When it comes to FroGro, we welcome any change with open arms. Questionably prepared food, a nonsensical layout and long lines force FroGroers to crave change in any form. Over the past year, 40th and Walnut’s biggest hotspot — no, I’m not talking about MarBar — got a bit of a facelift.
Shoppers enter to find a revamped bar on their right, offering smoothies, gelato and coffee. In true FroGro fashion, however, the gelato freezer was out of commission, so we weren’t able to sample any. The fresh fruit smoothies are, as usual, pretty good. Combos range from classic strawberry-banana to a more unique (and admittedly random) mango-pineapple-orange-mixed berry. Of course you can make your own combo, but don’t get crazy. Any of the blended creations will run you a fair $3.99.
Fresh Grocer brews the same brand of coffee as Café Cláve, one of the more legit coffee shops on campus. A regular cup of joe from the 'Gro tastes fine, but steer clear of anything more labor intensive. They have yet to hire any bona fide baristas.
Opposite the new gelato and coffee area, hungry shoppers can find a panini station offering six varieties of sandwiches. Despite its best efforts to use quality, fresh ingredients, FroGro paninis are made on flatbreads (white, wheat or garlic), which don't seem to hold the sandwich together. Paninis are made on foccacia purposely, for absorption and structure. Most of my "Pollo Magnifico” ($5.99) ended up outside of the sandwich and back in the box.
Similar to the panini, the “New FroGro Sushi” just doesn’t impress. The spicy tuna wasn't all that spicy; besides its lack of hot mayo, the sushi rice was generally pretty flavorless. What’s one to expect, though? FroGro does sushi a la Houston Hall, but without ripping you off. Rolls run between $5 and $8.
Despite its best efforts, FroGro’s additions are not earth-shattering, although change is always a good thing. Oh, and yes, the lines are still slow.
