.

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.

21 Choices Pasadena to Reopen Next Month?

Fro-yo girl here. The white spray that they sprayed the windows of 21 Choices with has started to wear away. The building retrofit is taking forever. While there is no new sign at the location, the 21 Choices website now says, “The construction to our building seems to be finishing up! We do not have an opening date yet but are hoping to be back next month.”

Meanwhile, you can stop by and peek inside. The 21 Choices sign is still up and you can see the menu board.

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.

Jeni’s Mont Blanc Frozen Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Holiday 2016 flavors included one new frozen yogurt flavor, Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc features “toasted chestnuts and molasses with fresh organic yogurt, buttermilk, and cream.”

I know Jeni’s makes very tangy and intensely flavored frozen yogurt, so I wasn’t sure how her tangy style would work with chestnuts and molasses. The Mont Blanc buttermilk frozen yogurt is the sweetest Jeni’s frozen yogurt that I’ve tried to date. The tang isn’t there. The molasses has a deep, rich, sweet flavor that dominates this frozen yogurt. The chestnut gets lost because of the molasses. The texture was super dense, rich and creamy.

Verdict: I prefer the fruity tart frozen yogurt flavors that Jeni makes but Mont Blanc would be nice on top of pie or with a hot beverage (e.g., in an affogato).

Take advantage of Jeni’s special now through Cyber Monday: Buy 4 pints, get 2 pints in the scoop shops and online (use the code TWOFREE at checkout).

* JENI’S ICE CREAMS: Find a Jeni’s scoop shop at https://jenis.com/scoop-shops/

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 Yogurtland Trolls Poppy Spoon, Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel Flavor, Black Friday Special

Fro-yo girl here. Happy Black Friday! What a day – lots going on at Yogurtland. First, the Black Friday 2017 voucher booklets went on sale at participating Yogurtland locations. You get a year’s worth of yogurt (a $290 value) for $50. The booklet has one coupon for every week. Each coupon is good for 12 ozs of free yogurt good during that week only. Limit one voucher per customer per cup. The coupons can be redeemed at the locations listed in the booklet (in California, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana). It’s definitely a great deal if you are a Yogurtland regular. The booklets were selling quickly. The shop was supposed to open at 11 AM and people were asking about the booklets starting at 8 AM.

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day for the new Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel flavor. However, most Yogurtland locations were closed yesterday. 

Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel froyo is described as “If you thought peanut butter couldn’t get any better, think again. We swirled dark roasted peanuts with real caramel for a deliciously sticky situation that even Branch can’t help but get excited about.” The flavor is low-fat and gluten free. I could taste the peanuts and the caramel. The caramel had a buttery flavor. It seemed like the caramel flavor was stronger but that might be because I prefer peanut butter. Recommended toppings: peanuts, raspberry puree, Nilla wafers, mini Nutter Butters and peanut butter sauce…inspired by PB&J.

I also picked up the new Poppy spoon. It’s a bit hard to see her features (the imprint is light) and the back of the spoon is plain. The spoons and new flavor are available while supplies last.

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.

Black Friday Froyo Specials at Yogurtland

Fro-yo girl here. Some Yogurtland locations (Bakersfield, Chino Hills, Monrovia, Pasadena/Lake, Rancho Cucamonga, San Ramon) have announced Black Friday specials. They’re selling the 2017 Voucher Booklet (a $290 value) for $50. The first 25 guests will be able to purchase the booklet for $25 at certain (but not all) locations. The booklets will be available while supplies last. Voucher booklets only available with yogurt purchase. The vouchers are only good at the location where they are purchased.

There will be giveaways for the first 50 guests at select locations. I’ll be there for sure and I’ll report back with pictures of the vouchers. 

Here's the list of participating locations:

California

• Almaden
• Bakersfield
• Bishop Ranch
• Burbank
• Campbell
• Capitola
• Carson
• Century City
• Chino Hills
• Dana Point
• Escondido
• Fair Oaks
• Fullerton Downtown
• Huntington Beach 5 Point
• Inglewood
• Irvine Spectrum
• Miracle Mile
• Mission Viejo
• Monrovia
• Montebello
• Morgan Hill
• Mountain View
• Murrieta
• Newport Beach
• Pasadena Lake Ave.
• Rancho Cucamonga
• San Ramon
• Santa Ana
• Stockton
• Watsonville
• Westgate

Colorado

• Cherrywood Square
• Denver 5th & Grant
• Governor's Plaza
• Northridge Center

Louisiana

• Lafayette
• LSU
• New Orleans
• Towne Center, Baton Rouge

Washington

• Bear Creek Plaza
• Bellevue
• Kent
• Lynwood
• Sammanish

P.S. Your local Yogurtland is likely going to be closed on Thanksgiving and they might be closing early on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

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.

Customer Appreciation Weekend at Yogurtland

Fro-yo girl here. This is Customer Appreciation Weekend at multiple Yogurtland locations in Southern California. The participating locations are:

• Fullerton
• UCI
• Alhambra
• Lakewood
• Shops at Rossmor/Seal Beach
• Gateway Downey
• South Gate
• Edinger Plaza/Huntington Beach
• Genesee Plaza/San Diego

The first 25 guests each day will receive 5 oz of free yogurt. You get a small cup which you can fill up with however much froyo and toppings will fit – for free. Thanks Yogurtland!

On Saturday, November 19th the special is a $5 unlimited cup. On Sunday, November 20th the special is a buy one, get one free offer. Some locations like Downey have other promotions like contests for best unlimited cups and giveaways.

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.

Humphrey Yogart Reopens in Sherman Oaks

Fro-yo girl here. Humphrey Yogart first opened in Sherman Oaks in February 1984. In March of this year, they closed their doors when they couldn't come to an agreement with their new landlord. Froyo fans were understandably devastated but this story has a happy ending. The owners, Jim and Paula Sheftel, looked for a new location and they found one in the same shopping center as their original shop. The two met and fell in love at the shop and they were both there on opening day, making yogart (so cute).

The new Humphrey Yogart is located inside Gelson’s grocery store. Thank you, Gelson’s! They started swirling at their new location today, November 18, 2016. Look for their kiosk at the front of Gelson’s.

The menu still provides many options but they no longer offer soups, sandwiches and coffee. The menu includes frozen yogurt, ice cream, shakes, sundaes, and acai bowls. Their most popular item is the blend-in style “yogart” where you choose the base of yogart (sweet vanilla, tart vanilla, chocolate), ice cream, organic soy (vegan), organic coconut (vegan) and low carb daily flavor, choose your blend in ingredients (fruit, peanut butter, nuts, green tea, cinnamon, espresso, chocolate chips, candy, cookie dough, cookie butter, brownies, cream cheese, etc.) and add a topping or cone. Your custom creation is placed in a machine and blended together.

I personally prefer the tart vanilla base because it is quite tart. It goes well with fruit and green tea.

Froyo prices: Non-fat yogart mini $3.05, small $4.05, medium $5.25, large $6.50, XL $8.05. Blend in prices start at 30 cents (the price goes up as the cup size increases).

The old stamp cards still work or ask for a new one. If you like blend-in style yogart, Humphrey’s is the place to go in the San Fernando Valley. It’s open daily from 11 AM – 11 PM.

I looked over at the old location. The building is still standing but it’s completely vacant and the façade/exterior has been removed. It looks like the entire building is being renovated. There was a sign for the Burger Lounge which must be moving in.

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

* HUMPHREY YOGART: 4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

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.