Lindsey Martin / Senior Staff Photographer

It’s no lie that San Diego is saturated with frozen yogurt. The yogurt craze has hit San Diego with full force and there is no immediate end in sight.Yogurt places are the new Starbucks; it is impossible to turn a corner without seeing one. But whatever happened to its creamier, richer and arguably more delicious cousin, gelato?Located in the heart of the La Jolla Village, Gelateria Frizzante offers a welcome change of pace for those tired of the newest frozen yogurt fad. Even on a rainy afternoon, a line of anxious customers wait for their sweet fix. Locals, tourists, families and students alike fill the seats gobbling up their gelato. The Beatles “Strawberry Fields” trickles out of the stereo and photos from a family trip to Italy scatter the walls, creating an atmosphere that welcomes newcomers into the journey that led one family to create the best gelato this side of the Atlantic.What makes Gelateria Frizzante stand out from other gelato shops in San Diego is that their gelato is handmade daily in the actual store. Most places that sell gelato buy their ice cream from wholesalers, and the difference is noticeable. The gelato tastes so light and fluffy and the flavor is extremely intense, yet not overpowering. Unlike ice cream, it is possible to eat massive amounts of gelato without feeling as if the stash of Pepto-Bismol may need to come out of retirement. But why choose gelato instead of frozen yogurt? The reason frozen yogurt is so popular is because it is a healthier option to ice cream. But why sacrifice the rich taste that gelato offers for the watery taste of frozen yogurt, even if it is fat-free?Gelato offers a happy medium. Even though it contains more fat than frozen yogurt, it is worth the extra calories. The flavor of gelato is more intense and creamier than ice cream, without the cost to the thighs. For example, one cup of vanilla gelato at Gelateria Frizzante is only 140 calories. When compared to a vanilla Haagen-Dazs bar, which has 280 calories, it is not hard to see why gelato is the better choice.Health reasons aside, the flavor of gelato is reason enough. Not to mention the fact that gelato at Gelateria Frizzante only uses the freshest ingredients, with no chemical flavorings. Gelateria Frizzante has 124 flavors in its arsenal, but doesn’t offer them all at once. On a daily basis there are more than 20 flavors of gelato and more than five flavors of sorbetto from which to choose. Their most popular flavors include: vanilla with strawberries, pistachio, yogurt with Forest Berries, Cannoli, and Tiramisu. One last factor that might turn people away from gelato, namely college students on a budget, is the price. Compared to a pour-it-yourself frozen yogurt place, gelato packs more of a punch to the wallet. But in reality, the price is good for what one receives.A small, “piccolo,” at Gelateria Frizzante costs $3.75, but is more than enough to satisfy the sweet tooth.Gelato may be a little bit more of a splurge than frozen yogurt, but the taste and satisfaction make up for the differences in price and calories. -Gelaterria Frizzante is located at 1025 Prospect Street in La Jolla.