3 minute read
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
1. Yogurtland
Multiple locations; yogurt-land.com
The self-service aspect is one of the best things about going to Yogurtland. Finding your favorite flavor, putting a cup under the spout and pulling down the big metal lever to get just the right amount (and sometimes mixing varieties) is fun. Then there’s the matter of deciding on whether to get the candy, granola or fruit toppings.
“We are honored to be named in the Top 3 as we celebrate our 15th anniversary year,” says Brittany Knollmiller, Yogurtland senior marketing manager. “Yogurtland was founded in Orange County and it is wonderful that our home county continues to see us as a go-to place to celebrate, catch up and connect with loved ones over a frozen treat.”
Many flavors are seasonal and tailored to specific regions. The website allows customers to plug in a zip code or location and discover what’s available.
This past spring, Yogurtland unveiled a plant-based cinnamon oatmeal cookie flavor, its first made with oat milk. Knollmiller says “guests interested in trying a vegan-friendly flavor as the weather began to warm up” really liked having that option. Cookie dough was also a hit, she says.
Over the summer, Yogurtland introduced a fruit-inspired lineup with fresh fruit bowl fusions and acai bowls. “This fall, we are excited to introduce a new twist on our cold brew flavor and a new holiday inspired tart flavor.”
NICK AGRO, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Yogurtland was founded in Orange County and many of their flavors are seasonal and tailored to specific regions.
— George A. Paul
2. Handel’s Homeade Ice Cream
Multiple locations, handelsicecream.com
The Handel tradition dates back to the 1940s, when Alice Handel sold ice cream from her husband’s gas station in Youngstown, Ohio, using fresh fruit from her backyard. Since then, the company has expanded beyond its Midwestern base to include California and a few other states.
Handel’s COO Jim Brown says the staff are “cognizant of regional flavors,” while keeping the flavor profiles exciting and consistent with the calendar to “keep people coming back.”
Ice cream and yogurt are crafted fresh daily in-house using Handel’s exclusive methods and recipes. Each batch is made in freezers specifically designed to create a smooth texture. Quarts and pints are also available for purchase.
Yelp reviewer Vicki L. of Irvine had the Orange Dream Cream and wrote “it was absolutely delightful — the right blend of fruity, creamy and the portion was surprisingly big.”
Says Brown, “We’ve been doing it for 76 years and we’re an especially niche company. We only do one thing, so we better do it well.”
3. Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt
Nutrition has always been key to Golden Spoon’s appeal. Founder Jeff Barnes started the company in 1983 as an offshoot of Tustin health food store Yogurt and Things with a goal of being the oldfashioned ice cream enthusiast’s premium frozen yogurt.
Golden Spoon has a proprietary nonfat recipe and healthy profile offering what it calls more than 50 unique, light and refreshing tastes with a clean finish.
Pomegranate raspberry sorbet, sweet coconut, pistachio gelato, chocolate malt, blackberry and toasted marshmallow were some of the flavors available at the Mission Viejo location in recent months. There are also gluten-free and dairy-free offerings.
Yelp reviewer Fred K. of Lake Forest said Golden Spoon is his “family’s favorite go-to dessert place. How can you go wrong with flavors like pineapple tart, cookie butter, salted caramel, and black cherry tart? My wife especially loves the firm texture of most of their flavors and my kids love their toppings.”
