Red Mango

caveat — this rating is not on taste. I did not have a chance to taste their smoothies or froyo. It’s the third time I walk in there after shopping @ Lulu nextdoor and each time I had to walk out. The service there is HORRID. I walked in and the only person in there (owner, I believe) did not even acknowledge my presence. Another person was waiting for her smoothie and I assume that was taking up all the time… so I waited and waited for about a full 4 – 5 minutes with no sign anyone was getting ready to serve me. I felt like a nuisance being there and that’s not good marketing. I should feel bad that probably the sales are bad and rent high in Clarendon but then I remembered that the same exact scenario happened twice before and walked out.
Too bad because this place had potential, even with the high prices. Terrible, terrible customer service.

What a GREAT find! Stopped by this Red Mango recently while out of town on a biz trip and felt compelled to share the goodness with others. It’s a «don’t miss» if you’re in the mood for a treat!
Their yogurt is amazing and their fruit is fresh and sweet! Also, I truly believe the extra probiotics help me digest my treat so much easier than what you get at places like Pink Berry.
To top it all off, the owner was there and was so sweet and knowledgable about everything they offer. I tried numerous flavors before settling on «Spicy Aztec Chocolate» with some delish berries. So yummy!

Completely yummy! Go here for sure. It was so refreshing. I was really glad to get out of the heat and have some amazing… whatever it is.
There is some really inspiring story of how the woman moved her family to work on creating this joint so it gives you good fuzzy feelings patronizing Red Mango.
In light of other peoples conversations I get the idea of having a little less control over your fro-​yos and a little less options. If you enjoy the simplicity of life, that should not deter you. Eat, drink, be merry!!!

The yogurt here tastes so much better than Pink Berry, and its much cheaper. They have an amazing selection of toppings. The fruit was fresh, and beyond delicious.
The owner was incredibly friendly, and let me sample as many flavors as I wanted. I will definitely be coming back :)

I dropped in here after unloading my bank account at Lululemon next door. I’ve had Redmango in the past and while I can appreciate a decent froyo place, this one just does not compare to self-​serve locations or even Pinkberry.
They have a limited selection of flavors, though the apple pie and chocolate (sugar free?) ‘sorbetto’ were pretty tasty, I ended up getting original with two toppings. I was disappointed that the slightly-​expensive-​for-​froyo-​rate I paid (nearly $ 5 for the small plus 2 toppings!), the cup was haphazardly filled so there was a hole in the middle… ie less froyo for my dollar. Their selection of toppings is decent, but nothing like Sweetfrog or Tutti Frutti.
The shop was clean but the staff seemed bothered to help, but nice enough. I like they offer smoothie options, but when I want froyo– I want froyo, not a smoothie.
Overall I wasn’t impressed. I just prefer self-​serve with more options so I get exactly what I want for a better price. Even if I was in a MUST-​HAVE-​FROYO-​NOW mood, I think I would go out of my way to a Sweetfrog instead. But if you like the Pinkberry-​froyo-​served-​to-​you-​way, give them a try.

Great organic Yogurt… a great way to finish off the evening after a good meal in the area. A great variety of natural products to eat.

First red mango experience tonight, and was definitely not impressed. Tried four flavors available (original, pb, nutella, pomegranate), and every one of these flavors tastes MUCH better at pinkberry. Also, paying for each topping is ridiculous
I ordered a smoothie, which was good, but I’m not going to get a smoothie here when there is robeks in court house

I love yogurt and since we moved to Clarendon we have been going here. I like it a lot better than we like Pinkberry (too tart for us), Frozenyo, and the other yogurt place in Pentagon City. The staff is friendly (there used to be a girl that never, ever smile even if you smile at her but I have not seen her in a while), they are clean and do not seen annoyed when you ask to try one flavor after the next. I have to agree with other costumers than once you dig into the yogurt you see an empty space in the middle of it that sort of makes you feel cheated but since it is the one yogurt place I truly like I do not mind it. Are they pricey? C’mon pals, we’re in 1. Clarendon, 2. I have yet to visit a yogurt place that isn’t.

I’ve been to the Red Mango in Vienna multiple times, which is self-​serve. So, I tried this one recently, which is much closer to where I live. Upon walking into the store, the first thing I noticed was that it is not self-​serve. I was quite disappointed by this.
Since it wasn’t self-​serve, I decided to try some of the other options, besides just a cup of froyo with toppings. I got a parfait instead. However, when I received the parfait, the froyo was already melted, so the fruits and granola was just about ready to start floating around in the melted froyo. Also, my friend got the froyo with a topping, and upon digging into it, he realized that there is a huge space inside. Deceiving.
I love froyo, but I would probably not come here again. It’s much to pricy for not getting much. If you really want Red Mango, go to the one in Vienna, it’s self-​serve, you can put as much variety of toppings as you’d like and it’d still be cheaper when considering the amount you get. Only in Arlington near Clarendon would you get so little for so much money.
I was considering to give it 1 star, but I like froyo, so you get 2 stars.

