On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Tue-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
I had to wait to do this review until I was sure that Betty's was closed so I wouldn't be tempted.
Easily the best cupcake I've ever had.
We have tried 5 or 6 of the different flavors and each one has been better than the next and they are only like $2 bucks each - that is less than a plain old blueberry muffin!
Bring a box of these to the next dinner party you attend and you will be worshiped as a god*.
*No guarantees. But seriously these are some tasty freaking cupcakes.
If I could graft a cupcake to my hand that would regenerate constantly as I ate it, it would definitely be from Betty's.
First of all, before we get to the amazingness that you can ingest-- can we talk about the super cute decor? It definitely has a vintage speakeasy coziness to it. Warm lighting, lots of natural wood, and the super cute button related accessories dotted throughout the store. It's just very comfortable inside, which is always a nice feeling.
Onto the food!
My boyfriend and I decided on the Growler and the Brawler, and we would split each. I got myself a hot chocolate with orange.(it was more complicated than that, but I can't remember exactly) The cupcakes were beautiful, they were the perfect size, had the perfect amount of icing, and the flavors were perfectly balanced.
The growler is a rich chocolate cake made with Victory Storm King Stout, and topped with a brown butter icing. The brawler is a spiced apple cake where the apples are brewed in Yards Brawler Ale. Both were absolutely delicious but both of us preferred the Brawler, the richness that the Stout added to the cake was just absolutely fantastic and the icing was soooo good.
The hot chocolate was absolutely fantastic as well, I wish I could remember what was in it.
I want to go back right now.... I think I might.
Tired of the same vanilla and chocolate combinations? Betty's is hands down the cupcake spot for you.
After the lovely lady at the counter explained to my companions and I what the flavors of the day were, I selected a ginger iced pear and whit beer cupcake. I was really excited by the potential pairing of ginger and pear. When the woman took my order I blurted out "Does this taste like beer? God, I hate beer," in a way that might have come off slightly abrasive (sorry, I was just excited!). She kindly assured me that it didn't, and she was right. The flavors popped in my mouth with each bite, but mainly what I tasted was ginger. The icing, though delicious, overpowered the cake instead of accenting it.
I tried a bit of my friend's cream cheese frosted berry juice infused chocolate cupcake. The icing tasted too much like cream cheese for my liking, but the berry added an incredible flavor dimension to the chocolate cake. At first I couldn't taste it at all, but it entered slowly up at the end, so each bite of cake filled your mouth with chocolate followed by a nice berry finish. My other friend got some sort of coconut cupcake, which he loved. I considered trying it, for research sake, but the truth is I hate coconut, so I'm just going to recommend it based on his enthusiasm.
The price to cupcake ratio here is perfect. They're by no means tiny but definitely smaller than average. At $2.00 a pop, you don't feel like a total glutton if you can't decide and have to sample two, and your wallet isn't hurting. Since we were filled from brunch at Ant's Pants, we didn't try and of the fudge. I'll be sure to come back on an empty stomach and make a full meal of the offerings here.
There must be some magic congenital association between the name "Betty" and outstanding cupcake-making abilities. First Brown Betty's, and now this? Eerie. After seeing that Betty's Speakeasy had just been named the 2009 Best of Philly winner for Cupcakes, I clearly had to swing by.
The Speakeasy is a charming shop on an awkward wedge of a block near the intersection of South St. and Gray's Ferry, and has only a tiny sign on the door to herald its title (in true speakeasy style, I suppose). Inside, it has the homey feel of stepping into a baker's kitchen, with sunny staff and a tempting case of handmade delights of various kinds. They were very patient with my indecision.
I went with 4 cupcakes, since I was on a tasting mission. In order of preference:
(Tie for First):
1. It's Always Sunny: Dense, moist (bordering on heavy) pound cake imbued with orange flavor and topped with yellow buttercream bursting with orange zest and Grand Marnier, charmingly piped in a sunburst pattern. Spectacular. I am not one for excess frosting (and this was just the right amount), but it was so good that I wanted more!
1. Dark & Stormy: Moist rum-soaked pound cake topped with fresh ginger buttercream and drizzled with melted (semisweet?) chocolate. Oh. my. gosh. I only intended to eat half of this one on my first round of tasting, but I couldn't stop myself. Pure pleasure - the ginger is a brilliant stroke. Clear, intense flavors and great execution.
