Saturday, October 30, 2021

2021 Halloween Froyo Shop Spirit Award



Fro-yo girl here. Happy Froyo Halloween! Every Halloween, I love seeing froyo shops showing their Halloween spirit. There’s so much they can do: special flavors, shop decorations, Halloween froyo cakes, Halloween toppings, spooky cones, costume contests, Halloween parties, Halloween specials, and more.

Every year I also like to recognize the froyo shop (or chain) with the most Halloween spirit. Last year, the winner was Pinkberry Japan for their Monster Swirls.

This year’s winner is…Menchie’s (again). It wasn’t close. Menchie’s had a new Halloween Spooktacular froyo spoon (Menchie dressed as Dracula), an Addams Family 2 contest and collab for 20% off your first Menchie’s DoorDash order, and they brought back Harvest Pumpkin froyo. That’s a lot!

Here’s the list of previous winners

  • 2020: Pinkberry Japan
  • 2019: Menchie’s
  • 2018: Smile Yogurt
  • 2017: Yogurty’s
  • 2016: Menchie’s
  • 2015: Wakaberry
  • 2013: Menchie’s
  • 2014: 16 Handles

You can find the most comprehensive list of froyo shop Halloween specials and events at https://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/news/halloween-2021-froyo-specials/

For over 2,000 Halloween froyo images, visit IFYA’s Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/halloween-froyo-froyo-shop-decorations/

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.

Friday, October 29, 2021

Last Call For Shop Owners to Participate in the National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey



Fro-yo girl here. The National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association, is a short, anonymous online survey for froyo shop owners in the US. It was created to help shop owners learn about how they're doing relative to other froyo shops. 

The survey asks about shop performance, satisfaction with suppliers, operational practices, management, etc. Anyone who takes the survey will also receive the full results. The survey closes at midnight PST on Sunday, October 31.

Take the survey now: https://tinyurl.com/2021froyoowner

The 2021 shop owner survey results should be available next month.

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.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Tahina Opens in Alameda, California and They Have Greek Froyo

 



Fro-yo girl here. I recently visited Tahina in Alameda. Tahina is a new fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant that opened in the Alameda Marketplace last June. The owner also owns the Beanery inside Alameda Marketplace. The menu includes mezze, soups, desserts, and wraps, pitas, bowls and plates with your choice of falafel, chicken shawarma or beef shawarma.

And yes, they make their own Greek frozen yogurt. There’s one flavor, plain, and three toppings: baklava crumble, honey, or sour cherry. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 toppings for the same price. There is one size. A froyo with toppings is $5 and you get a lot of froyo.

The menu and froyo reminded me of Souvla and Tahina’s frozen yogurt tasted like Souvla’s. It tasted natural with few additives and less sweet than usual. The texture was crazy thick, smooth, and dense – denser than Souvla’s. It tasted like real yogurt but not tangy and less sour than Souvla’s. Really good! They weren’t as generous with the baklava but the sour cherry sauce was fantastic with the plain yogurt. Also, my shawarma wrap was great too. I like Souvla’s froyo better but Tahina’s is close and more convenient for East Bay folks.

* TAHINA: 1650 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501

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.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Pinkberry Brings Back (?) Tiramisu Flavor

 



Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry has a new froyo flavor for the fall, Tiramisu. Back in September 2018, Pinkberry introduced a Tiramisu flavor but it was light ice cream (aka Pinkbee’s). I liked the Tiramisu Pinkbee’s at the time because of coffee with cream flavor that wasn’t too sweet or too rich.

It's interesting that the Pinkberry website calls Tiramisu froyo a new flavor but the Pinkberry press release says that “Tiramisu frozen yogurt is back at Pinkberry.” Those messages are inconsistent. The reality is that Pinkberry never offered Tiramisu frozen yogurt in the US but they offered Tiramisu light ice cream. Would you call Tiramisu a new flavor? Or would you consider it a returning flavor? The form is different (ice cream vs. froyo). I would call it a new flavor.

Tiramisu froyo: I think the froyo version was icier than the Pinkbee’s version but they were similarly light, smooth, and sweet. It seemed a little sweeter than I remembered but it’s been a few years so I can’t say how accurate my recollection is. The coffee flavor wasn’t overpowering and it was nicely balanced with the other flavors (there was a cream or perhaps mild cheese flavor). Recommended toppings: Almond Roca, dark chocolate crisps, chocolate sauce.

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

Here’s the official Pinkberry press release:

Tiramisu Frozen Yogurt Returns to Pinkberry for the Holidays


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The holiday season just got sweeter! Tiramisu frozen yogurt is back at Pinkberry® (www.Pinkberry.com) stores nationwide for a limited time from October 22, 2021 through January 6, 2022.

