Starfruit Cafe
108 N State St,Pedway Level, Chicago, IL, 60602
Starfruit Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Chicago for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
108 N State St,Pedway Level
Chicago, IL, 60602 - Phone (312) 658-1241
- Website https://starfruitcafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Ally D.
I walk past this place everyday, and so I decided to give it a shot. The staff, Kat and Dennis were both very nice. They were patient while I decided on what to get. They both were very helpful with what their favorites were and making sure my first time was impressive. I got the breakfast blend smoothie and it is great! Very unique. Will be my weekly treat from now on!
(5)Bree P.
I love this place so much. I got the chocolate with the caramel drizzler and it was bomdizzle. The only thing I hated about this place is the freaking line. I think I waited about 40 MIN. I guess it was worth it. I wish there was one in SD....someday
(5)Bri A.
Sooo this place does not serve frozen yogurt, it's frozen kefir. What's that? I have no idea but it seemed legit. I was adventurous this time and had blood orange kefir, goji berries, chocolate chips and kiwi. The kefir itself was good but maaaaan did I pick a bad combo! This was one cup full of YUCK! The grossberries were dry and had a weird texture. The fruit and chocolate chips did not go well with the orange. It seemed like a good idea in my head! I would come back, but not get so crazy with the toppings.
(3)Dino G.
Best treat ever. This location offers four flavors of frozen kefir to choose from and has the best staff in the entire city. Love them!
(5)Natasha O.
I'd tried the other froyo places around town, but flipped when I heard there was a place that served frozen kefir. Not only is this stuff good for you... it's lactose intolerant friendly (something about the probiotics)... the staff is super friendly and helpful... and you get an amazing amount of product and toppings. Seriously.. when you're paying per topping you should feel like you're actually getting your money's worth. They have always delivered for me.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Was just serve by an incredibly nice fella named "Duro". Such a great person! So kind and energized- made my day a little brighter. Thanks, Duro! I'll be back :)
(5)Linda L.
Now I love regular kefir, but initially I was skeptical about this place. You see, I usually drink my kefir plain and was worried the frozen version would be too sweet. I asked the woman behind the counter, and she offered me a sample of the peach flavor. It was marvelous! Definitely more tart than froyo with just enough of a hint of sweetness. Loved it! I got the small cup, and they are very generous with the amount they give you. Almost couldn't finish it. Looking forward to coming here again.
(5)Shelz B.
Starfruit cafe located at 108 N. State St is an amazing little gem, hidden in the pedway (inside of Block 37). This location by far has the most vibrant staff, who is 100% customer focused and really knowledgeable about all of the products in the store. I love that the staff here is always willing to go out of their way to make you something incredible. My new favorite.. thanks to Dori and Kim is the Iron Man. The iron man is not on the menu, but ask for it and you will receive! The Iron man is a healthy fresh breakfast, and it is a great way to get in your veggies and energy all in one and it is totally YUMMY!
(5)John T.
No ice cream here but the frozen yoghurt is ok. Located below ground so enter through shops on street and go down.
(3)Gina S.
It is Kefir NOT frozen yogurt...please don't call it frozen yogurt and confuse us all. So WTF is Kefir you ask, IDK but it's apparently better for you than frozen yogurt. Their marketing ploy is Kefir has more probiotics and is lighter in calories than most frozen yogurts. I tried a little sample courtesy of the helpful Kefir dispensing counter guys. Birthday cake, cherry, raspberry and apple pie. I almost couldn't taste a difference between the samples, there wasn't a very strong distinguishing flavor between them. The natural tartness of Kefir was more overpowering in the cherry and birthday cake. I went with apple pie topped with cinnamon raisin granola to highlight the apple pie flavor. To me it tasted less like a dessert or treat and more like something I could literally eat for breakfast, a little tangy and thoroughly refreshing. While I still am in love with frozen yogurt, I have found a special place in my tummy for Kefir.
(4)Kymberly J.
Both times i have been here the same person was behind the counter. It was less like being at a frozen dessert place and more like being at your friends house where he is making you some awesome treats. He was so friendly and even gave me a free size upgrade because they were out of one of the flavors of the day. The granola topping is Chicago's own Milk and Honey brand which my favorite granola brand ever! If you've never has frozen Keifer, you need to try it. It's waaay better for you than regular ice cream and has a special mild tang.
(5)Alfredo L.
It's really not that good... I was "tricked" into going here thinking it was kulfi, but when I saw it was a frozen yogurt place I was slightly less happy. Nonetheless the flavors looked good and heck, they had goji berries as a topping. IT IS GRAINY AND ICY. If you like creamy frozen treats... no. This fails. Even the flavors are bland. In Chicago, definitely PinkBerry trumps this, and iCream runs circles around the customization and creaminess factor. So meh, mediocre overpriced kulfi (super bacterial yogurt).
(3)Lauren B.
First time kefir eater! I have to say I really liked the Reloaded smoothie. I subbed vanilla instead of peach kefir. Very good! It had an almost plain yogurt tang with a consistency between hake and smoothie. It was not a watery drink. Loved it! My husband tried and like his Energizer smoothie too, mostly coconut etc. I'm going to have to see if they have this stuff in my neck of the woods.
(4)Jeana C.