The other two I liked less:
3. Black Magic: Purportedly Betty's signature flavor, a coffee-tinged chocolate cake topped with a sparse latticework of goat milk "cajeta," a form of dulce de leche. The cake was airy, almost to the point of being unsatisfying. The chocolate cake was on the bitter side, perhaps aided by the undetectable coffee. I prefer Brown Betty's chocolate cake, which is denser and more flavorful. The cajeta had a distinctive taste which I detcted mostly as the goat milk, with less of a burnt sugar flavor than I hoped. The cajeta was also somewhat dry and sparse, leaving me wishing for more frosting (which I rarely do). Denser, more chocolatey cake with a more generous serving of frosting with a stronger caramel taste would move me more.
4. Black Velvet: Oh Betty. I will give you a Mulligan and not judge you on this, but it was dry as week-old bread. The cream cheese frosting was great, but the rest was a loss. I know you've got the skills, so maybe I got a bad batch.
All in all, this is a wonderful, feel-good establishment using quality ingredients, handcraftsmanship, and creative combinations. I would like to see them better strike the balance Brown Betty finds between airyness and density in their cakes, and ensure consistency, but this is clearly a hot think-tank of cupcake invention and I WILL be back.
5 stars for the first two varieties, 2 for the other two. Yay for the $2 pricetag!
woooohooooo....I love cupcakes! I won't belabor the point here.
The Good: all of the wonderful, tasty, decadent cupcake creations, big and small!
The Bad: there weren't many offerings for the traditional pallette...their loss. more Grand Marnier infused butter creme icing for me!
The Ugly: gluttony...this spot is literally 4 blocks from my house!
I went here on the recommendation of some neighbors. I had a delicious cupcake. The problem is that it was 2 dollars for a small cupcake. That to me is a bit expensive. I was expecting a bigger cupcake for that price. It *was* really good though.
I probably can't afford a place that's this cute and is obviously aimed at all the gentrifying yuppies in the neighborhood.
I am currently eating my phenomenal cupcake and lamenting how close to my home this place is. I may never fit in my cloths again!
I stopped by with a friend because she had heard about the "Lava" Fudge Sauce and I had heard about the "real" fudge. The little shop hidden on Grey's Ferry just down from Grace Tavern had me at "baked goods", but little did I know what I was in for. One of the bake shop employees was eager to have me smell one of their Frangelica cupcakes (I wish I remember the swanky name). One whiff of the heavenly aroma and I was in. We also were offered a sample of their Espresso Fudge which was equally delish!
Eager to support local business I bought 2 cupcakes for 2 bucks each (notably one buck less than the other swanky cupcake shop in neighborhood, although smaller) for after dinner.
An now I am sitting on my couch. Smeared with crumbs from my frangelica soaked cupcake goodness. Wondering if I have the will power not to eat the other cupcake immediately (and then go and buy 10 more). And wishing elastic waist pants were still cool.
betty has been busy in philadelphia....
first, there's brown betty...then there's smokin' betty...now a speakeasy? (yes, i know they're not related!)
one could almost walk by this shop and miss it--and thank goodness, because a grace tavern burger followed by snacks from this place would cause me to become a heffalump in 2 days.
cute interior, lots of treats hidden among the shelves--fudge to ginger candy and sauces galore. a menu of tasting chocolates and cheeses...but i think the crowning glory are the cupcakes. if you're looking for a more dense cupcake, this is your answer. their flavor combinations are rich and complex.
there are times and occasions for these cupcakes...but i think i like the other betty for all occasions...
Oh man, this place is good. Not just good. Really, really, really, ridiculously good.
The fudge. Oh, the fudge. Love the moroccan spice. Love anything with the little cacao nibs in it. Love the super cheap ($2?) hot chocolate. Love that I can get my delicious Red Ape cinnamon here. Love that Liz is really branching out into cupcakes. The canella cupcake with the browned butter frosting--heaven! Black raspberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! The dry sodas! The free samples! Now with cheese plates!
