Menchie's Frozen Yogurt - St. Pete

St. Pete is riding on the frozen yogurt wave with Yogurtology, Yogurt Mountain, Yogurtland, and now Menchie's.

The first Menchie's location was opened in 2007 near San Fernando Valley in California. Today they have over 200 locations in the US and have been ranked as one of the fastest growing franchises. A quick Google search yields tons of celebrities dining at Menchie's, including Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, and the Kardashian fam. Now 'Burg residents can get in on the action too!

See the People Magazine cutout featuring Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner?

FroYo fans waiting for their free taste

Menchie's Northeast Park opened today and celebrated with FREE "FroYo" from 11-1. If you missed out on the action, here are their grand opening week specials:

• Sunday 7/15 at 1pm: 
• Free plushie doll, free color-in t-shirt, free face painting (while supplies last)
• Monday 7/16 from 5-6pm: 
• $1 yumm hour, fill your cup for $1!
• Tuesday 7/17 from 2-4pm: 
• Kids eat free (10 years and younger, limit 10oz)
• Wednesday 7/18 from 11am-1pm: 
• Half off your frozen yogurt purchase
• Thursday 7/19 at 3pm: 
• Free dodge balls (with cup purchase, while supplies last)
• Friday 8pm-close: 
• Buy 1 get 1 free! 

Start with a bowl or upgrade to a waffle cone

Pretty decor

Choose your flavor - or try them all!

Menchie's flavors change each day, and they offer more than 40 toppings including candy, fruit, and sauce. The possibilities are endless!

Fresh fruit toppings

Pick your toppings. You want it, they have it. 

Finish with the hot topping of your choice.

What is your favorite frozen yogurt place in the Bay area?

The finished products

Menchie's Northeast Park
196 37th Avenue N.
St. Pete, FL 33704

Check out Menchie's Northeast Park on Urbanspoon: 

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Throwdown: Chipotle Burrito Bowl vs. Taco Bell Cantina Bowl

If you haven't watched tv, listened to the radio, or driven past a Taco Bell lately, let me fill you in: Taco Bell recently released their new Cantina Bell menu items. Chef Lorena Garcia (I know her from the now cancelled "America's Next Great Restaurant" on NBC)  partnered with Taco Bell to create a new line of fresh and gourmet inspired Mexican dishes. They are even using the tag line "Can Taco Bell do gourmet?"

After I read the description of the Chicken Cantina Bowl, I instantly thought of Chipotle. There is nothing featured here that I couldn't already get at my local Chipotle: "Citrus herb marinated chicken, flavorful black beans, guacamole made from real Hass avocados, roasted corn and pepper salsa, a creamy cilantro dressing, and freshly prepared pico de gallo, all served on a bed of cilantro rice."

Today I decided to tackle both the Taco Bell and Chipotle bowls to see how they stacked up. Are you ready for a throwdown?

Who will be the winner?

The competitors:
Taco Bell and Chipotle (fast food/quick service Mexican food)

The challenge:
Chicken Cantina bowl vs. chicken burrito bowl

Cost:
$4.79 Taco Bell and $6.25 at Chipotle

Taco Bell Chicken Cantina Bowl

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

Flavors:
The Taco Bell Cantina bowl is standard (see description above) with a choice of chicken, steak, or meatless.  You can customize at Chipotle. Substitute black beans for refried or brown rice for white, take or leave the lettuce, choose from 4 salsas and the protein of your choice (chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas).

Service:
I love the convenience of a drive thru that Taco Bell offers (especially during the crazy afternoon storms we've been having) but the team at my local Chipotle can't be beat!

"Chipotle: Like Subway but with Mexican food"

Taste:
The best parts of the Cantina bowl were the corn salsa and guacamole. I really could do without the cilantro dressing which had a tang to it. My first bite of rice was crunchy which was a disappointment. I did not see or taste any cilantro in the rice at all. The chicken was bland and I could not tell it had any marinade on it at all. It seemed like just a bigger piece of same old chicken that Taco Bell has been using for years. 
I would be happy with just rice and guacamole mixed together in a bowl from Chipotle. I love the fresh cilantro pieces I encounter in my bowl, and the chicken is packed with marinade. The corn salsa is not roasted, but after today I wish it was.
Chipotle offers sour cream and cheese which are not featured on the Cantina bowl.

Overall:
The Taco Bell Cantina Bowl is a quick and easy lunch option at an affordable price. However, if you have more time and a couple extra dollars to spare, visit Chipotle instead.

So... can Taco Bell do gourmet? Not quite as good as Chiptole, but I will not be taking Chef Lorena on her money back guarantee either.

Chipotle bonus - amazing chips perfectly suited with their fresh guacamole

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