Columbia Pinkberry is Open and Crowded

Last week, the Pinkberry at Columbia University opened after months of anticipation (actually). More than a week later, midday on a Sunday, lines are still consistently out the door, as this Tasti D-Lited exclusive picture confirms. Our Columbia mole NYC TB says the opening of Pinkberry has created a vicious Tasti D-Lite-Pinkberry divide on campus already. It's unclear as of yet how the popular Tasti D-Lite location in Lerner will be affected. NYC TB reports that the primary knock against Pinkberry has been the astounding price, although it doesn't seem to have affected sales as of yet.

We'll continue to follow the first real Tasti-Pinkberry showdown as it develops.

Pinkberry at Columbia Links:

"Pinkberry Takes on Tasti at Columbia" (Tasti D-Lited)
"The line at Pinkberry is out of control" (The Columbia Bwog)
"Waging a War of Fro-Yo with Tasti D" (The Colubmia Spectator, whose office, you will notice in the picture, is right next to Pinkberry)

Chocoleche

After having Chocoleche, I finally decided it was time for a "GeneriChocolate" tag. There are a number of Tasti flavors that just aren't different enough from Dutch Chocolate to warrant a coveted spot on the dispenser. The ubiquity of GeneriChocolate flavors actually gives a fair amount of insight into what makes a good flavor--something interesting and different from the standard Chocolate/Vanilla, but not nothing too crazy that it's just bad. Tasti's at it's best when it weaves this balance correctly with flavors like Tiramisu or Creamsicle. That said, GeneriChocolates are fine--they are certainly delicious--but never warrant more than one or two stars for lack of creativity or X-factor. In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed my Chocoleche, but certainly can't remember how it's taste different from plain old Chocolate.

D-LIST (2 of 4 stars)

90 calories/serving

Creme Brulee

Sometimes it can be easy to confuse how good a flavor is with how accurately it tastes like its intention. I like creme brulee, and Tasti's Creme Brulee tastes very much like real creme brulee. But it doesn't exactly work as a frozen dessert. In short, little needs to be said: it's not horrible, just not particularly good, and tastes just as you would expect it to.

D-LIST (2 of 4 stars)

70 calories/serving

Pumpkin Pie

Spreading the Tasti gospel is one of my greatest sources of joy. Imagine my delight (read: d-lite) when I had the pleasure of introducing a native of Nebraska to the wonders of Tasti D-Lite today. Now imagine her delight (read: d-lite) when one of the flavors of the day was her favorite food--pumpkin pie. Now imagine getting to try a cup of Pumpkin Pie as well yourself, and it's delicious. Now imagine the strong, but not overbearing tastes hitting your tongue. Now imagine wishing that there had been a little bit more richness to the aftertaste.

Thank you.

TASTI (3 of 4 stars)

70 calories/serving

Peanut Butter

I had been waiting a long time to try a Peanut Butter flavor from Tasti; ever since I read the following snippet from the website's FAQ's:

What is your most popular flavor?

Hands down, anything with peanut butter!

It's hard to imagine exactly what Peanut Butter would taste like in D-Lite form--but once you taste the first spoonful, everything makes sense. And I don't just mean in terms of why it's the most popular flavor. Life makes sense for that one, precious fleeting moment. Peanut Butter is one of those flavors of which you just can't get enough. And one of those flavors of which I just can't say enough. Welcome, to the "Favorite Flavors" list on the left toolbar, Peanut Butter!

D-LITEFUL (4 of 4 stars)

90 calories/serving

End note: Peanut Butter flavors left to try: Peanut Butter Cup, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter Marble, Peanut Butter Mounds, Peanut Butter Cake, and, most intriguing: Peanut Butter Dream and Peanut Butter 'n Jelly (!?).

Mud Pie

Google defines Mud Pie as "a mass of mud that a child has molded into the shape of a pie," but this does not seem to be the angle Tasti was going for. Rather, they intended to emulate a Mississippi Mud Pie which is a "chocolate-based dessert pie that possibly originated in Mississippi." I like that the entire name of the dessert hinges on its state of origin, yet nobody really knows for sure if it actually was invented there. In any case, I offer you this history/linguistic lesson because there is little to say about Mud Pie. It's definitely in the same category as Chocolate Pudding or Chocolate Mousse, as flavors that are good but just don't go the extra distance. There's nothing memorable or surprising about them particularly, as they are slight variations on Dutch Chocolate. But, certainly nothing to complain about--chocolate is chocolate, and Tasti D is Tasti D.

