Orange Tree: Oklahoma City fro-yo smackdown, part three [closed]
by Sam | June 16, 2009 | 29 Comments
(3.56 with 16 votes) 
Loading ...Orange Tree is located at 1389 E. 15th Street in Edmond, in the Spring Creek Village (map). They are open Monday through Thursday 10:30am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30am-10:30pm and Sunday 11am-10pm . You can reach them by phone at 405.216.3236 or visit the corporate website.
PLEASE NOTE: Orange Tree has changed its name to Peachwave, which now also has multiple locations in Oklahoma City. This review may not be an accurate reflection of Peachwave.
This is part three of the Oklahoma City fro-yo smackdown where I review some of the upcoming frozen yogurt establishments in Oklahoma City. In this post, we’ll take a look at Orange Tree, which opened up in Edmond last April. Click here for part one in the series, covering Passionberri. Click here for part two in the series, covering Pink Swirls.
So in my quest to hunt down the fro-yo places in OKC, I drove all the way up to Edmond twice in search of Orange Tree. My first attempt failed because I decided to do some other errands and forgot to get directions. Instead, I decided to drive all the way up and down Broadway thinking it was sure to be on that street. Nope. Eventually, I found my way into the Spring Creek shopping plaza.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into the store was the wall full of fro-yo dispensers; 14 in all! Could life get any better? Flavors include: Chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, cheesecake, original tart, coffee, cherry, mango tango, blueberry, strawberry, lemon, banana, orange and finally peach. I couldn’t possibly sample them all so I just stuck with the original tart, mango and strawberry. There’s space for 15 different fruit/wet toppings and another 15 spaces for dry/candy toppings. However, I was quite disappointed that they didn’t have any mochi. Despite the lack of one of my favorite toppings, the topping spread was sufficiently stocked and kid-friendly.
Like Pink Swirls, Orange Tree operates on the pay-per-ounce system. They charge $0.36 per oz which is three cents less than what Pink Swirls charges.
If you come to Orange Tree expecting anything else besides fro-yo, I’d suggest you go to the Starbucks next door because unlike the other fro-yo places we’ve reviewed, they only offer fro-yo and nothing else. No teas and no shaved ice. For a Hawaii-based chain (that’s right, Orange Tree is a franchised chain), I’d expect them to offer shaved ice, but they don’t. They also have no wi-fi (you can get the Starbuck’s wifi signal from next door) and, of course, no sushi (Pink Swirls is the only fro-yo / sushi combo in town and likely the only one we’ll ever see).
So, how’s the fro-yo taste you ask? I thought that the original tart was perfectly yogurty and tart. The strawberry tasted a bit too sweet, but maybe it’s because I added strawberries and kiwi to the mix. The mango tasted similar to the one at Pink Swirls, and was the best of the three in my opinion.
The strawberry toppings tasted like they had some additional sweetener added to them, making them a bit too sweet for me. I’m not sure if any of the other fruit toppings were also this way, but if so, it’s a bit disappointing since one of the draws of a fro-yo establishment is the healthy and fresh aspect of what’s being served. Adding sugar to fruit that is already naturally sweet seems counter-productive to me.
The bottom line? Well, I already declared the smackdown winner in my review of Pink Swirls, and that decision still stands for me. Of course, mine is just one opinion and the smackdown is open for all of your to weigh in with your own opinions in the comments. But here’s the argument I’ll make.
Although they have six more flavors of fro-yo and charge less per ounce than Pink Swirls, I think the greater variety of toppings and other menu items (including sushi!) still puts Pink Swirls on top. This, plus lets not forget that Orange Tree is a chain. Now, we’re not completely anti-chain around here. We don’t oppose them at all costs. But, if it comes down to choosing between a locally-owned place and a large, national chain, we’re going to pull for the local guys.
That said, until Pink Swirls expands north (which I hear may be soon), Orange Tree is the only place to get your fro-yo fix in Edmond and it does a pretty decent job filling that need as long as fro-yo is all you’re craving.
Share your thoughts about Orange Tree in the comments below. And, if you spot any other fro-yo places that need to be included in the smackdown, be sure to let us know.
