Froyo Scene in North Hollywood, CA

 

Fro-yo girl here. North Hollywood, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, is known for the NoHo Arts District and the abundance of playhouses and sound studios. Roughly 65,000 call North Hollywood home. Neighboring cities like Burbank and Hollywood have had more and better froyo shops.

There is one froyo shop left, Yogurtland, a snack shop that offers vanilla frozen yogurt, Slusheeland, and a Greek eatery that offers froyo. I found three closed froyo shops, including a Tutti Frutti that preceded Yogurtland on Magnolia. I visited all of them, except for Cefiore.

Open

• Slusheeland, 6005 Vineland Ave UNIT 105, is a snack shop that always offers Dole soft serve and vanilla froyo. The menu also includes raspados, shakes, slushies, nachos, and other Mexican snacks. It opened in 2012.
• Yogurtland, 10936 Magnolia Blvd, took over the Tutti Frutti space in 2016
• Nick the Greek, 4764 Lankershim Blvd, is a fast casual Greek eatery that offers Greek froyo for dessert. It opened in August 2025.

Closed

• Cefiore, 5166 Lankershim Blvd, opened in 2007 and closed in 2010. It was a counter-serve froyo chain similar to Pinkberry.
• Ice Krave, 5235 Lankershim Blvd, was a self-serve froyo shop that opened in 2015 and closed in 2016. It also offered smoothies and cold-pressed juices.
• Tutti Frutti, 10936 Magnolia Blvd, opened in 2010 and closed in 2016. It was a branch of the multi-national self-serve froyo chain.

Did I miss any froyo shops? Let me know if I did.

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.

Froyo Scene in Chino Hills, CA

Source: Yelp

Fro-yo girl here. Chino Hills is a city in southwestern San Bernardino County. The population is 82,800. It’s known for its low crime, abundance of parks, and high median income. Over 40% of the population is Asian, followed by 29% white and 28% Hispanic.

While you could once find multiple froyo shops in Chino Hills with Cefiore as the first froyo shop in town, today one shop remains: Yogurtland. Yogurtland, 4505 Chino Hills Pkwy Ste D, opened in 2009. This location at The Commons is known for its annual guest appreciation event. There are 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day.

Former froyo shops in Chino Hills

• Cefiore, 3654 Grand Ave, opened in the summer of 2008 and may have closed in early 2009. It was a counter-serve froyo shop.
• Pinkberry, 13865 City Center Dr. #3085, was at the Shoppes at Chino Hills from 2008 to 2020
• Tutti Frutti, 3030 Chino Ave, was a self-serve shop that opened in 2008 and closed in 2010

Cefiore and Tutti Frutti did not last long in Chino Hills. All the froyo shops that opened in Chino Hills did so in 2008 – 2009. I managed to visit Pinkberry Chino Hills right before it closed in 2020. I'm surprised that Chino Hills didn't have more froyo 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.

Froyo in Monterey Park, California

 

Fro-yo girl here. Monterey Park is a relatively small city in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County. The population is slightly over 58,000. The population is predominantly Chinese. In the 1980s, Monterey Park was referred to as Little Taipei.

Cefiore was the first froyo shop in Monterey Park, opening in 2008, relatively late for the area. Several froyo shops opened in 2010, the peak froyo time in Monterey Park. Yogutland on Atlantic Blvd. is the last froyo shop left in Monterey Park. They opened in 2012, so they turn ten this year.

Froyo Shops of Monterey Park

• Cefiore Frozen Yogurt, 141 N Atlantic Blvd, Suite 112, was a counter-serve froyo shop that opened in 2008 and closed in 2010. They served frozen yogurt, tea, smoothies, and waffles.
• Lolliberry, 2337 S Garfield Ave, was primarily a boba tea shop but they also had frozen yogurt. The shop opened in 2010 and closed in 2013. It used be called Lollicup.
• O’ My Yogurt & O’ My Buns, 2215 S Atlantic Blvd, offered self-serve froyo and freshly baked roti buns. The shop opened in 2010 and closed in 2011. I believe O’ My Yogurt was the same as Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt only with a different name. A strange incident happened at the shop. The owner attacked an employee and trapped her in a sound-proof box. He was charged with kidnapping, attempted rape, and attempted first degree murder. The employee escaped.
• Yogen Fruz, 500 N Atlantic Blvd, Ste 121, was a counter-serve froyo shop in Atlantic Times Square. The shop opened in 2010 and closed in 2012.
• Yogurt in Love, 500 N Atlantic Blvd, Ste 121, replaced Yogen Fruz in 2014. They offered self-serve froyo. The shop closed in 2016.
• Yogurtland, 2102 S Atlantic Blvd, is an outpost of the self-serve chain that opened in 2012.

