Swirll

Elite '08

34

70

Agustin S.

Houston, TX

OK...so is it Swirll or Swirlls, whatever it's frozen yogurt and it's good.  This is self serve and you pay by the oz. It is only $0.43 an ounce but its easy to go over board with 16 different flavors of yogurt and many options of fruit and candy to top things off with.  I also saw cookie dough and fruity pebbles to sprinkle on top.  

I've tried half of the frozen yogurt options and all are delicious, but my favorite is Original House Blend, which tastes like plain yogurt and the other is Green Tea.  I'm addicted.  

Swirll is close to my house so if I ever get the craving it's easier to get off my lazy ass to pick some up.

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Elite '08

15

68

brooke m.

Houston, TX

I feel sort of like a traitor to my beloved Berripop having been to the new Swirll twice now, but I swear it's only because it's been on my way home.  The only other advantage is that it's slightly cheaper paying by the ounce.  Since it's self-serve I may just dispense some directly into my mouth when they're not looking.

They really aren't deviating from the "trendy frozen yogurt shop" decor though.  Bright colors: check.  Modern furniture: check.  Whatever, it still tastes good.

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21

41

Becky L.

Houston, TX

Sigh.  I really tried NOT to like this frozen yogurt craze.  Not because I don't like partaking in trends and crazes, but it just didn't seem like a good value.  I mean, it's frozen yogurt!  And I could make the toppings myself!

But who am I kidding?  I don't want to cut strawberries up into little pieces every time I want to have frozen yogurt.  And who keeps Toddy Palm Seeds on hand?!  Double sigh.

So the husband and I are pretty hooked.  We go here 2-3 times a week.  We especially like this place because they have the self serve machines and help yourself toppings so you can customize it.  Basically, you can go topping crazy.  And we like to tell ourselves that this is super healthy.  We lie to ourselves.  I mean, yeah, it's healthier than ice cream, but we weren't eating ice cream 2-3 times a week.

I think the decor is really tacky-- why can't Asian run places have better decor?  Please don't mention Cafe 101, that place is tacky too.  

But I do enjoy the flatscreen TV playing music videos.  

My favorite flavors: Original, Mango, Pomegranate

It's so smart to open cold dessert places in Houston because of our long months of hot weather.  Come December, they have nothing to fear, there will be plenty of sunny days to lure more customers.

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Elite '08

29

91

Connie B.

Houston, TX

I have only recently jumped on the frozen yogurt bandwagon, having experienced Berripop just a few weeks ago. So imagine my surprise to find out that another yogurt place was opening just a hop, skip and a jump from my house.

The concept at this Swirll location is slightly different in that it is self-serve. There are eight machines lined up against the back wall offering 16 flavors of frozen yogurt. To the right of that is the topping bar where you can select a host of different confections and fresh fruit to personalize your treat. And at this location, since it is self-serve, you pay 43 cents per ounce instead of by the size of the cup.

During the grand opening celebration, patrons were allowed to taste as many flavors as they wanted for free before deciding on what to purchase. I have to say that the tartness is there, but having tried all 16 varieties, I can confidently say that there are probably only three distinct flavors. Of the fruit selections, only the banana had a distinct banana taste - most of the others were different colors, but the same basic tart yogurt flavor. There was a cookies and cream option, which was less tart and generally a disaster in my book, and I would say that chocolate was the only other option that could be differentiated from the others in a blind taste test. Other places may have fewer flavors, but I would argue that those flavors are more expertly executed.

As far as toppings, there was nothing earth-shattering -- fresh fruit, fruity or cocoa pebbles, nuts, gummy bears, sprinkles and other different candies. I was a little disappointed that the offerings were so standard, especially since I fell in love with the mochi topping at Berripop.

Overall, Swirll did not live up to the bar set by Berripop. Given a choice, I would likely always choose the latter.

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0

5

Maureen D.

Houston, TX

This is the best Swirll in town, for sure. The variety of self-serve yogurts is unrivaled! I'm a big fan of the non-fat chocolate with crushed Oreos on top. I only wish they would post the nutrition information, or have it readily available. I know it's not exactly healthy, but I'd like to know how it compares to TCBY or Baskin-Robbins. Their website also needs a major upgrade (it's pretty unhelpful).

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Elite '08

11

93

Long T.

Houston, TX

I think the original reviewer will change her mind now that this Swirll offers mochi as a topping... omg mochi with raspberry... HEAVEN.

I've had berripop and the other Swirll... I've even had Pinkberry in other cities... but I really like the concept at this location.  They have 16 self serve machines with 16 different yogurt flavors and a self serve buffet of toppings... and you pay by the ounce...  which in my opinion is a better deal than the West U location where pay by the served serving size... It is almost worth the extra drive for me to go to the River Oaks location!  Unlike the other shops, you can load up on as much yogurt or as little yogurt and mess with the proportions however you like... I personally like my yogurt with lots of toppings because I like the texture... This location gets two thumbs up from me!

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Elite '08

29

52

Katie S.

Houston, TX

I agree with Connie that not all the flavors are distinctive.  Though I really like the coconut, raspberry and plain.  I love all the fruit toppings they have and I love that it is by the ounce so you just load it up!  My favorite toppings are all the berries, mango and chocolate covered sunflower seeds.  

I went there for the first time with my son and we were the only people there in the afternoon.  The guys working there were super nice even though my toddler was running wild while I tried all the flavors.  They entertained him and were impressed with his club dancing skills.  They play music and have videos on the screens so my kid is down with that.  I also like the orange chairs.  I seriously would be here every day if not for having a wild child to contend with!  I have to try the mochi next time.  I am used to it being wrapped around ice cream not in it!

Am updating review to take away a star because snarky boys behind the counter snickered at my low tip.  I got my own yogurt people and three of you are just sitting behind the counter.  You are lucky you got anything Snooty Snickerkins.

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