She Says: Vegan or Not, Go To Stōgo
Today I got to be a little bit of a celebrity.
I put on my big glasses to hide from the ‘razzi, headed to the East Village and stopped at Stōgo to be a VIP taste tester of their Vegan Ice Cream.
I first learned about Stōgo when I went to Beam Green where it was served. I didn’t have any that night, but I remember thinking how delicious it looked. Then Ashley raved about it, so I knew it was legit. When I found out that Mark was filming there with Jordana for Planet Verge, I asked if I could come along. At first I was just going to observe, then Jordana asked me if I wanted to help her taste test and pick a favorite. Ummmm. Of course!!!!!
So what makes Stōgo stand out in the city of New York where there are frozen yogurt and ice cream places on every other block?
Everything at Stōgo is organic and vegan. The ice cream contains no artificial ingredients or refined sugars and on average has 1/2 the calories and 1/3 the fat of dairy ice cream.
The ice cream base is either organic soy, coconut or hemp milk and they have a few sorbet flavors as well. The flavors range from the traditional like Fudge Brownie or Mint Chocolate Chip to the off-beat like Cardamom Pistachio and Vanilla Goji Berry Crunch.
There are also other vegan treats like Babycakes cupcakes, cookies (yes, you can create your own ice cream sandwich) and brownies, raw chocolate and truffles.
Jordana interviewed Gene Stone, a Stōgo founder, while I patiently waited to sample. Finally it was time! Here is what I tried.
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Salted Caramel Pecan – Delicious. Creamy, sweet, salty, gooey, thick and creamy.
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Mexican Spiced Chocolate – You think it’s regular chocolate and then … woah where did that cayenne pepper come from. Fun!
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Coconut Vanilla – I found the coconut based ice cream even creamier than the soy and the most similar in texture to non-vegan ice cream. Like Gene explained, you can’t disguise the coconut in coconut milk, so if you don’t like coconut, stick with soy or hemp based flavors.
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Mango Sorbet – Light and refreshing, tasted just like mashed and frozen mango.
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Peanut Butter Fudge - Gene said this is what the non-vegan boyfriend usually orders and that made me chuckle. It was definitely very decadent. My favorite part was that it had actual little peanuts in there.
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Banana Foster - Fabulous. If you like bananas there is nothing to dislike about this flavor that is absolutely bursting with natural banana flavor.
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Hemp Chocolate – I thought this was the least like non-vegan ice cream because it was quite dense and almost fudge like. I thought the flavor was just like brownies.
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Mint Chocolate Chip – Gene’s favorite flavor! I thought the mint was really subtle, which was good because I actually don’t like mint! I really liked the mini-chips in there.
As you can see, I said a lot of brilliant things to Gene while sampling.
So, which was my personal favorite?
Salted Caramel Pecan
I knew from the second that I put that teeny spoon to my mouth that this would be my favorite. I originally said it tasted like maple syrup and I think that’s probably true, but it was much more complex than that. The salt complimented the sweet in the best possible way. The caramel was the perfect amount of sticky and and creamy. And even though it’s ice cream and obviously cold, the rich flavor and creamy texture made it almost warm.
And if you go, but don’t have room to taste all the flavors you desire, you can take some home for later.
It was really fun taste testing all the ice cream! It would be so fun to do that kind of thing all the time, but I definitely prefer writing at the computer than speaking on camera. I am much better at thinking about and reflecting on the flavors than I am at coming up with interesting things to say right on the spot.
Overall, I loved my experience. First, I love when people are passionate about their product and I could tell that Gene believed in his vegan ice cream, especially the Mint Chocolate Chip. Second, they give samples, not just to people filming, but to anyone who comes in. They want people to love their vegan ice cream. Third, I ate a lot of ice cream and do not have a belly ache at all. I love eating treats that are also good for me! It’s pricey, a small (but packed) cup is $4.25. I say it’s worth the splurge for an exciting ice cream experience, and an experience is really what Stōgo is.
Thank you Stōgo for letting me taste your delicious vegan ice cream! And thank you Tim for the beautiful pictures.
