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Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
2315 Cambie StreetVancouver, BC V5Z 2T9
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 558-1232
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- No
27 reviews for Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
27 reviews in English
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Review from Martina M.
Vancouver, BC
5/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
There used to be this frozen yogurt shop in Berkeley that I used to go to called Yogurtland. My fiance and I would find many excuses to go there, and it was one of things I enjoyed about our weekend adventures. I was searching for a similar place in Vancouver, but the closest thing I could originally find was Pinkberry, which is very disappointing in its sterile "the cashier makes your frozen yogurt mix for you" environment. I really enjoy mixing different flavors and toppings together, and cashiers that do it for you kind of ruin the fun.
Thankfully, I stumbled upon Menchie's. Menchie's is exactly what I want in a frozen yogurt shop. It's also apparently a chain, since there's pictures of celebrities with Menchie's frozen yogurt along one wall. They have tons of frozen yogurt flavors, ranging from traditional favorites (chocolate and vanilla) and exotic new flavors (watermelon sorbet which tastes exactly like a watermelon jolly rancher). They have little taster cups already laid out for free samples, and the machines offer the option of mixing flavors. My personal favorites are the mango sorbet and cake batter, but the offered flavors change often so I'm not sure how long they will be there.
The topping selection is fantastic. They offer a wide variety of chocolate goodies, including full oreos, crispy crunch pieces, chocolate chips, and brownie pieces. For the cereal fan, they have lucky charms and cinnamon toast crunch. They also have plenty of fruit and really neat popping boba's. If you don't know what popping boba's are, try them out here!
The cashier is located near the back of Menchie's near the frozen yogurt dispensers. The staff always seem friendly, and the price for the frozen yogurt is completely reasonable. Make sure you grab a spoon after you pay (and some temporary tattoo's, if you're into that). If you don't want to take your frozen yogurt to go, there are a few tables in the front of the store by the front window. If you really enjoy your creation, you can write it on the chalkboard at the store entrance (or just write a random note).
Overall, if you're in the area and want some frozen yogurt, go to Menchie's! -
Review from Simon K.
5/24/2012 3 Check-ins Here
The newest kid to the block of ever competing frozen yogurt franchises in the Lower Mainland, is it all out war for your last dollar this summer for the new fad of this city? I won't say, move over Pink Berry and Qoola to Menchie's just yet, but my first experience was ok. If you are in the area of Broadway and Cambie, well, this is it, smart thing with all these guys, unlike a gas station, or burger joint (or even the Joey's, Earl's, and Cactus Club) is that all these 'froyo' places are far away from eachother, and knowing their areas like a triad has turfs!
It's not easy to find a parking space around here, and there is nothing in front, as this store faces Cambie street, that said, if your driving, remember, put money in the friggin meter, as you are close to city hall, and these buggers are fast. Once you get in this place, go to the back end, where all the machines are, all lined up with the most flavors I have seen for any 'froyo' place. It can be chaos in here, as it is self serve, and with a hoard of people like the zombie apocalypse on a hot sunny day (prediciting the future here) trying to try every flavour of 'froyo' through the 10+ flavours, can be crazy. The day we were here I was weaving through people trying the to find the right one that I wanted.
After you go through the tasting, then it comes to adding your own toppings, and as I said, this is self serve, so hence the waiting of other people to get out of your way to get the toppings you want, and hopefully by the end of it all, when you get to the spiffy middle booth to pay for your sweet cold treat in your hand, it is the masterpiece that you, yourself, created. It is calculated by weight, so depending on how much you put of certain things can change the balance of how it will affect your wallet.
It certainly is different than my favorite of the bunch, Pinkberry, that being said it's always good to have competition and new ways of serving the same treat. They also have cute spoons with their mascot showing, and also pins and stickers to take home, or stick onto someone's back without them knowing! -
Review from Brian D.
Vancouver, BC
5/22/2012
I feel like I've betrayed Pinkberry by going here and liking it. I've been a loyal Pinkberry Boston customer for years. But here are a few reasons why Menchies is better:
(1) Sample all the flavors first. Sure Pinkberry let's you do the same, but when there is a giant line behind you, you feel the pressure not to try every flavor. Here you can do that. Feel a little more full. Then buy less overall and save some money.
