For some reason, Pinkberry and Red Mango of California have not hit Texas yet so imitators galore have begun to spring up everywhere in Texas. In Houston you have Berripop and Swirlls, which are pretty good. In Austin you have Tomunchi and Yogoberry, one of only which I have tried.
The Tomunchi in Austin is a self serve, where you can fill your cup with whatever you please, and they only charge you by weight. Their yogurt is not of high quality; they put more water/ice in to save on costs. However, their toppings are pretty good and it beats others in flavor choices – where else can you find Lychee flavored froyo? I haven’t been to Yogoberry but it’s been getting bad reviews on yelp so I don’t think I’m going to try that place.
Finally, Mamboberry opened up on Lamar and Barton Springs, and my brother kept raving about how good it was. Then I went and saw it – a PERFECT representaiton of Austin!! Froyo from a trailer!! This is so Austin – seeing it was already a plus. Then I tried the yogurt and although it isn’t as good as my beloved Pinkberry, it was very very much closer than the other ones in Austin. Also the owner was very friendly, and he told us that the yogurt was real yogurt; it had the live cultures and such in it. That’s a plus! I don’t even think pinkberry uses real yogurt, so you don’t get the added benefits of the healthy bacteria in yogurt.
Mamboberry!
mmmm. froyo :)
Posted by Pinkberry Representative on July 30, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Dear Endlessly,
Thanks for your interest in Pinkberry.
Actually, Pinkberry does indeed use real yogurt. Pinkberry frozen yogurt is made with real nonfat milk and real nonfat yogurt. Additionally, Pinkberry carries the National Yogurt Association’s Live & Active Cultures seal, certifying that it meets the criteria for good bacteria in frozen yogurt.
Thanks,
a Pinkberry representative
Posted by satan on July 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
i like to eat a little froyo with my sars maggots
Posted by Alyce on August 4, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I can’t wait to try it! I have been on the west coast all summer and eat froyo every day! Before I left all that was available was yogiberry and they didn’t have mochi, so I walked right out. When I get back to Austin next week I am going straight here!
Posted by Fro-yo Fanatic on May 28, 2009 at 11:56 PM
actually, you were partially correct about the Pinkberry deal, even though the “rep” is not lying. Pinkberry CURRENTLY carries the LAC (Live & Active Cultures) Seal, but this only happened in 2008. Prior to this, they got in a bit of legal trouble because their product did not contain ENOUGH cultures to be considered true yogurt (think yogurt pretzels). They changed their recipe, and it is now quite different from what it used to taste like. The present one is actually less tart than before, and a little more bland. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to your personal preference, but I liken it to the change in taste of McDonald’s fries’ before and after the conversion to 100% vegetable oil.
And as for me, I found this article by searching Google for berripop and red mango. haha