16 Tasti-D-Lite locations have morphed into The Lite Choice (TLC). They claim to be organic, kosher, low-calorie, and still have those frequent flyer cards. There’s one on the ground floor of our apartment building and when it was Tasti-D, I hadn’t gone in years. (I avoid highly processed foods with too many chemicals and some flavors have a bad after-taste.)
So, no corn syrup and other artificial stuff, seams like a step up. The big question: how does it taste? I tried a few flavors and Peanut Butter and “Original” (vanilla) are very weak. The flavor is barely there. Dark Chocolate Truffle is decent and Caramel is good although it tastes more like a Butter Pecan. So far I’m liking TLC more than Tasti-D but I probably won’t be buying this one much either. I still prefer the rich and heavily caloric stuff.
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Jessica that is the problem..most people, including me, “still prefer the rich and heavily caloric stuff.”
Haven’t gone since the rebrand, but does this mean the high prices are even higher now?
Potato Chef, I think they do have a market. It’s just not us, the food-obsessed.
KasiandStephen, so far, the price is the same but that may change.
My bf and I walked past the one on 14th street, and they were giving out free samples. When I saw it, I thought it was only that one changing it’s name, I didn’t know all of them changed.
Wonders, I don’t think all of them did, but 16 locations did. I think one owner had 16 franchises and just switched their own to this new company they made (TLC)….that’s what I can gather from the conversation I had with employees at two different locations but they didn’t seem to be able to answer my questions clearly.
I tried it and LOVED IT!! It’s sooo much better than Tasti. No Corn Syrup or other preservatives….
The flavors are great. Try the Fresh Banana or Almond Butter, my favorite.
Jessica, go to the one by 7th Avenue and Christoper street and try the flavors again…you’ll love it.
Anonymous, I agree that they have many pros but it does still taste light.
Why would that location be any different? Isn’t it a chain?
That is what I miss in the city – good ol’fashion soft serve – full fat and just plain good. But I will kinda miss Tasti D-Light as an idea— like a NYC icon.
Manger la ville, it is kinda hard to find old fashioned soft serve. Hmm…
well, I took your chalenge. This truly is an amazing thing. Not only is it healthy, not only is it soft serve, but its Realy good! And it isn't like other ice cream. You don't feel heavy and bloated after. It's creamy, light, and that's fine by me!
-Alexis<3
Alexis, I hadn’t realized I put out a challenge, but glad you enjoyed it anyway.
Alexis, I agree with you..I think the lite choice flavors are amazing and they are so creamy..try the peanut butter and almond butter..they grind it fresh and mix it in…also, try one of their chocolate ice-cream pops…delicious
Boogle, amazing is stretching it but how did you find out about the making process? There’s no info on-line and I tried asking emplyees at two stores and they weren’t at all knowledgeable.
Jessica, I was shown by an employee at the TLC store on 95th & Broadway how they make the peanut butter and almond butter. It's very clever. They actually grind it fresh and mix it in. Maybe all the stores don't have the machines yet but I saw them in several locations. I was also impressed that they have organic flavors and don't use corn syrup.
Boogle, very cool. I’m a fan of the organic/no corn syrup but feel that the taste and mouth feel just lacks that extra ooh ahh. Have you tried the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck?
Jessica…I don’t eat ice cream. I’ll stick with The Lite Choice. I love it.
Allow me to provide some additional information. The TLC stores are no longer licensed Tasti D-Lite stores. Tasti D-Lite mutually agreed with the owners of these stores to terminate the Tasti D-Lite license agreements. These stores are owned and operated by an independent third party, separate and apart from Tasti D-Lite. The Tasti D-Lite product is not and will no longer be offered at these locations.
We are excited about the future expansion plans for Tasti D-Lite in New York City; especially all of the refreshed locations and our two new flagship Centers located at 60th & Broadway and at the Empire State Building. See this page for more info: http://www.tastidlite.com/index.php/Home/New.html
In addition, Tasti D-Lite Centers are now being offered worldwide under our new and exciting business format franchise model. Rest assured, we will continue to expand throughout New York City and across the globe to bring a celebration of life and health to a community near you.
Join our Facebook "Fan" page to receive updates http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tasti-D-Lite/28494657952, or follow us on Twitter. http://twitter.com/tastidlite
hey bj,
not sure what difference it makes who owns what I just think the lite choice beat all the others by a mile. try it, you will love it.
I was a Tasti D fan and was surprised to see my local store (80th & Amsterdam) change names recently. I tried it tonight with my husband…DISAPPOINTING!!!!!! The "original" is horribly bland with a strange consistancy. My husband was generous enough to share his Milky Way which was much better. We will be going Yolato for our frozen yogurt from now on. Another NYC institution bites the dust.