Tags: stogo
August 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
AHHHHHH! Heather! I am so incredibly jealous! I HAVE to go here as soon as I possibly can. It looks like you had a blast!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Thank you for the link via Twitter. Cannot wait to try STOGO. My mom’s in town this weekend and I’m taking it as an opportunity to teach her that vegan and or organic foods are yummy. I’ll add this to our list of places to go.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Look how glam you look in that first pic!
mmm stogo looks fabulous, some of those flavors are making my mouth water!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Fun post! All the ice cream flavors you tried sound delicious!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I’ll have to go there when I’m down at my parent’s house next week! I definitely would love to try the PB Fudge and the Banana Foster.
I don’t know if I mentioned this in a previous comment but I’m having an amazing giveaway on my blog. Check it out if you get a chance:
http://roseyrebecca.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/saratoga-salsa-spice-company-giveaway/
August 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
nice! ice cream sampling, life is good. compared to one lucky duck ice cream, which is $18 a pint, stogo is a bargain! see you next weekend!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
ohhhhhhhh man. must. visit. now!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
am i alive? i think i just died of jealousy while reading this post. i’m flying to new york for dessert TONIGHT. RIGHT NOW. THIS SECOND. (i wish.)
August 5th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Oh. My. God. YUM! That looks sooo amazingly good! I am moving to New York in like a month, I can not wait to try some of this ice cream. Thanks for sharing, what a great post!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Oh. Woah. This is too much for me to look at just before bedtime! Wow! It all looks so so good. Why don’t I live next door to that place?!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I LOVE STOGO! i am forever indebted to ashley for introducing me to it. it’s totally an incentive for me to move to nyc.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Wow!! I am truly jealous we don’t have something like that here in Chicago!! Glad you enjoyed yourself!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Awesome review!!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I love it! This is the kind of thing that makes me want to live in NYC.
I need to plan another trip!
August 5th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I live right around the corner from Stogo and love love love their ice cream. The Salted Caramel Pecan is my favorite too!
August 5th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
HOLY shiz that looks incredible! I must hit that place up the next time I’m in NYC.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Ahh – I told you how amazing it was! My favorite. I think I also told you that I went there 4 times in one week, right? Yeah, addicted.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Aww, ice cream! I am so jealous
August 5th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
That sounds so fun! Lucky you!!!
August 5th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I can’t believe I didn’t go there before I moved, so sad! I think salted caramel would have been my favorite flavor too.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Sometimes I hate that I live in Alabama. It will likely be 2030 before we get a vegan ice cream place.
That Hemp Chocolate sounds PERFECT.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
can i get a napkin for all this drool on my keyboard?
August 5th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Vegan ice cream? That stuff looks incredible- looks thick like gelato! Glad you enjoyed the tasting- I’m super jealous!
August 5th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Oh maaann! I want to go there! Looks fabulous! Can they come to Vegas? lol
August 5th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
WOW! What a post! I love everything about this adventure. Not only does the ice cream look amazing, but those cupcakes are the best things I’ve every seen! I can almost taste the creamy goodness!
August 6th, 2009 at 1:07 am
O man NYC has all the goodies!
August 6th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Holy yum! What a fun afternoon. That’s called hittin the vegan jackpot!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:04 am
This place looks AMAZING! So do you in your Hollywood glasses
How cool that you got to be a VIP taster. This is just another reason why I MUST visit NYC soon!!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Yum, I am so jealous!! It all looks amazing!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:17 am
IM sad for myself that I think HELL YES I COULD DO VEGAN when I see the treats.
and hell to the NO when I think about my chicken.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Peanut Butter Fudge ice cream – drool! It all looks good, I want to come back to NY now!
August 6th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Holy. Yum. What a fantastic tasting adventure!
August 6th, 2009 at 6:35 am
When I ate there, I had the salted caramel! It was so delicious.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Um, I want to try all of those!! Looks like I’m making a trip this weekend
August 6th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I’m jealous you have a vegan ice cream place near you!!!!!!! I wish more vegan things would open up here!
August 6th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Your hair looks so cute curly like that!!
I think I’d faint walking into that place. All that deliciousness and no animal products?!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Worst decision ever was to check your blog this morning! Now I am craving sweets in the worst way, and those look DIVINE! What a fun opportunity!
August 6th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Wow I am SO jealous of your VIP Stogo taste testing! Once I was there and saw Kevin Bacon. Swoon!
August 6th, 2009 at 7:47 am
What a cute little ice cream shoppe! Everything looked and sounded delicious! What’s better than being invited to a taste testing for ICE CREAM, btw?!
