Yogurt World Convoy St SD
I have always hated frozen yogurt. To me it always seemed like a pale low fat version of ice cream. Whole milk, heavy cream and butter have always been my standards. Also grwoing up i always had really sour Albanian yogurt, so frozen yogurt really did nothing for me
So anyways on my trip to O Briens last week i noticed a new frozen yogurt shop opening in the same shopping center. Needless to say, i was not too excited. I did take note of the fact that it was operated by asians in SD's Asian area. This to me semed odd as i didnt know this was a product tied into the community. What further piqued my interest was the article in the dining section of the NY Times about Korean frozen yogurt places in LA. This article noted how these places were taking frozen yogurt back to its origins as literally frozen yogurt, not a sweetened less fatty ice cream.
So after meeting a former colleague today at Obriens for lunch(the Port Weizen Bock is fantastic by the way), I stopped by this place for a sample. when i walked in the guy behind the counter explained to me the set up. You take a cup and fill it with whatever flavour you like, you can mix if you wish then fill it with toppings and pay by weight. There were a number of flavours, including four sour asian ones. Taking my cue from the article i filled my cup up with half plain and half asian pear. Of the available toppings i put on blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and sweetened cocunut shavings. Alli have to say is wow. The yogurt tasted exaclty like that, like yogurt. Not sweetened soft serve ice cream but yogurt. That wonderful sourness of the yogurt worked really well with the whole berries(not in syrup) and the coconut. You got the rich sourness from the yogurt plus the sweetn berries. This is good for the same reason that cheesecake is good, or blueberries and buttermilk is. The pear was good too, tart and sour at the same time. I will be back
MVNYC
Feb 22, 2007 01:59PM
Awesome report. Thanks for the tip.
Funny, I remember being a kid in LA when frozen yogurt first hit the market and the reason people didn't like it was the sourness. Then, sometime later frozen yogurt turned into a super-sweet, boring, ice cream substitute. Yawn.
I will go check this out for sure.
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Thanks for posting this. I just read that NY Times article the other day, too, and I was wondering when SD would get such a place and now I know. Thanks!
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Just got back from a brief excursion over there. Great find.
The deal is they have 4 sour flavors, 4 flavors with no sugar added (fruit sweetened), and then either 6 or 8 that are sweet.
I sampled three of the sour flavors, and wound up getting mango. Topped it with fresh diced strawberries, blueberries, and coconut. All yogurt places should be like this. Definitely second MVNYCs recommendation on this one.
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They had plenty of sweetened varities and four sour ones, pear, plain, mango and green tea. I will definitely head back to try the mago and green tea. What i really liked about the toppings was that they were real fruit, whole blue and black berries, chopped up strawberries, pineapple, watermelon instead of sweetened syrups. There were also chocolate toppings like butterfinger pieces. The lack of cloyingly sweet bases and toppings makes this place a sort of ice cream for grownups.
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Yeah I sampled the green tea. It was nice. Real fresh fruit was a definite plus, too. I hope that they continue to offer that as they stay in business.
If you like that, you might also enjoy Persian ice cream. Parsian International Market on Convoy, and Balboa International Market both sell it. They have pistachio and orange blossom flavors. The pistachio is flavored with saffron and rosewater. I found it to be less sweet than standard American ice cream, and the saffron adds a really interesting flavor.
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thanks for the report! I saw it this weekend on a trip for boba tea at Tapioca Express. Would have gone there instead but I was craving matcha green tea snow bubble...
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Nice discovery! And thanks for the report! Last time I was up in LA, I tried a couple of those places... PinkBerry and this other place in the new food court at the Century City Mall. Interesting stuff!
What's the price like at Yogurt World?
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It was $.38/oz.
The cups they have out are gigantic. I probably filled it less than 1/4 full (which was more than enough), and it cost around $2.50 including the fresh fruit and coconut.
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Yeah you can get in trouble quickly price wise. I thought i only had a small ammount and it came to $4
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We went to Yogurt World today after reading about it on this board. It was crowded and parking was a mess but ultimately, worth it in the end. I got the Plain (tart) and Vanilla Custard with blueberries, strawberries, pineapples and captain crunch. My husband got a chocolate and cookies&creme with reeses and chocolate. We both thought it was really yummy. I prefered the Plain and will get it again next time. It tastes like plain yogurt but in a frozen creamy consistency. We also tried the Green Tea (tart) and Georgia Peach and both were yummy too. I plan to visit again to try all the flavors. I was wondering when Pinkberry would finally hit SD and I'm glad we got Yogurt World in the meantime. This place is great for anyone who LOVES toppings since you can mix and match to your own liking.