Inside a shopping center (Block 37) on the LOWER LEVEL. I personally love Starfruit because the natural tartiness of the kefir yogurt. Low calorie and healthy! When do you guys make chocolate flavor??
(5)Chloe F.
I stopped by on a hot day for a drink to stop my thirst. I ordered small Jump Start and I watched them make my drink. It was depressing to watch...as I saw the staff add maybe 6/7 blueberries (I kid you not), two types of powder then half the cup filled with yogurt...it was way too sweet. I threw away half my drink then went to Walgreens for a bottle of refreshing water. 5 bucks for a small drink is more expensive than Jamba Juice.
(1)Jen R.
This is my smoothie lunch fix. I always rock the breakfast blast - get it with cherry almond granola and honey, yum! I also get a large, which is way too much for lunch, but it keeps in the fridge well. Basically, the rest of the shake ends up as either a quickie snack before my after work workout, or next morning's breakfast. There's also a ton of specials, like $1 off juice on Monday, double punch Tuesday, a free size upgrade on their soft serve on Wednesday, and free boost Thursday. They also have a punch card so with nine punches you get your tenth small soft serve or smoothie free. Finally, don't forget to follow them on facebook, since they're always cool about giving you a heads up on when they're on Groupon. Oh, and if you're not sure you'll dig the taste of kefir, just stop in and ask the uber friendly staff to taste a flavor or two. Eating healthy might be easier and tastier than you think.
(5)Laylajane A.
Was curious really wanted ice cream but it was too early. So, I came in for a taste of whatever this was... The staff was so positive and helpful. That was very refreshing, even the knife to cut was cheerful. I kinda mixed two orders to make one. I really wish I would've ordered a bigger size. THAT was SO delicious and gone too quickly. Yep, I'm going back!!! I just found a healthy alternative to a milkshake :-)
(5)Matt M.
So the prices here are really high for yogurt. And despite yelp's search for "self-serve" it is not self-serve. They slap on the ingredients that you ask for at an outlandish price and unappetizing mix. Then you get their "original flavor" and it tastes like cold, spoiled greek yogurt that is nothing near the quality of the many other chains. I'd look for this place to shutter its doors (thankfully) in the next few months to a year if the free market does its job.
(1)Dorotka K.
Dear Yelpers, This is NOT a frozen yogurt place. They serve frozen kefir, which is very different. It is low-calorie and tart, high in protein and loaded with probiotics. I love this place, the staff is wonderful. This is my regular weekly treat that I do not feel bad about! It is a little pricey, true, but when it comes to frozen kefir, they have a monopoly in this city. Get the Groupon.
(5)Sharon T.
If you had asked me what kefir was, I wouldn't know how to answer you at all. If you ask me what frozen yogurt is, I can answer that delightfully! Apparently, kefir is much better than the usual frozen yogurt crap I usually eat - it puts frozen yogurt to shame. The downside to this place is that it offers only two flavors: original and apple pie, which were both good. Like always, I can't pass up the original, which was really sour - just the way I like it. I tried so many original flavored froyos but one bite on this "kefir", as you call it, it gave me the most fresh and clean feeling. They had a lot of toppings out, but ran out of mangoes, the one thing I get before anything else. For 2 medium cups with toppings, the total came to about $12, slightly more expensive than I usually pay for. The guys working behind the counter were very friendly, especially one of them that was all smiles and laughter. I would definitely come back in a future Chicago visit!
(4)Danielle M.
I tried the apple pie flavor of frozen yogurt. I thought it was delicious and was hoping for some toffee to put on top but opted for Blackberries for some tart. I was disappointed with my overall experience visiting this location. It was a Saturday afternoon around 3pm. I was the only one in there and there was wet paint signs on the front of the counter with paper on the floor to prevent drips. I felt that looked really tacky and didn't understand the need to paint something during an open shift. Also the staff was not very friendly or welcoming. Despite all the seats being available I decided to sit out in the mall instead because it just wasn't a nice place to sit alone. I probably won't go out of my way to go back there, but the yogurt itself was tasty.
(3)Jessica M.
My friend and I came here for their Yelp Sugar High event. It was buy one, get one free! We each had the medium and a mix of the mango and orange flavors. I topped mine with fresh mango and strawberries whereas my friend had it with fresh strawberries and mochi. It was a very generous portion as they filled the froyo to the top. The froyo was well-complimented by the fruits which were ripe and sweet. All of that was just for $6!
(3)Xiran C.
Love love love this place! Doro and Jasmine are so nice. The frozen kefir and all smoothies are very tasty and nutritious. One frozen kefir a day is my gilt-free treat. I am glad that they have new flavors almost every day. I like mixing the new flavor with original. Sooooo good! I hope they also open during weekend though.
(5)Mike M.
Okay. I have been to literally every frozen yogurt place in Chicago. This is the best one, except... It's not frozen yogurt. It's kefir. What is kefir? I don't know, but it tastes better than frozen yogurt. It has just the right texture, tanginess, and richness that any good treat ought to have. If you don't care too much about exotic toppings (they have most of the standard ones here anyway) or silly stuff like self-serve with 25+ flavors, and you just want quality original flavors with little nonsense, this is definitely the place to check out. I'm surprised, of course, that the state street location is underground, hidden in the corner of some not-so-frequently visited shopping mall, while largely inferior chains like Forever Yogurt and Red Mango are much more easily accessible and get more business. For the same amount of money, Starfruit cafe offers a much better quality frozen-yogurt-like treat than any other place in Chicago.
