Dallas frozen yogurt meltdown: Yogurtland in Carrollton

by Teresa Gubbins

CARROLLTON — Opened: September 2008

Profile: Located in the same Asian Carrollton shopping center as the H-Mart and Todamgol Tofu Kitchen (a center that D Magazine recently decreed to be "Best New Foodie Hangout"), Yogurtland is the best self-serve yogurt place in town.

Ambience: Slightly narrow storefront is more utilitarian than it is hipster, but the plastic furniture is done in post-modern '70s-retro avocado-greens and rust-oranges, and there are Plexiglas panels of giant kiwi and other fruit on the walls. Patio in front becomes a scene on weekend nights.

Utensils: Environmentally friendly paper cartons, and even better, spoons are made from decomposable potato starch.

Price per ounce: 30 cents -- a steal.

Yogurt: With 16 machines, Yogurtland has more flavors than anyone else, which it stocks with plenty of "authentic" Asian flavors including green tea and taro; but it also frequently has more than one "tart" selection, "tart" being the flavors that are more "yogurty" than they are sweet. (Most yogurt places have a tart "plain" but Yogurtland also offers tart fruit flavors such as tart blueberry.) Toppings are the same set of fruity Pebbles, fresh fruit, and chopped candies you see most everywhere else.

Verdict: Pro: Best selection, best packaging choices, good maintenance of machines and upkeep of environment, low price.