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PRICE!!! It is good but not worth 38 cents plus tax!! Crazy! If you like good yogurt go to clairemont mesa east. There is a little place called Yogurt and Cafe House in a little center next door to a greek restaurant
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? Not sure what you mean. I think it's a great deal, actually. For $2 and change you get an ample portion of good quality yogurt AND fresh fruit. Seems like a bargain to me.
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It seems like a good deal to me too. I tried the green tea today and it was really strong. I think i prefer the comobo of plain and pear.
The fresh berries and coconut are really the way to go. So sweet tart and sour
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The green tea is strong on its own. I used the middle one and had the blend of that with plain. I haven't seen pear there yet, but look forward to trying it.
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I haven't been there yet - but compared to Coldstone (where they try to sell you a bucket of waay too sweet ice cream for about $6.00) it sounds like a good deal to me - I plan to try it as soon as possible!.
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I had the Asian peach/plain combo over the weekend, really tasty. I am addicted to this stuff.
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Curiousity got the better of me, and I decided to check this place out. I had the Asian peach with a sprinkling of coconut, toasted almonds, and a few blackberries. Absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS! Thank you, MVNYC!
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Great report and find, MVNYC! After being handed a sample cup by the owner I rapidly narrowed down my choice amongst the tart flavors and then to the plain tart, which, by the way, is not "plain" at all! Yes, it tastes just like a plain yogurt, but a very well made plain yogurt, with all of the creamy richness found in the full fat yogurts.
This clear and confident a taste needs no toppings, though the quality of the fruit looked excellent and tempting. Off topic, but I do the same at Cold Stone - just a sweet cream for me, no toppings! To me it seems so rare to come across good milk products these days that everytime I do, I want as pure an experience as possible!
When I returned the next day for another round the owner recognized me and struck up a conversation. It looks like they are an independent operation, but may be looking to franchise other locations. He certainly hit the market right in the bullseye, as the crowds seem to indicate. According to the owner he opened it up without putting up any advertising, which I find incredible given the initial customer response.
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We've managed to get down here four times in 8 days and always enjoyed our large cup of yogurt. So far, Asian peach and mango tart are our favorites--a refreshing blend of sweet and slightly acidic coolness. Green tea was pretty good and Heath Bar was surprisingly very good. I was expecting Heath Bar to be too cloyingly sweet like the candy bar, but it wasn't. It was a good blend of toffee and chocolate. The berry flavors (strawberry, wild berry, raspberry) have all been true to taste--none of that manufactured fruit flavor that sometimes pervades berry yogurt/ice creams.
We've enjoyed the yogurt best without the toppings, although the mochi, deep fried battered peanuts and jelllies (a la boba tea jellies) have been good on the side.
I wonder if they're a similar counterpart to Pinkberry frozen yogurt. They have several outposts in LA, Corona and Temecula.
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Where is there a Yogurt World in Corona ?? -Thanks
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Pinkberry is in Corona, not Yogurt World. Go to www.pinkberry.com for locations.
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Thanks for the response but, there is not one listed on their website for Corona, CA. I called their corporate office and they confirmed there is not one. Have you actually been then or seen it? lol. If so, where exactly please? There's one listed in Temecula.. that's 45 minutes south of Corona. Did you mean Corona Del Mar? (which is not listed either). This is a mystery lol
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I do not think there is one in Corona, Riverside.
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maybe I was looking too fast on their website and/or got it mixed up with something else. it's been a while since my original reply. I have only been to the Temecula one (Pinkberry), which I realize is not anywhere near Corona.
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I don't know about Corona, but I can tell you for sure there is one in the new Victoria Gardens shopping center in Rancho Cucamonga, about thirty minutes North. I actually tried it the other day - it was ok. Compared to Yogurt World I think it's a little creamier and softer - and it has a slight lemony flavor. The store's decor certainly is fancy. Kartell ghost chairs, lacquered pebble floor, fancy gadgets for sale - kind of wacky for a frozen yogurt shop!
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It is addictive isnt it? So far its the plain with fresh berries and coconut which is my go to. I do like the asian peach and pear thoughh i havent tried any of the sweet ones. I think they are akin to Pinkberry by the way from what ihave heard.
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Yes, sorely addictive--I consider it the lower calorie alternative to boba tea! :-) I've been looking for the Asian pear but it hasn't cropped up yet. Their sweet yogurts are not grossly sweet. They have great, full flavors without being overly sugary. I was pleasantly and happily surprised.
The mochi is an interesting combo w/ the yogurt b/c there's a touch of salt in the mochi which contrasts with the sweeter yogurts. Kind of a spin off from the chocolate with sea salt combo.