(5)Taylor M.
I don't think I could say enough nice things about this place! The girl working was polite and very helpful when I wasn't sure what I wanted to get. I ordered the frozen kefir, orange swirl flavor and it was delicious! Plays its completely guilt free! Filled with so many healthy things its who wouldn't want to eat such a healthy treat! All I can think of now is wanting more kefir!!
(5)Amy H.
LOVE this place! When my coworker suggested we hit up this place during lunch, I was like "What's frozen kefir?" I wasn't satisifed with his answer that it's similar to froyo, so I checked out their website after having a pomegranate frozen kefir with mochi. According to the website: "Well, Kefir (pronounced "kee-fur") is a bubbly drink that was discovered by accident when ancient shepherds realized fresh milk carried in leather pouches occasionally fermented into a deliciously effervescent beverage. Named for the Turkish word for "good feeling," Kefir really does feel good - especially when eaten as a delicious frozen treat!" Cool backstory! Plus it has 10 probiotics, which makes it healthier than froyo! Each ounce of this frozen goodness is only 22 calories, and a small is 5 ounces, so only a total of 110 calories! When I coupled the Pomegranate with mochi topping, it was heaven! I was having an emo morning, and this transformed my day! Love the decor - fresh, hip, cool. Love the staff - super energetic and nice. I wish this piece of heaven were cheaper though! $3 for a small without toppings, $1 for the first topping = Amy's wallet crying. But...totally worth it =)
(5)Richa A.
I really enjoyed the frozen kefir! I had the original flavor and it was quite tasty. However, when I'm in the mood for a fro-yo type treat, I much prefer self-serve options where I can mix and match both flavors and toppings. If you want just one topping, the minimum you will spend here is $4 which is a bit steep. Oh, and on Wednesdays, they have a free size upgrade, meaning you pay for a small and can get a medium, etc :)
(3)Hina Q.
I tried the coconut flavor kefir with mango and strawberry toppings. Mmmm!! I really enjoy anything coconut, BUT only if its not too sweet....i was hesitant to try the coconut flavor kefir, so the lady working there offered me a taste, and O-M-G, it was the perfect amount of sweetness! I really enjoyed my first time at Starfruit Cafe. I just wish they had more locations, or if their location stayed open till the later in the night.
(4)Rachel S.
So, I've recently become slightly addicted to the smoothies here. They are a bit 'spensive, and crazy cold, see my earlier review, but oh so tasty. I usually get the "Reloaded," which is delicious. I also love that they sell a very wide variety of Lifeway Kefir in bottles, for a very decent price. An 8 ounce bottle is only $1. I saw today that they have big bottles of "birthday cake" flavored kefir... hm... may have to try that one next time... Long and short: the smoothies may be a bit on the pricey side, but its a mighty tasty breakfast on the run, and kefir is SO GOOD FOR YOU. The end.
(5)Grace E.
I enjoy a good serving of red mango or pinkberry, but once in a while, I really appreciate the uniqueness of kefir frozen yogurt. It may not always be your go-to place for froyo, but it's certainly worth a try.
(4)S W.
The fresh organic juices and frozen kefir treats are very tasty., but the reason I keep coming back is the employees. They are unfailingly cheerful, kind and efficient. This is the place to go if you want to leave with a smile on your face.
(5)Nelson M.
Restaurant Review Froyo galore, this is another dive into the many froyo restaurants available in the chicago-land area. I recently had a chance to come to this location to use the 10 for 20 groupon deal. The froyo is made of keifer which has probioitics and minimally sour taste to it similar to forever yogurt etc. The staff is friendly and you get to select three different sizes for your froyo. The only difference here is the cost of the toppings. First one is 1 dollar and each additional for .50 cents more. You do not serve yourself and the froyo cost is not based on price which is +/- for some. Your base yogurt flavor changes daily, they had original, mango, and pomegranate on my day. Overall the keifer based yogurt was refreshing and the size of a small was decent. Toppings are quite fresh (mango and mochi are the best!) Seating is rather limited. They even threw in a free topping as the mango froyo ran out.... Pro- healthy froyo, probiotics, friendly staff Con- expensive, each topping cost more money Hidden deal- Daily deals, check out the board outside of the store. Wednesday they may upgrade your small to a medium size for free FYI the map location for this place is wrong. It is located on state street at Block 37.
(3)Cher M.
In the mood for ice cream? Don't go to Starfruit. If you're in the mood for frozen yogurt or fruit (you know, those rare occasions when you want something sweet but not sugary) then head to Starfruit. THE GOOD: The frozen kefir (which, let's be honest basically tastes like frozen yogurt) is pretty good, and I've purchased the same kind of kefir they use at Starfruit and made frozen kefir at home and it was great. So the problem isn't the product. Also, the toppings are good and at least one staffer is cutting up fruit ever time I visit, so I know it's fresh. I prefer the frozen pomegranet topped with mochi. If I could figure out where to buy mochi elsewhere, I could give up frozen treats altogether and make my own Starfruit. THE BAD: For this particular location, hours are not posted, and even though I've been told they're open until 7, 7:30, and even 8, Unless you get here by about 6 PM there is no guarantee the staff won't have closed the doors early and started their clean up. This has happened to me three times in the last two months. It is very frustrating to get to Block 37 and see that Starfruit is closed while everything else is still open. This discrepancy between what corporate says and what the staffers do is enough to send me straight back to Berry Chill. Sorry Starfruit, you've had more than enough chances.