I found six froyo shops that once called Monterey Park home – about average for the area. They were all part of a chain. Half were self-serve and half were counter-serve.

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.

Orange County Froyo Guide: Huntington Beach

 

Cool King

Fro-yo girl here. Huntington Beach in Orange County, a city of 200,000 inhabitants is known for its beaches and surf culture. It’s also been the home of many froyo shops, past and present. Great American Yogurt, 19073 Beach Blvd, was one of the oldest, if not the oldest froyo shop, in Huntington Beach. The family-owned shop closed in late 2019. I’m not sure when it first opened. Golden Spoon, 8915 Atlanta Ave Ste A, is still open and has been serving Huntington Beach since 1996. It’s still counter serve and keeping up the old school froyo flame. Golden Spoon is a chain that started in Southern California.

There are four remaining self-serve froyo shops.

• Cool King, 7011 Warner Ave, is the independent self-serve shop that opened in 2014. Like Yogurtland, it offers 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day. During my visit, I was impressed with the froyo texture, range of toppings, cleanliness, and customer service.
• Holsom by Yogurtland, 7598 Edinger Ave. is the remodeled and renamed concept from Yogurtland that opened in November 2020. Holsom by Yogurtland offers wholesome, delicious and affordable options including hot and cold beverages (no coffee), savory toasts, sweet toasts, grain bowls, acai bowls and Yogurtland soft serve froyo, ice cream, and sorbet. This the currently the only Holsom by Yogurtland location.
• Yogurtland, 9961 Adams Ave., opened in 2008. It was the first Yogurtland in Huntington Beach.
• Yogurtland, 18525 Main St., opened in Five Points Plaza in 2016. It was the third Yogurtland location to open in Huntington Beach. The location on Edinger opened in 2013.

Here’s the list of former froyo shops in Huntington Beach:

• 33 Degrees Gelato & Yogurt, 10061 Adams Ave # 101, from 2011-2014. The successor to Yo Yum Yum added gelato and continued to offer self-serve froyo. The space is now occupied by Poki Poki.
• Beach Cities Yogurt & Gelato, 16895 Beach Blvd, from 2007-2009: Known as the first tart froyo shop in HB, Beach Cities had froyo and gelato. It was the only Shakeaway in Orange County.
• Cefiore, 200 Main St, Ste 109, from 2007-2011: This was the first Cefiore to open in Huntington Beach and it was near the beach. The counter-serve froyo shop specializing in tart froyo was often compared to Pinkberry.
• Cefiore, 6846 Edinger Ave, from 2007-2009: The second Cefiore to open in Huntington Beach received favorable reviews while it was open.
• Cherry on Top, 7011 Warner Ave, 2008-2014: This was a popular self-serve froyo shop. In 2014, Cool King took over the space. In between Cherry On Top and Cool King, it was called Super Cool briefly.
• Fresh Yogurt, 16556 Bolsa Chica St., from 2010-2013: This self-serve froyo shop offered 10 flavors a day.
• Menchie’s, 19694 Beach Blvd, from 2008-2016: This location offered 14 self-serve froyo flavors a day.
• Pinkberry, 7811 Edinger Ave #116, located in Bella Terra, 2007-2017: Ten years of swirling – not too shabby. It was counter-serve and it sounds like it was dirty and run down towards the end.
• Shakeaway, 120 5th St, from 2015-2018: The global UK milkshake chain was not technically a froyo shop but they did offer froyo. I went there once but the froyo machine was out of order and they didn’t know when it would be fixed (sounded like it had been out of order for awhile). They mixed ingredients into the froyo.
• SweetXO, 7631 Edinger Ave Ste 151, from 2014-2015. The short-lived sweets emporium featured Established in 2012 in California, SweetXO is an independent social, lifestyle and shopping concept self-serve Xogurt, baked goods, soda, candy, apparel, gift and décor items.
• Whipp’d, 15887 Gothard St, from 2014-2017. Named after Dole Whip, Whipp’d offered Dole Whip, Carbolite, shave ice, Blue Bell ice cream, and more.
• Yo Yum Yum, 10061 Adams Ave # 101, from 2008-2011: Another self-serve froyo chain, Yo Yum Yum had a few locations in Southern California. The Huntington Beach location it was renamed 33 Degrees Gelato & Yogurt in 2011.
• YogiBella, 15887 Gothard St, from 2013-2014.The self-serve froyo shop also offered juices and smoothies.
• YogiBerry, 15887 Gothard St, from 2011-2013. YogiBerry was sold in 2013 and became YogiBella.

