Say Hello to Froyo

Pinkberry brings its West Coast froyo style to BU, opening its newest store at the George Sherman Union this weekend. Photo by Pam Lau

I scream, you scream, we all scream for—frozen yogurt? Yes, according to industry analysts, who say that last year Americans consumed $723 million of the frosty dessert. And according to IBISWorld, a market research publisher, sales could climb to as high as $813 million by 2016. That’s a lot of frozen yogurt.

Popular throughout the 1980s and 1990s (remember how practically every television sitcom family seemed to resolve their problems with a trip to the frozen yogurt shop? Cough, Full House, cough), froyo experienced a sharp downturn by the end of the decade. But thanks to a wave of new froyo franchises like Peachwave, Yogurtini, and Pinkberry (set to open in the George Sherman Union on Saturday, September 15), the tart and tasty dessert is once again on the ascent.

There are plenty of reasons to like frozen yogurt: it’s low in calories and sugar and often includes probiotics, which can aid with digestion. Nondairy options are available for the lactose intolerant.

Even better for BU students is that in addition to the new Pinkberry location, there are a host of great froyo shops nearby. So whether you like your froyo soft-serve, hand-scooped, or in smoothie form, you’ll have no problem finding a favorite.

BerryLine

Offering superb customer service, BerryLine more than holds its own among the city’s growing roster of froyo shops. Independently owned by Pok Yang, a former Harvard postdoc, and Matthew Wallace, a former MIT researcher, BerryLine offers the most refreshing froyo in town. The menu is pleasantly simple, with a few rotating flavors and a large selection of fresh fruit and candy toppings. BerryLine’s yogurt, tart and not cloyingly sweet, is an excellent alternative to heavier desserts. The four locations, in Boston and Cambridge, feature works by local artists—the cherry on top of this delightful hometown favorite.

Suggestion: Stick to the basics: the original tart flavor and fresh fruit toppings, such as strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi.

The closest BerryLine to campus is at 1377 Boylston St., Boston. Phone: 617-236-0082. Hours: noon to 11 p.m. daily. Take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Kenmore, switch to the D trolley, and get off at Fenway. It’s a five-minute walk to the shop. A list of all four locations is here.

Dante’s

Open only since May 2012, Dante’s is already drumming up plenty of attention for its ever-changing menu of flavors (recently added: white chocolate mousse). What it lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in its sizable selection of toppings, including a full fruit bar and plenty of sweeter options, such as crumbled Oreos and Cap’n Crunch. This spot is self-serve and the food is priced by weight, so the more you add to your cup, the more you pay. When you stop by, chat with Dave Fusco, the store’s friendly and helpful owner, and be sure to ask him about his cat, Dante.

Suggestion: Think outside the cup and order one of the new froyo-filled cannolis.

Dante’s is at 1236 Commonwealth Ave., Allston. Phone: 617-739-0215. Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Take the MBTA Green Line B trolley to Harvard Avenue. It’s a two-minute walk to the shop.

FōMū

At FōMū the store’s name says it all: faux moo, or fake cow. That’s right—this is the ultimate froyo spot for vegans, offering “alternative dairy-free ice cream.” FōMū’s yogurt base is made from coconut milk, and it’s sweetened with raw sugar or agave. The good news is that it’s just as delicious as its dairy competitors. Vegans and customers who are lactose intolerant will want to be sure to visit this hip Allston spot, conveniently located near two other vegan-friendly restaurants: Grasshopper and Peace o’ Pie. And with irresistible flavors that range from birthday cake to Thai peanut, vegan or not, you’ll find yourself quickly coming back for more.

Suggestion: Salted caramel flavor. Enough said.

FōMū is at 481 Cambridge St., Allston. Phone: 617-903-3276. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Take an MBTA Green Line B trolley to Harvard Avenue. It’s an eight-minute walk to the shop.

Mixx

With its exceptionally smooth yogurt (made in-house), seemingly endless toppings, and colorful seating area, Mixx is the perfect froyo hangout. This self-serve spot offers a range of flavors, from taro to green tea to cookies ‘n’ cream, and the menu changes each week. The toppings are just as varied—with silly selections like Fruity Pebbles, unique lychee-flavored poppers, and practically every kind of candy there is—so get creative with your combinations.

Suggestion: Give your froyo experience an Asian twist with the lychee flavor (mix it with pineapple), and finish it with fresh fruit and melba, a sweet raspberry glaze.

Mixx is at 66 Brighton Ave., Allston. Phone: 617-782-6499. Hours: Daily, noon to 11 p.m. Take an MBTA Green Line B trolley to Packard’s Corner. It’s a four-minute walk to the shop.

Pinkberry

Founded in West Hollywood in 2005, Pinkberry sports an unmistakably cool and bright vibe reminiscent of California. Fortunately for BU, a taste of the West Coast will soon be steps from your door. Scheduled to open its newest store at the GSU this weekend, Pinkberry has become one of the country’s most popular froyo chains, and it’s easy to understand why. From the fresh and tart flavors (mango is a must) to the sweet toppings, such as chocolate crunch, every order is a frozen delight. Pinkberry prides itself on the fact that all of the items on its toppings bar menu are 100 percent free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup. So indulge.

Because Pinkberry has become so popular, you can expect long lines if the weather is hot. The bright side? Whip out your Terrier card—the place accepts dining points. And while you wait for Pinkberry to open at the GSU, find out what all the fuss is about by stopping by the Newbury Street location.

Suggestion: Try the refreshing pomegranate flavor with toppings like coconut and granola.

Pinkberry will open on Saturday, September 15, in the George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Phone: 617-353-4925. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pinkberry is also at 288 Newbury St., Boston. Phone: 617-424-5300. Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Take any MBTA Green Line trolley to Hynes Convention Center. It’s a three-minute walk to the shop.

Zinga

This froyo spot is a must for its huge variety of flavors and toppings. New to Kenmore Square, Zinga is self-serve, and its froyo is decidedly on the sweeter side, featuring options that include “ooey gooey cinnamon bun,” red velvet cake, and granny’s apple pie. Not to worry: at Zinga, all of the flavors (there are 12 to choose from daily) are either nonfat or low-calorie—no matter how ooey or gooey they may be.

Suggestion: Treat your sweet tooth to decadent flavors, like New York cheesecake sprinkled with chocolate chips and drizzled with caramel sauce.

Zinga is at 508 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Phone: 857-263-8496. Hours: Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Kenmore.

Tom Vellner can be reached at tvellner@bu.edu; follow him on Twitter at @tomgvellner.