(3)Nikki S.
I like this place. It was my first time trying Kefir, tastes just like froyo. Also a bit cheaper than the normal froyo spots. I do not have a groupon, but usually there are some to grab.
(4)Nicole G.
Must get Starfruit soft serve Kefir or their smoothies !!! Great tasting and not at all expensive. Benefits are better than yogurt because Starfruit has 10 different probriotics while frozen yogurt only has 3 or 4. No added sugar !!!! How they make it so good without added sugar is amazing and it is also more healthy than ice cream or frozen yogurt. I am excited that Starfruit Cafe at Block37 Shops is open on Saturdays during the Summer in Chicago. I look forward to Saturdays in the Summer to get my Kefir treats from them. They also have fresh juices with Kefir added. Get your green juices and other fresh fruit juices from Starfruit too and get healthy !!!!!!!!
(5)Kinga H.
After what appeared to be an unlucky Saturday in Chi for my friend and I, we were craving something sweet to brighten our moods. Now as most know, downtown Chicago is a ghost town on the weekends, as many of the eateries are open only during the hustle bustle office hours of the week. After too much aimless walking found this place in the Block 37 building. The decor is ultra clean modern. Bright colors but a very cold atmosphere. We wanted frozen yogurt and were explain they only have kefir (like frozen yogurt except tart in flavor and with more health probiotics). Sounds good to me! We sampled the various kefir they had available and after taking forever to decide (they only have a few flavors so it shouldn't have been that difficult) if I wanted a parfait or frozen kefir, the friendly girl behind the counter said I could get a combo of the two... I was sold! I opted for the plain liquid smoothie kefir and plain frozen kefir parfait with mochi strawberries and almonds (my standard fro-yo toppings). After the first bite of my unique parfait dessert I was in love && obsessed!! This place is amazing. Too bad I have not been able to find a kefir shop in San Diego... at least I can buy the liquid smoothie kefir at my local market for now.
(5)Holly W.
I am obsessed with Starfruit. So much so, that when I'm in the suburbs (live about half/and half downtown) I will sometimes drive out to the city for the sole sake of gettin' my Starfruit on....It is just that good! It is not quite like frozen yogurt, but almost. It has just the right amount of tartness...and right amount of calories too! :) I prefer this location over the others simply because the staff is SO unbelievably friendly here and I always leave with a smile! So glad I found Starfruit Cafe. Yum.
(5)Kammie G.
What to say, best fro-yo place ever. The staff is friendly and the flavors are delicious. Too bad its not open on Sundays :(
(5)Laura K.
Its hard for me to pass this place up if I'm in the Loop neighborhood. It definitely tastes healthier than the sinful froyo I've had in River North, but its a refreshing change. This stuff is made with Kefir milk, which basically tastes like a more tart version of yogurt. You will definitely taste the tart in this treat, so I recommend simple fruit toppings that will compliment the flavor. The prices aren't bad and you can always get the punch card to help you along.
(4)Helena P.
Great place, friendly employees, delicious treats! I love their original frozen kefir with berries on the top. Toppings are fresh. If you are not sure about the flavor, you can ask for samples. If you are not in a mood for a frozen yogurt, smoothies and parfaits are delicious too. By the way, they sell kefir in the bottles. 3.00 for 32 oz. Really delicious. This is the place for people who love kefir (like me), but if you are not sure, give it a try!
(5)Lolia S.
Fro-yo girl here. No one has reviewed the third Starfruit location yet??? Well, I'm happy to report on their newest location, located in the new Block 37 mall. Block 37 is mostly empty right now and the top floors aren't open to the public yet - but Starfruit is here, right by the entrance to the Red Line. The store is bright and cheerful with chandeliers and flowers on each table. There's frozen kefir (4 flavors a day), smoothies, parfaits and oatmeal. They also sell bottles of kefir (the mini ones are cute) and snack bars coated in kefir. It's kefir central. Flavors of the day: * Vanilla: faint vanilla flavor, sour but not too sour, icy * Pomegranate: nice flavor, clean tasting, sweet, more sour than the typical frozen yogurt but I liked the sourness, the texture was clumpy and icy though * Raspberry: this sample wasn't as clumpy, good flavor though on the faint side * Blueberry: icy and clumpy again, blueberry flavor is faint Prices: S $3, M $4, L $5, first topping $1, 50 cents for each additional topping The toppings seemed better than average, with fresh fruit, candy, cereal, nuts, granola from Milk & Honey, goji berries, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, syrups, and homemade tasting mochi (sweeter than usual, chewy). I mentioned that the texture was clumpy and apparently it's a temporary problem - they received the wrong part for their fro-yo machines. She said typically the texture was much smoother and creamier. Bummer - I went to the wrong location/went at the wrong time. I'm sure the texture will improve. Kefir vs. fro-yo: kefir seems more sour and icier but again, the icy part may be due to the machine. Also the fruit flavors are on the faint side but pleasant. They have a frequent buyer card that works at all their locations. You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.
(4)Yanyao N.
