Michaelis Wine and Spirits still serving up frozen yogurt

You’d never expect it, especially not in a liquor store. But on the corner of Union and Fillmore, in a neighborhood of cafes and trendy shops, is a popular spot to grab some frozen yogurt or ice cream. With a neon “Liquor” sign and red awning, Michaelis Wine and Spirit is a local favorite.

Michaelis is family-owned and has been on the busy corner for over twenty years. The shop has changed a bit over time. Once before, you would walk toward the back of the store to the tiny counter where yogurt was dispensed. The counter seemed hidden in a jungle of dry goods and liquor bottles. Walk in now and the ice cream case immediately catches your eye. Frozen yogurt is still served in the back, but a sky blue wall with a “Frozen Yogurt" sign now beckons you. The placards for the flavors of the day are still there and the pictures of smiling kids holding ice cream cones still invite you for a treat. Besides frozen yogurt, the liquor store now serves Mitchell’s ice cream and The Latest Scoop gelato.

The shops on Union Street have changed over the years, including places to get dessert. There was once a Double Rainbow, and La Nouvelle Patisserie served beautiful French pastries. But those venues are long gone. Michaelis is really the only place in the area that serves good ice cream and frozen yogurt. (SF Yogurt is in the neighborhood but is part of the tart yogurt culture.) Michaelis has been voted Best Corner Store Run by 7 X 7 magazine and no wonder, since you can go for a late night run for some beer or a waffle cone of boysenberry frozen yogurt (or both).

Go in during the afternoon and you will see parents with their eager children. You will see locals stopping by for a quick dessert as they walk their dogs. You will see women with their boutique shopping bags. Not something you would expect in a liquor store.

They have a great selection of flavors, but serve ten flavors at a time. So you never know what flavors that they will have, but there will always be some version of vanilla and chocolate. How about flavors like peanut butter or chocolate fudge brownie with toppings like gummy bears and graham crackers? Sugar-free and dairy-free options are also available.

As for me, a small chocolate and vanilla swirl please.

Michaelis Wine and Spirits on Union and Fillmore