Maiwand, Yogi Castle & Bon Chon Opening News

They're all still just internet mentions, but it looks like we have rough dates for a few of the new places coming to Howard County.

Maiwand Kabob's new Columbia location will open on Wednesday, according to their Facebook page.  (H/t to Mike.)

Yogi Castle's new Columbia shop will open on Saturday, June 23, reports Agilmut who says an email arrived with the announcement.

And Bon Chon hopes to be frying chicken in Ellicott City by the first week of July, they're saying on their Facebook page as well.  (H/t to MaybeKathy.)

Let me know if you know more or if you see any of these folks open up.  Click on the prior post to see the comments about these dates.

Frozen Yogurt - Get On The New Way To Cool Off

Yogurt and toppings from Yogopop in Elkridge

Tart frozen yogurt was once such an exciting idea that we drove to Olney to sample what we'd heard the celebrities were eating in New York and Los Angeles.

Three years later, the serve-yourself yogurt shop has become so popular that I can't even track all the openings, closings and nuances between them.

Tutti Frutti opened in Fulton on Friday, and we stopped by in a crowd to pick from the 16 flavors and spoon on mochi and boba.  I've heard that the Red Mango in Clarksville is close to opening as well.  That means there are at least eight options in Howard County plus more in Catonsville  -- an entirely new way to cool off on a hot summer night.

If you haven't tried this yet, here is the basic idea:  Someone decorates a shopping center bay with white paint and modern design from Ikea and knock-off furniture stores.  They install a bunch of self-serve yogurt machines and a toppings bar that they fill with candy, fruit, breakfast cereal, and Asian items like mochi and boba.  Then they hire young people to weigh bowl and take money.

Figuring Out The Frozen Yogurt On Rte 40: Tutti Frutti, Yogi Castle, Iceberry and Pink Beach

They have let a thousand yogurt stores bloom in Ellicott City, but I haven't had the time to go check them out myself.

Tutti Frutti started the wave on Rte 40 early this year with the by-the-ounce tart frozen yogurt.  I spooned Tutti Frutti up and posted about it.  But we have come a long way since then.  Yogi Castle opened in the shopping center with Sergio's Jewelers.  Then Iceberry opened in the Mars shopping center.  And, last I heard, there were still signs in the Bethany Center for Pink Beach Yogurt & Cafe -- with promises of frozen yogurt, crepes and "Korean snow balls." 


(Update: See the comments for reviews, including Kimi's comprehensive head-to-head.  Pink Beach appears to be open.)

So what do you think?  Any reviews?  Any comparisons?  Any news on this Pink Beach -- which I'm glad to hear will be next to Rainpia, not a replacement.  Little Audrey wrote that Yogi's Castle was a bit more expensive, but had a dozen flavors.  Dave has gone big at Yogi Castle -- enough visits that he already misses a "Eurotart" flavor:

Let me start by saying that my wife and I were absolutely thrilled when we discovered this place! We visited many times over the subsequent weeks and brought everyone we knew there. Both of us are transplanted west coasters and great fans of tart frozen yogurt.

The variety of yogurt here is astonishing, however we always got the same thing. The Yogi Castle Eurotart is simply the best frozen yogurt we've ever had. It's light, tart and, best of all, not only is it the best tasting and most refreshing choice, it has only 70 calories per 3 oz serving, which is 20 cal less than the next lightest yogurt, and half the calories of some of the heavier selections like peanut butter and red velvet. Compared to the Classic Tart it is lighter, more flavorful and more tart. Not to mention fewer calories. For fans of tart yogurt it is as good as it gets.

You can imagine my dismay when last I visited Yogi Castle only to find that they stopped carrying eurotart and replaced it with yet another fruit flavor. Worst of all, I was told by the manager that they would not be getting it back because they already had enough tart flavors. I understand that taste is subjective, however I find it hard to believe that a business that prides itself on healthy desserts and a myriad of choices would discontinue it's healthiest, lightest and most refreshing flavor and replace it with yet another fruit flavored yogurt.

Yogi Castle is a fantastic place that I'm sure any frozen yogurt fan will absolutely love. I encourage everyone to go. Just know that until eurotart comes back you will not be getting their best! It is because of this that I beg of you one simple thing. WHEN YOU GET TO THE REGISTER ASK WHO EVER IS BEHIND THE COUNTER WHEN EUROTART IS GOING TO BE BACK!!! If enough people ask maybe they will listen and Yogi Castle will be just a little better and healthier for it.