According to this Burnsville Patch article, frozen yogurt is back in style. Yes folks, the ridiculous “healthier than ice cream craze” from the 1980s, led by TCBY, has resurfaced all over the nation and more and more of the shops are opening right here in the South Metro.
From the article:
After three years of existence, the chain is expanding throughout the Twin Cities region. Freeziac’s first location opened in 2009 in Eden Prairie, followed by a coveted spot at the Mall of America in 2010, and a third storefront in Plymouth in 2011. This year, Freeziac is doubling up: So far, the company has debuted frozen yogurt bars in Maple Grove and Woodbury in addition to its new Burnsville store.
Freeziac’s burst of growth is concurrent with CherryBerry, a competitor from the south that is on an aggressive building-spree in Minnesota. CherryBerry opened a Burnsville location late last month.
I admit, growing up we ate at TCBY often; my father loved the place. It was a few extra miles out of our way but I suppose I looked forward to the candied toppings available. Thinking about it made me remember the smell of the place–such an odd smell now that I am reliving it. Yuck.
I was out in Los Angeles for work last week and when rumor spread that I was into food, one person suggested I try some frozen yogurt places, “we have the best there are!” Oh, ok, goodie. I mean, there’s a Carvel across the street or I could try some crappy rebirth of something that died in the 1990s because it sucked, why the heck not, right?!
What do you think about the resurgence of frozen yogurt? Were you a fan of it the first time around and did you miss it when it all went away, relegated to the food courts of tollways in the lower Midwest? Do you think that because they’re adding probiotics that they’re trying to cash in again, on some sort of health craze? Would you ever agree with the statement that frozen yogurt is, “innovative”, “mod”, or “hip”? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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May 31st, 2012 at 7:42 am
I prefer REAL ice cream with real ingredients. Just my thoughts. Quality over quantity.
May 31st, 2012 at 8:26 am
Ugh. I had the misfortune of visiting Cherry Berry in Burnsville last week. It really is all about the quantity. What I hate most about non-fat frozen yogurt is that when it melts it looks like colored water. Gross. I’d much rather go to Ring Mountain for gelato. I know EXACTLY what you mean by the smell of TCBY…as soon as I read that sentence I remembered it, too!
May 31st, 2012 at 8:48 am
Forget frozen yogurt. I just can’t wait until we can get a place with super-long lines and tiny, hot, glazed donuts!!!
May 31st, 2012 at 8:50 am
I’m thinking I went to TCBY once or twice when I was young, so I have no nostalgia for it. Now Dairy Queen, that’s something I have nostalgia for and hit four or five times a year. Sure it is the bottom of the barrel for ice cream, but a dipped cone is childhood in my hand.
May 31st, 2012 at 8:57 am
I actually like frozen yogurt, as long as it’s a decent quality. I love ice cream, but my body does not, so when I get the opportunity to have something like a sundae, I jump at the chance. Now, I definitely prefer gelato, but I’ve got to admit the convenience of the froyo places in Burnsville makes them appealing. I’m not going into it for the health factor, but as a substitute for the treat I really want.
May 31st, 2012 at 9:10 am
Is the TCBY still in the strip mall connected to Rainbow in Apple Valley? Think it was next to The Fashion Bug. I remember seeing it all the time as a kid and have always assumed it’s still there. My family never went in though, we preferred the real thing.
My friend opened a froyo shop in Dinkytown a few years ago. She was probably the first, or one of the first to open one in the Twin Cities. She closed it last year after so many chains started popping up. At the time, her thinking was, I’m the only one in the area so during the winter months (when nobody really wants to eat something cold) people will still want it because of the novelty. So much for that.
May 31st, 2012 at 11:14 am
A year or so ago I went to LA for work and co-workers couldn’t wait to take me to Pinkberry for frozen yogurt…At the risk of sounding ungrateful, the only thing I could think of is ‘We really wasted a night out in LA on frozen yogurt..’ Not that impressed with it and would much rather have ice cream. Their jingle puzzles me “It doesn’t feel like I’m cheating when I’m eating it because it’s healthy and I’m feeling better already.” Seems like some false advertising there… They sure seem to think they are hip, trendy, mod all together. For me, not so much.
