Sweet Alley

A Look at Isla Vista's Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Shop

Where: 955 Embarcadero Del Mar, I.V.; 845-4680; sweet-alley.com.

What: Isla Vista’s new self-serve frozen yogurt shop serving the low calorie Wow Cow and Yo Cream Frozen Yogurt, McConnell’s Ice Cream, and various toppings and fillers.

How Much: 40 cents per ounce.

The Dish: Weight: 10 ounces. Cost: $4. Ingredients: three flavors of Wow Cow Frozen Yogurt, a dusting of crushed Graham crackers, a few chocolate chips, and a layer of rainbow sprinkles. That’s just one delicious concoction, but cereals, sauces, syrups, frozen yogurt, McConnell’s ice cream, and bin candies are among the other available ingredients for customers to create their own chilled treat at Isla Vista’s new Sweet Alley dessert and snack shop. Provided with a disposable palette in a cup, patrons can mix and match quantities and flavors to their desire, paying by the ounce for what they have gathered. Owner Geoffrey Friedman moved Sweet Alley from its former location on State Street to the pedestrian-filled streets of Isla Vista and made some changes along the way. The focus is on appealing to all sides of the sweet tooth, providing variety and a scale of full- to non-fat toppings and bases. Milkshakes and Santa Barbara Roasting Company coffee are also available for those who prefer to let the professionals do the creating. -Joanie Hudson