Tiramisu is a non-tart frozen yogurt that is most similar to its namesake when topped with dark chocolate crisps, a dusting of cocoa powder and whipped cream.

"Our guests love the Tiramisu frozen yogurt so much that we knew we had to bring it back into stores for the holidays," said Melissa Hubbell, Senior Director of Marketing for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Pinkberry. "The flavor profile is really authentic to the traditional dessert, but can be customized with different toppings to make it your own!"

At Pinkberry, guests can customize their swirl with a variety of toppings that include fresh, never frozen, fruit that is hand-cut in stores daily, along with premium granolas and nuts, specialty chocolates, and much more. Pinkberry is swirling with possibilities!

Pinkberry® launched in Los Angeles, CA in 2005 as the original brand that reinvented frozen yogurt. Today, over a decade later, Pinkberry continues to create great tasting treats with fresh ingredients in an experience comprised of distinctive product, outstanding service and inspirational design. At Pinkberry you can taste the difference of an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness. Most recently, Pinkberry was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 22 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 28 countries.

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.


Tuesday, October 26, 2021

La Dolce Vita Gelato in Milpitas Serves Froyo




Fro-yo girl here. La Dolce Vita Gelato opened late last year (December?) inside the Great Mall in Milpitas. The shop is in the main food court area. While it is a gelato shop, the sign also says frozen yogurt. They have one froyo machine and two flavors a day. They’ve been rotating the froyo flavors. I think one is usually dairy-free and one is dairy-based. During my visit they had strawberry (dairy-free) and vanilla (dairy). A small is $6 and comes with up to 6 toppings, a medium $7 with up to 7 toppings, a large $8 with up to 8 toppings. They didn’t have that many toppings to choose from though: fresh fruit, sprinkles, candy, nuts, chocolate chips, granola, coconut, sauces, etc. Half of the toppings containers were empty.

Vanilla froyo (small, $6): This was an interesting froyo – lots of vanilla flavor (visible bean specks) and a very tangy yogurt flavor (tangier than average). I don’t encounter tangy vanilla froyo too often. The texture was thick, smooth, and creamy. It tasted natural and had a tangy aftertaste. Some of the toppings I tried tasted stale. They give you a lot for your money. I’d prefer a smaller size.

Strawberry sorbet (soft-serve): I received a sample of this and was impressed by how thick and creamy it was, without adding dairy. Their sorbet is good, better than the usual soft serve sorbet.

In addition to froyo and gelato, they serve Illy coffee, crepes, and waffle bites.

LA DOLCE VITA: 170 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035

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.

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Yoga-urt Introduces New Fall Flavor, Pecan Praline



Fro-yo girl here. Yoga-urt just introduced a new flavor for the fall, Pecan Praline. This is actually their frist new flavor of 2021. The flavor is made with toasted organic pecans, housemade caramel sauce and Yoga-urt’s proprietary housemade almond/cashew base. And yes, Yoga-urt’s probiotic, dairy-free soft serve is hand-crafted, made from scratch, organic, kosher, gluten-free, and soy free.

Pecan praline is a pretty popular flavor, especially during the fall. It reminds me of my father-in-law and my father too. They both liked pecan praline.

Pecan praline froyo: Very smooth, rich, and thick, with visible pecan bits. The caramel makes it sweeter and warmer – very fall like. You can definitely taste the pecans more so than the almonds and cashews in the base. Recommended toppings: pecans, granola, and whipped cream.

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.

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Stepladder Creamery Goatgurt Review



Fro-yo girl here. Stepladder Creamery, based in Cambria, CA, makes small-batch artisanal cheeses. They also have a stall at farmers markets in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Cambria. I found their stall at the Altadena Farmers Market. 

They make goat milk yogurt, called Goatgurt, in the European style (not as thick, not strained, cream on top). The goat milk is pasteurized and contains hundreds of billions of probiotics per serving. It’s a seasonal treat that they just introduced this fall. It’s made with no hormones or antibiotics. 

One yogurt was $6 for 5.3 oz or 2 for $10.

Goatgurt: It’s definitely on the thin side with a fresh, sour taste. It didn’t taste goaty or like goat milk. The aftertaste was like cream. The texture was smooth but thin. I like my yogurt to be thicker but if you like European style yogurt with a cream top, Goatgurt could be for you. Goat milk has less lactose than cow’s milk.

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

STEPLADDER CREAMERY: 4450 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd., Cambria, CA 93428

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.


Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Blogiversary Number 13


Fro-yo girl here. I’m celebrating blogiversary #13 on October 20 and reflecting back on the previous year. While the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, things are much better in California now, thanks to higher than average vaccination rates and the continued requirement to wear masks indoors. Most self-serve froyo shops have resumed offering self-serve. While some shops still offer hand sanitizer and gloves, they seem less vigilant about it.

As for froyo, it’s still been a tough period with supply and labor shortages, as well as inflation and higher prices. Some shops changed ownership during the pandemic or are barely getting by. Older froyo shops are closing for good, including multiple locations of Menchie’s, Yogurtland, and Pinkberry, but a few new ones have opened. There have been way more new froyo flavors and new froyo spoons than in 2020, so that’s something for which to be thankful. It does seem like froyo innovation has waned though.

I was able to catch one episode of the new Gossip Girl (wasn’t a fan) but it’s on HBO Max, to which I don’t have a subscription. I got tired of those boba ice cream bars and I like purple rice yogurt but I don’t crave them the way I do froyo.

I’ve only been to one grand opening this year: Yoga-urt’s grand opening in Santa Monica on October 16. I suspect it’s the only froyo shop grand opening I’ll attend this year. But, I’m still going to froyo shops that I haven’t been to in and around Los Angeles and Orange County. There are still plenty left but the majority are chains. I did have some wonderful new froyo at Tahini in Alameda; I’m still loving plain Greek froyo with Greek toppings!

Last year I only attended one froyo grand opening, Razzle Dazzle in Upland. Sadly, they closed last summer.

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.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Menchie’s Santa Monica Ocean Park Has Reopened After a Long Closure

 


Fro-yo girl here. I had to meet friends in Santa Monica last spring and I tried to go to Menchie’s Ocean Park in April. The shop was closed on a Saturday night. The machines and signs were inside, like they hadn’t left it that long ago. I checked for months and the store did not reopen. I thought it had closed for good only it was still listed on the Menchie’s website.

They opened briefly the summer after the pandemic (in 2020) but then they were closed again for months. I contacted the owner and she said she wasn’t sure when the shop would reopen.

Well, the shop reopened under new ownership. I’m not sure exactly when it happened since I’m rarely in the area but it might have been June or July 2021. I went on a Saturday afternoon and lots of families were sitting outside enjoying froyo.

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

MENCHIE’S OCEAN PARK: 2901 Ocean Park Blvd, Ste 107, Santa Monica, CA 90405

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.

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Yoga-urt Opens First Location on Westside, Grand Opening This Weekend





Fro-yo girl here. Yoga-urt is LA’s first and only all organic, plant-based, allergy-friendly soft serve concept. The first location opened in Glendale’s Kenneth Village in 2015 and the Echo Park shop opened in 2019. The Santa Monica location (1700 Ocean Park Blvd.) just opened last weekend and the grand opening celebration is taking place this weekend.

Grand opening details: Enjoy free smalls between 2 PM - 4 PM on October 16 & 17. For every purchase during grand opening weekend, get a raffle ticket. The prize is a $100 Yoga-urt gift card.

Founded and led by female entrepreneur, Melissa Schulman, Yoga-urt takes pride in creating hand-crafted, premium soft serve in small batches. It starts with a base of hand-squeezed almond and cashew milk, enriched with four probiotic strains. The soft serve is dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free and all-natural.

They make their own gluten-free cones (super crispy, super delicious), sauces (the chocolate shell is to die for), cookies, pie-crust, and more. The cookies and pie-crust are made with the almond pulp, the byproduct of their housemade almond milk.

Taking over the Treats space, Yoga-urt Santa Monica has a menu that's similar to the other locations: The best hand-crafted organic, vegan, gluten free, soy-free, kosher, probiotic froyo/soft serve! Unique flavors - over 30 of them that rotate. My favorites are Vanilla Harmony, Sweet Greens, Pistachio Passion, True Tahini, Strawberry Serenity, Green Tea Tranquility, PB Prana, Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread...They also have shakes, smoothies, kombucha floats, froyo pie, brownies, cookies, coffee, soft serve pints, banana splits, and more. And yes, everything is organic, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, and kosher.

Expect to find 10 soft serve flavors a day. The portions are generous and their high-quality froyo is so dense and filling that it feels like a fair price. Anything larger than a small feels like too much unless you plan to share.

Cups and spoons are compostable of course. Their products are good for you and they care about the Earth.

Yoga-urt is the only froyo Mr. Froyo will eat. The new location isn't exactly convenient for us but we're excited for Westside residents.

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.