As the home of the first Holsom by Yogurtland and the only Shakeaway in Orange County, Huntington Beach has seen plenty of froyo activity.

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.

 

Orange County Froyo Guide & History: Fullerton

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve certainly mentioned Orange County many times in my blog posts, but this is my first city froyo guide for Orange County. I’m starting with Fullerton because it was the home of the very first Yogurtland location at 501 N State College Blvd, Ste C and also the location of Tutti Frutti’s corporate office and headquarters (2100 E Valencia Dr). As you’ll see, the main Southern California froyo chains all had a Fullerton branch.

Yogurtland was the first froyo shop in Fullerton (there may have been shops in the 80’s and 90’s but I didn’t find those), followed by Golden Spoon, Red Mango, Cefiore and Pinkberry. With the exception of Yogurtland, all were counter serve. After 2009, there was a major shift to Yogurtland’s self-serve froyo model. There was even a self-serve froyo shop at the Cal State Fullerton food court.

So, where can you still get froyo in Fullerton? While the original Yogurtland closed in October 2020, another Yogurtland remains open in downtown Fullerton at the Metrocenter (122 W Orangethorpe Ave.). The downtown Fullerton branch opened in 2009. It has the typical Yogurtland look and has 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day. Kentro Greek Kitchen (100 S Harbor Blvd. #A) is a casual Greek eatery that makes its own frozen Greek yogurt, with the option to add baklava as a topping. They have one flavor, plain. They started offering Greek froyo in 2017. Then there’s Pink Boba (109 W Orangethorpe Ave.), which opened in 2013. They’re known more for their boba drinks than their self-serve froyo. They stopped offering froyo during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m not sure if they’ll offer it again.

Here’s the list of former froyo shops in Fullerton:

• Boba Time, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave., from 2013-2013. It looks like Boba Time lasted for a few months before the name change to Pink Boba. Boba Time had self-serve froyo, which Pink Boba kept. They probably kept Yogurt Club’s froyo machines?
• Cefiore, 100 S Harbor Blvd, from 2008-2009. Tutti Frutti replaced this short-lived counter-serve froyo shop that was known for tart froyo. Cefiore was evicted from the space.
• Cherry on Top, 1911 W Malvern Ave, from 2010-2014: Cherry On Top was another Southern California based self-serve froyo chain.
• Golden Spoon, 3350 Yorba Linda Blvd, from 2007-2013. Golden Spoon represented old-school, counter serve California froyo.
• Joe’s Organic Frozen Yogurt & More, 444 N Harbor Blvd, Ste 116, from 2016-2017. I remember driving by and seeing the coming soon sign. Joe’s was the first organic froyo shop in Fullerton. They also served smoothies, slushes and boba.
• Juice It Up!, 800 N State College, from 2010-present: Cal State Fullerton had self-serve froyo in campus dining (TSU food court). Juice it Up! stopped serving froyo a long time ago but is still open.
• Menchie’s, 1911 W Malvern Ave., from 2016-2020. This Menchie’s location at Amerige Town Heights Center was only open 3 days a week (due to COVID-19) before closing permanently.
• Pacific Froyo Shack, 3350 Yorba Linda Blvd., from 2013-2014. This was a counter serve froyo shop that took over the Golden Spoon space.
• Pinkberry, 550 N State College Blvd, from 2009-2011. Pinkberry opened up across the street from the original Yogurtland.
• Red Mango, 1993 W Malvern Ave, Ste C, from 2008-2009. Red Mango managed to open earlier than their main rival Pinkberry but didn’t stay open long.
• Tutti Frutti, 1950 Sunnycrest Dr., Ste 1010: 2009-2010. This was the first Tutti Frutti to open in Fullerton. It was self-serve.
• Tutti Frutti, 100 S Harbor Blvd, from 2010-2013: Vegans were happy when Tutti Frutti introduced soybean frozen yogurt, but this self-serve shop only lasted three years.
• Yogurt Club, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave, from 2010-2013. Yogurt Club offered self-serve froyo for 29 cents an ounce (cheaper than Yogurtland at the time), boba drinks, and other Asian desserts. Boba Time took over the Yogurt Club space.
• Yogurtland, 501 N State College Blvd., Ste C, from 2006-2020. Yogurtland shared a space with Boba Loca.
• Yogurtlicious, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave., from 2009-2009. Yogurtlicious preceded Yogurt Club.