D-LIST (2 of 4 stars)

80 calories/serving

Pinkberry Takes on Tasti at Columbia

A new Pinkberry store is opening practically on-campus at Columbia University, challenging the ever-tenuous balance of on-campus frozen yogurt options. The current "yogurt" of choice, of course, is Tasti D-Lite ("New York's Favorite Dessert," natch), with the most populated branch located actually inside a CU building. Tasti D-Lited New York Correspondent "NYC TB" reports widespread curiosity for the Tasti rip-off/trend of the week, but we're willing to bet we'll get back to a Tasti equilibrium soon. This is the first real test as to what extent Pinkberry actually poses a threat.

Columbia' Bwog is covering the news, and NYC TB will be reporting directly to us as the first real Tasti-Pinkberry showdown hits its climax.

Peach Melba

Props to Tasti for the originality of its Peach Melba flavor both as an entity (I had never heard of Peach Melba) and a flavor (quite different than any flavor I've had before except perhaps the delicious Creamsicle). Tasti's fruiter flavors are always refreshing and surprisingly flavorful. Like Creamsicle, Peach Melba has an orange/pink tinge to it (you can't tell from the picture though--cool lighting, eh?), which is always a nice break from the white/brown motif. If I had tried Peach Melba before Creamsicle, it probably would have reached four star status, but it's slightly worse than my beloved 'Sicle, so we'll knock it down a notch.

TASTI (3 of 4 stars)

80 calories/serving

Banana Pudding

I've always wondered what the distinction between Tasti's various banana flavors are--how do they distinguish between Banana, Banana Pudding, Bananas Foster, and Banana Crunch? After trying Banana Pudding today, I hope the answer is--they don't. Lord knows I'm a sucker for banana desserts, but Banana Pudding is exactly what it should be: subtly, yet deliciously and creamily flavored. It's the type of flavor that makes you (and indeed I did) go back for more. I feel bad having 66% of my four-star flavors being banana based, but so it shall be. Let's just hope I discover a new D-Liteful flavor before 'Banana Crunch' fills my local dispenser.

D-LITEFUL (4 of 4 stars)

80 calories/serving

Pistachio

My dedication to Tasti D-Lited only goes so far, I'm afraid. Confronted with the already-reviewed, already-loved Milky Weigh and a not-yet-reviewed, lime-green-colored Pistachio on a depressing and rainy day, I had to go with my taste buds. But, I did 'sample' Pistachio to review for y'all. All together now: "Thanks, Sam!" I'm alternatively happy and sad to report that the flavor tastes and looks much like a cold, frozen, mashed pistachio. I'm not sure the review needs to go on any further--either this sounds appealing to you, or it doesn't. And to me: it doesn't. Hey! At least it's in the lowest calorie group!

NASTI (1 of 4 stars)

70 calories/serving

Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Pudding is in the same category as Chocolate Mousse--a decent flavor, but too similar to Dutch Chocolate to be worth making. It tastes kind of like if you put good pudding in the freezer for an hour or two, which isn't a compliment or an insult really, just a fact. On my Chocolate Pudding trip, I was able to introduce my family to Tasti D, which was certainly a delight (Tasti D-Lited 'delight/d-lite' pun #2)--pictured here, my younger brother looks enviously at my Pudding.

D-LIST (2 of 4 stars)

90 calories/serving

Chocolate Macaroon

I like chocolate, I like macaroons, and I like chocolate macaroons, but I did not particularly like this Tasti flavor. Somehow the dry, bread-y taste of macaroon only works with macaroon texture. Putting that flavor (with accurate aftertaste) into frozen dessert form is not-too-appetizing. I'll never criticize Tasti D-Lite for how innovative its flavors are, but this one is a clear miss.

NASTI (1 of 4 stars)

80 calories/serving

Apple Pie

Apple Pie has more kick to it than any other flavor I've ever tried at Tasti. It doesn't quite taste like Apple Pie (especially since it's cold, not warm), but I think it's probably the closest approximation you could get in frozen form. It really has an interesting and unique taste, even though, of course, it's still vanilla-colored. (Why is it that Creamsicle is the only one with its own hue?) In any case, Apple Pie is certainly hard to describe, but definitely worth trying, which is always a good combination.

TASTI (3 of 4 stars)

80 calories/serving