I love Johnny T. and the LP Starfruit crew for introducing me to frozen kefir deliciousness! I just HAD to stop in for one of their signature smoothies. The D-I-V-A is the perfect post-cream puff drink. Frozen kefir blended with fruit AND flax seeds. I mean, seriously, can frozen drinkable treats get any better for you? Guys, it is perfectly acceptable for you to order this drink too! All other smoothie places need to take note of what Starfruit is doing. Blender geniuses these guys are.
(5)Bettina S.
There are so many things to love about Starfruit, that I don't quite know where to start. It's tucked away in the pedway just beneath the new mall on State Street near Washington. You'd definitely miss it unless you had the address and were looking for it. I was looking for it cause I had a groupon and was excited to try it out. They serve frozen yogurt, that is made from kefir, which is almost like a dairy substitute, and won't upset the stomachs of those of us who are lactose intolerant. Then they have a bunch of different toppings that you can get which range from butterfinger to fruity pebbles. I got pomegranate acai kefir with fruity pebbles, and loved it! The other great thing about this place is they give a good amount of money each year to 7 different causes such as food, shelter, and clean water for people around the world who don't have those privileges. I think this place is all around pretty fantastic. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because it isn't as sensitive to food allergies as I would like; I have some pretty serious ones, and the way the toppings are set up you're bound to get some cross contamination. In turn, I had to avoid the fruit toppings cause although my dessert was good, it wasn't worth a trip to the ER :)
(4)Christina R.
Starfruit is the best froyo in the city - hands down. It actually tastes like yogurt as opposed to some places where it's really more like ice cream. Plus it's practically guilt free since it's made from kefir. Tons of probiotics, protein, and fiber. My go-to is a create-your-own smoothie but I always choose different flavors and mix-ins. Tasty recommendations: -pomegranate frozen yogurt with blueberry base with pineapples and spinach mixed in -strawberry frozen yogurt with raspberry base with peanut butter, strawberries, and Fruity Pebbles mixed in -chocolate truffle frozen yogurt with chocolate truffle base with strawberries, almonds, and chocolate syrup mixed in The staff is always friendly and attentive, making mix-in suggestions and offering tasting samples. So happy that the Block 37 location has Saturday hours since I live in the South Loop and can't always make it to the other locations. Alonso and Kat get an extra thumbs up from me for being accommodating and extra customer service oriented when it was so gorgeous outside and I'm sure they'd rather be enjoying the summer and the weather!
(5)Daliah F.
I first had Starfruit at Lollapalooza. It was one of the only things I could eat there on my restricted diet. Then I worked near the one on Division. NOW I work two blocks from Block37 shops and I am a Starfruit junkie!! Starfruit is my favorite daytime, frozen treat. It's healthier and way fewer calories than ice cream or even frozen yogurt...and I know I'm getting a little priobiotic in there too! Duro at Block37 always makes my day...everyone is friendly and I'm always allowed to try flavors - even though I'm a regular. AND - when I had my purse stolen, Derek made me whole on my punch card and my Starfruit card that were taken by the thief. There are always deals and Groupons for Starfruit and Tuesdays are two-punch Tuesday on your punch card. Everyone in my office teases me because they know how much I love it - even in the winter!! Sometimes I head out for a break and sometimes I grab a small on my way to the Red Line. So far, I've never been disappointed - except the one time I went and they were closed! I HEART Starfruit :)
(5)Cassie S.
I am so disappointed that I didn't love Starfruit. I'm a huge FroYo fan and expected to like the frozen kefir just as well. I was so excited that Starfruit opened up in the east part of the loop where it's more convenient. And I certainly love the concept. The kefir itself is super-healthy and they have a great variety of flavors and toppings. Their space in the Pedway here is also really cute. Unfortunately, I really just thought it was "meh." I wasn't a fan of the texture (a little grainier than yogurt), but more importantly, something about the aftertaste was just really off for me. And it's not just the sour-ness - I expected that. Instead it had an almost medicinal flavor that just didn't work for me. I couldn't even finish my small. So sad. I had an original, maybe I should have tried one of the other flavors?? The toppings were great - definitely very fresh. I'm sure I'll give it another shot and I hope to update this review in a positive way once I do!
(2)Mary H.
This is probably the healthiest froyo I've gotten. The flavor is more similar to pink berry or red mango than forever or TCBY. They usually don't have dessert favors. Regardless this stuff is really good! Staff is super nice.
(5)April P.
I'll justify the fact with the heat comes less desire for hearty meals. But believe me, the calorie counter is just the same when it comes to ice cream and sweets. Enter Starfruit. This soft serve is a late cousin to yogurt, with a much tangier flavor, and better health benefits compared to ice cream. Choose from original, pomegranate, mango, birthday cake and raspberry. They have a large selection of toppings, and I like to have a twist of two flavors, birthday cake and pomegranate, with a mochi topping. This place is located in what I infamously call Desserts Row with Andy's Custard, Auntie Anne's, Au Bon Pain, and Papa Beard's Cream Puffs all a stone's throw away in between the red line and blue line stops in the Shops of Block 37. So convenient to grab an icy treat before you hop on the train
(4)Jane Y.
