chill (columbus, ga)

Even though I've been super busy with hospital work, I've (surprisingly) done a good bit of eating around Columbus. I know the blog has been neglected but I hope to post about more restaurants around here and get back into the cooking posts real soon.

Froyo has been the new craze in 2011 and it's no surprise that there's one in the new shopping strip down here in Columbus. And to tell you the truth - I think Chill is a lot better than some of the franchises that we have in Atlanta.

There's a plethora of flavors to choose from. Starting with your vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to some of the more unusual ones like praline, cupcake and sweet agave flavors. So far I've been to Chill twice and enjoyed both of my experiences there. There weren't any Asian flavors like taro, green tea, etc. when I went so if you're expecting to find these flavors, know that they may not be there. I got the vanilla custard and dark chocolate flavors the first time with strawberries + mochi (pictured below) and the second time, peanut butter and or-e-yo cookie. The yogurt isn't too sweet, which I think is a flaw in some franchises, and very smooth. There is also a "swirl" lever where you can combine two of the flavors in the same dispensing machine to get a premade combination flavor.

Example: (pineapple + cupcake) x swirled together = pineapple upside down cake.

One of my biggest pet peeves at froyo places is that either the fruit toppings aren't fresh or the candies/gummies are stale and hard as a rock. Chill epitomizes how toppings should be at froyo chains by putting out fresh goods. The mochi, which I expected a hard, tough rice cake, was tender and chewy like it should be fresh out of the package.

Chill also sells "Yocakes" which are cupcakes that come in mini or regular sizes. I haven't gotten a chance to try one yet but I'll update how they taste once I do. The cupcakes aren't topped with a mile high mound of frosting which is awesome because I hate cupcakes where the proportion of cake to icing is like 1:3.

Overall, Chill is a solid place to tame your inner froyo cravings, go hang out with friends or to cool down during the hot summer days. The staff is friendly, its whimsical decor is fun for all ages and the product they sell is solid.

• Tips:
• Next to Smoothie King (which BTW the address on that website is wrong. It sent me to the Moe's in front of the movie theater. Real #1 trolls Smoothie King)
• Prepacked containers of froyo are available to the left of the entrance when you walk in
• Pick up your punch card at the counter when you go to pay.
• Sample cups are only available upon request