Thursday, October 14, 2021

Calling All US Froyo Shop Owners: The National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey is Now Open

 


Fro-yo girl here. The National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association, is now open.

Who Should Take the Survey


Anyone who owns a frozen yogurt shop or a business that serves frozen yogurt in the US is invited to participate. Owners who take the survey will be able to sign up to receive the survey results while taking the survey. The results will help froyo shop owners better understand how their shop compares to other shops. This year’s results will also be compared to last year’s results. The results should be available in November.

The National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey asks shop owners about shop performance, satisfaction with suppliers, operational practices, management practices, outlook, etc. This year's survey includes new questions about profitability and pricing.

The anonymous online survey takes about 7 minutes to complete and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2021froyoowner

The survey will remain open from now till midnight PST on Sunday, October 31, 2021.


How to See the Results


Suppliers and others who are interested in the results but do not own a frozen yogurt store can receive the survey results by sharing IFYA’s pinned Facebook (@froyoassociation) post about the survey, reposting the Instagram post about the survey (@froyossociation) or retweeting the pinned survey tweet (@froyogirl).

Only foodservice business owners who participate in the current National Frozen Yogurt Shop Owner Survey, those who share the survey URL, and IFYA advisory board members will have free access to the full results of the shop owner survey. IFYA members will have free access to a limited set of 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.

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Menchie’s Closes in Glendale, CA




Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s has closed in Glendale, California. I’m in the area all the time and the outdoor Menchie’s signs were up until maybe a week ago? The exterior signs and the froyo machines have been removed.

Yelp says the location is temporarily closed and scheduled to reopen on January 1, 2022. Google marks it as permanently closed. Since they removed the signs and the location is no longer listed on the Menchie’s website, I’m pretty sure that it’s permanently closed. The last four reviewers on Yelp gave Menchie’s Glendale one star. People complained about the limited flavors, limited texture and terrible texture. Sadly, the same things can be said about the Menchie’s in South Pasadena.

Menchie’s Glendale opened in February 2017.

Meanwhile, Menchie’s Burbank/Toluca Lake is temporarily closed. They’re staying in the same plaza and should reopen in the spring of 2022.

MENCHIE’S GLENDALE: 251 N Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91203

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.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

The Last Tuttimelon Location

Tuttimelon Novato


Fro-yo girl. Four years ago, I wrote about the history of Tuttimelon, which at one point had about 30 locations. By 2017, there were only four branches left: Alameda, Fairfield, Novato, and Ontario. Tuttimelon Ontario closed in 2019. Tuttimelon Alameda and Tuttimelon Fairfield made it to 2020 but closed for good in late 2020, due to the pandemic.

This means that there is just one last Tuttimelon open, Tuttimelon Novato. It seems to be going strong. Tuttimelon Novato, established in 2010. Tuttimelon is still going strong in Novato. “Tuttimelon specializes in premium self created fat free frozen yogurt along with an extensive toppings bar. Featuring "Tutti-WOW" with only 64 calories /cup, all natural, lactose free and very low carbs! Come taste a truly guiltless pleasure. We also serve 26 wonderful flavors of hand crafted, artisan Gelatos. While you're there, try the 100% fruit and vegetable granitas (smoothies) from Italy and the fresh baked gourmet stuffed soft pretzels and Belgium Waffles. The Novato location specializes in creating their own unique flavor offerings in Yogurt and Gelato, featuring the best / healthiest ingredients available.”

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.
TUTTIMELON: Vintage Oaks At Novato, 132 Vintage Way #F-9, Novato, CA 94945
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.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

National Spoon Day Promo & New Flavor at Yogurtland: Milk Tea




Fro-yo girl here. Happy National Spoon Day, October 7! I had my calendar marked and visited Yogurtland today for the National Spoon Day promo: get a free giant spoon with a minimum $10 in-store transaction. The giant spoon is brand new and raspberry in color. It says Yogurtland on the front of the spoon (on the handle) and nothing on the back. The spoon is 12 inches long. The giant spoon is available today while supplies last (one spoon per transaction). Online and third party delivery orders are excluded from the promo.

I heard each Yogurtland store only received a bag full of giant spoons (not a case worth of spoons). Also, some diehard spoon collectors were waiting outside my local Yogurtland before they even opened. Wow.

And yes, there’s a new flavor, Milk Tea frozen yogurt. Yogurtland describes it as, “Our delicious new Milk Tea flavor is a throwback to the first Yogurtland, which started as a boba tea shop. It's enhanced with notes of brown sugar and made with real black tea!” Finally! I’ve been asking for milk tea froyo for many years. Also, since Yogurtland did start as a boba shop, I thought they would come out with a milk tea flavor a long time ago. Milk Tea froyo should be their official 15th anniversary flavor. They should have provided boba as a topping.