(2) Many more froyo flavors. Pinkberry will have like 4-6 available. This place must have had double that.
(3) Big Cup. They give you a huge cup, and you put in as much or as little as you want. Usually I just need a little to satisfy my froyo craving, and I appreciate the bigger cup so the toppings don't fall out the sides.
(4) Price. I end up spending less at Menchies than I do at Pinkberry.
But here are reasons why Pinkberry is better than Menchies:
(1) Better Flavors. The staple flavors are better at Pinkberry. Especially coconut. Even original tart. And mango too.
(2) Better toppings. I feel like because the Menchies toppings are out in the open, and the Pinkberry ones are behind the counter, the Pinkberry ones are better taken care of, and are just of better quality generally. Pinkberry has heath bar pieces, dark chocolate crisps, exotic fruits of all kinds in small pieces for example. In contrast, Menchies has Oreo, and Reese's peanut butter bits, and the fruits are cut up in much bigger pieces.
Menchies is better on a budget. But if I had to choose between the two it would still be Pinkberry. -
Review from Victoria Y.
Vancouver, BC
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you had the most amazing night of your life, one sultry evening in August...you'd probably remember that summer as the best you'd ever had, because the joy from that one night would permeate throughout all the others in your memory.
Menchie's is kind of like that.
The cake batter tasted like...ugh...cake batter...the maple was gross...and the red velvet tasted like the chemically cherry-choco of a yoplait diet yogurt...rather than the deliciousness that is red velvet cake.
That being said, I'd run a marathon for just one spoonful of the plain tart. Okay, I wouldn't, I mean, I'm not really into running, but I'd think about it, I'd consider it, I'd pay someone else to do it, for just one little taste of the sweet, tart, smooth, cool, yogurty deliciousness that was...the plain tart.
And while I'm at it, the green apple, obvious fake coloring aside, was amazing as well.
Here's the walk-through of the joint:
When you first walk in, you wind your way around to the back where all the self-serve dispensers are. There'll be a tray of sample cups for you to sample to your heart's desire (and I swear, there wasn't a judgemental look in sight, though it can get rather cramped if it's busy so if you know what you want, go in and get it and get out).
You'll wind your way to the left where all the toppings are, and DON'T GET CRAZY because you're being charged by weight. They have a really great selection of toppings though to be honest, I'm a purest, eating my little bowl of heaven at 75% plain tart and 25% green apple. I like to go toppingless. It's very freeing.
Finally, you pay (and don't forget to grab yourself a spoon) and carry on your merry way. I'd go here everyday if my waistline didn't want to make me pay for it in inches (she's a heartless one, I tell ya).
So go in, and get your swirl on. You'll thank me. And speaking of swirls, if you like your yogurts to make friends, pull the lever in the middle of each pair of flavors and it'll swirl it just right, just the way you like it, yeah, just like that. -
Review from Rick C.
I finally got around to trying the fairly new self-serve Menchie's frozen yogurt shop on Cambie. It's great. You get to choose all your own flavours, toppings, and sauces.
I recommend the mango sorbet, Irish mint, red velvet, and of course original flavours. Try to stick with either sweets or fruits and not mix and match too, too much, otherwise, you'll get a weird mishmash of savoury and sweet. But to each their own. I love the crushed cookies, peanut butter chips and sauce.
Menchie's has some absolutely delicious froyo with new, rotating flavours of all sorts. It's the perfect treat on a sunny day or after dinner. -
Review from Josh L.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Menchie's is a bit of a hit-or-miss. Some of the flavours are chemical tasting (coffee, cherry sorbet, watermelon sorbet, pistachio) while others are rich and luxurious (strawberry tart, chocolate covered banana, vanilla). Problematically, every day is a bit of random draw at the machines and the flavours circulate with a bit too much frequency for anyone to establish a favourite routine.