TastiD, The Lite Choice, and Yolato all fall below desirable for me.
Wow, I am surprised by your comment. I have been eating TLC (the lite choice) almost every day since they opened and love it. Maybe you should give it another try?
Anonymous, I’ve tried it twice and generally, if you’re used to rich luxurious ice creams (not low calorie stuff), TLC just pales in comparison.
i’m going to have to present an opposing viewpoint to ‘[email protected]’.
tlc is some pretty good stuff. it’s definitely ‘lite’, but i think the majority of people who eat it actually want that…i don’t understand why you would come here and complain that it’s exactly what it says that it is…people who enjoy it get the taste of ice cream without the heaviness and more importantly the calories…granted i can make something similar to it at home with a blender but i can be just so lazy sometimes…
and i would also disagree with the point you make about the food-obsessed not being interested in this product…i think the true food-obsessed are inherently interested in what food does to the body…i don’t know you from adam or lauren, but most of the truly food-obsessed people also tend to take care of their bodies and what goes into it…that’s great if you go around eating tons of ice cream every night but calories are calories and unless you’re on the treadmill for hours a day it’s gonna show…
i’m definitely food-obsessed but i’m also health obsessed and all vanity aside i look great and ripped and i’m middle-aged and i eat this stuff very regularly and happily…it fulfills a need in my life, and i still indulge in great and wonderful food (including TLC!) as well…
Anonymous, thank you for your comments. I don’t think it is all that opposing. I did say there is a market for TLC (and we’re glad you find enjoyment in it). It’s just not me, who likes more flavor and a more luxurious mouth feel to the ice cream.
Also, I guess food obsessed may not be clear as people obsess in different ways. If you are truly seeking out the BEST (and I am picky) tasting foods out there, TLC is not it. However, it has different benefits to those who want low calorie ice cream and convenience.
BTW, I am super fit and healthy…marathon, triathlon, former professional figure skater…
Jessica,
There is no question that TLC The Lite Choice is not ice cream. Ice cream is filled with cream, fat, calories, sugar, artificial flavors and preservatives, none of which are in The Lite Choice and all of which are designed to create the mouth feel you seem to seek in your life.
You stated The Lite Choice is not the BEST. Pleae advise what you think is the BEST and I will try it. That way I can have a better understanding of your palate and how credible your comments are.
I agree with the previous anonymous who referred to TLC as wonderful food. Although I remain anonymous, you can find me every day and sometimes twice a day at The Lite Choice. I love it and they are popping up everywhere. I have tried just about every other product that is less of everything bad and more great flavors and for me, TLC is the BEST by far.
ps…you might want to try it again and get used to it. 200 Stone Cold stores are closing and that’s probably one of your favorites.
I am proud of you for keeping super fit and healthy…marathon, triathlon, former professional figure skater…I would settle for any one of those.
Anonymous, TLC calls their product ice cream (although they shouldn’t) and ice cream doesn’t necessarily contain artificial flavors and preservatives.
As I mentioned in a previous comment, I like the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck. Hmm, oh, and La Salle too, and no Cold Stone is not one of my favorites.
Whether something is popular or not doesn’t give it credibility in my eyes because there is a large market for diet foods, which means it’s popular, but it doesn’t mean it tastes better. Sugar substitutes, fat free cheese, diet soda, and putting skim milk in coffee (and the list goes on) are all big sellers. They do not taste better, or good for that matter.
But again, that you like it is great for you. Doesn’t eating that much of it cost a lot though?
This is a great treat and I have it daily. I get hot fudge sundae 2 to 3 times a week and sometimes more. I LOVE their all natural Peanut Butter as well. It’s made fresh right from the machine (they don’t use peanut butter syrup which has preservatives in it).
I’m not a blogger person, but I have to agree that The Lite Choice is delicious-and the best part is that you can eat it without the guilt of adding pounds and pounds to your body. It’s healthy, creamy and delicious! That’s all I need for my sweet fix.
I find it pretty remarkable that people will post comments pretending to be an average consumer when they are in fact from the company we’ve written about. Perhaps it’s not obvious to all readers, but since we read dozens of comments per day, we are quite good at recognizing who is from a company and who isn’t.
So, a few of the recent “anonymous” posters and nick78, you clearly are involved with TLC. We’re happy to have you commenting here, as long as you accurately identify yourself. You are only fooling yourself anyway.
For an example of a beneficial and interesting comment, check out “bj.emerson”‘s comment. He has identified that he works with Tasti D-Lite and provided good feedback to the community. Thank you BJ!
Back to anony-nick, next time, please try to avoid the deception and just be helpful, everyone will be happier in the end.