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June 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am
White chocolate sounds delicious, it’s a shame that the fruits tasted like they had added sugars in them. I’ll stick with Pink Swirls also since I live in the area. Thanks for the reviews!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Orange Tree usually has mochi, must have just gotten an off day! And all of the fruit I have ever gotten there has been fresh and definitely not sugared. The combo of original tart and orange yogurt is about the best thing I have ever tasted. I still wish somebody would open a yogurt shop more in the Quail Springs area. Driving across town stinks!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
It’s funny you’re doing Orange Tree. A friend of mine kept Twittering about it so I finally asked what the heck it was. I’m gonna have to drive up to Edmond and check it out!
June 17th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I like the design of the place and it’s pretty clever from a productivity standpoint, in that you do not have to wait on one or two servers behind the counter, rather, you just wait on whoever is in front of you. I thought the frozen yogurt was decent quality, nothing incredible, but not bad either. The toppings were pretty fresh and a good choice. I’ve been back twice, and it’s definitely worth trying, just be prepared to spend more than you would expect.
Now, if someone could just open a decent place for gelato…
June 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I tried Orange Tree for the first time today… I’m a HUGE fan of Pink Swirls (but live in Norman and frequent Passionberri) but it’s pretty out of the way.
I figured I’d give OT a try because it’s not too far from work and I have to try all the area frozen yogurt places
I thought it was okay, but the kid-centric qualities were kind of annoying. They could have had much better toppings in the spaces they used for the selection of random candies and other overly sweet toppings. I think sweetening strawberries and other fruits is so unnecessary, and maraschino cherries (which are great in other places in moderation) is an odd choice.
They did have Mochi when I went there, which I was happy about.
The yogurt was average, but variety of toppings and atmosphere is what does it for me, and Pink Swirls is still IT.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
i tried orange tree and was not happy at all , the flavors are very similar and loaded with sweetners, nothing special , i will for sure drive to pink swirl if i have a yogurt cravingd
June 20th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I am a big fan of soft serve yogurt I had try passionberry before pink swirl open I thought it’s pretty good, then come Pink Swirls they have live culture in their yogurt Wow the first self serve yogurt in Oklahoma and sushi very good, sushi was good but not great. Then come orange tree I ask myself could it be any better well not so good. yeah they have 14 flavor but not too many I like, very disapointing on the topping “how could you promote healthy yogurt and serve can Peaches, strawberry in sugar surup, maraschino cherry yeah it would be nice if it was a coctail.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
It would be nice if one of the fro-yo places in the OKC smackdown was actually in OKC instead of suburbs. I hope that one of them expands to OKC quick. They can corner the market.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Curt, I’m hoping the same too, Pink Swirls was supposed to open something up in the Penn Square mall area, but I think one on 23rd st would do well and maybe even in the midtown area next to McNellie’s
June 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Insider I heared that Pink Swirls is Opening quiet a few store in the next three month. Edmond, OKC, Bricktown, SouthSide, Yukon, Norman, Moor in the very near futur. Well I hope they do because it take me too long to go to midwest city for yogurt. oh yeah a there is so many fine chicks there in the evening kekekee
June 25th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I love OT! You can get as much or as little of everything you want and they have a big selection of flavors & toppings. Just build your own! It’s great.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Just went to OT yesterday, we live down on southside OKC so we’re closer to Pink Swirls…I had to hand Pink Swirls the winner but I’m not sure why, the stuff I had at OT I think I made a bad choice combo (cookies n cream and banana) and it was sooooo crowded (never seen Pink Swirls as crowded). Eh I guess they’re pretty much the same. So fro-yo being the next “cupcake” how long is this fad going to last? Hoping that if both places are going to expand that it doesn’t blow up in their face…still love the fro-yo thought. Gotta try Passionberri next…
June 29th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Tried OT this weekend and thought it was fun! Not crowded at all when we went on Sunday afternoon.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Tried OT and loved it, I’ve been back four times. I’m hooked on three flavors mango, pom, and blueberry topped with mango, kiwi, and blueberries it’s so refreshing. I noticed another fro yo spot to open soon also in edmond off broadway and 33rd I believe. I would like to try the other two competitors soon but it’s a lil drive. Anyhow thanks for the suggestion
July 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
we tried orange tree this past sunday, we were not happy at all , very commercial yogurt, we will never go back
July 13th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
RBS Red Berry Chill is coming soon. What needs do you see in OKC for another frozen yogurt shop to succeed. We are looking on Portland and Memorial next to Chilis and McCalasters. RBS will have 10 flavors.