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Wow, puhleeez come to Santa Barbara - this sounds wonderful!
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maybe you've got one as I have been to one up in SLO
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I went to World Yogurt on Saturday. I was told no photography was allowed but I managed to sneak in 2.
They didn't have pear available. :(
I really enjoyed the tart Peach and Mango. The Vanilla Bean (sweet) was pretty nice as well. I did not care for the Green Tea at all.
Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7708062@...
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Pinkberry's green tea is better than Yogurt World, but that's about the only real advantage they have over them. Pinkberry's green tea is less grassy and has a "cleaner" taste. However, after your tongue has been frozen cold, you can't taste it anymore. When I have time, I plan to write a post comparing the two places.
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I've tried Yogurt World, and I must agree that it's pretty good (definitely better than those other, too sweet frozen yogurt places). I must say, and maybe I'm the only one who has noticed (it can't be!), but you've got to check out the signs that are in Yogurt World. Very amusing.
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I hit this place up a few times in the past couple of weeks, since I discovered it on the way to Tapioca Express.
I love the price to quality ratio, because for 8 ounces or less, the price is about the same as Paradise Yogurt, Funnies, California Yogurt Co., etc, but the quality is much, much better. It is the best frozen yogurt in San Diego, no question. If you go over 8 ounces, towards their gigantic 16 oz cups (the smallest size), then it's a lot pricier than other yogurt places. It's also very easy to buy way too much yogurt when you're not paying careful attention.
However, I cannot stand the "standard" customers, or cleanliness. The place is so busy and so small, that they need to mop the place 10 times a day. People just track yogurt all over the floor. They can't really help how messy it is, but it sucks to get sticky shoes.
Also, the last 3 times I went there, the small seating area was filled with a group of the loudest, most annoying, not even eating any yogurt, asian teenagers and college students. It might've been the same people each time. Just one incredibly large group of 8-15 people, so no one else could sit. They were so loud that I had to leave so I wouldn't be deafened. The workers didn't like it either, but they never did anything about it. As a non-asian, I felt very unwelcome at first in this loud, crowded place full of people. I thought maybe I didn't "belong" because I was bothered by the boisterousness. But after a few more visits, I noticed that everyone who came in felt uncomfortable walking into this place when these large groups of screaming children were there. They really need to get a handle on that. This same problem occurred both during a weekend night, a weekday night, and a weekday in the middle of the afternoon. I guess you can't avoid it.
Even if you go to Tapioca Express, and it's packed, it's never as loud or ridiculous as Yogurt World. Probably because the owners/workers never say anything about it at Yogurt World.
I'd recommend going there during off-peak hours, if you can, or failing that, get your yogurt to go or bring earplugs. I'd stop going there if the yogurt wasn't so damned good. They really have me hooked.
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Interesting post. I got hooked on YW when they very first opened, and I've been kind of disappointed to see what's happened to it since then. The yogurt is still great, but the addition of that extra dry topping station is obviously causing a major cleanliness problem. Every time I go in, the counter is littered with remnants. Sometimes there's so much debris there I wonder if people are even getting any toppings on the yogurt.
Another aspect of the place that drives me up the wall is the terrible music played at deafening volume. Like Tapioca Express, it just makes me want to get out of there in a hurry.
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I get a lid so I can take the yogurt "to go" and freeze whatever I can't finish in one sitting. They'll also give you separate cups for the toppings if you don't want it sitting in your yogurt for a long time before you eat it. The yogurt does harden after it's been in the freezer but softens if you leave it out or zap it for a few seconds in the microwave.
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I've noticed the same thing the past few times I've been there. Lots of high school and college students loitering and hanging out there. The owners probably don't want to say anything since those are the people that likely bring in 90% of their business. They must be doing pretty well considering that the place is always packed even in the middle of the week.
I would be surprised if some competition didn't spring up fairly quickly. I wonder if Pinkberry is working on an SD branch. If not maybe I should see if I they will franchise a location to me :).
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I had a chance to try Pinkberry in Temecula. All in all, I think Yogurt World has an edge over Pinkberry in that it's cheaper, I like the self-serve aspect of it (I can customize as much as I want, although the mess that other people leave can be a pain) and they have more flavors. I'd say the only advantages Pinkberry has is that their green tea is more subtly flavored (Yogurt World is a tad on the grassier side), they are all decked out with a very cool 1960's retro vibe and they have smoothies and their version of 5 treasures on ice. Maybe a Pinkberry in the UTC area, given it's swankier decor??
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I tried pinkberry too and agree with you. i prefer the self serve aspect and ow you can mix and match toppings.