Looking at the longevity of most of the counter-serve froyo shops, it’s clear that the people of Fullerton prefer self-serve froyo.

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.

 

San Gabriel Valley Froyo Guide & History: Arcadia

 

Fro-yo girl here. If you’re looking for froyo in Arcadia, CA, your options are Yogurtland or Ace Yogurt. Ace Yogurt (160 E Duarte Rd.) is your old school froyo shop that first opened in 1990. It’s counter-serve, located in an older strip mall and serves Dannon YoCream froyo, smoothies, shaved ice, froyo pie and fruit salad. They even have Styrofoam cups. Yogurtland Arcadia (633 W Duarte Rd.) opened back in February 2009 in the strip mall anchored by Arcadia Supermarket. It was 30 cents an ounce and self-serve back then. The last time I went there, it was 49 cents/oz.

There used to be many more froyo shops in Arcadia. It was an early froyo hot spot, particularly at Westfield Santa Anita. Westfield Santa Anita had three froyo shops: Tutti Frutti, Cefiore, SweetXO, and Nubi and the Asian buffet restaurant, Kirin Buffet, also offered self-serve froyo.

Here’s the list of former froyo shops in Arcadia.

• Cefiore, 733 W Naomi Ave, Ste E, from 2008-2010: This branch was located in the same shopping center as Burlington Coat Factory and Daiso. The space is currently occupied by Lazy Bunny Tea House.
• Cefiore, 400 S Baldwin Ave, D3, from 2007-2011: Located inside Westfield Santa Anita, this was a counter-serve shop with four tart flavors.
• Nubi, 400 S Baldwin Ave, Ste 762-L, from 2009-2013: Located on the outside of Westfield Santa Anita food court, near Paris Baguette, this was a self-serve froyo shop. The space is currently occupied by Popbar. The same people own Ono Hawaiian BBQ.
• PinGo Yogurt, 633 W Duarte Rd, opened at Arcadia Center in 2007, two years before Yogurtland opened there. I’m not sure when it closed. It took awhile for the shopping center to remove the PinGo sign.
• Q Yogurt, 1220 Golden W Ave., from 2012-2019. Q Yogurt was in the food court by 99 Ranch. I remember seeing the cutout in the wall where the froyo machine used to be, but I never saw the froyo machine. I’m not sure when they stopped serving froyo but they changed the name of the shop to Q Boba. Maybe? They had froyo in 2012 and didn’t have it in 2014.
• SweetXO, 400 S Baldwin Ave, Ste 1260, from 2013-2015: This was the last froyo shop to open at Westfield Santa Anita though it was much more than a froyo shop. SweetXO carried fun gifts, candy, ice cream, frozen popcorn, cupcakes, brownies, etc. The froyo was self-serve and they had the largest toppings bar ever.
• Tutti Frutti, 1108 S Baldwin Ave., from 2008-2010. This Tutti Frutti offered self-serve froyo in the same plaza as Din Tai Fung and JJ Bakery.
• Tutti Frutti, 400 S Baldwin Ave, from 2012-2013: Tutti Frutti had a self-serve froyo kiosk in Westfield Santa Anita.
• Yophoria, 411 E Huntington Dr, Ste 114, from 2010-2011. This self-serve froyo shop also sold soups, waffles, crepes, pancakes, smoothies, milkshakes, etc.

