K. Let's start comparing the two haha
BLK 513
The menu: Very limited. They only serve Dark Skim Cup (1 crunch, 2 fruits, 1 sauce), Dark Skim Cone (2 toppings). and Matcha/Cacao Skim drinks. At SM North EDSA though they sell Super Skim Cup, which is pretty much just a Dark Skim Cup swirled in a razzle machine (think McFlurry).
I asked if they sell plain black yogurt and sadly they don't, you have to pay what's on the menu and opt out of toppings if you really want plain. Too bad.
The price: Just about right for a fad food trying to make its way into millennials' pockets. Prepare ₱185 per cup. Even the cone will set you aback ₱170. Okay lang haha.
The taste: Is great! I love what I had so far but it came off too sweet and too much for my own liking, or for my own standard of Greek yogurt. They did claim it was Greek so I was expecting a creamier and tangier yogurt (like White Hat's), but it was mostly like a plain tart yogurt, just dark. You can't really taste activated charcoal so there's no other flavor to expect.
Fruits: Strawberry, kiwi, mango, lychee, melon, grapes, peaches, etc.
Is it really healthy? So far I haven't seen any effects of this so called activated charcoal they added on the yogurt. It's supposed to help absorb harmful chemicals in the body, then what? Are we gonna poop it out? In my experience of taking activated charcoal capsules when I was a kid, it was always followed by a serious case in the bathroom. That hasn't happened so far. Hmm.
Accessibility: BLK 513 has branches in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA (yey), and SM MoA.
Next up,
Llaollao
The Place: Is bigger and there's adequate seating outside. Just like BLK 513, it's pretty crowded (but with families and kids this time), and there was a long line when we got there.
The Price: I guess it's fair enough. Range is from ₱39 to ₱199. Not bad. :)
Just like BLK 513, they have a wide selection of fruits and toppings. Just look at these,
Lotus Biscoff cookies, Crunch, Oreos, and Smarties to name a few
Kiwi, banana, watermelon, melon, mangoes, pineapples, grapes, etc.
And the sauces: passion fruit, raffallao (curious!), white and dark chocolate sauce, and even Lotus Biscoff too! I personally prefer the choices at BLK 'cos they sound familiar and tasty, especially the Matcha Milk and Esspresso latte. :D
Accessibility: Right now they have branches at SM MoA and Glorietta. Hoping for a branch in the North please!
Overall
I like BLK 513's vibe, the store feels up to date, the menu is creative, and it brings something new to the table in terms of how frozen yogurt is prepared. I hope they increase their menu offerings and put up more seating space. Right now I think its target market is the younger crowd, the way the store and the food is designed.
I love how straightforward Llaollao is, it offers the classic froyo with added toppings, and setup a place that is very familiar for a dessert store. BLK looks like a boutique in comparison. The have a lot on their menu too which is a plus, and there are more seating space. It's family friendly. :)
The two pretty much goes head to head, I love them both, so I'm going to pick the one I felt more, uhm, at home with?
So who's the winner?
From the menu, place, price point, and taste, Llaollao wins for me, and that's despite the fact I had BLK twice this week haha ang gastos. If only they would branch out in the north, araw araw na to! Char. What I really liked about Llaollao is the quality of the yogurt, plus it brings me back to the days I got so addicted to froyos I would eat it everyday and would even bring my own toppings (Nips represent!) para tipid. Llallao feels nostalgic.
BLK wins in the innovation and retail store design category though! You can snap a blurred photo of their wall and it will still come out Instagram worthy. And you know, it's a close fight for me. See, I love Llallao but I would eat BLK because it's nearer and they're nearly as good.
How about you, which do you prefer? :D