Pinkberry Pandemic Hits Rancho Cucamonga

I first heard of Pinkberry when I was perusing the LA Times last year and came upon the following headline:

"The taste that launched 1000 parking tickets: Pinkberry addicts cramp the style of one neighborhood"

My first thoughts before reading the entire article, "Hmmm, a new strip club?  Why are they always sticking strip clubs near innocent neighborhoods?  Why don't they ever put any strip clubs near my neighborhood?"

Turns out that Pinkberry was not the name of a new nudie bar. Pinkberry was a frozen yogurt joint that reportedly served the most bestest and tastiest frozen yogurt imaginable, frozen yogurt that was topped with everything from Cap'n Crunch to fresh berries.

My first thoughts after reading the article, "Dude, it's just frozen yogurt with toppings, how good can it be?  That's definitely not Cuttino!"

[A quick aside. You're probably wondering what the hell "not Cuttino" is.  You're not?  Oh, well, I'll tell you anyways.  My good buddy Matt happens to be a sports writer for the Riverside Press Enterprise.  Sometime last year, Matt interviewed Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley about Lakers fans and Clippers fans.  Mobley pretty much said Clippers fans were true sports fans and Lakers fans were a bunch of followers. Mobley then ended the interview by saying, "That's not Cuttino!" about the trendiness of Lakers fans.  Ever since then, me and Matt refer to everything trendy as "Not Cuttino"€.]

That really wasn't a quick aside was it?  I am a terribly slow storyteller!

Where was I? Oh, yes. Pinkberry. After that initial article, I didn't give much thought to the frozen yogurt eatery (froyogurtery?).  But then the buzz hit Chow, and it hit other food blogs, and then I heard Pinkberry namedropped on The Hills (You brought my roses to Audrina at Pinkberry!!).  Uh, not that I watch that show or anything.  I'm a grown-ass man.  Watching The Hills is NOT CUTTINO!

A Pinkberry Pandemic was spreading across the land as more and more of these "trendy"€ frozen yogurt shops were popping up across SoCal and even into New York.  I had to try this stuff out.  It had to be tasty right?  Alas, no Pinkberries (or gentleman's clubs for that matter) were open near the Burnt Lumpia World Wide Headquarters in the Inland Empire.  Until last week that is.

A shiny and new Pinkberry opened up at Victoria Gardens in The Kook, otherwise known as Rancho Cucamonga.  My wife and I lovingly refer to Rancho Cucamonga as "The Kook" because it sounds a lot cooler than "The R.C." or "The Ranch"€ or "The Monga"€.  Actually, "The Monga" does have a nice ring to it; I'll run it by the wife and see if it sticks.

Anyhoo, on Sunday the wife and I ventured to The Kook to have our Pinkberries popped.  Inside Pinkberry, chic plastic tables and fancy plastic pendant lights gave off the aura of some kind of strange art space, or perhaps a futuristic furniture gallery.  Besides my wife and I, and the four Pinkberry Worker Girls behind the counter, there was only one other customer at this new location.  I was glad I didn't have to line up outside with a mass of people jonesing for frozen spoiled milk. 

Pinkberry only serves two flavors of frozen yogurt: plain and green tea.  And as I mentioned earlier, they have a plethora of toppings ranging from cereal to fresh fruit to chocolate chips. After reading so many articles and blog posts about Pinkberry, I already knew what I was going to order as I was privy to some inside information:  Mochi!

Mochi are small, chewy, slightly sweet Japanese rice cakes that are made by pounding glutinous rice.  Mochi can also be ordered as a topping to your frozen yogurt at Pinkberry, even though Mochi is not listed on the menu (it's kinda like ordering a double-double animal-style at In-N-Out, shhhhh!).

I ordered a small plain yogurt with fresh raspberries and Mochi.  My wife ordered a small green tea yogurt with fresh kiwi slices.  Pinkberry Worker Girl #1 prepared our order while Pinkberry Worker Girl #2 rang us up at the register.  Nos. 3 and 4 got it on in the back room (not really, they just stood there doing nothing while #1 and #2 worked). 

#1 then asked me if it was OK if she put my raspberries in a separate cup on the side because "It gets overflowy" (her words not mine).  I thought that was weird, but what did I know, I was a Pinkberry virgin, who am I to question overflowyness?  I also figured these Pinkberry Worker Girls were also learning as they went, so perhaps everything was not up to Pinkberry Protocol at this newest outpost just yet.

That's my Raspberry and Mochi with plain yogurt.  If you're keeping score at home, the swirly thing in the middle is the yogurt, the red things are raspberries, and the white marshmallow-looking things are the Mochi.  I had more raspberries than what is shown in the picture in a separate cup.  The wife and her Kiwi and green tea yogurt are in the background.

Now, I haven't had frozen yogurt since I cuffed my jeans, and that was a long time ago.  So after taking my first bite/lick off of that patented Pinkberry Peak of frozen yogurt, I was quite surprised.  It was pretty freakin' good!  It was tangy and sweet, but the thing that surprised me most was the texture.  It was creamy, but still a bit icy - icy in a good way mind you.  I guess I was expecting something more ice cream-like, but this yogurt was definitely delicious, especially with the Mochi and raspberries.  I don't think I'd order other toppings again, I've decided I'm set on the raspberries and Mochi.  That's how I roll.

My wife's green tea was also very tasty, but I think we both prefer the plain yogurt over the green tea.

After tasting Pinkberry for the first time, I do see what all the hype was about.  Pinkberry frozen yogurt is pretty darn tasty.  And who cares if it's trendy?  Who cares if it's not Cuttino?