The flow of store is pretty awkward; with the cashier pushed to the back third of the store alongside the wall of machines. It can be quite trying as dates and families jockey around the narrow corridor to get your ideal mix in place without worrying that your treat will be soup by the time you reach the till.
Among the many toppings, the popping bobas are a star--and pair nicely on the tart yogurts. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2012
Dressing up for Yogurt:
Your Menchies card is called "My Smileage". Seriously. It's impossible not to smile in a place like this. My biggest concern was that the staff may not be so cheery. I'm not normally a pessimist. But a big downer is when you go into stores where "happy" is part of their motto and you find either negative or disingenuous staff. That was not the case in this situation.
I was off to work and I had my suit on. I didn't realize how "out of place" I was image-wise until I went in. But I muscled on none-the-less (be proud of me). Their flavours were immense! I mixed my chocolate cake with maple ice cream and strawberry cake. After sprinkling some white chocolate chips, brownies and other assorted fixings, I marched over to the counter and was greeted by a really nice girl. She made sure I signed up for the card (free), and myself, her and another employee shared a few laughs. I then was able to choose a fluorescent green or pink spoon to go with my Yogurt and my suit.
All-in-all the experience was a lot of fun. I'll be stopping by again but not too often. I'm a nutrition fan so I don't want to indulge that much. Plus the prices are a bit steep as they normally are for the "make-your-own" method of food prep. But it is worth it in my opinion. Take your kids, your date or just whenever you're in a suit and tie going to work. :) -
Review from Mike P.
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm going to jump on the 5 star bandwagon because I really can't see any reason to knock off a star, too much selection perhaps? Can I really hold that against them? I just can't.
I like the serve yourself format and the fact that you can sample the flavored beforehand so you aren't stuck with a big bowl of some flavor that sounded like a good idea but tastes different than you were expecting (I tried a couple of those).
I went with coffee, and peanut butter and then dumped on a generous amount of my favorite toppings. My wife did the same and we both came to just under $10 (definitely less than I was expecting).
When you pay based on weight you get used to being gouged, fortunately menchies charges a very reasonable price.
To me frozen yoghurt is frozen yoghurt, it all tastes mostly the same in quality to me. This place is all about the concept...which appears to be very popular (judging by how packed it was on a cold rainy night).
Will definitely be back!! -
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can come here everyday. Just appreciate all the extras one can put in here.
Selected the coffee and vanilla yogurt, just find their lever release a bit cumbersome compared to San Fran's. In a good way, I got less haha..
but the pure ecstasy is adding the slowpokes, chocolate chips, coconut, gummy bears, and of course i needed to balance this with some healthy stuff, so added the crushed almonds, strawberries, kiwis, pineapples.
A powerful blast.
Too bad they dont' have blueberries, raspberries and blackberries--esp. better for the men-- like the San Fran ones. Need to make a trip there soon ;) -
Review from Brian S.
3/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
There is something about a Brand New Place full of hope and fresh paint and staff that really try and answer your questions. Menchies at this moment is that place.
As part of a let's reward ourselves for doing boring house work. We took a walk to Menchies. A sweet reward it was. They use a low fat frozen yogurt that tasty but still retains some of yogurt's sour flavor. I tried a few of the flavors in little white tasting cups. While my guest found out all the nutritional information about the yogurt. It has no cholesterol (but I'm sure is has calories) I tried a few of the topping. I liked the soft gumdrops and the Red Velvet Yogurt myself.
OK call me a wet blanket on the Menchies Five Star Parade. I not a fan of them giving you a 16 oz 470 ml cup (paper cup) for your treat. When 8 oz 235 ml cup would do just fine. Your paying by weight anyways. (and it would reduce waste paper) So four starts instead of five for me but a sweet four stars it was. -
Review from Keren C.
South Cambie, Vancouver, BC
5/9/2012
Loooooove it. Red velvet is the best!
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Review from Edward L.
While dessert isn't usually my thing, this place does score points in my book.
Not sure about parking here, but it probably sucks.