See I told you that Arcadia was once overflowing with froyo. You could even find it at 626 Night Market (some years).

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.

Claremont, California Froyo Guide

Fro-yo girl here. As a college town, Claremont, CA has been blessed with an abundance of froyo options for a town of 36,000 residents and most of them have been in business for quite a few years. Currently, you can get froyo at Yogurtland, Yocrepe and two 21 Choices Frozen Yogurt locations.

Current shops

• 21 Choices, 460 W 1st St, opened this location in Claremont Village in 2008. The shop has aged well and still looks stylish. Unlike most froyo shops, 21 Choices specializes in mix-in style froyo. Their flavors are made in-house every day. The cookie dough is housemade.
• 21 Choices, 817 W Foothill Blvd., is the only froyo shop in North Claremont. The shop was closed for renovations for a few months starting in 2018 and reopened in 2019.
• Yocrepe & Boba, 328 S Indian Hill Blvd, (formerly Cefiore) used to be known as Cefiore, an early froyo counter serve froyo chain that specialized in tart froyo. Froyo is still served but crepes and boba drinks are emphasized. Cefiore opened in Claremont in 2008. The name change occurred in 2013 and they switched to a self-serve froyo format with 6 flavors a day.
• Yogurtland, 101 N Indian Hill Blvd., Suite 103, opened in 2009 in Claremont Village, finally bringing self-serve to Claremont. Before Yogurtland arrived, locals had to go to Upland for self-serve froyo. When Yogurtland Claremont first opened, it was a mere 30 cents an ounce with 16 flavors on tap. In 2018, the price had gone up to 49 cents an ounce.

Former shops

• 21 Choices opened first location in Claremont opened in 2006 at 328 S Indian Hill Blvd. They moved to North Claremont in 2007 or 2008.
• Kiwibear (formerly Kiwiberri), 373 W Bonita Ave, opened in 2007 as Kiwiberri. Yes, it was similar to Pinkberry (counter serve, tart froyo) and Pinkberry’s lawsuit led to the name change. They started with two flavors – original tart and green tea, just like Pinkberry at that time. The short-lived shop closed in 2008.
• Silver Spoons took over the 21 Choices space after 21 Choices moved in 2007. Silver Spoons offered froyo and gelato and seems to have lasted a year before Cefiore took over the space.
• The Sweet Swirl, 450 Auto Center Dr., was a cute self-serve froyo and desserts shop that opened in 2017 and closed in 2019. I was sad to hear that it closed because it was so cute. Unfortunately, the yogurt wasn’t great but I did like the waffle stick, ambiance and customer service.

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.

Fro-yo Store Count

Fro-yo girl here. As promised last August, I am updating my chain store location count. I'm assuming that the information on the company website is fairly accurate and up to date. So let's see how things have changed since last August?

* Golden Spoon: 103 US locations last August, 113 this August
* Red Mango: 57 US locations last August, 70 locations this August, many self-serve locations coming soon (the coming soon ones weren't counted)
* Pinkberry: 56 US locations last August, 95 locations this August
* Yogurtland: 55 locations last August, 96 locations this August
* Cefiore: 31 US locations last August, 17 locations this August
* Yogen Fruz: 29 US locations last August, 40 US locations this August, hundreds of locations in other countries, many of these are express locations, located often in movie theaters
* Yogurberry: 24 US locations last August, unknown number this August. The site definitely is out of date. It lists Ventura and that location closed a long time ago. I know they're still around.
* Tutti Frutti: I started to count these but I can tell that they don’t distinguish between open and coming soon/not open stores on their website. It looks like there are around 100 open in the U.S.

I added a few more chains to the list:
* Menchie's: 47 locations this August
* Yolato: 42 locations this August, all but one is an express location
* Tuttimelon: 25 locations this August
* FreshBerry: 20 locations this August

Cefiore and Yogurberry have lost momentum but other chains continue to expand. Pinkberry is finally expanding in areas other than SoCal and NYC. It's interesting that Yogurtland and Pinkberry had nearly identical store counts last August and this August too.

