Arch’s Frozen Yogurt

The classic flavors are good. The tart flavors are normally great. The low-​calorie flavors taste weird. The dining area is usually dirty. Free wifi and relatively quiet place if you need to hide out and get some work done.

I don’t know what exactly happened to me internally, but I … don’t like sweet things very much. I’d much prefer a bacon cheeseburger dangling in front of my face than anything too sugary. With that said, I do appreciate a good piece of hazelnut chocolate (I mean, I’m still a person), but on the whole, savory things are way better than sweet things in my book. Plus, normally when I think of froyo, I think of pristine creamy white yogurt laden with fresh fruit and mochi, not a hodge-​podge of random flavors smacked together.
This location only does the frozen yogurt, so don’t come here looking for a heartier snack. I think the better deal is getting a small cup of a yogurt and piling on the toppings than the Archers, but what do I know? I will say that the Archers don’t look particularly appealing, everything mushed together like some sort of pre-​chewed formula mix for infants, but the taste is pretty phenomenal. And I do have to give them kudos for not skimping on toppings — seriously every bite is chock full of topping and relatively little ice cream.
But I’m still a Pinkberry girl at heart. :(

Only reviewing the special flavors I tried: Candy Cane and Pistachio. For my first visit to Arch’s I simply wanted to the taste something from the their basic menu. Unfortunately both tasted artificial and not anything like it claim to be. Glad I only ordered a 3.5oz and mixed the flavors. I can see why other enjoy the selections off The Archer’s menu… with 2 – 4 mixed toppings like fruit, nuts and a selection of sweets, one probably cannot taste the real flavor of the product. I did take a bite of the Double Decadence and it was full of chocolate flavor… maybe what I should have done is order off the traditional basic menu instead. Quick service.

This place has the best ice cream ever. You know when you order cookie dough ice cream and all you only get one or two bites of the topping laced throughout the ice cream? You will never have this experience here. They load on the toppings of your choice and then mix it up until it is perfectly blended. I myself love the gooey brownie topping which is basically undercooked brownies (some batter, some brownie).
Don’t come here looking for a small bite of ice cream. They do have this but if you go here, you MUST get an archer. It is definitely worth it.

After walking around all day, you are tired and your mouth is dry and in need for some refreshments. Where do you go in Charlottesville, if not Arch’s? I’m taking a star off for being a bit pricey.
I prefer this location on Ivy as opposed to the one on the Corner. I’m pretty sure the menu is identical and the shop on the Corner is a bit bigger. Nevertheless, this Ivy location is quieter, cleaner and you will rarely see a line that contains more than a couple of people. You’ll see people out the door on the Corner.
My sister and I stopped here for some ice cream. We both had the things off the Arch’s menu. These range from about $ 4-​ish a piece. She had the «Very Berry» and I had the «Banana Split.» They were both huge and neither of them were finished. Yet both were so great! Something that I like about the pre-​designed ice creams at Arch’s is that you decide which frozen yogurt goes into it. So, if you would like, you could have the Banana Split with Doubles Chocolate Fudge yogurt. You can also have it with Berry yogurt. I went for the normal vanilla.
Of course, you can make your own. Pick a yogurt and pick from the many many many topping choices that are spread out in front of you. These simple make-​it-​yourselves run from $ 1.50ish.
Point is that if you want ice cream in Charlottesville, you would be foolish to go anywhere but Arch’s.

I’d give it a three, but people rave so much about ARch’s that I decided to give it four. Actually, no I’ll give it a three. It’s good because it’s a Charlottesville Staple. I like how you choose your own combination of toppings with frozen yogurt, or one of theirs. The pies are ridiculously good. Recently redecorated, it’s a fun college place to get your ice-​cream fix. A little expensive… so might as well go to the supermarket and get a 2 for $ 5 deal if you really want to get your brainfreeze on. Good place to go on a date, after dinner of course!