I can't figure out which market the place tries to cater to. It seems kid-friendly, but the counters are too high for the kids to reach the toppings and other goodies. Then there's a wall showing photos of celebrities eating bowls of this stuff.
I can't tell if you can get diabetes here. Yes the bowls are ridiculously huge, yet they advertise many of the yogurts and sorbets as "non-fat" and "low sugar". And then there
The amount of free loot here is staggering. First, they have little sample cups so you can try all 16 or so flavours. Their "disposable" spoons are so robust you can use them on a daily basis. Then they also gave us free 3D glasses, which you can use to trip out looking at the poster on the door and the cards that came with the glasses. I think I need to get out more. Lastly, we got stickers and stick-on tattoos too!
The yogurt was surprisingly smooooth. No ice bits, no cream lumps, nothing. Like cold melted butter. Their toppings are of a wide variety as well. You can go from nuts to sprinkles to exploding balls. They look like bubbles (bubble tea) but are filled with stuff, like bath beads. Then there is also the fresh fruit section.
If dessert is your thing, I must say this is one of the better places out there. Recommended.Listed in: 2012 Ed's Picks
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Review from zack f.
Vancouver, BC
4/27/2012
Best froyo place ever. I just moved here from Chicago where we have a panoply of dazzling froyo options, with perhaps 10 self-serve establishments in the down-town area alone. Menchie's beats them all due to toppings and the rewards program - everything else was up to highest standards (flavor selection, yogurt taste, etc.). We rolled in at about 9PM, an hour before closing, and it REALLY busy - surprisingly so. We had to wait in line and then hold our ground while we sampled 4 or 5 flavors. The coconut was stand-out, while the other ones we tried (peanut butter, chocolate, watermelon and red velvet) were pretty typical.
Toppings are where Menchie's shines; I've seen a froyo place with so many options. The fruit and the brownies were obviously hand-cut. The brownies were particularly impressive - large cut pieces from a brownie sheet, instead of the barfy miniature chunks you typically get. There were four different flavors of asian boba balls (my girlfriend's favorite). We "backed up the truck" and got a taste of 10+ toppings. The cinnamon apples were also quite delicious and distinctive.
Here are the other items I remember -
chocolate candy macaroons
cheesecake
chocolate covered toffee around butterfinger
turtle
Nerds
pb captain crunch
pb sauce
reese's pieces
M&Ms
marashino cherries
dark chocolate chips
I didn't see mochi, a favorite topping that we normally get, but it was more than made up for with the superior quality of the other toppings. On the way out we picked up a "smileage card". Basically when you spend $50 you get a $5 free yogurt - effectively 10%. Pretty sweet.
The ice cream ended up at $7.50, but it was well worth it since it was split between the two of us and thoroughly enjoyed I assure you. -
Review from E C.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Been here a few times now. It is a great stylish dessert place. Lot's of yoghurt flavors here. The best is the sugar free, low fat vanilla yoghurt. Not much selection of fresh fruit, only had strawberries and peach this week. It is better when number of toppings are kept simple. 1 or 2 toppings is enough.
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Review from Gloria C.
Vancouver, BC
2/18/2012
After purchasing a movie from Best Buy i noticed Menchies across the street and ive been seeing pictures on Twitter and boy oh boy did it look good.
Walk across the street and before entering the place you could see that it was a fun little place. It was nice and bright, filled with people and balloons everywhere, this was because of their grand opening.
As i walk in i was greeted by a loud, friendly and cheerful, "Hi, welcome to Menchies!" The gentleman asked if this was my first time and if i knew how this worked, of course this being my first time i needed some explaining. (He was very informative) Basically you choose from a regular cup or a waffle cup, choose from 12 flavors then add toppings and sauces (self serve bar). This is all by weight so you can go overboard because it's fun adding in different stuff, you just feel like a kid in a candy store so you go nuts!