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

Cefiore Frozen Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. Thanks to Stellaincognita's tip, I went to Whole Foods to look for pints of Cefiore...and yes, they had them! There were four flavors: strawberry, chocolate, acai-pomegranate and original tart, $3.99 each. I selected acai pomegranate and had some for breakfast today. First, it has a nice odor - the scent of fro-yo. The texture is lighter than most supermarket fro-yo. It's soft and almost whipped (but not too airy). You can definitely taste the acai, even more so than the pomegranate. While I liked the flavor (fruity and tangy), they put way too much sugar in it.

Their fro-yo has live and active cultures and is kosher.



Ingredients: Water, sucrose, skim milk, acai puree, maltodextrin, pomegranate juice concentrate, whey, egg yolks, natural flavors, passion fruit juice concentrate, stabilizer, yogurt cultures, natural lemon juice powder.

4 stars out of 5

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

* WHOLE FOODS: 450 Rhode Island St., San Francisco, CA

Cefiore Early Bird Special: Free Topping, M – F, 9:30 AM – noon

Fro-yo girl here. Like to eat fro-yo for breakfast or lunch? There’s a special going on just for early birds. From now until 9/18 (rumor has it that it could last till the end of September, no promises though), get a free topping with your purchase of fro-yo at the Financial District Cefiore. Treat yourself to an old favorite or try something new.

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

* CEFIORE: 59 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94105

Yogurtland Celebrates Its 50th Location

Fro-yo girl here. Earlier this week, Yogurtland announced the grand opening celebration for its 50th location, in Anaheim. With free fro-yo, free gift cards, free t-shirts and the Kogi BBQ truck, I can’t even imagine how crazy it’s going to be. Congrats to Yogurtland! Love the new logo and the poster design.

I’d like to take a moment to see where the chains stand right now (as of August 21, 2009) and I’ll update this again if I remember to, about a year from now. Also, the information on their website might not be completely accurate but I assume they update their locations listings on a regular basis.

* Golden Spoon: 103 US locations, I counted 101 but they didn’t list San Jose and Castro Valley and I know those are open. They’ve been around the longest and they’re still the largest.
* Red Mango: 57 US locations
* Pinkberry: 56 US locations
* Yogurtland: 50 locations according to the poster but I counted 55 US locations on their website. They probably opened five between the time they ordered the poster and now.
* Cefiore: 31 US locations
* Yogen Fruz: 29 US locations
* Yogurberry: 24 US locations
* Tutti Frutti: I started to count these but I can tell that they don’t distinguish between open and coming soon/not open stores on their website.
* Orange Tree: 10 US locations

Red Mango and Pinkberry are truly neck and neck. I wonder which one will make it to SF first. Yogurtland seems to have the real momentum? It seems like certain people can’t stop talking about self-serve.

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

Bay Area Fro-yo Smoothie Recommendations

Fro-yo girl here. In a recent Fro-yo Girl reader survey, fro-yo smoothies were the most popular choice (43%) and followed by fro-yo parfaits (29%). After my Jamba Juice phase, I think I’m done with smoothies for life. Fro-yo adds a new twist to smoothies though. Here are a few of my picks for fro-yo smoothies in the Bay Area.

* BLUSH ORGANIC FROZEN YOGURT: Called the Blush Blend, this smoothie includes your choice of juice, two types of fruit, and premium organic fro-yo. These items are blended with ice and out comes your delicious Blush smoothie. Their smoothies are so good because their fro-yo is so delicious.

* RED MANGO: Their smoothies, called Blenders, are one of the few that can include non-fruit options. You choose the fro-yo flavor and any three toppings. They add ice and blend. You can even get cereal and mochi balls in your blender. I like to stick with tart berries but the cereal options are fun (especially Fruity Pebbles).

* CEFIORE: They have a really good green tea fro-yo smoothie. It’s made with green tea fro-yo, green tea powder, milk, and ice. It was creamy with tiny icy bits, a little sweet and refreshing.

* TUTTI FRUTTI DANVILLE: You can build your own fro-yo smoothie here. I’ m not brave enough to do it but they offer the greatest freedom to create your own smoothie. Choose as many fro-yo flavors and toppings as you want, they weigh it (it’s 38 cents an ounce) and blend it.