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I had a funny experience here tonight. A friend of mine and I went and got our yogurt, and as usual the place was crammed with shouting teenagers. We took our yogurt and sat in the car to eat it. Across from us there were two other older people doing the same thing, and then another couple got into the car next to us to enjoy THEIR yogurt. Struck me as funny.
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I went there again last night, and it was a lot different. We went at 9 PM. The place was overflowing with people (mostly teenagers), with the place completely full, and then as many people standing outside as inside. Also, the parking lot was full of wandering yogurt-eaters.
When we came in, the floor looked like it had just been mopped. Also, the entire time we were there, someone was cleaning and tending to the place the whole time. And the noise level was significantly lower. It was still loud, but not super unpleasant. I'll have to see if they have changed their policies when I go back again. It was a lot nicer.
I talked with a young man behind the counter, and he asked what we thought good areas to expand were. I said Regents/UTC would be a definite winner, but I'd like to see something in a few other places. So maybe they are planning to expand and open a new store. If they can get as many customers to a new location, they'll be sitting twice as pretty.
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I do not know if anyone saw the KTLA news this morning. PInkberry is getting sued because some guy wants to know what is in the yogurt AND if it can be indeed called yogurt..questioning the manufacturing and if it actually has live cultures. I still would love to try it though.
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There's an article in the LA Times on it. Regardless of what you call it, it's pretty tasty. (although I think Yogurt World has an edge over them for variety of flavors and price)
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yeap all about semantics...as long as it tastes good! i curious but i live too far, well 30 min.
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I was just there today, and it was really clean and neat - it was mid-day on a Saturday. I got a cup with some plain, sour peach and passionfruit (no toppings.) The fruit flavors were too sweet for me, like sorbet - but I loooved the sour plain. I went back after running errands and got two more to take home for my husband and a friend. There's just something about it.
I don't think it's low in sugar though, in case anyone was laboring under that impression. It's sour in the way that lemonade is sour - tangy but still quite sweet.
I think you could probably make something very similar at home using Trader Joe's lowfat plain organic yogurt in a regular ice cream maker. It's got a similar level of tanginess, but the texture of what they sell at Yogurt World is part of what makes it so good. Not sure you could duplicate that so easily!
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mmm, i'm hooked =) it's best to go during the day though... the mass influx of high school kids after 3pm can be overwhelming
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You can get twice as much for your money at Yogurt Mill or Rockies. I've heard Pinkberry is opening up a bunch of stores in San Diego and so is a chain that's very similar to Yogurt World and has like 16 flavors or something. It's some company out of Chicago or something, Asian style.. Looks like we'll have a lot of options
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Pinkberry doesn't have 16 flavors like Yogurt World. They only have 2--plain and green tea. The plain is good but isn't as pleasantly tart as Yogurt World's. The green tea is cleaner and less grassy tasting than Yogurt World. They have a variety of toppings but Yogurt World has about 3-4 times the variety. Yogurt World is also cheaper per ounce. For those who like a clean store, Pinkberry is NOT self-serve, eliminating the mess that self-serve customers can leave.
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Now that I find myself at Yogurt World about twice a week, I think I can give them my full recommendation. Almost all of the problems have been solved, or reduced. Some people still hang around all day and fill up the seats, but they're a lot quieter (still noisy, though). The floors are clean. Everything is clean.
Also, if you come around a lot, and they recognize your face, they may give you a discount on your yogurt.
I only realized after the 7th visit that the toppings are also priced based on weight. I think that even though the yogurt is more expensive (if you go over 8 ounces), toppings by weight is a huge discount over every other yogurt place, especially for light toppings. And they have so many toppings, with lots of fresh fruit, etc., that they can't be beat.
I've also noticed a lot of non-asians there, which means the word is spreading (since they don't advertise).
The only thing I dislike is the parking situation and the construction. There is never anywhere to park, and the lot is too small with O'Brien's, Tapioca Express, Tofu House, Yogurt World, and every other business there. There usually isn't ANY parking, or you have to fight for a spot (sometimes literally).
If you haven't been yet, you owe it to yourself to try it.
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I just went tonight. As usual, it was awesome. The little mochi cubes are fast becoming one of my favorite toppings.
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I like those little cookie dough balls, but they didn't have any tonight.
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the mochi rules! I like getting a cup of it on the side and eating it by itself!
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I agree, the topping can be a great deal. If you simply filled up a tub with blackberries you might save a couple dollars off the grocery store price. The mochi cubes are unique too.
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Do they let you do that? I would load up on the mochi balls and tiny cookie doughs.
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I haven't tried; it doesn't seem like a nice thing to do.
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