It's not very often that I'm in the city these days. So within the past couple of months, when I've been in the city, I've wanted to go to nearby cupcakeries. [That's cupcake bakeries to you people who are living under a rock.]
Since cupcakeries are few and far between in the 'burbs, I was excited to hear about a new one opening up near my school. I got a notification from 'Free Things to Do in Chicago', and they said the shop, Cup of Cake, was offering free cupcakes. Free cupcakes?! Be still my taste buds! I was so excited, I was looking forward to it all week.
So March 4th rolled around, with pouring rain and blustering winds, and I made my way to The Glen after work. I didn't know exactly where the shop was located, so I ended up walking in said rain and wind. When I finally found it, much to my dismay, there was a sign in the window: 'More cupcakes at 5:00 p.m.' It was 4. Since I was soaked, I was in no mood to poke around and shop. I couldn't believe they were out of cupcakes! So to get out of the rain, I ran back to my car. I made a couple calls and polled: 'Do I leave, cupcake-less? Or do I wait it out?'
The verdict: I'm already there, so I might as well wait. So I sat in my car for a while, and then made my way into the shop. The decor is cute: turquoise paint with black accents and paintings of cupcakes, etc decorated the walls. Although I was well before the 5 o'clock mark, I was surprised (and disappointed) that the cases were empty when their menu offered whoopie pies and cake pops. I was going for the free cupcakes, but figured I could pick up other goodies while I was there. I assumed that for a "grand opening" they would have a big ta-da, in spite of the terrible weather. Then I overheard one of the workers tell another customer to come in the next day for their "grand opening."
I ended up getting two cupcakes for free: both Oreo. Again, I was a little disappointed because the free cupcakes were supposed to be vanilla, Oreo, or red velvet. And I wanted the red velvet. Oh well. I still ate both of them. You can't waste cupcakes. That's like a deadly sin.
My review of the actual Oreo cupcake? I would give it a 'B'. The size of the cupcake was a little bigger than standard, so that was nice. The cake was really moist, not too crumbly. But the frosting was just okay. I go back and forth with my Oreo frosting. Personally, I make mine with finely crushed Oreos -- that's cuz I prefer to pipe it. I honestly enjoy bits of Oreo in my frosting. However, when the frosting has pieces of Oreo in it, the pieces should be in a proper proportion to the cupcake. I don't need to eat half of an Oreo in one bite of my cupcake and frosting. That's a bit much. But maybe they were rushing to make the frosting because of the growing crowd waiting for the free cupcakes [wouldn't they have anticipated the rush hour?].
So I was underwhelmed by the 'grand opening' of Cup of Cake. And I felt bad about it. I so wanted to be excited about this place. Perhaps this is why the hubs insists: "If you make cupcakes, why do you buy cupcakes? Just make your own."
Naturally, I went back. I believe in second chances.
So on a random day after work, I headed back to The Glen. Although I still wanted to try their cake pops, I decided to stick with cupcakes this time around -- I should have some kind of limit, shouldn't I? I was looking forward to finally trying their red velvet cupcake, and after a quick glance at their display case, immediately decided on their 'krispy kreme' cupcake.
My second review?
Red velvet cupcake: Overall, a B+ It's definitely not my favorite red velvet. The cake was okay, but not as moist as their chocolate cake was with the Oreo. The frosting was good though, a nice balance of sweetness and cream cheese. I didn't care for the red sugar sprinkles -- I just didn't think they were necessary.
Krispy Kreme cupcake: Overall, an A-. Again, the cake was okay. I don't know if they just used a vanilla cake, but either way it was okay. The frosting was sweet and creamy. It's been a while since I've had an actual Krispy Kreme (all the ones I know of have closed down), but the frosting and cake together was pretty tasty. And topped with (what I'm assuming to be) crumbled pieces of a Krispy Kreme. Not bad.
Note: These cupcakes were a little smaller than the Oreo ones, which I thought was strange.
One day, I'm sure I'll go back and check out their cake pops and whoopie pies. But I'm not dying to have their cupcakes again. Now Molly's or Sprinkles, that's a different story for another post. :)
So March 4th rolled around, with pouring rain and blustering winds, and I made my way to The Glen after work. I didn't know exactly where the shop was located, so I ended up walking in said rain and wind. When I finally found it, much to my dismay, there was a sign in the window: 'More cupcakes at 5:00 p.m.' It was 4. Since I was soaked, I was in no mood to poke around and shop. I couldn't believe they were out of cupcakes! So to get out of the rain, I ran back to my car. I made a couple calls and polled: 'Do I leave, cupcake-less? Or do I wait it out?'
The verdict: I'm already there, so I might as well wait. So I sat in my car for a while, and then made my way into the shop. The decor is cute: turquoise paint with black accents and paintings of cupcakes, etc decorated the walls. Although I was well before the 5 o'clock mark, I was surprised (and disappointed) that the cases were empty when their menu offered whoopie pies and cake pops. I was going for the free cupcakes, but figured I could pick up other goodies while I was there. I assumed that for a "grand opening" they would have a big ta-da, in spite of the terrible weather. Then I overheard one of the workers tell another customer to come in the next day for their "grand opening."
Blurry shot of one of their menus...I felt weird taking pictures since there was only one other person there. Oh well.
Hm. I get a grand opening spanning a whole weekend, but I don't get a partial grand opening. Why wouldn't they have offered their menu when they already had traffic coming into their store? I don't know why, but I was really turned off by this. And apparently I still am. ?? I just think it was weird.
I ended up getting two cupcakes for free: both Oreo. Again, I was a little disappointed because the free cupcakes were supposed to be vanilla, Oreo, or red velvet. And I wanted the red velvet. Oh well. I still ate both of them. You can't waste cupcakes. That's like a deadly sin.
So I was underwhelmed by the 'grand opening' of Cup of Cake. And I felt bad about it. I so wanted to be excited about this place. Perhaps this is why the hubs insists: "If you make cupcakes, why do you buy cupcakes? Just make your own."
Naturally, I went back. I believe in second chances.
So on a random day after work, I headed back to The Glen. Although I still wanted to try their cake pops, I decided to stick with cupcakes this time around -- I should have some kind of limit, shouldn't I? I was looking forward to finally trying their red velvet cupcake, and after a quick glance at their display case, immediately decided on their 'krispy kreme' cupcake.
My second review?
Note: These cupcakes were a little smaller than the Oreo ones, which I thought was strange.
One day, I'm sure I'll go back and check out their cake pops and whoopie pies. But I'm not dying to have their cupcakes again. Now Molly's or Sprinkles, that's a different story for another post. :)
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