When you first arrive at 5231 Beach Boulevard, instead of immediately seeing a frozen yogurt store, the Beach and La Mirada Car Wash looms in direct view. Upon entering the parking lot, you remember seeing the “Céfiore: Italian Frozen Yogurt/Coffee” sign under that of the “Carwash Special,” but there seems to be no frozen yogurt store in sight. You pull into one of three rows of parking stalls, wondering if you came to the right place.

Not to fear … you did.

Céfiore (pronounced “say-fior-ey”), renowned for its non-fat frozen yogurt flavors, does not have a large sign like most stores and eating places. If you walk closer to the shop entrance, where workers are busy hand-washing cars, then you will notice the “Céfiore” sign on the glass door.

As soon as you enter the store, you are greeted by friendly workers and the distinct hum of the frozen yogurt machines. Colored wall panels surround small, round, white tables and red chairs. The cheerful music of Christian radio station “The Fish” plays in the background. Stepping up to the counter and presented with the different flavor and topping options, you decide what to order.

The small Céfiore frozen yogurt store located in Buena Park — only a five-minute drive from Biola — opened in July 2007 and has since been a popular dessert place and hangout area for people of all ages, but mainly families and college students. The first Céfiore store opened in Little Tokyo — located in downtown Los Angeles — in 2006, and has since expanded locations to other parts of California and states such as Colorado, Nevada, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky and Washington. Céfiore has also opened international sites in China.

So what makes Céfiore so great?

With a taste similar to that of Pinkberry, Céfiore offers tart, non-fat frozen yogurt for a slightly cheaper price. The frozen yogurt comes in four different flavors – raspberry pomegranate, green tea, original and açai berry. Once you choose the cup size — “kid’s cup,” small, medium, or “family size” — you are free to top your yogurt with a variety of items, including fresh fruit, cereal and mochi (Japanese sticky rice balls). The refreshing sensation of the smooth-textured treat hitting the roof of your mouth combined with the mellow ambiance provides the perfect “cool-down” solution to a hot afternoon.

While their non-fat frozen-yogurt is their best-seller, Céfiore provides other snacks which leave you feeling satisfied and invigorated. Céfiore smoothies are healthy blends of their yogurt and fresh fruits; you can even have a smoothie with the green tea yogurt flavor. Snow ice desserts are also popular, with frozen yogurt atop finely-blended shaved ice and adorned with red beans or fresh fruit. Probably the most unique snack item Céfiore offers, though, is its waffle-and-yogurt combination. While you think of waffles as simply “breakfast food,” Céfiore transforms it into a dessert item: you can have an original or green tea waffle covered with syrup or frozen yogurt with fruits or your favorite dry toppings.

Here are driving directions to Céfiore.
For more information, visit Céfiore’s website at www.cefiore.com.