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

* BLUSH ORGANIC FROZEN YOGURT: 4640-A Tassajara Road, Dublin, CA
* BLUSH MILPITAS: 489 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA
* RED MANGO: 852 Laurel St., San Carlos, CA
* RED MANGO: 1159 Locust St., Walnut Creek, CA
* RED MANGO: 429 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA
* RED MANGO: 20560 Town Center Lane, Cupertino, CA
* RED MANGO: 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. Space 1293, San Jose, CA
* CEFIORE: 59 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA
* CEFIORE: Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St, #277, San Francisco, CA
* TUTTI FRUTTI: 37 Railroad Ave, Danville, CA

Favorite Time for Fro-yo

Fro-yo girl here. The results are in. Fro-yo cravings are the strongest in the mid-afternoon according to 49% of poll respondents. That’s around the time that most people experience the afternoon slump (http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/16/2.cfm). I know that around 3 PM I feel like I need to boost. I used to get another latte or a cup of coffee around that time because I need caffeine.

A small tart fro-yo qualifies as a healthy snack and a smart way to combat the afternoon slump. And if you have to walk to get your fro-yo, you’ve taken another positive step towards combating the afternoon slump.

Very few respondents have strong fro-yo cravings in the morning but there are places you can go in SF to have fro-yo for breakfast. Jubili will serve you a fro-yo parfait at 8 AM on weekdays or get a fro-yo waffle from Cefiore on New Montgomery at 9 AM on weekdays.

For me there’s nothing like ending the day with a delicious cup of fro-yo (which is why my fro-yo cravings are strongest late at night). For late night cravings, Tuttimelon North Beach is open till 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

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

* JUBILI: 1515 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA
* CEFIORE NEW MONTGOMERY: 59 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA
* TUTTIMELON NORTH BEACH: 601 Broadway St., San Francisco

Cefiore Westfield SF March Weeknight Specials

According to an anonymous tipster and confirmed by a call to Cefiore, the Cefiore Westfield location will have weeknight specials from 7 – 8:30 PM all month long (March 2009). Think of it as fro-yo happy hour. Do some shopping or have dinner at the mall and get some fro-yo for dessert.

* Monday and Tuesday: 50% off the fro-yo waffle
* Wednesday and Thursday: buy any yogurt, get a mini Golden Cherry for free (toppings not included)
* Friday: 50% off golden cherry fro-yo

* CEFIORE: 845 Market St, Ste 277, San Francisco, CA 94104

Golden Cherry Fro-Yo Flavor Arrives at Cefiore

Fro-yo girl here. Many thanks to my anonymous reader, for the tip about the new Golden Cherry flavor at Cefiore. It’s currently available at the Montgomery St. location and the SF Westfield Mall location.

Golden cherry. There’s something exotic and appealing about the name of the flavor. What is a golden cherry? It doesn’t exist but the Golden Cherry flavor at Cefiore blends acerola cherry with blood orange. The fro-yo looks like a pale golden peachy pink.

The acerola cherry, also known as the West Indian cherry or Barbados cherry is found in Central America, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The bright red fruit is particularly high in Vitamin C and antioxidants. The flavor is sour and citrus like. I haven’t had acerola cherry before, and it was mixed with something I could recognize (blood orange) so perhaps that’s why I didn’t taste cherry in the Golden Cherry fro-yo.

Cherry or no cherry, I liked the golden cherry fro-yo by Sambazon. The flavor of the blood orange makes it the tartest of the Cefiore flavors though it still isn’t above average in tartness. The flavor is definitely there but it’s not overpowering, allowing you to enjoy the complementary milky flavor of the original fro-yo base. The texture is soft, creamy and icy at the same time.

Cefiore claims that Golden Cherry fro-yo will help boost your immune system. And it has live, active cultures.

Tip: The Montgomery location is much better than the mall location. Yes, the fro-yo is better there. They’re better about handling their mixes and calibrating the fro-yo machines. They even have softer mochi balls.