I sampled the red velvet cake and chocolate covered banana, it was different from the typical yogurts ive had, it was creamy and i almost felt like i was eatting icecream. With that being said i decided to be safe with pina colada and mango sorbet yogurt which to me seemed more of a yogurt flavor? *raises eyebrow, shrugs*
Toppings i added were, fruit loops, sour keys, strawberries, kiwis, lychee and strawberry "juice balls". Toppings were fesh and went well with my yogurt, well except for the sour keys it was more of a, "its cool" thing my boyfriend wanted.
Id definitely come back here to try out their other flavors and toppings and use my cute little "smiles card". -
Review from Alexandra C.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2012
Menchies is otherworldly.
I'm 22 and I want to have my birthday party here.
12 flavours (rotated almost daily from 100+ flavours), self serve, friendly staff, great location.
They have a rewards card system as well.
Go before everyone knows about it! -
Review from Tamara L.
I almost shit bricks when I walked past this place the other day. This is the sort of Frozen Yogurt shop that dreams are made of!
12 different flavours of yogurt (some of them rotate and change on a weekly basis).
25+ 'toppings'-- ranging in cereals, fresh fruit, mochi, & various small candies.
5 different 'sauces'.
You grab a bowl, mix your flavours however you like (Or just stick with CAKE BATTER because it's the best one) and then add your toppings as you so desire. Pay by weight.. then sit down at one of their many tables and enjoy. The staff here are fabulous-- very friendly and encourage you to sample any flavours you like before committing. They have great music playing (even though it could stand to be turned down just a liiiiiiittle bit-- it was a bit loud) and a really fun vibe.
Prices do add up fairly quick. You're probably looking at a minimum of $4 for a fairly modest serving.... and it could easily approach the $7/8 mark if you really went wild. The cups that are are given to use are quite large and it is definitely easy to fill them up with all the treats available to you! So try to exercise a little restraint or you'll pay a fairly hefty tab. But you know what? It's worth it. It's SO yummy, and the place is just so FUN that it's absolutely worth the little splurge.
If you find yourself at CITY HALL sky train station of of these days, hop off the train and run down Cambie just a couple blocks. You'll see Menchie's across the street from Save-On Foods... It's worth a little detour-- trust me! I have a feeling that this will become a very regular joint for me in the summer months. -
Review from Roland I.
Surrey, BC
4/11/2012
I was impressed! It was pretty good. I'm not the type to hit the frozen yogurt bars, but I'm glad my wife wanted to go. They've got their flavours lined up in the back with sample cups for you to try out and a whole mess of fix-ins right beside that. You take what you want and you pay according to weight. I dunno what else there is to say, everything's already probably been said. I like the concept and the appearance of the place. I thoroughly enjoyed my treat and I can't wait to hit it up again!
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Review from Adrianna N.
Vancouver, BC
2/11/2012
Having a Menchies right next to Running Room is evil epitomized.
I tried Menchies on their opening day because unfortunately nothing says yum like FREE YOGHURT! The red velvet, which just so happens to be my favourite cake, is delicious with a smooth, creamy texture. Combine that with a variety of toppings (mine for the night was coconut, sliced almonds, cookie dough, a tiny bit of oreo and a tiny brownie) and you're set! You do have to be careful about the amount of toppings added on as others have noted that you can come away with a very expensive frozen yoghurt but I tell you its worth it.
After that trial run, I did end up trying some of their competitors. While acceptable, I found the flavour options at Menchies far superior and will now reserve my yoghurt cravings for this little shop. An added bonus is that even though you're serving yourself, the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and do encourage you to test out all the flavours without seeming too offended by you gleefully test running them all.
Try it, you won't regret it! -
Review from Jenna B.
Coquitlam, BC
2/20/2012
Menchies, is somewhat of a frozen yogurt cult? I came here with some friends because I heard the words "free frozen yogurt". Boy was I excited! I love icecream, sherbet, froyo, shaved ice, the whole lot. I stood in the line. The interior is super cool, and it's super clean. Honestly, this is a pretty hip place. My friends were (are) obsessed , and me being frozen yogurt lover was practically jumping for joy!
