It’s no secret that Boston is in the midst of a frozen yogurt craze. Fro-yo shops are popping up on every street corner, and considering this 90-degree weather doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon, it’s in your best interests to embrace the trend whole-heartedly.
Cafe de Boston launched a self-serve fro-yo stand this week, bringing the topic top of mind for those of us salivating for some sugar as the thermometer heats up. The bustling lunch spot located in the Financial District added four flavors to its roster – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and a vegan Mango Tango sorbet – as well as a selection of toppings to complete the treat. All the fro-yo is gluten-free, fat-free, and kosher, making it a (seemingly) much better option than grabbing a cookie to top off your lunch. And much more customizable.
So where else can you find self-serve fro-yo in the Hub? We scoped (or scooped) out some of our favorite spots.
16 Handles – 1309 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline – Opened in January, 16 Handles is arguably one of the best self-serve joints to hit the Hub. The shop is named for its 16 handles, each serving up a different, creative flavor. There’s angel food cake, banana, York peppermint chocolate, white chocolate macadamia, to name a few. Load it with toppings like yogurt raisins, animal crackers and marshmallow sauce.
MIXX – 66 Brighton Ave., Allston – Allston’s MIXX operates on a ‘weigh and pay’ model, which quickly adds up due to the common eyes-are-bigger-than-your-stomach syndrome when you walk into the shop. But who can blame you? MIXX has a range of flavors like cookies n’ cream, cheesecake and passion fruit, and an even bigger selection of toppings. Try the aloe vera on for size.
Zinga! – 508 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square – Zinga! wins extra points for creativity. The self-serve fro-yo shop is constantly switching up its flavors, running specials like devil’s foodcake, peanut butter swirl, watermelon sorbet. Located in Kenmore Square, treat yourself to Zinga! before and after a Sox game, obviously.
iYo – 234 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville – This self-serve fro-y0 joint in Davis Square not only boasts a rotating roster of flavors like Greek Honey Yogurt and Caribbean Colada, it also doubles as an espresso bar. Because after eating tons of sugar, what you need is caffeine. Logical.
Orange Leaf – 256 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville – Just down the block, Orange Leaf has more than 60 flavors that change on a daily basis, as well as a huge selection of fruits, candy and cereals to top off your creations. You’re paying by the ounce, so the more you load on, the more it’ll cost you. Davis Square too far? Orange Leaf has plans to expand to Boston and Brookline as well.
Walgreens – 24 School St., Boston – There’s much to marvel at inside the spanking-new Walgreens flagship store in Downtown Crossing – live lobsters, manicures, a juice bar, to name a few. But the clincher is the self-serve fro-yo bar. You don’t pay for your scoops by ounce, meaning you can load on all the toppings you want, and still pay a standard price. Go forth, yogurt enthusiasts.