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

* CEFIORE: 59 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94105
* CEFIORE: 845 Market St., #277, San Francisco, CA 94104

Best Cities for Fro-Yo in 2008

Fro-yo girl here. Happy New Year, fro-yoholics. For my first post of 2009, I'd like to recognize certain cities for leading the way in fro-yoland. In other words, these cities are the best in the Bay Area for fro-yo. To earn a place on the list, the city must have the following:

(1) Quantity of fro-yo shops
(2) Quality of fro-yo shops
(3) Innovativeness of fro-yo offerings

And the winners are:

1. Palo Alto - scores the highest on innovation thanks to Culture (homemade toppings, organic fro-yo of the highest quality) and Fraiche (great homemade mochi). Quality is also high with Red Mango in the mix, along with Culture and Fraiche. You can even find fro-yo on the Stanford campus at the Axe & Palm. Avoid Michael's Gelato and the future Orange Tree location.

2. San Francisco - Yogurt Bar was the first tart fro-yo shop in town but they have since been overtaken by many better tasting fro-yo shops. SF scores the highest on the quantity factor with fro-yo available all over town (with the highest concentration in the Financial District), including liquor stores (e.g., Michaeli's, New Russian Hill), pizza shops (Blondie's), malls (SoGreen, LoveBerry) and college campuses (Natural Sensations). Chains such as Yogen Fruz and Cefiore are represented along with homegrown high quality favorites, Tuttimelon, Jubili, Swirl Culture, Caffe Ambrosia, and Chill. Self-serve joints are represented as well (Yoppi, Icebee, Happy Yogurt). Chill ups SF's innovation score.

3. Cupertino - another high scoring city when it comes to quantity but not as high as SF in terms of innovativeness. Those who work and live in Cupertino have no shortage of fro-yo shops to choose from, including my one of my favorites, Red Mango, and a good self-serve spot, Tartini. For sweet fro-yo, check out I Love Yogurt for massive portions. Other fro-yo shops include the ever popular Yogurtland, Froyo? (you can eat fro-yo while watching a movie at Vallco), DIY Yogurt

4. Berkeley - started out strong with Ryno's, Yogurt Harmony, Papamingo and Michelle's Yogurt but new fro-yo shops have been slow to open. Of course Berkeley will forever be known as the home of Yogurt Park (known affectionately as YoPa). Though they specialize in soft serve ice cream, Sketch has fabulous tart fro-yo. The new year should see the arrival of Tuttimelon and other shops.

Support your fro-yo shop in 2009.

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

More Fro-Yo Shop Grand Openings: Cefiore, Yoppi in SF

Yoppi Yogurt is open now but the grand opening celebration is on Wednesday (November 19th) at noon. The first 150 customers who make a purchase will receive a free reusable bag. It’s a self-serve shop with four flavors of fro-yo priced at 45 cents an ounce (the most expensive in the Bay Area).

Cefiore is also open on New Montgomery Street. Drop by the shop to get a coupon for the grand opening celebration on Thursday, November 20 from 12 - 7 PM. You need the physical coupon to get a free mini fro-yo (toppings not included). The coupon is good only at the Montgomery St. location.

* YOPPI YOGURT: 475 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA
* CEFIORE: 59 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA

Cefiore Comes to SF

Fro-yo girl here. SoCal chain Cefiore quietly opened its doors at its first NoCal location in SF’s Westfield Centre on October 12. According to Cefiore’s website, they are a subsidiary of Todai, the seafood buffet franchise. The shop looks clean and bright and they emphasize the lightness of their flavors and they call their yogurt Italian style. I don’t see how their fro-yo is Italian influenced.

There wasn’t anything particularly distinctive about the shop – it felt like a Pinkberry knockoff though it does have some fruity tart fro-yo flavors that are fairly unique, Raspberry Pomegranate and Acai Berry. Their fro-yo is icy, light and refreshing but it also has a powdery quality and it melts very quickly. I suspect they use a powder mix rather than a liquid base.

There are many fro-yo shops in the Bay Area that have a better product than Cefiore and I prefer Red Mango and Pinkberry as well. They do have a prime location – there’s nothing like shopping and fro-yo. The logo is nice too (flower).

See my full review on Yelp for more information: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cefiore-san-francisco#hrid:-TGvkksLvIljXDDaTyiQzw

Their second SF location should open soon.

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

* Cefiore: Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St, #277, San Francisco, CA 94104