Hip to be Cool

Fat-free and (finally) found all over.

If you were worried that you’d missed out on Pinkberry—the Korean-born frozen yogurt chain that has hit NYC and L.A. but has so far passed over our city—you can stop your pouting now. Seven new and, not coincidentally, similar establishments have popped up—or are on their way—here, including Tuttimelon, which has already opened two stores and has three more coming. The existing branches each offer the same array of toppings for the tangy hot-weather treat: from Cap'n Crunch and Fruity Pebbles to coconut and black­berries. General manager Roy Lam says mango and the little balls of mochi go "like crazy" on Irving Street (add granola for a perfectly chewy/crunchy/creamy combo), while the Chestnut Street location tends to run out of chocolate chips and strawberries first. We didn't need a PhD in cultural anthropology to tell you that.

2150 Irving St.; 2240 Chestnut St., tuttimelon.com

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Yo, Yo, Yo!
Frozen yogurt shops are sweeping SF. Nine new places to chill out.
By Kyla Wazana

Icebee set up shop in the Union Square/Fi-Di area this last February. Get your fix for 43 cents an ounce—which includes any and all of their extensive array of toppings, such as fresh strawberries, kiwis and mango, as well as cereals, M&Ms and mochi. 829 Mission St., 415-882-7800, icebeeyogurt.com

Jubili is new to the frozen-yogurt scene, and its NoPa location on Fillmore is the flagship store. So far, the four basic flavors—original, orange, peach and strawberry—are getting rave reviews. 1515 Fillmore St., 415-292-9955, jubili.com

Penguino's Gourmet Yogurt offers both soft-serve and hard-serve yogurt. Hard-serve is is vanilla-only and can come blended with your choice of fruits; soft-serve comes in the original flavor or the daily special. 101 Fourth St, 415-615-0760, penguino.com

SoGreen is located in the Crocker Galleria and has quickly developed a rep as one of the best fro-yos in town. Locals say that the green tea is the best flavor, made with green matcha imported from Japan. 50 Post St, 415-391-7933, sogreenyogurt.com

Swirl Culture, which just opened in North Beach, might be the best reason we can think to skip the tiramisu wherever you've had dinner. 1400 Grant Ave., 415-397-9475

Tuttimelon touts its yogurt as 30 calories an ounce, probiotic and fat-free. Flavors include original plain, green tea, blueberry and mango. Toppings range from the familiar (chocolate chips) to the adventurous (aloe). 2150 Irving St., 415-398-2996; 2240 Chestnut St., no phone listed; tuttimelon.com

YoCup asks the question: Must all frozen-yogurt places have oddly spelled names? Located in the RinCon Center, its staff is super-young and peppy. Some toppings are included. 101 Spear St, 415-777-1545, yocupyogurt.com

Yogen Früz is a Canadian import. Choose between non-fat or low-fat; you can then up the calorie count with Oreo cookies and Cap'n Crunch. Three Embarcadero Center, street level, 415-627-9158, yogenfruz.com

Yogurt Bar has named its serving sizes after local landmarks: the Rock, Union Square, Golden Gate. Health nuts can add whey protein powder, calcium, gingko biloba and wheat germ. Fruit flavors change monthly. 2760 Octavia St, 415-441-2585, yogurtbarsf.com

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