Frozen yogurt mania has arrived in the midstate.
Last week, the Harrisburg region's second frozen yogurt shop, Bamboo Frozen Yogurt Cafe opened at 5001 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Twp. at the corner of Sporting Hill Road.
View full sizeCustomers fill their cups with a choice of frozen yogurt flavors and then head to the toppings bar at Bamboo Frozen Yogurt Cafe in Hampden Twp.“It’s such a craze and such a healthy treat,” said Andrea Morrone, one of the owners.
Last month, Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt opened at the Silver Spring Square with Target and Wegmans in Silver Spring Twp.
The frozen yogurt trend has been big in other parts of the country thanks to the popularity of chains like Pinkberry and Red Mango. As of last fall, there were about 4,765 frozen yogurt shops nationwide, up 31 percent over the previous year, according to the National Yogurt Association in McLean, Va.
The independent Bamboo is the brainchild of three West Shore couples, who all have children and were looking for a business venture that would allow them time to be with their families. The partners include Morrone’s husband, Matthew, along with Linda and Jeff Knight and Jennie and Tyler Davis.
The shop boasts a calming, modern purple and green color scheme, seating for about 50 people and a Panda Pad children’s play area.
It’s like a coffee house — and, they do serve coffee and tea from St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown — specializing in frozen yogurt.
A bank of about six yogurt machines swirl with non-fat, low-fat and sugar free frozen yogurt. Customers grab cups and help themselves to the flavor or flavor combinations of their choice.
I made a bee-line to the pistachio and then sampled a mix of Island Coconut and Dreamy Dark Chocolate. They were creamy and super flavorful. Tahitian Vanilla, Pomegranate Energy, Lemon Ice Box Pie and Old Fashioned Peanut Butter round out some of the choices.
(For you calorie counters, the non-fat yogurts top off at 90 calories per serving while the low-fat yogurt has as much as 140 calories.)
The conversation piece is the toppings bar.
It’s filled with dozens of fun toppers such as fresh kiwi and strawberries, chocolate covered banana pieces, chocolate chips, pretzels, cereals, gummi worms and sprinkles as well as hot fudge and caramel sauces. Try the lychees and popping boba, tapioca pearls that pop in your mouth with juice.
Creations are weighed and paid for at the front counter. Bamboo charges 47 cents an ounce.
In addition to yogurt, Bamboo sells desserts such as Southern lemon cake, fruit cobblers and death by chocolate by Dana Herbert, winner of TLC’s “Next Great Baker” contest hosted by Buddy Valastro of “Cake Boss.”
It is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. The phone is 717-525-8798.