This is the second in a series on tart yogurt shops in DC
The store is about the size of a shoebox, with barely enough room for the counter, a few miniature tables and space for a line, which often snakes outside onto 17th street. Along the white walls there’s a gargantuan list of toppings (the published ones), a list of trivia and dares you can try for a discount and a large whiteboard with games, past and future flavors, and numerous interactive features that allow you to have real input into what you’re eating. But be careful of the trivia, a correct answer gets you a 10% discount but an incorrect answer makes your yogurt 10% more expensive. If this weren’t eccentric enough already, the windowsill is lined with board games that you can play while eating, and one table even has an original working Nintendo. It’s the ultimate college-town store, located in the middle of a major city.
The store, basically end to end
The whiteboard and ordering instructions; Nintendo below
Mr. Yogato’s yogurt includes two standard flavors, original tart and original soft, as well as two rotating flavors, usually one sweet and one fruity. These monthly changing flavors bring a welcome diversity that’s missing from many of the other shops. In one of Yogato’s many inviting trends, all of the rotating flavors are determined by customers, the most dedicated ones. Anyone who eats there for 30 straight days gets to pick (and name) a future flavor. Moreover, when each new flavor debuts, Yogato relies on their flavor survey (on the whiteboard) to see if it needs modification. Recent flavors have included cappuccino, mocha, pink guava, mojito and pumpkin, while future flavors include pomegranate, pistachio and peach. The sizes come 5oz ($3), 8oz ($4) and 12oz ($5) including tax, so Yogato’s expensive but slightly less than their Dupont alternative. I found the yogurt to be pretty similar to its rivals, tart and refreshing yet still too light in flavor. According to the owner, Steve, their yogurt usually starts strong but is progressively lightened because most customers request less flavor. Either way, Yogato’s real focus isn’t yogurt, it’s the toppings.
Mr. Yogato’s yogurt includes two standard flavors, original tart and original soft, as well as two rotating flavors, usually one sweet and one fruity. These monthly changing flavors bring a welcome diversity that’s missing from many of the other shops. In one of Yogato’s many inviting trends, all of the rotating flavors are determined by customers, the most dedicated ones. Anyone who eats there for 30 straight days gets to pick (and name) a future flavor. Moreover, when each new flavor debuts, Yogato relies on their flavor survey (on the whiteboard) to see if it needs modification. Recent flavors have included cappuccino, mocha, pink guava, mojito and pumpkin, while future flavors include pomegranate, pistachio and peach. The sizes come 5oz ($3), 8oz ($4) and 12oz ($5) including tax, so Yogato’s expensive but slightly less than their Dupont alternative. I found the yogurt to be pretty similar to its rivals, tart and refreshing yet still too light in flavor. According to the owner, Steve, their yogurt usually starts strong but is progressively lightened because most customers request less flavor. Either way, Yogato’s real focus isn’t yogurt, it’s the toppings.
A small pink guava yogurt with pineapples, strawberries and gummy bears ($4.75 w/ tax)
Mr. Yogato’s regular menu has 82 toppings, with everything from mini eggos to flaxseed to a Hawaiian dried plum powder called Li hing mui. They have all the regulars and a whole host more. Candy selections include peanut butter cups, gummy bears, M&M’s and Junior Mints, while there’s Coca Pebbles, Apple Jacks, Cap’n Crunch and more for cereals. Their fresh fruit selection is similar to their rivals but it also includes cantaloupe and apple sauce. And yet this is only the beginning of the Yogato topping choices. There’s an expansive selection of free toppings like chocolate sauce, sprinkles and honey as well as unique and bizarre add-ons like Old Bay seasoning, Aunt Jemima syrup, pumpkin spice, agave nectar, balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper and more. I can’t vouch for them all but the Old Bay seasoning with original tart yogurt create one major flavor explosion.
Mr. Yogato’s regular menu has 82 toppings, with everything from mini eggos to flaxseed to a Hawaiian dried plum powder called Li hing mui. They have all the regulars and a whole host more. Candy selections include peanut butter cups, gummy bears, M&M’s and Junior Mints, while there’s Coca Pebbles, Apple Jacks, Cap’n Crunch and more for cereals. Their fresh fruit selection is similar to their rivals but it also includes cantaloupe and apple sauce. And yet this is only the beginning of the Yogato topping choices. There’s an expansive selection of free toppings like chocolate sauce, sprinkles and honey as well as unique and bizarre add-ons like Old Bay seasoning, Aunt Jemima syrup, pumpkin spice, agave nectar, balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper and more. I can’t vouch for them all but the Old Bay seasoning with original tart yogurt create one major flavor explosion.
A small chocolate hazelnut yogurt with raspberries, strawberries, oreos and chocolate sauce ($4.75 w/ tax)
Just like with their yogurt, Mr. Yogato’s community centered practices extend to toppings as well. When a regular customer requests a topping that’s off the menu, Yogato stocks it and keeps it in the back for future visits. If requested enough, the topping will make the permanent menu and the original customer gets a 5% discount for life. This extra menu, aka the secret menu, has 37 more toppings - all specifically requested by customers. Staff won’t reveal more than a few, however, if you ask for one they stock they’ll happily add it to your yogurt. Secret toppings range from the traditional like white chocolate chips and heath bar bits to the bizarre like avocados, carrot chips and cucumbers. At $1 for one, $1.50 for two and $1.75 for three, these nearly 125 topping choices are worth the price.
Just like with their yogurt, Mr. Yogato’s community centered practices extend to toppings as well. When a regular customer requests a topping that’s off the menu, Yogato stocks it and keeps it in the back for future visits. If requested enough, the topping will make the permanent menu and the original customer gets a 5% discount for life. This extra menu, aka the secret menu, has 37 more toppings - all specifically requested by customers. Staff won’t reveal more than a few, however, if you ask for one they stock they’ll happily add it to your yogurt. Secret toppings range from the traditional like white chocolate chips and heath bar bits to the bizarre like avocados, carrot chips and cucumbers. At $1 for one, $1.50 for two and $1.75 for three, these nearly 125 topping choices are worth the price.
The topping bar crammed with toppings; free toppings on top of the counter
Mr. Yogato might be the weird step-child of the DC tart yogurt stores, but it has character and a loyal customer base that any rival would envy. From just one conversation with their owner it was clear they're constantly working on how to make their customers happier, how to make the shop quirkier and more enjoyable, and, of course, how to improve the yogurt. Their ways are far from routine but Mr. Yogato is a true neighborhood shop and their rapidly expanding customer base is a testament to it.
Mr. Yogato might be the weird step-child of the DC tart yogurt stores, but it has character and a loyal customer base that any rival would envy. From just one conversation with their owner it was clear they're constantly working on how to make their customers happier, how to make the shop quirkier and more enjoyable, and, of course, how to improve the yogurt. Their ways are far from routine but Mr. Yogato is a true neighborhood shop and their rapidly expanding customer base is a testament to it.
Mr. Yogato
1515 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-629-3531
www.mryogato.com
No comments:
Post a Comment