Öko - Frozen yogurt on 5th Ave

8thandprez

I just spent a week in LA and was marveling at the resurgence of fro-yo out there... Pinkberries on every corner, with imitators such as Kiwiberry and Snowberry on every other corner. I have to confess that I ate at Pinkberry just about every day and was thoroughly addicted by the time I came back to NYC... the yogurt is just how I like it: not too sweet and strong tang of natural or Greek yogurt. Plus it's more icy than creamy and the toppings (Cap'n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, carob chips, berries) are deeelish.

Pinkberry is opening up something like 30 NYC locations, but I read about Oko on 5th Ave in Park Slope in the NY Times and NYMag.

Anyone tried it yet? Sounds very similar to Pinkberry.

Öko
152 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
at Douglass St.
718-398-3671

In the heat of the current gelato-and-frozen-yogurt wars, you might not think there was room for another major frozen-dessert concept. But while Grom, Pinkberry, Yolato, and the rest compete in Manhattan, Öko, a greener-than-green business serving two flavors of Greek-style frozen yogurt in a store in which nearly everything is biodegradable, has tailored itself for Park Slope. The walls and counter are made of compressed sunflower seeds; the spoons and straws, from potato starch. Even the plates, though seemingly made of transparent plastic, are actually composed of processed corn. The toppings are also all-natural, mostly fruit — blackberries, mango, kiwi pieces, and the like — along with dry toppings like shaved coconut, sliced almonds, dark-chocolate chips, and dried Turkish apricots. “This is just our first store,” general manager Mateo Braghieri tells us. “We want to open more.” Because, you know, there aren’t enough high-powered frozen-yogurt chains around. — Josh Ozersky

veggiequeen

now, i haven't been to any of these places, but isn't this just TCBY all over again?

8thandprez

Well, having been to Pinkberry, I can say that it tastes nothing like TCBY. The yogurt is unsweetened and sour... Tasti-D-Lite is a world apart. Plus, they only do 2 flavors (as does Oko): plain and green tea.

The mania surrounding these new chains is, however, totally TCBY all over again.

the_dude

I've been and I find it delicious...just like you mentioned: not too sweet and strong tang of natural or Greek yogurt. My wife and I have gone 2-3 times a week for the past 2 weeks....it's right around the corner from us and makes for a great after dinner snack.

I think they're servings could be a little more generous for the price you pay. Then again, I don't know what their competitors charge for similar product, so I openly admit that I could be way off. It's still good stuff regardless.

8thandprez

Dude, you're referring to Oko, or Pinkberry?

whyfi

I wanna go just so I can suck on a potato starch straw.

the_dude

Dude, you're referring to Oko, or Pinkberry?

Oops. Sorry. Referring to Oko.

pitu

WhyFi wrote: I wanna go just so I can suck on a potato starch straw.

WhyFi, if you can't wait, and have a clamshell of organic lettuce/spinach in your fridge, you can suck on that for the potato starch experience...
It's come to be a fairly common packing material.

I hope the dude is refering to Oko - that sounds great.
And there isn't a Pinkberry in the Slope (right?) so . . .
p.s. I stopped to look up Pinkberry in NYC...three in the city, none in the people's republic

whyfi

pitu wrote: [quote=WhyFi]I wanna go just so I can suck on a potato starch straw.

WhyFi, if you can't wait, and have a clamshell of organic lettuce/spinach in your fridge, you can suck on that for the potato starch experience...

I belong to the PH CSA, not the co-op; we don't use such frivolous packing materials. :twisted:

pitu

WhyFi wrote: [quote=pitu][quote=WhyFi]I wanna go just so I can suck on a potato starch straw.

WhyFi, if you can't wait, and have a clamshell of organic lettuce/spinach in your fridge, you can suck on that for the potato starch experience...

I belong to the PH CSA, not the co-op; we don't use such frivolous packing materials. :twisted:
As if . . .
Buddy, my damn lettuce was local and out of a crate just like yours.
I was just sure you'd run out and gone to the Key Food.

8thandprez

pitu wrote: [quote=WhyFi]I wanna go just so I can suck on a potato starch straw.

