Froyo Scene in San Mateo, CA

Clear Optometry

Fro-yo girl here. San Mateo once had a lively frozen yogurt scene, with self-serve froyo, counter serve classics, and even a few unexpected places offering froyo on the side. Today, only four places in the city serve froyo — and just one of them is a true froyo shop.

Over the years, I found eleven places for froyo that once operated in San Mateo and later closed, plus one business (Clear Optometry) that stayed open but stopped serving froyo. Of the eleven closed shops, seven were counter‑serve, and five opened in 2009, the big year for froyo expansion in San Mateo. San Mateo made my froyo hot spots list of 2010.

The oldest froyo shop in the area, Yumi Yogurt, is still going strong. JJ’s Yogurt was also an older shop, though its exact opening year is unclear.

I also heard that Yogurtland plans to open in San Mateo, but I couldn't find any updates since the initial press release mentioning Yogurtland's expansion plans. If it does open, it will mark the return of self-serve froyo to San Mateo.

San Mateo is a prosperous, well educated Bay Area city with:
• Population: ~103K–105K
• Median age: ~38–39
• Median household income: ~$152K–$162K
• High housing costs, high educational attainment

It seems like a good place for froyo.

Places to Get Froyo

• Nick the Greek, 1324 W Hillsdale Blvd, opened in 2020. The Greek fast-casual chain offers Greek froyo.
• Nick the Greek, 213 3rd Ave, opened in downtown San Mateo in 2024
• Simple Delights, 1226 W Hillsdale Blvd, at the Laurelwood Shopping Center is a bakery that opened in 2020, taking over the JJ Yogurt space. Froyo is still available.
• Yumi Yogurt, 3955 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, opened in 1987; it serves froyo and ice cream.

Former Places to Get Froyo

• Happy Yogurt, 110 S B St, was a small self-serve froyo shop in downtown San Mateo that opened in 2009 and closed in 2011.
• Harmony Frozen Yogurt, 1051 Park Place, was an organic froyo shop that first opened in San Carlos. The San Mateo location, the second Harmony branch, opened in 2009.
• JJ’s Yogurt, 1226 W Hillsdale Blvd, was an old school, counter-serve froyo shop that closed in 2019 or 2020.
• Maquito Yogurt, 60 31st Ave, was a counter-serve froyo shop that opened at Hillsdale Shopping Center in 2009 and closed in 2013.
• Nubi Yogurt, 2015 Chess Dr, was a self-serve froyo shop that opened in 2011 and closed in 2016.
• Quickly, 142 E 3rd Ave, was a boba shop in downtown San Mateo that was open from 2005 – 2019. They offered froyo from 2008 – 2012.
• Snowee Yogurt, 168 W 25th Ave, was a self-serve froyo shop that also served shaved ice and snacks. It opened in 2009 and closed in 2015.
• Teaway, 165 E. Fourth Ave., a sister brand of Tuttimelon, took over the Tuttimelon space in 2011 and still offered Tuttimelon froyo. It closed in 2013 and was replaced by Honeyberry, the roti bun shop. While some Honeyberry locations offered froyo, the one in San Mateo did not.
• Tuttimelon, 165 E. Fourth Ave., was a froyo shop that opened in 2009 in downtown San Mateo. It turned into their sister brand, Teaway, in 2011.
• Yogurtouille, 407 S B St, was a small, bright, self-serve froyo shop that opened in downtown San Mateo in 2008 and closed in 2015 or 2016.
• Yumi Yogurt, 60 31st Ave, opened a small shop inside Hillsdale Shopping Center in 2013 and closed in 2017.

Still Open, Stopped Serving Froyo

• Clear Optometry, 138 E 3rd St., is a luxury eyewear store. It used to have a dessert bar with froyo and housemade mochi in many flavors. They started offering froyo in 2007 and stopped offering it around 2016.

The only places I haven’t been to are the Nick the Greek branches and Simply Delights. The places I miss the most are Harmony, Clear Optometry, and Tuttimelon.

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.

Last Days of the National (US) Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey, Survey Closes on October 14

Fro-yo girl here. Calling everyone in the United States who eats froyo...The National (US) Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey wants to know how you feel about frozen yogurt.

The online survey only takes about six minutes. Everyone who completes the survey (and is over 13 years old & a US resident) will be entered into a random drawing to win one of TEN $25 froyo gift cards to any U.S. shop that offers online gift cards. One response per person please.

Your responses help froyo shops understand what fans are loving, what they’re missing, and what keeps them coming back for more. This year’s results will be compared to last year’s, so we can see what’s changing in froyo land and what’s staying sweet. Results will be shared publicly.

Gift card wnners will be notified by email by October 21, 2026.

👉 Take the survey: https://tinyurl.com/2026froyosurvey

What’s new? The survey is shorter and easier this year, and the number of prizes has been doubled.

Full sweepstakes rules: https://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/2026-national-frozen-yogurt-consumer-survey-sweepstakes-rules/

I'm excited to see the results.

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.