August 6th, 2009 at 8:09 am
oh man, everything looks fabulous! that salted caramel and cardomom pistachio sound sooooo good.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I would have never though that vegan ice cream could look SO amazing. I must try it!
August 6th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Ice cream tasting is my idea of heaven
August 6th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Some life you live, getting to sample ice cream and such. Can I be you for a day?
August 6th, 2009 at 8:47 am
WOWZA!!!!!!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 8:49 am
my kinda place! i don’t eat dairy
and friends always said, hey, why don’t you open a non-dairy ice cream place. and i’m like, yeah right! there may be others, but i think this is sooo cool that someone opened a place like this. love it.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:59 am
This is the coolest tasting event ever. I love your sunglasses. And the photos in this post are amazing!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:23 am
That is so awesome! I am officially jealous! I would have taste tested everything!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Love your curly hair in that first picture!
What a fun place to go I totally have to try it!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Nice review. When you were tasting the flavors did they tell you which base each had? I’m curious because texturally the only vegan ice cream I’ve found that compares to the real thing is those made with coconut milk (which I notice above it says they use). The rest tend to have a little icier texture.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Make your own ice cream sandwiches?! I’m so there!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:50 am
That sounds amazing! Another reason I should visit NYC!
August 6th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I have never tried any non-dairy frozen desserts! These look amazing!
August 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Kelly: Yes, it says whether it is coconut or hemp and the rest are soy (except the sorbet, which I think is water). The coconut was definitely the creamiest, but these soy flavors were really creamy as well. I know what you mean about soy ice cream, but that wasn’t the case. The hemp wasn’t icy either. If anything it was “dry” if that makes sense.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Oh my goodness! That sounds like a great event to be able to participate in! Sounds worth the splurge!!
August 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Mexican Chocolate + Bananas Foster… yes, please!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Whoa whoa whoa…ice cream that is GOOD for you?! That is awesome. The Peanut Butter Fudge sounds amaze.
Love the pap’ shots!
August 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Oh yum. I wish there were a place like that where I live! Love the last photo
August 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
so jealous! i wish we had a vegan ice cream shop. i just gave up dairy- finally- and i live in the good ol’ midwest with no non dairy ice cream shops in sight! ice cream is the hardest thing to “give up.” i need to move!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
[...] Heather Trains « She Says: Vegan or Not, Go To Stōgo [...]
August 6th, 2009 at 11:32 am
ooooh my god that place looks SO good!! definitely need to get there someday
great review!
August 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Holy CRAP, I shouldn’t have read that while waiting for Ari to come pick me up for lunch. I’m starving, and all those goodies look amazing! You had me at “salted caramel”.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
That pizza AND that ice cream look delish!! Wish I lived closer to the city!
August 6th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
That ice cream place looks incredible.
And I feel so proud, I shredded up my leftover salmon and threw it in some mac n’ cheese. It would have been a shame to throw out good salmon
August 6th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
OMG that looks like ice cream nirvana!! definitely hitting stogo up on my next nyc trip!!
August 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
OMG…that looks SO good!!! We have no place at all like that here in Columbus.
August 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
You are such a celeb! Love the shades
Although I am completely jealous that you gotstogo to Stogo. I love that picture of you during the interview. The Coconut Vanilla may have been my favorite…I’ll just have to go if I ever make it out there, right?
August 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Look at you! Hot mama
I am fully convinced that everything about the East Coast is glorious, except the humidity.
August 7th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Very fun taste testing event. I would think the Salted Caramel Pecan would be a top contender for me as well…or the coconut…or peanut butter. Yum.
August 8th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
what a fun post!! everything looks amazing!
August 11th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Thank you for this thorough summary of why I have no excuse not to have tried Stogo yet!
Pretty glad Beam Green is next week right now!
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 am
[...] since Heather visited this vegan treatery, I’ve been dying to go. I tried to go before work (I didn’t have [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
[...] meets up with Heather from HangryPants.com to taste test organic vegan ice cream at Stogo in New York’s East Village. The girls test out [...]
September 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
[...] I recall that tasty day now. The day I was able to taste test at Stōgo was a wonderful day. I wish I could do it again [...]
November 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
[...] Meanwhile, it’s become the favorite treat stop for vegans all over the city – including my pals Heather, Ashley, and [...]
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Great articles & Nice a site