WhyFi, if you can't wait, and have a clamshell of organic lettuce/spinach in your fridge, you can suck on that for the potato starch experience...
It's come to be a fairly common packing material.

I hope the dude is refering to Oko - that sounds great.
And there isn't a Pinkberry in the Slope (right?) so . . .
p.s. I stopped to look up Pinkberry in NYC...three in the city, none in the people's republic

Soon to be FIVE pinkberries in Manhattan; Nolita and the Village are coming soon. They've said they have plans to open all over NYC and Long Island.

slopehead

I checked out Oko last week. Pretty damn good I must say. Prices might be a bit high but what else is new.

magic1

Is the yogurt at these places really unsweetened? No sugar at all? To me, the stuff at Oko tastes slightly sweeter than Pinkberry. I do love them all, though, especially with fruit topping. (Mmmmmmmango!)

8thandprez

Actually, according to their website, the product includes "natural sweeteners" and dairy. Does not contain gluten or gelatin. Also, not kosher.

8thandprez

Went to Oko tonight for the first time... it was doing a very brisk business.

The yogurt is fantastic. I had the tangy plain with organic cherries and dark chocolate chips. Mmmmm. Husband had plain with cherries and granola. The yogurt is slightly sweeter than Pinkberry and not nearly as icy; much more creamy. I definitely liked it more than Pinkberry and, best of all, it's only at Degraw/Lincoln and 5th. I will now be there every night.

8thandprez

Went to the new Pinkberry in Nolita last night. Can definitely say I prefer Oko. The yogurt just tastes a bit more.... refined.

sje

I've had both, and prefer the flavor of Oko. Yum! However, I think it's extremely overpriced! That will limit how many times I eat it this summer.

8thandprez

Yea, it's pretty pricey. A medium with two toppings clocks in at $5.50 or thereabouts...

But oh. so. good.

pitu

SO.good.
(I finally went)
It's like Fage Greek yogurt, in frozen form.
I'm going to put the potato starch spoon in my compost pile and see what happens - someone was telling me the clear plasticy clamshells used by salad distributors need industrial strength compost heat to break down. (bummer.)

BTW, they have a super small portion with one topping for $3 . . .
yum yum yum

pitu

is there a calorie count available?
I didn't find it (or a Contact Us) on the website . .

livetotravel

We were there today for first time - had the plain - we hated it - absolutely hated it - strangest aftertaste ever experienced - had to run to Tempo Presto for pistachio gelato to get the Oko taste outta my mouth. OKO-NOGO

Long live pinkberry! Mo-gurt please!

belzjm

you're the first person i've heard who's had both pinkberry and oko and preferred pinkberry.

i'll have to try.

livetotravel

Even though neither of them probably uses real yogurt - don't live cultures die when frozen? Isn't there a law that says yogurt needs to be produced at a dairy operation - off site of the stores themselves?

nubnu

I have tried both Pinkberry + Oyo.
I love them both.
But would someone please tell us what EXACTLY is in it and what the caloric/fat damage is?????
Why are these folks so damn secretive?
I actually have started having Oyo cravings!

belzjm

i finally tried oko this weekend, and think it is by far the best i've had. no comparison to others, in my opinion.

it is very similar to fage yogurt...the greek type. very creamy, not too sweet.

oko is doing things right as far as i can tell. the "green" works for me, as does the product.

nubnu

Belzim..........any idea whats in it?

belzjm

other than it being strained yogurt from cow's milk and cream i'm not certain.

i'm a fan of the "in moderation" outlook on life, however.

fage yogurt (full fat variety) is around 260 calories for 7 oz, but not sure how this compares. the 2% is more like 130 for 7oz.

8thandprez

Don't know about Oko, but Pinkberry was recently criticized bc it had lower culture levels than California considers to be "yogurt".

misa212

Subject: another vote for oko

I had the mixed berry flavor topped with strawberries. Amazing! I gagged a little at paying $3.75 for a dentist-sized cup but I like the recycled everything in the store, so I'll probably go vote with my dollars again. Yum!

raw

Why do people eat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream? Is it for taste only? Are their health benefits to eating frozen yogurt?

shishkab

i imagine all the live cultures would be killed in the freezing process, no?