Building on years of success, Yapi Mediterranean Subs and Sandwiches (17 S. Vandeventer) is unveiling its exclusive halal ice cream brand, Yapi Scoops (15 S. Vandeventer). Yapi Scoops’ grand opening is slated for June 17 at 4 p.m., when traditional baklava with a vanilla scoop will be $5. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Concept
Yapi Scoops is attached to Yapi Mediterranean Subs and Sandwiches. According to co-owner Lisa Grozdanic, the new concept optimizes the space and fulfills a need in the market for halal desserts.
“Our concept was to imagine how cool it would be to actually get toppings on our ice creams that are halal,” says Lisa, who runs the business alongside her son, Aallen Grozdanic.
The ice cream brand came into being after the Grozdanic family paid heed to many of the devout Muslim students that visited Yapi Mediterranean from nearby Saint Louis University, Washington University, Harris-Stowe State University, and beyond. “Many Muslim students told us that they do not have any place to hang out later in the evening that don’t serve alcohol,” says Lisa. (Observant Muslims avoid places that serve alcohol and follow the halal dietary restrictions that mandate that no pork or its products be consumed.)
“Everything is made with pork gelatin elsewhere,” adds Lisa, noting that only halal gelatin is used at Yapi Scoops, as per Islamic dietary laws.
The Menu
Guests can choose up to four scoops of ice cream and a variety of toppings. Cones and waffles are made in house, and all toppings are halal. In addition to the trademark ice cream, smoothies and soda floats are also available, in a wide range of flavors.
‘House Styles’ feature fun combos of ice cream and toppings. The Boss Man, for instance, is composed of strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, bananas, and chocolate chip pieces. The Peanut Butter Princess has vanilla ice cream topped with peanut butter sauce and peanut butter puffs.
“My favorite has to be The King,” says Aallen. The dish includes vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, pistachio cream, and hazelnut cream, sprinkled with raw pistachio. “It has all of my favorite toppings to secure my sweet tooth.”
Lisa highlights the Coffee Ludo, a nod to Bosnia. “’Ludo’ in Bosnian means ‘crazy,’ so its meaning is ‘coffee crazy,’” she says. “In Bosnian culture, it is almost mandatory to be a coffee drinker.”
Her favorite dish: The Boss Lady, with vanilla ice cream, cookie butter, whipped cream, marshmallows, and cookie butter cookies and crumbs.
The Backstory
The Grozdanic family’s Bosnian heritage has played a central role at Yapi Mediterranean Subs and Sandwiches, which specializes in Bosnian-American foods, especially fusion sandwiches. Yapi’s foray into the sweets business is headlined by its specialty ice cream.
“The most exciting part about opening Yapi Scoops is being able to learn the ins and outs of running an ice cream parlor,” says 19-year-old Aallen, who started working the deep fryer when he was 10 and is now taking the lead at Yapi Scoops, where he created the ice cream menu. “And seeing the smile on a customer’s face.”
📍15 S. Vandeventer, Central West End
📞 314-354-8333
⏰4 – 11 p.m. Tue – Sat, 4 – 10 p.m. Sun
Find the best food in St. Louis
Subscribe to the St. Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene.
