Boston Gets Mo' Fro-Yo


redmangoLike rooftop bars that open in September, we wonder how it is that a frozen yogurt spot can launch in early December. The timing may not be ideal for Red Mango Boston, but sometimes it miraculously works out (yes, that was us waiting in line last Thursday when temperatures soared to a freakish 70 degrees). But then days later, the shop held its grand opening during the season’s first snowfall. Nothing like an icy “welcome to Beantown.”

The dairy bar, one of many national knock-offs of the frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry, serves natural, fat-free yogurt in flavors including original, pumpkin spice, “tangomonium”, and pomegranate, which all have less than 100 calories per serving. That is, until you start adding toppings like fresh fruit, coconut, granola, dark chocolate chips, and fruity pebbles–the more, the better.

Meanwhile, competitor boYO in Beacon Hill is warming up to the new competition by launching a more seasonal hot chocolate bar, also served with tasty mix-ins like Fluff and Cocoa Puffs, and topped with frozen yogurt. All we can say to that is “boYO-ah!”

Red Mango, 334 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, 857-366-4116, redmangousa.com

boYO, 175 Cambridge St., Boston, 617-227-2696, boyofroyo.com