May 31st, 2012 at 12:11 pm
The frozen yogurt itself is flavorless and forgettable. The only memory I have of TCBY is using a plastic spoon in a styrofoam cup. For some reason it is annoying to me, like fingernails on a chalkboard.
May 31st, 2012 at 12:32 pm
I am such a trend spotter. I’ve been looking for some good frozen yougurt for about a month. Been raving coconut with carib chips on top.
May 31st, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Frozen yogurt? Eh. I like my ice cream. If I’m going for a healthier option (which I often do), it’s a smoothie at Jamba Juice.
May 31st, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I am pretty sure I have never had frozen yogurt. I eat regular yogurt every day, but it has never occurred to me that it would be good frozen. From the comments, sounds like I guessed right.
May 31st, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Frozen Yogurt (yogurt in general) has a different lactose content, so it’s a good option for people who can’t have ice cream. Just throwing that out there.
That said Freeziac is not that good and overpriced and overhyped.
May 31st, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Dan, the TCBY you’re thinking of hasn’t been there for a long time (for reference, it was where Burger Time is now).
I’m not sure when the last time I even had frozen yogurt was. It was probably back when my summer afternoons alternated between playing on our C64 and trying to pop ollies on my Variflex.
June 1st, 2012 at 10:16 am
[...] like exactly the kind of restaurant we would love to hit up. While the menu touts the much hated frozen yogurt, the main entrees range from Greek to turkey and beef and seem decent enough at first [...]
June 1st, 2012 at 6:49 pm
I’m with Carrie. Real ice cream with real ingredients. Frozen yogurt is so often made with crap. The word yogurt is misleading.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Have to agree w/ Amy the Mom, I have been to Cherry Berry twice in the last couple of months and it is all about quantity. This stuff is spendy and not that good. I prefer ice cream, custard or gelato for my money.
December 29th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I agree with Ronalee. We just went to the new Cherry Berry in Lakeville. $10.60 for two cups. Ok, mine was filled up to the top. Not only were they out of three favors, but one of them they were out of was vanilla! With a name like Cherry Berry, shouldn’t they at least have a cherry flavor available? Not very impressive. Kind of a strange place and we will be surprised if they are there a year from now. As far as taste goes, it’s just ok, but the chocolate peppermint candy cane is a nice flavor combination.
December 29th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Meh – unfortunately any new place that opens is jumping on the bandwagon a little too late. I think the trend has just about passed, but then again, I’ve been eating it since 2006 (out in CA). It will be interesting to see how long they last since I really think they’re better suited for warmer climes.
If anyone finds a place with mochi though, let me know! I usually get a deer in the headlights look when I ask.
December 29th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
# 6 Dan N (154 comments) Says:
May 31st, 2012 at 9:10 am
Is the TCBY still in the strip mall connected to Rainbow in Apple Valley? Think it was next to The Fashion Bug. I remember seeing it all the time as a kid and have always assumed it’s still there. My family never went in though, we preferred the real thing.
——————-
No, it’s no longer there. My neighbor owned that one though!
I forgot to mention in my comment above that the going rate for yogurt when I lived in CA was about .30/oz., so it was a lot cheaper which probably added to the popularity of it. They can sell it for less because it’s cheaper to buy fruit (usually pretty local).
December 29th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Try Thai restaurants. Ronin in Lakeville had it on their menu before they closed.
December 29th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Since discovering Cow Bella Gelato in St. Paul, there is NO WAY AT ALL that some silly pseudo-yogurt frozen crap will ever get my attention.
February 10th, 2013 at 9:30 am
I agree, frozen yogurt is terrible. It stinks cause all my friends are like obsessed with it. Their all we have to take you to Pink Berry and I’m like no you really don’t. Its way over priced and I prefer ice cream. If you are going to have a treat go all the way or go home.
February 10th, 2013 at 10:02 am
I know Elizabeth M. Anything other than real ice cream is like totally grody. Like to the max. Like ya know?
February 10th, 2013 at 10:38 am
Sandy, Cow Bella is across the street from my work. Come visit next time.
February 10th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Lucky you! O.K., will do.