Rita’s Vs. Pinkberry
Last August, in California, I had my first taste of Pinkberry. Maybe you’ve read about this frozen yogurt phenomenon that has Californians and New Yorkers lined up around the block whenever a new store opens. Unlike most super sweet fro-yo (think TCBY), Pinkberry actually tastes like yogurt. It has a tart flavor that pairs well with sweet mix-in options like coconut, granola or even mochi (sweet rice dough).
Returning home, I fell into Pinkberry withdraw. I got really angry at Shelly Hwang and Young Lee, owners of Pinkberry, for overlooking Philadelphia, one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas. I actually wrote them e-mails asking them to consider stores here. (You could drop them a line, too, at info@pinkberry.com, FYI.)
But during the winter, my Pinkberry lust diminished as the temperature plummeted. I put their “swirly goodness” more or less out of my mind until last Thursday, the first day of spring, when Rita’s, our own private regional frozen dessert, gave away free water ice to celebrate the season. As I dug in to my inaugural half chocolate-half mango paper cup, I wondered if I would trade Rita’s for Pinkberry. By the time I got to the bottom of my ice, I realized that I actually prefer our homegrown staple, which I’ve enjoyed all the summers of my life. Let them have their Pinkberry in L.A. and Manhattan. So far at least they have no Rita’s and they don’t even know what they’re missing.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
i suppose you’d prefer a cheesesteak for lunch too?
4 oz. Rita’s custard: 268 cal, 15g total fat, 10g Sat fat, 30 g Carbs, 26 g Sugar, 86 mg Cholesterol.
4 oz. Pinkbery: 70 cal, 0 fat, 14g carbs, 12 g sugar, 5mg cholesterol.
and on taste? want something creamy? i’d rather have Pinkberry’s light and summery frozen yoghurt above Rita’s custard and syryp concoctions any day.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:13 pm
There is a need to be competitive in Philly. I love Rita’s and I love Pinkberry. There is no reason to declare a winner. Pinkberry when you’re in LA and Rita’s when you are in Philly. In NY you can have both.
Cheesesteak? Forget about it.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Veggie burgers…EWWW.
Philly is famous for Cheesesteaks and may not be healthy..but sure are good:) Much rather have that then some veggie burger and rice milk…I am sure that there is a place famous for that..NOT…haha
And as far as Rita’s goes…I LOVE IT! I eat all the time and infact I am addicted to it..bottom line is..Pinkberry…WHO?