Any Input would be appreciated,
July 13th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Joe: honestly, from what I’m hearing, there’s going to be a saturation of fro-yo places in the next year in OKC. HOWEVER, as with anything business, location is critical to survival and there are several locations that have huge earning potential. As long as everyone adheres to a high level of quality and fresh toppings, you really can’t go wrong. But as more and more places pop up, revenue potential will likely become diluted.
Anyway, I’m no business major and this site is all about food, so the key is diversity from others, who knows, if someone can combine In-N-out (the best California burger chain), frozen yogurt, sushi and Pho all in one, I don’t think I probably wouldn’t eat anywhere else.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Looks like Moore’s getting a place. LemonTree at 104th and Penn (in the shopping center with Homeland). It didn’t look open last time I checked, but it may be by now.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Orange Tree will be opening a store in Norman off of Lindsey street in mid September. A Lawton location is also in the works.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
You should do a review on Lushberries, the newest live culture yogart shop in Edmond. Personally I think its better than Orange Tree or Pink Swirl.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Kris…already in the works….
August 1st, 2009 at 5:38 am
Kris Young, would you happen to be related to any of the other Young’s on urbanspoon.com that were making bad remarks about all the other yogurt shops except Lushberries?
August 16th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I too feel to be a self-proclaimed fro yo aficionado. I live in the Tulsa area and am quite disappointed in Tulsa not offering anything for the fro yo fanatics. But to get to the reason for my response. If you have experienced Yogurtland then you should be able to surmise that Pinkswirls is not the best fro yo shop. They change their flavors and take away the real yummy flavors i.e. no more peach?? I specifically look for cookie dough topping and all they offer is hand-chopped chips ahoy?? Their mint chips appear to be again, hand-chopped Andies candies. They don’t keep their toppings stocked very well and my visits are getting a little more disappointing when I make the hour and a half drive. I have tried YogurtWorld in San Diego, and that has been my ABSOLUTE favorite hands down, they offer endless toppings, wet and dry along with the liquid syrup squirts in just as fruity as their fresh fruit flavors! Lemon is the best to top your tart taste buds! I thought Yogurtland has been the most comparable to the originals out in the west coast. I have continued my ventures northeast to Missouri to try Yummo’s and to my horror they have closed down but I feel it was based on their downtown-inside-courtyard location but they were also comparable to YW & YL. It was a smaller establishment but they offered some serious staple flavors, plain, raspberry, peach and wet/dry toppings. Grant it not as main but again, staples of mochi, cookie dough, berries, etc. Since they have closed I have tried Mochi-Yo’s and have been very pleased. They are even smaller then what Yummo’s was but the tart is what my passion is for and they delievered quite nicely with a mango-passion. Although they were not self serve and charge $.25 for each additional topping, it was a lesser impact on my pocket book for my leary comrades in tow. I really reeled in my toppings to almonds over the mango passion! All I can say was it was Heaven! I will set my sights on Orange Tree to quench my fro yo pallet!
August 28th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Iv tried three fro yo places so far and heres my top 3.
1-Lemon Tree
Yum! Very friednly staff.
2-Orange Tree
I loved their yogurt. Best in metro. Their unfriendly staff was a let down though.
3- Passionberri
I think they need more flavor, i couldnt taste the flavor.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Jason: I think you should try out LusHberries and Pink Swirls and see how your rating goes.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Just an fyi if you haven’t been here yet you should go to coolgreens in Nichols Hills. They have GREAT fro-yo. I love their green tea and the natural flavor (or original). There flavors are sooo creamy and taste like the “good” stuff. I know they are about to open up some others called coolberri. Their toppings are fresh and delightful. A must for anyone like me who loves the fro-yo craze and has tried everything out there and is still searching for the best. This tops the charts.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Thanks Danielle, Coolgreens is next on my list.
September 10th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I am not a frozen yogurt aficionado, but I have partaken of the fro-yo from here, and I found it to be pretty good. However, I had a hard time enjoying my fro-yo because it was quite warm inside. I don’t know if their A/C was on the blink or what, but with it being in the middle of summer, I had hoped to get a break from the heat. Plus, my fro-yo didn’t stay frozen very long at all.
September 25th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I went to the PeachWave location at Rockwell & Hefner a couple of weeks ago. I have to say, I walked out empty handed because I was simply overwhelmed by the choices & couldn’t decide. Yes, I know that is lame, but I am definitely willing to give it another shot because I think it have a much more laid back/comfy vibe than Pink Swirls on Rockwell & NWExpy.
Please tell us what you think.