Here's how it work: You get a cup, and you build your own frozen yogurt. Whatever kind of yogurt you want. You can choose from 12 flavours, you can mix and match, and place on tons of fruits and toppings. You can even put fruit loops on it (which is delicious btw). It's like a salad bar but, without the healthy. Then you get it weighed at the front usually it comes to according $5 a cup with all the toppings so not too expensive.
This places has a ton of merchandise dedicated to it's adorable mascot Menchie.
But heres, the kicker. I built my froyo with all my toppings when it was time to eat my free frozen deliciousness. My taste buds said "it's okay" Maybe it was the day I went but, I barely tasted any flavour. It felt like more sugar than flavour. I looked at my other friend who also mouthed to me "it's okay" This place is really made by it's interior and experience. Being able to build your own frozen yogurt, and only having to worry about the price by weight is cool. It's not like other icecream parlours being charged by the scoop, or by how many flavours, or toppings you have. You have creative freedom to make whatever froyo you want, and I think it's a fabulous idea.
However, I also want the frozen yogurt to taste delicious.
I'll definitely give this place another shot when it's not a free froyo day, and I may bite my words, and join this froyo cult. -
Review from Trish L.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2012
I would go here everyday if I could. Original tart and watermelon tart are awesome!!!!!!
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Review from Diana L.
Menchies is a super fun place to take little kids and big kids (like me)! Not only do they have a variety of fun flavours of yogurt, they also have 3D glasses, stickers, and tattoos all for free! It is a super fun and colourful place to go and hang out :).
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Review from Trudi C.
This place looks like it stepped out of my dreams!! Pink and green decor, all bright and bubbly.
It doesn't help that Menchies opened with the first snow of the year, hahah! But I love my fro yo! The staff were helpful and friendly, letting me try all the different flavours (oh my cake batter!). And I picked up a sticker and tattoo, am a big kid at heart :D
Go try now, as this place is going to be packed in the summer! -
Review from Jee M.
Vancouver, BC
The dopest place for a treat and also friendly service and smileage points are awesome. Pricey but can't not complain
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Review from Melissa K.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2012
Menchies is yummy. It has a lot of flavors and the owner said they switch them up from time to time. It's self serve and pay by weight, which is nice when you just feel like something small. There are adequate toppings for you to choose from. The room is nice and open, the staff and owner are nice and welcoming. My favorite were red velvet and peanut butter s'more. It's an alternative to Pinkberry, which can be a far drive. However, I think this might even be better than Pinkberry -- actually, it is better. Not only does it taste better, it's cheaper.
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Review from Allan-ester D.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012 3 Check-ins Here
definitely enjoyed this place...i'm sure i will be back on numerous occasions...parking is the only issue at Mechies
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Review from Michelle P.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2012
Hallelujah Menchies is finally HERE! I was so excited to see that Menchies was coming I wanted to write a review before it even opened but I refrained for fear someone would think I was a Menchies insider or something.....
I love Menchies so much that whenever I fly to Los Angeles Menchies is my first stop after picking up my bags at the airport. When the Cambie location opened I had to go twice before writing this review to make sure it was the real deal. Good job Menchies Franchise team for ensuring consistency throughout your chain! Vancouver has had some hits and misses with fro-yo stores, both chains and indepenedents, which I never understood... Is it that difficult to make quality frozen yogurt and offer it at a sustainable price-point? Frozen yogurt should be fun, fresh, tasty and should come with a healthy option. Menchies has a wide variety of non-fat and sorbet-style yogurts (flavours rotate regularly), and plenty of quality fresh fruit, nut and granola toppings makes it a great guilt-less treat. And of course there are the more decadent yogurt flavors, besides the standard vanilla and chocolate, you can usually find red velvet and cookies and cream, as well as a remarkable array of fabulously rich toppings: fresh cheescake and brownies, chewy mochi and cookie dough, sprinkles, nuts, candy bars, and hot toppings like marshmello, caramel and fudge, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. The yogurt and toppings are all self-serve and charged by weight (like a salad bar for your sweet-tooth) so you can make it EXACTLY the way you want. And they have a really great rewards program you can sign up for which essentially gives you 10% back in store credit for future yummi-ness!