OMG SO YUMMY. i first discovered this at lollapalooza. omnomnomnom. it was perfect because that day was freaking HOT. the people who served us at lolla were nice and there was this one hilarious guy who was dancing. the people here at this location are very nice and service is good. omg lovelove froyo... or should i say frozen kefir (its not too strong like real kefir)
(5)Don H.
Cute place. Not sure about location. They have a great selection of flavors and the staff was super-helpful and friendly. Very low-key down in the pedway since it's new and on a weekend without traffic. Where it falls apart is value for money. I do like the taste of Kefir so it was delicious. But $4 for a medium AND $1 extra for what amounted to just a spoonful or two of topping is NOT worth it. I understand they have to pay rent and Kefir is expensive, but at least do the toppings for less. So taste was a 3 star but it was too expensive for my blood. It would be worth trying once though. It's definitely a culinary experience.
(2)Steve S.
The straws are better! Nice work Starfruit. Come here for a damn good yogurt smoothie.
(4)Salud R.
I love Starfruit. This is not like eating ice cream which I sometimes find too sweet. It is just sweet enough with a bite of tart flavor - soo good!!! My coworkers and I must maintain self-control not to be there everyday - even so we visit at least twice a week (sometimes more). The product itself is great, but the staff definitely makes it a great place. The first time we visited we were given a thorough explaination of the products and health benefits. The staff is always friendly and in high spirits. If you are having a bad day - come here and you can't help but be happy. They also have a Loyalty punch card and Tuesdays are double punch day - could it get any better?
(5)Kate B.
Breakfast blast smoothie with vegan granola. Your day can't get off to a better start. It tastes AMAZING, it's packed with probiotics to help digestion (the same as in Activia but there are more probiotics per serving so it's even better!) and it actually will fill you up! If I get a sweet tooth in the middle of the day, I go down there and get what I call a Oreo blizzard. It's a smoothie with chocolate sauce and oreos blended in. The funny thing is- it's still SIGNIFICANTLY healthier for you than a Dairy Queen blizzard and it tastes MUCH better. Now, of course it isn't a healthy snack persay, but again, it keeps the DQ cravings at bay. Everyone here is nice! Ask them what they recommend and you can't go wrong! (I do wish it were a tad more affordable though...)
(5)Matt G.
Whenever I walk to the blue line through Block 37, I have a REALLY hard time walking past this place and keeping myself from stopping in. Best of all, it's super healthy and contains tons of probiotics with less than 22 calories per ounce, so at least I don't feel guilty when I do get some. Good stuff. Anyway, Starfruit is frozen KEFIR not frozen yogurt, so obviously there are a few taste and texture differences between the two. Like others mentioned, Starfruit is colder than regular frozen yogurt, which I actually like because it doesn't melt as fast on the train. It's also not as sweet: the plain is a bit too tart for me, but pomegranate, birthday cake, and strawberry definitely help appease my sweet tooth. My only complaint: $1 for 1 topping?! Come on...
(4)Jonathan V.
You can find frozen yogurt in all corners of downtown Chicago but you can only find frozen kefir here. And it's super cold with just the right amount of tart. There are also plenty of toppings. I've come to love the tart taste of frozen kefir but for the beginner, adding higher sugar fruit toppings, yogurt chips or sprinkles is a good balance to the tartness. The staff at this location is also highly energetic and always on top of everything. They also give you a heaping of toppings, unlike other places that count out 5 blueberries. Another bonus, Starfruit is owned by Lifeway, which is based in the Chicago area.
(4)Lucien H.
Kefir? Definitely a keeper. A+ for always upbeat and energetic staff. They seem to genuinely enjoy their job. When creating your own smoothie, they are definitely happy to help you with suggestions. Did I also mention they have Girl Scout cookies as a topping? Just sayin'.
(5)Joseph F.
I like everything about this place. One sticking point for me and the only reason I gave it 3 stars...inaccessible nutritional information. Most froyo places have it front and center. In fact most little cafes and bistros now readily have their nutritional information plastered everywhere, but here, it's enigmatic. If they had that information, I'd probably give an extra star as it was might tasty.
(3)daynia S.
Yummy. Staff are friendly. Fresh fruit every day. Never seen old, brown, and soggy fruit sitting out all day. I stop by at least twice a week for my frozen yogurt fix.
(5)Sarah L.
I love a frozen treat now and again. I was excited when I stumbled upon Starfruit while roaming the new Block 37 establishment! Starfruit is located in the pedway of B37 near the Blue Line connection. I had it twice so far and both experiences were pleasant! I was able to sample a green kefir before I bought a full size. It was pomegranate/blueberry with acai berry. The color was less than appealing but it was very tasty! For $5 you get a small with 2 toppings. Starfruit is slightly more expensive than their competitor Berry Chill and they don't have awesome hyper color spoons. That won't keep me from coming back to Starfruit. I have to get my chilled out kefir fix in the upcoming summer months. This stuff is way too good to pass up!
(4)Sabrina M.