Following up on my original post because I received a lovely overly hostile message from the owner regarding my review that was not at all apologetic for my experience but rather angry at me for saying it was overly expensive, and thus, turned my «Red Mango… eh, no thanks, there’s better options up the street review, unless I’m immobile and/​or don’t want to wait in line at any of the other Clarendon froyo places» review into a full on «I’ll never give Red Mango a second chance no matter how much I want froyo» review. Customer service is key to me. If you’re nice and helpful, I’ll patronize your business even if its not my favorite. If you’re mean and accusatory I’ll never go back and I’ll let others know your hostile business practices.
Here’s what the owner sent me:
«I read your Red Mango Unilocal review, and was upset. We do not use 3 raspberries as a topping. Our standard raspberry topping is 4 – 5 depending on the size. We charge .75 for this topping. 1.25 would be 8 – 10 raspberries. Raspberries are extremely expensive and this is the charge we need to make to stay in business. I suggest the next time you are in Pinkberry, you check out the ingredients you are eating. You may not be so happy to know what they are offering you. We offer an all-​natural yogurt and the cost to make it is much higher than the artificial ingredients used up the street. Thanks however for your suggestions.
Elizabeth Winterhalter-​Red Mango»
Dear Elizabeth Winterhalter-​Red Mango,
I was charged $ 1.25 for 3 raspberries. Maybe your staff was untrained in proper topping standards. Maybe you should have apologized for the overcharge and undersell since «the customer is always right.» FYI, 3 raspberries is a garnish, not a topping. (I’d say the same about 4 rapberries, which is apparently the «standard.») My froyo melted immediately after paying for it and tasted like drinking sour milk. That doesn’t sound like the freshest «all-​natural yogurt» to me. I have checked the ingredient list and nutritional info at Pinkberry, they are better and healthier than the ones listed for Red Mango. One final suggestion for you, hire a professional PR person if you want to respond to Unilocal reviews because you aren’t doing yourself any favors by responding yourself.

Another ickbag «froyo» place that I have only been to because I have been dragged there or my far superior suggestion of somewhere else to go has been overruled. What is it with some of my female friends and frozen yogurt? I just don’t really understand the appeal. This non-​icecream stuff just doesn’t really taste that good to me and is SO overpriced!
At first I told myself that I would not review this place even though I have been there a couple of times, mostly because I thought my review would be unfair since I hate the stuff. Also, I have never actually bought anything there but have sampled what others bought. However, I have now eaten at several «froyo» places and there is actually one that I like! PINKBERRY. So I feel like I have now tried enough places to judge. And I have never taken a bite of «froyo» here and thought «yummmm! i should get that next time I’m dragged here.» Never. When someone offers me a bite of their «froyo» I make a disgusted face and refuse.
PINKBERRY is right across the street practically and they have a much better selection and much better taste. The salted caramel stuff is AMAZING and their peanut butter stuff is almost as good. But their salted caramel is the best non-​icecream frozen treat I think I have tasted ever.

Disregard all flavors and opt for their original. It is the best you’ll taste at ANY frozen yogurt shop — I guarantee this. I’ve made it a goal in life to eat froyo on any trip I take, so I think I’ve done enough comparisons. The original is tart, but not too tart with a hint of sweetness and has the correct consistency. I love my original with half mochi and the rest fruit toppings (strawberry, kiwi, and blueberries). I will usually share a froyo cup with my boyfriend at other establishments, but not here. It’s that good.

Having tried almost every frozen yogurt place in the area (Pinkberry, Iceberry, YogenFruz, Iceberry, Yogiberry, FrozenYo, Sweet Green, TangySweet, Tutti Frutti– and this is only in the DC metro area) I have self proclaimed myself a froyo expert. With that said, I also have a preference for the tangier type yogurt with fruit toppings. I’ve been going to Red Mango since it was one of the first places to open in the area, but as of my most recent visit a few days ago– I don’t think I’ll be going again.
Why?
1. They’re expensive, mostly because they charge you extra for toppings, something like $ 1.00 for one and $ 1.75 for three.
2. They don’t give you much yogurt. Whatever size you order, they fill up your cup with a sliver of yogurt right down the center. This leaves half of the amount that you thought you were going to get. Yes, this leaves room for the toppings you ordered, but did you really come to get toppings in a cup?
3. They’re also the only place I know of that puts the fruit along the side with the yogurt in the middle (see pics). This means you either have to smush your yogurt or put your toppings on top of the yogurt yourself before you can mix the two in one bite-​which is the whole point of the toppings.
3. They’re not that nice, friendly, or welcoming.
4. They’re yogurt is not that tart, definitelly more creamy and vanilla tasting than their competition.
If you’re in the mood for frozen yogurt in Clarendon, walk a few blocks and go to Pinkberry, please. Pinkberry is such better quality for your money, taste buds, and they are so nice and friendly!