So, so very glad Liz picked this neighborhood for her storefront/wicked awesome mad food scientist laboratory. I am a willing subject for her tasty experimental concoctions.
yay for free yelp cider! today they had five different cupcakes! whats a girl to do? carrot cake............delish
i heart bettys
bettys should be named "too close to my house"
Sara brought me in here, as the past two times her and…
Read more »
went for my 2nd cupcake a few days ago, and now feel i can review. both times i had chocolate, once a mocha cupcake and once a black velvet (their answer to red velvet). cupcakes are priced at $2 apiece, which makes them a little less then some of the competition. They are also smaller and more snack sized which is a nice thing. The black velvet seemed to me a little lacking in chocolate flavor, but the frosting was excellent. The mocha chocolate had great frosting, chocolate flavor and a lovely light cake that was delightful. I also tried a taste of my friend's lemon pound with strawberry icing--a nice dense pound cake that pound cake lovers should enjoy. They also have a nice selection of drinks, and are plugged in to the local food community which i think is very great.
We stumbled upon this place by accident while wandering around the other day, and it was certainly worth poking our heads in. The first time we went I sampled a tiny, adorable button of Earl Grey fudge---soft, pliable, but not sticky or messy at all---and bought a four pack of the Original, which was vaguely peanut butter-y and just as delicious. I would have liked if they had maybe ONE more table, but that was really my only nitpick.
Today, we went back and ordered drinks, trying out the fizzes. I had no idea what they were, but it sounded refreshing. What you end up getting is a fudge-syrup base (several different flavors, which can also be made as hot chocolates), vanilla ice cream, and seltzer. Sounds weird, but tastes great. I got the Supreme, which is Grand Marnier and Orange, and my boyfriend got the Lavender Herb... which he also really liked. In fact, it looked so good that the other customer already seated there ordered it immediately after seeing his drink.
We also tried the strawberry rhubarb crumble, which was deliciously sweet, tart, and sticky. There were several cupcakes under a glass display case that also looked extremely tempting.
There is also free wifi, and while we were sitting and web browsing, far from rushing us out, the woman behind the counter bought us two tiny buttons of fudge samples on a plate! If you're in the neighborhood, definitely check it out. It's cute (all shabby-chic and pleasant blue paint and a bookshelf of gourmet baking goodies), reasonably priced, friendly, and delicious
Betty's Speakeasy is a little chocolate shop/bakery/cafe tucked away down in the Graduate Hospital area, close to Grace Tavern and Trophy Bikes, but easily passible if you don't keep your eyes open. The first time my friends and I entered, I was struck by the awesome cuteness of the place, the counter full of fudge and chocolates, the delicious smell, and the quaintness of all those who worked there. I also loved the fact that there are only two tables inside, a dining table for six, and a small window table for two. I feel that if there were ever more than two folks in the shop, they would have to acknowledge each other, which I believe is a great way to meet new and interesting people.
The first time we were there, we quickly sampled and bought some fudge, which was incredible, and swore that we would come back. We then proceeded to come back between once or twice a week trying new and interesting things such as the fizzes and some of their cheese. The fizzes are delicious and fresh and you wish you had forty more after you sip down your first one. The desserts are delicious and freshly made, especially the strawberry rhubarb crumble.
The staff are all pretty great and really generous with free small samples of new and different fudges, and they seem super talented, especially when we went in and saw them finishing up what looked like a delicious cake.
In conclusion, this is a terribly written testament to the absolute awesomeness of Betty's. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
i was already in love with this place, but now - cheese plates? wow - i don't see any reason to ever leave. available but not officially on the menu yet, i was offered a cheese plate consisting of local artisan cheeses (3 or 7 kinds) paired with beautiful organic spelt bread or rosemary garlic flatbreads, with fresh homemade blueberry compote or grilled peaches. RIDICULOUS! so be advised: if you are there indulging in fudge but crave something savory, just ask. and the other day they had savory scones, so day to day you never know what you're going to get. more reasons to keep going back...
oh, and the new fudge called Green Buddha? my head is still spinning... white chocolate with green tea - is this "betty" a genius? i'm thinking, YES.
5 different kinds of hot chocolate, fresh brewed coffee, and loose leaf teas for $2 each, delicious cupcakes for $1.50 each, tons for fudge choices, and fresh herbs (e.g. oregano, parsley, chives, basil, mint, rosemary, etc) for less than $2.
mellow music, smells delicious, wifi coming soon!
This just opened up a few weeks ago, and they sell fudges and hot chocolate and tea. It's got cute… Read more »
Early Bird Dinner : Mon thru…
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Holiday Cakes & Pies
Neighborhood: University City
Neighborhood: Graduate Hospital
Category: Desserts
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Category: Mexican
Check out the fruits of my Philly cupcake-tasting…
You like cupcakes? Me too! After many hours of…
Loading...
