Antigoni “Anna” Papakirk
Hellenic News of America
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Here’s the scoop: our favorite frozen novelty got a Greek twist, making for the perfect holiday treat that will have your entire family saying “akomi mia balla apo tin Yala!”
This past summer, on July 20, 2025 — National Ice Cream Day — Yala Greek Ice Cream had its grand opening at its storefront in Georgetown, marking the first authentic Greek ice cream shop to open in the U.S.
“Yala Greek Ice Cream brings generations of Greek ice-cream making tradition to the U.S., inspired by Papou, our founder’s grandfather, who believed in making everything the best and sharing his heart with everyone,” reads Yala’s website.
Co-founder of Yala, Chrys Kefalas, grew up spending his summers in Greece, where he would eat fresh ice cream that was always bursting with vibrant flavors. It was this ice cream that inspired him to embark on this journey of bringing the best ice cream to the United States.
He started learning how to make this delicacy from master ice cream makers in Greece. But for Kefalas, it was more than just mastering the craft — it was equally about appreciating the philosophy behind the ice cream. He sources only the best ingredients to replicate the quality, taste and freshness of the ice cream from his childhood summers.
And the cherry on top? Each flavor tells a story.
“All 16 [flavors] unpack something about Greek summer that certainly resonates with me and has been part of my life,” said Kefalas.
One of the Yala’s most popular flavors is called “Mornings with Thea” — a fresh Greek yogurt swirled with orange pieces, zest and preserves — and it packs a bit of brightness and joy in every bite. This flavor was inspired by the mornings Kefalas spent talking and catching up with his grandfather’s sister, his Thea, in Karpathos. These mornings were filled with the freshness of baked goods and delectable breakfasts.
“For me, it is a place of peace, a place of joy, a place of unending love,” Kefalas reminisced.
That place of peace, joy and unending love is the exact environment that Kefalas has created in Yala’s storefront. And each carefully crafted and curated flavor, swirled with taste and memories, is not the only thing that sets Yala apart from other ice cream shops — it’s a business guided by Greek values that Kefalas’s Papou exemplified.
“For Yala Greek Ice Cream, our fundamentals are built around my Papou. He extended his heart to everyone, and he took the greatest pride in making things the best,” explained Kefalas. “I think also that people appreciate the heart and hospitality we bring every day to our guests, and at our core, that’s who we are. We are a heart and hospitality shop.”
Kefalas emphasized that it was important to make his Papou the heart of the ice cream parlor. The values he personified — philotimo, philoxenia, chara, agape, aristo and koinonia — give life to the shop and serve as its guiding force.
“They bring the light of Papou’s spirit in a way that’s real, in a way that’s tangible, in a way that people can feel,” noted Kefalas when speaking about the values behind the brand.
The D.C. community can feel the presence of Papou’s spirit, and that’s what has attracted so many guests to the shop. The line to get a scoop of ice cream often extends out the door and around the block, filled with newcomers and returners alike. Excitement exudes from every customer as they eagerly await to try their first scoop (or second, or third…). The Georgetown community in particular — the students, tourists and residents — has been integral to Yala in its first few months and will continue to play an important role in the future.
When asked about what the future holds for Yala, Kefalas remarked that he intends to “really thoughtfully think about what’s next,” and he is very optimistic. “I do think that like Greek yogurt changed everything in the United States when it came to yogurt consumption, I think Greek ice cream could change the way America and maybe more people have frozen dessert, and that’s exciting. And as we look ahead, we see a lot of promise.”
While looking ahead to the future, Kefalas has also recalled the past, thinking about the advice he would impart to his younger self. “I would have told my young self to not be afraid of failure, to take a chance, take a shot because your ideas — with hard work, with perseverance and resilience — can be something and make a difference,” he shared.
Yala Greek Ice Cream is definitely making a difference in how we view ice cream, serving up stories and joy in every scoop.
Please wait...