Not that I need any persuasion to grab a froyo, but the 20% «mention Unilocal» check-​in discount enticed me into the Red Mango across the street where the car was dangerously tethering within less than 8 minutes of its meter limit.
What I like about Red Mango is that they pile the yogurt sky high in the center, leaving ample room for toppings in the cup without compromising the amount of frozen yumminess that you get. What I don’t like about it is that you pay extra for each topping up to three toppings. We shared a regular-​sized froyo with three toppings, and total came out to over $ 4.50 with the 20% discount. This would mean that the original price would have been almost $ 6 – considering that I usually score within $ 3 at those DIY froyo places, cost is definitely a factor to be considered.
That being said, the yogurt at Red Mango simply tastes of higher quality than FroZenYo or Yogi Berry. It’s thicker, tastier, and let’s face it, it looks more appetizing when an expert yogurteer has constructed your froyo for you.
There isn’t a huge selection of toppings, but they had everything I wanted. And when you’re paying extra for the toppings, you really don’t need more than the basics.
And for those who are into the health stuff, Wiki tells us that Red Mango is «the first frozen yogurt store to be certified by the National Yogurt Association with the Live & Active Cultures seal, indicating the use of real yogurt.» :-)

I’ve browsed through some of Red Mango’s reviews here on Unilocal and I’ve decided to come to their defense. I have a lot of respect for the owner after reading the articles posted in the store. He lost his job of 35 years, his wife was also affected by the economy and they took a gamble on Red Mango.
Complaint #1: This yogurt fad isn’t new. TCBY, anyone, anyone.
Rebuttal: I worked at TCBY as a store manager in the 90s and I can guarantee you that today’s product has been perfected and is all natural compared to the TCBY of yesterday. Also, we NEVER had fruit toppings (other than banana) that were not heavily processed.
If TCBY was so great, where the hell are they now.
At the BOTTOM of the yogurt war.
Complaint #2: The container is not filled up to the top:
Rebuttal #2: I remember that people would complain about this all the time at TCBY. The yogurt is not meant to fill up the cup, it’s meant to accommodate the toppings. There has to be some sort of consistency established to allow for inventory control and to ensure people are handed the same amount of the good stuff.
Complaint # 3: Toppings are extra:
Rebuttal #3: They were extra even in the 90s at TCBY and ice cream parlors as well. I think it’s a good deal that the 3-​topping charge allows for more than 3-​toppings. ROCK!
Complaint # 4: $$$
Rebuttal: True, but you pay more at Whole Foods for an all natural products, right? Mangos, Champagne grapes, kiwi… these are not a dime a dozen. Quality products cost more.
I love Red Mango and the story behind this particular location. The staff is friendly, the store is clean and the owner is frequently present. What’s more important? The product is good and it makes me smile.
Why should you care about this review?
Authenticity. I’ve been on the other side of the counter.
Why should you go to Red Mango Clarendon?
Want a better product? Want to give your money to hard-​working neighbors? Then the answer should be clear.
I don’t think that PinkBerry has a story like this behind it:

Yay froyo! Being from the froyo-​filled lands of California, I have to say red mango is only ok, and way too expensive. If this red mango were in CA, I’d give it a 2.
That said, it’s in DC – and there are very few decent froyo places around here. Much too expensive though (seriously, who charges for toppings any more?! …I want my Yogurtland back :(sadness), and they definitely skimp on the toppings.
We got original with strawberry, mango, and mochi – their mochi are a strange taste/​texture – I can’t quite put my finger on it. I tried their peach yogurt, and it tasted very artificial. The original (tangy) is… fine, nothing special, but not quite tangy enough for my taste (I can’t fault them, not many people in this area would appreciate it)
A few friends of mine got the popping boba, and apparently they said it wasn’t great – the «skin» part of it has a weird plastic-​y texture, especially when it’s cold.

Let’s be cliché and say: «What can I say about Red Mango that has not been said yet?»
But Allure Magazine wrote: «Unlike many frozen yogurts that include such foreign ingredients as phenylalanine [huh?] and propylene glycol alginate [yum!], Red Mango’s all-​natural yogurt is a refreshing and creamy treat at just 90 calories per serving. And any eighth grader can pronounce its ingredients.»
And my oh my, I do declare, that they are better than Pinkberry. I mean it is so good, I want to save up all my pennies and nickels and franchise one, just so I can have it everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Go Ahead and treat yourself well. (That’s there slogan by the way, ain’t I a smart cookie? Which you can probably top your yogurt off with too)
P. S. Décor is very stylish, I just want to take the picture of the big spoon and eat it all the sensory feeling up with it.

I’ve tried MULTIPLE different froyo stores mind you, so I’m pretty picky at this point when it comes to me and frozen yogurt…
Red Mango’s plain frozen yogurt kept it creamy with a zing of tang, simple & sweet taste.
A healthy and absolutely delicious dessert that is one of my absolute favorites!

I absolutely love love love love this place. I can eat this everyday.
If you are a fan of Greek style yogurt, you’ll like this place.
Normal desserts make me feel gross no matter how tasty they are. I never feel gross after eating Red Mango. Every once in awhile, I have Red Mango for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s highly satifsying.

A nice addition to the Arlington area. I like their offering but have generally been disappointed that they have a very limited selection of flavors available specially in the last 3 hours of business. This happens quite frequently and should be a sign for management to stock more of the popular flavors!
Another thing is that they are bit more pricey than their competition…