Milk Tea froyo: Liked it a lot! It tasted like real black milk tea only in yogurt form. I could taste the black tea. It was creamy and smooth. Recommended toppings: chocolate chips, mochi. Milk Tea froyo is nonfat and gluten-free.

I also spied a new topping: orange sprinkles. Cute.

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.

Formula Brew Booch Pops Review




Fro-yo girl here. I was excited to find the world’s first nationally distributed frozen kombucha pops, Booch Pops, at Bristol Farms in South Pasadena, CA. Erewhon also carries Booch Pops though the Silverlake location was out of stock when I checked. One box contains 4 pops. A box was $6.99 regular price at Bristol Farms.

Booch Pops are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, organic, and lower in sugar than your typical sugary frozen pops. Available flavors: raspberry lime watermelon, strawberry ginger, lemon turmeric pepper, and pineapple mango. One pop is 2.5 fl oz and is made with fresh fruit and kombucha tea. The pops are all-natural and contain live kombucha cultures.

I’m glad that I found the Lemon Turmeric Pepper flavor because it has the least amount of sugar. It was firm and icy, but packed with flavor. It tasted like a tart lemonade but more intense, and slightly spicy because of the ginger. I couldn’t tell that it was kombucha and I couldn’t detect the black pepper. One pop is 20 calories, 0g fat, 5g total carbs, 4g sugars, and 0g protein. I enjoyed how flavorful the pop was.

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.

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Boston Style Pizza and Mix-In Froyo in Boston

Photo credit: Sally B., Yelp


Fro-yo girl here. I’ve seen froyo offered in all kinds of places, from other types of restaurants to rest stops and car washes. Over the years, I’ve written about hidden places for froyo multiple times. But in this post, I wanted to cover local froyo combinations – that is, food combinations involving froyo that are favored by certain locales.

I remember being in Vancouver years ago and coming across the Boston Pizza chain. At the time, I didn’t know that there was anything different or special about pizza in Boston. Boston Pizza has over 380 restaurants in Canada, so there must be something different about pizza in Boston. Boston-style pizza, aka Greek style or Greek pizza, is pan pizza. The Greek community in Boston invented pan pizza in the early 1950s. The pizza dough is pressed into a well-oiled pan and develops a crispy crust in the oven.

Anyway, several pizza places in and around Boston offer mix-in style froyo, so it must be a thing there. Here are the ones that I found.
  • Andalus Pizza, 153 Sutherland Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
  • Arlington Café, 475 Summer St, Arlington, MA 02474
  • Bits & Bites Café, 912 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451
  • Brighton’s Best Pizza, 600 Washington St, Boston, MA 02135
  • Broadway’s Best Pizza, 483 E Broadway, Boston, MA 02127
  • Café 472, 472 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
  • Café Podima, 168 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
  • Cappy’s Pizza, 82 Westland Ave., Boston, MA 02115
  • Hidyan Mediterranean Grill, 80 Kilmarnock St, Boston, MA 02115
  • Natalie’s Pizzeria, 1312 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02134
  • Nicole’s Pizza, 639 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118
  • Pizza Connection Plus, 41 Safford St, Quincy, MA 02170
  • Supreme House of Pizza, 313 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127

See, I told you it was a thing in Boston. Not all the shops on the list have Boston-style pizza and mix-in froyo but they do have pizza and froyo. I think they all deliver too!

I can see why the Greeks created Greek style pizza in the 1950s. They probably saw that the Italians were doing well with their pizza shops and they decided to put a Greek spin on pizza to stand out. But why do so many pizzerias in Boston carry froyo? My guess is that it goes back to the popularity of frozen yogurt in the 1970s when the first frozen yogurt shop in the country, The Spa, opened at Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA). They served health food and froyo, but not pizza. But they could have easily inspired local pizza places to carry froyo. And Bostonians might have many fond memories of eating pizza and froyo, so newer froyo shops might have been inspired to carry on a local tradition.

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.

Friday, October 1, 2021

New Menchie’s Spooktacular Halloween Spoons



Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s has new limited time only, collectible Halloween spoons. The Halloween 2021 spoon design features Menchie as a vampire, surrounded by bats. You can see Chip in a pumpkin on the back of the spoon. The spoon is orange and says Spooktacular on it. They look like the spoons from Halloween 2021 only those were blue.

I also spotted the return of their pumpkin froyo flavor, Pumpkin Harvest.

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.