Coven Academy Pop-Up at Olive & James/ Frankie Greek Yogurt

Fro-yo girl here. Disney’s Coven Academy just took over Olive & James and Frankie Greek Yogurt on Melrose with a magic-themed pop-up. The event took place on September 30 – October 7. The stars of the show appeared in person to make matcha drinks and froyo. The interior and exterior were transformed into a dark, magical place resembling the grounds of the Coven Academy.

The first 50 guests each day received a complimentary co-branded matcha drink. There was free froyo too. The first 50 guests on Saturday and Sunday received complimentary co-branded froyo. There were lots of giveaways, including charm bracelets, sweatshirts, stickers, socks, photo booth photos, and much more. This was a great pop-up

The matcha drinks and froyo were named after Briar, Sasha, and Tegan. They were served in Coven Academy cups.

• Briar – Awakening froyo: Original Greek froyo, blueberry sauce, edible gold flakes
• Sasha – Mind reader froyo: Original Greek froyo, pink strawberry sauce, pink decorating sugar
• Tegan – Time bender: Original Greek froyo, green pistachio sauce, decorating sugar

The Coven Academy premiered on October 1 on Freeform. You can stream the episodes on Disney+ and Hulu.

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.

National Spoon Day at Yogurtland, Cappuccino Spoon Drop

Fro-yo girl here. Happy National Spoon Day! I had it marked on my calendar, because Yogurtland has been dropping giant spoons on National Spoon Day since 2020. This year’s National Spoon Day giant Yogurtland spoon is special, because it celebrates Yogurtland’s 20thanniversary.

The free Cappuccino Yogurtland giant spoon is a gift with every minimum $15 in‑store purchase, while supplies last. There’s a maximum of two spoons per transaction.

The spoon 12 inches long, with Yogurtland printed on the handle. The design commemorates Yogurtland’s 20th anniversary. On the back of the spoon, it says 20 Years of Love, Joy & Hope.

The previous National Spoon Day giant Yogurtland spoons were: pink and green (2020), raspberry (2021), turquoise (2022), dark blue (2023), apricot (2024), and midnight plum (2025).

The giant spoons are available while supplies last. My Yogurtland had three boxes of spoons. The avid spoon collectors were there early, but there should be plenty for a few hours.

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.

Erewhon Fall In Love (Pumpkin Spice) Smoothie

Fro-yo girl here. I missed out on Erewhon’s Fall In Love Smoothie when it was introduced last October, but it’s back again and available only in October.

The Fall In Love smoothie is made with Lifeway Organic Lowfat Plain Kefir, smooth cold brew, organic pumpkin purée, dates, banana, and warm pumpkin spice seasoning, topped with a dairy cold foam and cinnamon.” I had it without banana.

The smoothie had very strong spice levels (cinnamon, nutmeg) and was slightly tangy. The cream top was lightly sweetened. It was icier than I expected (probably because I didn’t want any banana). I could not taste the cold brew. A small smoothie was $11. I wish the cold brew coffee flavor were stronger. Also, the spices were a bit too strong.

The Fall In Love smoothie is available at all Erewhon locations until the end of June. It’s free for members till October 14.

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.

Menchie’s October Promotions

 

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s is celebrating spooky season with a Ghostbusters promotion, featuring two limited-time froyo flavors, Stay Puft Toasted Marshmallow froyo and Ghostbusters Sugar Cookie froyo. There’s also a special topping, Ghostbusters Marshmallow Sauce. Look for the special Ghostbusters signs around Menchie’s.

And of course, Harvest Pumpkin froyo is a featured flavor again. After all, October is National Pumpkin Month.

Be sure to make your Ghostbusters Mix and watch Ghostbusters at Ghostbusters.com!.

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.

Coconut Cult Froyo Tour Just Started

Fro-yo girl here. This is big news. The Coconut Cult Froyo Tour is bringing probiotic vegan froyo across the country. The first dates and locations dropped yesterday.

The first stop of the tour was in Westwood Village today, NEAR but not at UCLA (the tour said the truck would be at UCLA). If you’re doing a froyo tour, please provide exact addresses. UCLA is a huge campus, and the truck was not parked on campus. Westwood Village is south of UCLA.

The froyo van had three soft serve machines (Electro Freeze) but one machine wasn’t being used. There were four froyo flavors, though they ran out of Banana Cream Pie. Each flavor had a specially designed cup. Complimentary froyo mini cups were provided from 12 PM – 4 PM.

Flavors:

• Key lime pie: the texture was looser and gritty/grainy, but the flavor was tangy and strong. It did taste like key lime but also coconut. The coconut flavor is very strong too.
• Banana cream pie: not available
• Wild passion fruit: the texture was much smoother and creamier than the key lime pie; I just prefer key lime pie to passion fruit, but it did taste like passion fruit and coconut and it was plenty tangy.
• Chocolate mousse: didn't try

I learned that they do tone down their regular yogurt in order to create the soft serve. The regular yogurt has very strong flavors and is extremely rich. I was also told that they wanted to collect feedback on their flavors and see how people respond to the froyo. The froyo is not available at any national retailer.

Guests also received Coconut Cult coupons. Check Coconut Cult’s IG @thecoconutcult for future tour stops. Arizona State is next.

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.