– The Management 🙂
I don’t know what company you work for or represent “Lon”, but why are they spending time and money to search blogs and analyze who wrote what and why. Obviously this specific blog is in favor of The Lite Choice, and it bugs you a lot. People like me and others are looking for a better product, and want to blog about it. Your comments are rude and offensive not just to me but to any other blogger who would like to share their thoughts and experiences with others. I think it is pretty clear that it is YOU who is working for another company. Why else do anonymous and my comments bug you so much? I guess it’s obvious.
-Not the Management 🙂
Nick78, I think you are confused.
1. This blog is not for The Lite Choice. We stand behind their effort to be natural and organic but taste wise, it just doesn’t cut it.
2. Lon is from FoodMayhem.
i love their kiwi flavor.
I think the discussion about tasti vs. tlc is great. unfortunately, it’s really a discussion of tasti vs. tasti and franchise vs. individual ownership. tasti d lite had always been an agreement between retailer and product supplier to sell the product and be able to use the name. when tasti was bought up by those intending on franchising the brand, the individual owners were left with the choice of converting their stores or losing the name and product that they had been dispensing for some as long as 18 years!
The creator of TLC was one of these owners who had numeral tasti locations. when faced with the option of going at it alone or paying up to the man, he decided for the former. with his knowledge he created a product that fills the same niche as tasti, but uses an organic base, no corn syrup, and some (not all) organic flavors. The concept of tasti is still there, but just with a twist. If it’s better is a matter of opinion. better for you, yes, but with the exception that its about 25 calories and ounce instead of 20.
For those seeking the creaminess and fullness of traditional hard ice cream won’t find it with tasti or tlc, because that’s not what they are. They are basically ice skim milk. thats it.
I think the recent sprouting of frozen yogurt stores in nyc is truly amazing. between pink berry, red mango, yolato, 16 handles, etc., the market is over saturated with fro yo. tasti and tlc still stand out as NOT BEING frozen yogurt. They are soft serve, but thats the only similarity they share with this new wave of frozen dessert.
I give props to TLC. i will say that despite it being a chain, the simple fact is is that no two stores will be the same. flavors in one might be better than flavors in another. Simply being a licensed retailer of a product does not ensure that the product or machines are being maintained for optimal results. A franchise often enforces these regulations and hence more consistency from store to store.
Well I just had some Rasberry Last Week I thgt it was Soooo good…Not heavy at all….it was a creamy taste but light and it was fullfilling to that sweet tooth you get and to know its Low cal and Low Carb it was different to enjoy something that’s actually GOOD 4 u.
I don’t know if Im doing something wrong but when I have good flavors than claim to be lighter I ended up abusing of “the not guilty state” and having double portions,it happened again at TLC location at Park Ave. I was also a victim of the Raspberry flavor…..
I’m new here and this is my first post. I was seeking reviews/opinions on TLC. I am a middle-aged male in very good shape (5’7 tall, 28″ waist, 134 lbs) and look a good decade younger than my age. I can’t achieve such results without watching what I eat (obviously) and exercising fairly regularly (3 times a week usually). I also love food and have a sweet tooth. Hence my desire for ‘alternative’ treats that are healthy and calorie-light. I often bake my own pastries at home and make substitutes to achieve my goals. I stumbled on one TLC store for the 1st time this past weekend after stopping at a Pinkberry. I decided to give it a try and had the small cup with the original vanilla/chocolate combo. It is advertised 85 calories. Let’s assume it is 100 to 120 calories. A pretty good deal – and healthy! Guess what: I loved it! Granted ‘real’ fat and calorie-rich ice cream might taste better but one has to make a choice. Considering the bad stuff that is taken off the TLC product, the taste it retains is still very statisfying to me. I liked it far more that either tasti-D or pinkberry. It fulfills my cravings for sweet treats more than adequately. I will probably become a regular.
I think we can all agree that everyone has their own preference of ice cream. Personally, I greatly enjoy having this as a treat because of the good flavors and not having to worry about all the bad stuff that is typically put in ice cream. No matter which company we think is better (tasti-D vs. TLC)it all depends on what is our preference. We do not need to bash on TLC or Tasti-D but we should give them advise on what we think would satisfy our taste buds.
these comments are definately interesting! i always was a tasti dlite fan… i always thought that they’re flavors were surpirsingly good for a low fat soft serve. for people who have been eating the stuff for a while tho will probably agree that in comparison to how tasti used to be, the stuff has progressively gotten worse. I used to love it! i don’t get it tho, why would they mess with something that was so good before?! honestly, i dont really like the stuff so much anymore 🙁
not to be disloyal to my old pal tasti, but i like TLC better now. The flavors taste more like how tasti used to be back in the day… maybe even a little bit better?
Is there any expalation for this? Anyone know what could have happened to my old favorite soft-serve?