I knew that I didn't like this place from the first time I tried it. But being the intrepid Yelper that I am, I gave it several more chances. Alas, frozen kefir ain't my thing. Not to mention, Starfruit Cafe, much like Marble Slab Creamery, has a bit of an inferiority complex. If you dare utter the words "Berry Chill" you'll be glowered at and given a huffy litany about all the reasons why Starfruit is allegedly far superior than Berry Chill (which lets you know they hear the comparisons hundreds of times a day. Get used to it, Starfruit!) And just like Marble Slab employees screaming about being FIRST & allegedly more superior than Coldstone, it just falls on deaf ears. After realizing that the tart, grainy & slightly watery frozen kefir (of ANY flavor) wasn't working for me -- with or without toppings -- I asked for another recommendation. Since this place is sooooo superior, with such knowledgeable employees, surely they'd give me an awesome recommendation for some kind of smoothie or something else great the store offers. Not so. I got a slack-jawed shoulder hunch. It wasn't until I took my complaint to Twitter that I actually got a decent recommendation. But I'm pretty much so turned off by my previous experiences at this Starfruit Cafe that I don't imagine I'll be back. I'll be sticking with Berry Chill, thank you very much.
(2)Polly P.
Unfortunately, I went here once and felt really bad after it. I don't know, was it a food poisoning or just me not feeling good, but it happened half-an-hour after I eat their yogurt...
(1)Jennifer S.
After reading the reviews for this yogurt shop I was a little disappointed after my visit today. I haven't been to many froyo shops in the city, but have been to others outside the state. Here are my complaints: 1. I got plain froyo with strawberries, chocolate chips and oreos. My strawberries were tart instead of sweet. 2. Even the small size is pretty large, and at $5 is a pricey treat. 3. I don't like that they don't weigh it, it's just a straight price. 4. My yogurt, althought OK tasting, was a little too cold (kind of icy) and not creamy. At $5 for their smallest size, I'm probably not going back.
(2)Candace M.
I have NOT been able to get past the breakfast smoothie. It is so delicious. Some mornings as I am passing thru on my way to work, someone is standing outside with samples of the breakfast smoothie. Naturally, it's a tease and I want more so I never have it for breakfast, usually my afternoon/early evening snack. DELICIOUS!!! I promise once the weather warms up, I will try the other items on the menu but for now I will stick with my breakfast smoothie!!! YUMMY
(4)H G.
It's overload at Starfruit season. I came by with an out-of-town friend, who'd never tried this deliciousness. We both had a frozen kefir comprised of the two flavors of the day -- mango and blood orange. Stop it. Just stop. No, I'm kidding. Keep the drool-worthy flavors coming! It was the first time that I saw a staff person with a dour demeanor at a Starfruit location, but all other staff interacted with me like I was a good friend. The happy atmosphere, reasonable pricing, and the great, quality product combo is the top reason for why I still highly rate Starfruit.
(5)Paul S.
I'm new to the Frozen yogurt scene which seems to be sweeping the nation. (oh, and by nation I mean Atlanta, because I don't really know about anywhere else) Anywhoo... In Chicago for the weekend and I learned about kefir. First in it's drinkable yogurt form, which I just saw, and second in it's frozen yogurtness way. Pretty tasty. The store is well hidden on the bottom floor of the Block 37 mall. The toppings seem a bit limited to other yogurt places I've been to, and they offer four different flavors. I had the strawberry and added fresh strawberries to it. Obviously I was thinking way outside the box on that one. It was cold, yogurty, and delicious. Also tried the pomegranate yogurt and was less impressed. Yogurt, that's frozen, that's really about it.
(3)Dina K.
I absolutely love this place! Highly Recommended! Very Friendly Staff!
(5)Jung C.
Like everybody else that was there (and there were a lot of people), I used my groupon to try this place out. I like it! It's my first time trying the kefir, and it doesn't really taste any different from frozen yogurt, so I liked that. The points I really liked about this place were: the friendly upbeat staff & their topping portions. The killer for many frozen yogurt places is that they are SO stingy on toppings (cough cough yogen fruz by Depaul) that it angers you to be paying for example, a dollar for 5 mochi pieces that are carefully placed on your cup in very scarce portions. Starfruit gives you an ample amount, and they have 3 different kinds of granola which I thought was pretty neat. I used to just pass by this place & go straight into Beard Papa's which is right across from it, but Starfruit seems like a healthier option now!
(5)Dennis L.
New frozen kefir joint in the Block 37 complex. The kefir tastes like an icy tart frozen yogurt. This store only has 4 flavors, 2 of which seem to get changed out. As for toppings, maybe 15 or so. Other than the limited selection of flavor, I felt that it was way too expensive. Two smalls with 3 toppings was over $11. I have been to frozen yogurt store and have had over twice as much for less. I guess you are overpaying for a new type of frozen dessert.
(2)Mollie H.
Great alternative to having ice cream on a hot day. Melts a lot slower too! Everyone should try this at least once.
(4)Patty V.
Frozen Kefir...I LOVE you!! I am a fan of Kefir,frozen or otherwise. I love the tart and tang of it all and need little embellishment to please my palate. Just plain,with a few blackberries is simply divine,in my book! Good part? VERY close to my office and they also have wee mini bottles of Kefir . I know where I will be when I want to get my Kefir fix!
(5)Justin O.
Tasty and healthy treats that don't leave you regretting ordering the larger size. don't be afraid to mix up and substitute toppings in the smoothies. The employees are happy to make suggestions if necessary. I feel like the prices are higher than I would ideally pay for a frozen treat, but it's easily justified once it's in your mouth.
(4)Katie R.
