Red Mango brings yummy, no-guilt fro-yo to the 'burbs

First, there was TCBY. Now, there's fro-yo, and it's popping up EVERYWHERE downtown, including at Berry Chill, Starfruit and Yoberri.

That said, the 'burbs are just catching onto the craze of gourmet, frozen goodness with the opening of South Korea transplant Red Mango. Red Mango USA comes from former investment banker Daniel Kim, president and CEO, who graduated from the University of California Berkeley's Hass School of Business.

The story

This frozen yogurt chain was founded in South Korea in 2002, opening its first U.S. stores last summer in Las Vegas and Los Angeles near UCLA. Its main competitor? Pinkberry, the LA-centered (some say copycat) frozen dessert spot that enjoys a cult following. In addition to the one we visited in Naperville, another location in Evanston popped up. Kim is aiming to open as many as 100 stores in the next five years.

The setting

One of the biggest things to set fro-yo establishments apart from their ice-cream-parlor counterparts is the fact that their environs are more cafȯˆ¿Ã‚ˆ½-like or sophisticated, if you will. Red Mango, located amid the hubbub of downtown Naperville, is no exception.

Hyper-modern in feel, the place has comfy, low-slung, chocolate-colored couches, plus tables and sleek red chairs that fill out the rest of the space. Upbeat tunes are cranked (though music doesn't drown out conversation), lending energy.

The crowd

It's located across from the town's Riverwalk, so plenty of people choose to take a stroll after procuring their icy treats. Families come to wind down after dinner, and gals counting their calories flood the place to gab. On weekends, it's not uncommon to see a line out the door, comprised of all manner of local resident as well as out-of-towners looking to jump on the latest trend. Expect an all-ages, both-gender, every-background kind of mix. Dieters and gluttons. Children and gramps.

The service

When it's crowded, it's best to have your selection in mind, since pondering will elicit frowns and frustration from staffers and customers looking for a fast fix.

There's a menu behind the counter, which is located straight-on when you walk in the door, but the first time, we'd recommend first peeking at the display case to choose toppings and streamline the experience.

Everyone is pleasant (and, seemingly, youthful) not to mention no-nonsense. Don't ask for vanilla - that's not what they serve - because you'll surely be corrected.

The food

Offering up two varieties (original and green tea), the concoction is creamy and tart. It's quite dissimilar from the frozen yogurt variety most people are familiar with.

The reason is it's made with real yogurt (and therefore fermented), rather than concocted from a mixture of powder, sugar and milk. Red Mango's product contains live, active cultures and digestion-friendly probiotics that are believed to give the immune system a boost.

Adding to the appeal, it's low in sugar, and a small-sized cup (which is quite ample) has only 90 calories. Oh, and there's no fat.

Toppings range from fresh and fruity (juicy mangos and plump blueberries, strawberries and raspberries) to dry (Bear Naked granola, sliced almonds, coconut, Cap'n Crunch and Ghirardelli dark chocolate).

Cups of yogurt come in three sizes, ranging from four to 12 ounces. Mind you, green tea receives a price hike. Toppings can be added on for a fee, starting at one for $1 and two for $1.25.

We tried both the green tea (topped with pineapple and mandarin oranges) and original (sprinkled with Fruity Pebbles). The green tea was particularly refreshing and appropriately subtle, while the flavor of the yogurt truly shown through in the original.

Up to three toppings also can be added to a drinkable yogurt "blender," a great choice for anyone on the move.

In the end

We liked Red Mango a lot. Not only was it tasty, we had zero guilt about eating it. Although adding on toppings raises the price, it still is quite reasonable in the end. The suburban hit of the summer? We're guessing the answer is yes.

Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. Our aim is to describe the overall dining experience while guiding the reader toward the menu's strengths. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.

Green tea frozen yogurt with blueberries at Red Mango in Naperville

Frozen yogurt with blueberries and strawberries at Red Mango in Naperville

111 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville (630) 904-0994

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Price range: Cups $2.50 to $5.50 for original flavor and $3.50 to $6.50 for green tea flavor; toppings cost $1 for one, $1.25 for two, $1.50 for three and $1 for each additional topping beyond three; blenders range from $4.95 to $6.95

Accepts: Major credit cards