Will I go out of my way to drive out to The Kook for a Pinkberry fix?  Probably not.  But if I happen to be in the area, and if I'm in the mood for a cool and tangy treat, then yes, I'd pay Pinkberry a visit again.
 

Comments

[Wandering Chopsticks]

Psst! Marvin, I just made my own version at home by literally freezing yogurt. And you know what, it works. And only cost me $1.19 for the 16-oz container. And it's only 15 calories per ounce. :P

[TeddyKim]

Awesome! I had no idea you could get mochi at Pinkberry. Oh, and I noticed you finally added to your "About" page. Good stuff.

[Matt Hurst]

Thanks for the name-drop. Cuttino would probably be upset for dragging him into something so trendy as a blog on Pinkberry. He's pissed off right now. He's shouting "You are NOT Cuttino!"

[deb]

thanks so much for this update.. I can't believe they opened one out here.. yay...beats going to LA for this!

[Ew-Jong Balatong]

I was driving through the LBC (Belmont Shores to be exact--the nice part of the LBC) and I noticed that they were opening a Pinkberry on 2nd St. I couldn't remember where I heard/saw the name Pinkberry until you referenced the Hills. Yes I am a grown man and I watch the Hills (Still waiting for LC and Steven to work things out). Anyhoo, I will have to hit up Pinkberry and wait behind Snoop in line. CHURCH!

[Burnt Lumpia]

Dub C, for now, I'll leave the fro-yo wizardry to Pinkberry, but you're homemade version looks wonderful.

Teddy (JAAAAAAM!), definitely try out the mochi. I've read they run out pretty fast, or that they sometimes deny they have any mochi at all. FroYo Nazis they are.

Matt, I am not Cuttino. And Cuttino is not in the playoffs.

Deb, get thee to The Kook asap before the masses find out about Pinkberry and pack the place.

Ew-Jong, LC and Stephen are so dunzo. I'm so over that drama. I heart Lo.

[elmomonster]

You too eh? LOL. I'm still waiting for a Pinkberry to open in OC. Then I'll try it, and only then.

P.S. I like "The Monga"!

[deb]

I wonder if the peepz know about Pinkberry opening in the "Kook"... I was about to go last nite, but will go this wkend and check it out.. I am so excited and there goes my wallet!

[Burnt Lumpia]

Elmo, I couldn't help myself. I too resolved to not go to PB until one opened near me, and so far after one visit I can safely say I'm not an addict, yet.

Deb, the sooner the better I say. The longer you wait, the longer the lines.

[Delilah O' Connell]

Dude! Despite the fact that anything over hyped makes me twitch, my guy and I were thinking about taking a trip to L.A. just to get Pinkberry yogurt and Sprinkles cupcakes. I guess we don't have to drive into the hell that is L.A. just for frozen yogurt afterall. So if you know about a place I can get some fancy cupcakes less than a three hour drive from San Diego-don't hold out on me.

[Burnt Lumpia]

Ah, the lovely Ms. O'Connell, thanks for joining the party. Besides Magnolia having the bomb-ass frosting, I don't know of any cupcake eateries in SD. I will let you know if I find any though.

[Ew-Jong Balatong]

I went to Pinkberry here in the LBC for the first time Friday afternoon. After waiting 15 minutes in line I ordered the green tea with Kiwi and Strawberrys. I didn't thoroughly read your blog, so I didn't know that the Mochi was hidden away under the counter. Nevertheless, I went back yesterday afternoon and gave the secret handshake to get the Mochi this time with the original flavor and strawberries. It was damn good. CHURCH! P.S. I'll have to get you some Sprinkles Cupcakes...there's a shop across the street from one of my schools in Newport. You can also buy the mix from Williams Sonoma.

[Steamy Kitchen]

I'm coming back to SoCal to visit parents - my first stop before even dimsum is Pinkberry. Not because it sounds good (I don't really even like frozen yogurt) but I just MUST TASTE what all this hype is about. I can't stand NOT KNOWING!! :-)

[Burnt Lumpia]

Steamy Kitchen, there is definitely a lot of hype behind Pinkberry, so set your expectations accordingly. I'm not crazy over the stuff like some people are, but I must say it is quite tasty;)

[sillydoy]

wandering chopsticks, where's the recipe?? pls. share!!! they don't have it here in manila and the only one similar, rossi yogo, just closed down. help!!! i'm dying here....

[Wandering Chopsticks]

Sillydoy, The recipe is on my blog, you can search for it on the right side where all my recipes are.

Marvin,
Was just here a few days ago. My friend had never eaten mochi before and she was in heaven! It was weird to see a Pinkberry so empty and without a security guard. And people asking for samples! That never happens in LA! Anyway, I'll post about it soon. Thanks for the heads up!

[Sandy]

My sister calls Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Chickibonga--I like it! I also like The Monga, though.

[Annie]

I have heard the hype about PinkBerrys from people in LA, but did not know there was one here at home in Rancho Cucamonga... I will have to try it!

[Stephen]

One can tell your not a local, because we call it "Rancho", and if you don't know where it is, or what city we are referring to then thats to bad for you. As to the Pinkberry, if you pay that much for a little bit of frozen milk and fruit then you deserve to be taken.
Trendy crap is just that.

[Christina]

Yup, locals just call it Rancho. Since I live like 5 mins. away I should probably go and try it someday. Lots of hype about how good pinkberry is, but I'm always intimidated when being a "virgin" at something. I'm still somewhat of a Starbucks "virgin" since I always use the small, med, large terms instead of the... grande, etc. etc. terms. I always feel so stupid saying "I'll have a medium Vanilla Bean"

[rose necor]

if anybody out there knows where i could buy those chic white round tables at pinkberry please, please send me the source, straight to my email at ros[email protected]. nobody has ever answered my query yet.