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Philadelphia has been invaded. But don’t be scared: we’re only referring to the recent infiltration of frozen yogurt shops, both on Penn’s campus and in the greater Philly area. With an array of choices like Sprinkles, Sweet Endings, Marathon and Phileo, who has time to contemplate yet another place satisfy their fro-yo fix?
We made the time for Yogorino, the Italian cremoso (that is, Italian-style yogurt) café on the corner of 20th and Locust. It’s the chain’s first store in the US, and it offers a European take on traditional American yogurt. This café has only one tart flavor that serves as a base to both simple toppings like fruit, chocolate and nuts as well as eclectic ones like muesli, meringue, caramelized rice puffs and various sauces. The milk used is 2% organic, and Yogorino has six probiotic (read: good for digestion) strains. Customers can order a mini ($2.95), small ($3.95), medium ($4.95) or large ($6.00) with however many toppings they’d like ($0.50 per topping).
Though it's hard not to be excited about sophisticated toppings and healthy yogurt, be warned: behind this façade of the perfect fro-yo experience is one that is actually sub-par. Although the toppings are delicious and fresh, they’re ungenerously served.
Once you’ve finished the toppings, more than half of the yogurt still remains (all the health benefits!). This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the yogurt itself is pretty bland — it tastes like milk that’s just the tiniest bit sour. Although the creamy texture is pleasing, the taste underwhelms. Yogorino’s major redeeming quality is in its interesting sauces, like dulce de leche and white chocolate wafer. These warm and sweet sauces, 12 of which rotate daily, upgrade the lackluster yogurt.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t go out of your way for Yogorino. At its high price and low return, we say stick to hitting up your already-established favorite. We’ll leave this one to the Europeans.
Yogorino
233 S. 20th St.
(267) 639-5287
Don't Miss: the toppings
Skip: the yogurt
Bottom Line: Americans do it better.
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I'm a sophomore at Penn and a Philly native, and I've been going to Yogorino since it opened 4 months ago. I completely disagree with this review; it is the healthiest, most delicious yogurt available in not only Philly, but the United States. It can in no way be compared to Phileo, let alone Sprinkles, who all add high fructose corn syrup into their mix, and don't use organic milk. The comment about Yogorino yogurt tasting like "milk that's just the tiniest bit sour" is an unfair and confusing criticism, as it is supposed to be a TART European yogurt, and as all yogurt is made from milk - it should taste like milk. The comment about the toppings being "ungenerously served" also seems unusual; I have never experienced a yogurt cup there that skimped on toppings. However, judging by the picture of the cup portrayed here, it seems that it is a Mini - the smallest available size - and obviously unable to fit a mountainous array of sauces and condiments. I urge those of you who have not experienced Yogorino for yourself to not be put off by this misleading article, and to try it for yourself. Those of you who already know about it; I'm sure you can't disagree with my claims.
Shocked, and slightly offended, yogurt enthusiast
Completely DISAGREE with Ms. Bender's review. Way off base... I've loved Yogorino since the days it opened its doors in July... Fantastic quality... and as a UPENN grad student- I can assure you it's definitely worth the walk from University City!
DEFINITELY disagree! Yogorino is delicious - not just the toppings but also the yogurt itself. I highly recommend going out of your way at least the first time you try Yogorino before agreeing/disagreeing with this inaccurate article.
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