Written by Fourth Estate Lifestyle Reporter Kyra Wiseman
With the winter dragging on and on like a snail through molasses, it is some comfort to know that spring is just around the corner. I, for one, can’t wait to bask in the sunlight, wear sundresses and eat ice-cold treats outside without the fear of freezing myself to death in the cold, slushy weather.
With Josie’s at University Mall currently closed, here are some alternatives in the DC-Metro area for when you need a frozen treat. It is only a matter of time before I’ll be turning to them for some sweet relief on a hot day.
1. FroZenYo
3237A 14th St NW
Located just minutes away from the Columbia Heights metro stop, FroZenYo is a gem in the midst of other restaurants. Though slightly cramped, they offer 16 different flavors of fro-yo and over 30 toppings for only 49 cents an ounce. Popular flavors include original tart and coconut. On a nice day, you can enjoy the outdoor seating. If you’re looking for a gift for a friend, you can even pick up a gift chip, good for one serving of frozen yogurt.
2. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
1939 12th St NW
According to Yelp, Menchie’s on U Street is a must-visit for every DC fro-yo lover. With 14 flavors offered daily and a different selection offered monthly, it is easy to see why. Their most popular flavors are cake batter and cookies and cream. I personally loved the cake batter flavored one.
Their prices are a little bit high at 56 cents an ounce, but for the Menchie’s experience, it is totally worth it. If you’re on U Street looking for it, keep in mind it’s not on the main street of restaurants. It is around the corner next to the Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant and is easily missed if you are simply walking up or down the main road.
3. Mr. Yogato
1515 17th St NW
A 15-minute walk from the Farragut North metro, this Dupont Circle yogurt shop definitely has its quirks. Unlike many fro-yo places, Mr. Yogato does not price their yogurt by weight. A small, 5-ounce size is $3.50 and their largest 12-ounce serving is $5.50. What is also unusual is that they offer many ways to get a discount on their delicious flavors.
You can get a stamp on your forehead for 10 percent off, order in a funny voice, answer a trivia question for 5 percent off or simply show them your student ID for 10 percent off. If you eat there every day for 30 days, you can even get a flavor named after you! If you’re not in the mood for fro-yo, you can even order a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s a fun place to sit with friends and play their Nintendo 64 with over 25 games available.
4. Pinkberry
11942 Grand Commons Ave
Amongst the trendy restaurants and shops of the Gunston Go Bus’s Fairfax Corner stop is a trendsetter in the world of frozen yogurt. In addition to eight flavors that change monthly, they also offer shakes, smoothies and hot chocolate. This is not a pay-by-weight place either. Instead, you can choose a size and whether or not you want toppings. The fee for toppings is a flat rate, so you can have as many as can fit on your fro-yo.
The cheapest option is a small yogurt without toppings for $3.95, and the price goes up to a large with toppings for $8.20. If that is not enough yogurt for you, you can even take home a tub of your favorite flavor. I recommend the new topping, Sugarpova. It is a gourmet gummy candy from tennis pro Maria Sharapova and a delightful addition to a delicious treat.
5. LovelYogurt
1017 U St NW
Another fro-yo location on U Street, LovelYogurt, is small, quaint and charming. They offer eight different flavors at 49 cents an ounce. To spruce up your yogurt concoction, there are 27 different toppings, including the Cap’n Crunch Oops All Berries cereal. Their most popular flavors are Tyler’s Chocolate (which was very rich and creamy) and Vanilla Tart. Next time I go, I look forward to trying the Pomegranate Lemonade flavor.
(Photo by John Irwin)