Not amazing, not bad. Indifferent. Just got back from lunch and thought I'd try something new. I like that this product is healthier for you than yogurt and it has probiotics in it. So if you don't take a probiotic supplement this could be a good alternative, though the dosage of probiotics in this wouldn't reach anywhere close to a daily supplement's value. Taste. Lighter than yogurt, more like an ice popsicle texture. I got a vanilla frozen dish. There is a bit of a hint of a sour taste to it. I love heath so I got almonds and heath crumbs into it. Honestly this seems to taste better with the almonds, next time I would add a fruit to the mix instead of a sweet desert. I'm eating it still and would try another flavor- more like a breakfast parfait though next time. Curiosity definitely grabbed me here.
(3)Kathy S.
Tried today, and would have given it 4-5 stars on taste if it wasn't so expensive. Seems to be more expensive than other Fro-Yo places offering the same thing, except to get three toppings on a small is over $5!!! For nothing "extra", don't think it's worth it. I did like that they supported the Pride Parade with coupons though!
(3)Christina C.
This stuff is great and even vaguely good for you! Maggie and Duro - counter folk - are super friendly and make great treats. Plus they give you samples of any flavor you want. Get a Groupon, put raspberries and dark chocolate on top, and enjoy!
(5)Moe f.
Okay the berry smoothie was pretty good but cost almost $7/w tax for a medium. For that kind of coin, I'd rather trot down to Jamba where I'll get a larger size for $2 cheaper. Good thing I had a groupon!
(2)Rahshonda K.
Meh! I wasn't impressed. I got the Groupon and figured it would be a healthy treat while I frolic sometimes in the downtown area. Breakfast blend was ok. After it was all said and done I wasnt impressed and it gave me the worst tummy ache. I passed the rest of my groupon gift card on to a friend.
(2)Dorris B.
I was once addicted to starfruit vanilla and blueberry frozen kefir with vegan garnola on top. That was until recently the consistency has changed dramatically. In the beginning, the texture was sort of icy and cold and now its simply creamy and melts quickly. Its appears they have changed their machinery and this new non-color creamy somewhat like frozen custard/ice cream mixture is plain awful. Although a bit expensive I would enter starfruit at least 4 times a week. Unfortunately, that has changed and when I've completely exhausted my gift card I will no longer venture into another starfruit. Farewell Starfruit...
(1)Sunny C.
I'm very pleased with the staff here and the polite demeanor. Alonzo is the kind of guy that I would want to manage a restaurant of mine (if I had one). His positive spirit just brightens the day. Duro and Maggie are consistently pleasant and friendly as well! kuddos to a store that I feel is professionally run!
(5)Amanda Z.
as a devout Berry Chill fan, i was hesitant to try Starfruit, as i felt kinda like a traitor just walking in there...but i'm glad i did! it is completely different than BC, and it's yummy and good for you! i had the pomegranate/vanilla twist frozen kefir (which i had never tasted nor heard of before) and i really liked it a lot. i got a mochi topping, which to my dismay, is nothing like the mochi at BC, so i won't get that again, but it didn't ruin the taste of the yogurt. the employees there were SUPER nice, fun to talk to, gave us lots of samples and a punchcard so we'll return (i LOVE punchcards!). tried a really delish smoothie...think i'll have to stop in there for breakfast. for a small yogurt, it's only $3 and an extra $1 for a topping...pretty inexpensive. and a better treat for my body than the cream puff across the hall at Beard Papa's that i was craving!
(4)Leanna S.
I have never heard of this place or kefir for that matter. A co-worker recommended it during lunch today after I mentioned I had a Dairy Queen craving. He said it was like frozen yogurt, but healthier. He started talking about kefir and throwing around the word 'cultured.' To be honest, it sounded kinda gross, but I expected it to taste like ice cream. The man behind the counter was extremely helpful when I told him I had never been there before. He offered me samples to try the flavors first, but I figured I would be safe with vanilla and I added Oreos since I was anticipating a Blizzard-like treat! It was good..............but it didn't taste anything like ice cream or frozen yogurt. It was tart, like over reviewers have described. Actually, I said it tasted exactly like regular Yoplait vanilla yogurt, which I love, but doesn't go well with Oreos. I should have had fruit as a topping or added chocolate sauce to make the whole thing sweeter. Again, it tasted good, but it didn't satisfy my desserty sweet tooth! I need sugar! :)
(3)Mary S.
Love this place! The product is yummy, and people who work here are so upbeat and friendly!
(5)Gunner F.
This one is for the one located in the pedway. I don't know what kefir is, but my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard and my life is better than yours. Oh, I see someone's description...derivative of yogurt, 10 probiotics, low cal, high protein. How about serve the yogurt, keep the rest and charge me $2. I didn't like the kefir bars.
(3)Kara M.
so i was working downtown and decided that i needed a froyo fix but there are no froyo places close by (berrychill shutdown). so i hopped on my yelp app to see what was in the area and since i didn't want to get ice cream and had never tried kefir i decided that starfruit was the way to go. i went in and usually im an original flavor kind of girl but i like pom so asked could i try it...and it was awesome! i've had diff flavors of froyo but they can sometimes come off a little weird but the pomegranate was perfect. so i topped it with mango and yogurt chips (love those!) and dug in. the people working were very nice and weren't rushed. waited for me to make my choice and served me cold creamy deliciousness with a smile! i'll be back for sure...esp since the pedway is warm..no walking outside!
(4)