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Crumbs

3 star rating
based on 45 reviews

Categories: Desserts, Bakeries  [Edit]

Neighborhoods: Union Square, Greenwich Village
124 University Pl
(between 13th St & 14th St)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 206-8011
Nearest Transit:

Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)

14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)

14th Street (PATH)

Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

45 reviews for Crumbs

Review Highlights   

user photo
"Especially when it involves red velvet cake and vanilla frosting." (in 18 reviews)
user photo
"The cupcakes look so DELICIOUS, but they're a bit costly." (in 31 reviews)
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"…cupcake: boring chocolate cake with sugary sweet peanut butter frosting…" (in 5 reviews)
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Photo of Janel Y.

Elite '09

163

663

Janel Y.

Menlo Park, CA

3 star rating
9/30/2009 2 photos

Heard about this place from the Times when they rated NY cupcakeries back in June. Crumbs ranked higher than Magnolia's so I had to check it out.

$21.70 for 6 cupcakes:
-2 red velvets: not too sweet, but I thought the cake was a bit dry
-mocha: filled with mocha
-caramel apple: filled with apple-like pie filling
-blackout: filled with chocolate, you'll need milk with this one!
-vanilla with sprinkles: didn't get a chance to try it

The size of these cupcakes were definitely worth the price of ~$3 and they all looked so pretty, sitting in the display case, waiting to be bought and consumed. Some of the frosting was way too sweet and then some was just subtle enough.

Will have to go back and eat one when it's fresh...

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Photo of Sigalle B.

 

5

32

Sigalle B.

New York, NY

2 star rating
10/6/2009

I have the Monday blues.  I am at school.  My remedy?  

Cupcakes :)

Now I have to make a choice: walk to the village to magnolias or finally succumb to the crumbs 2 blocks down.

What the hell, right? I should live on the wild side and try something new!

The cupcakes are huge and covered with all types of creative frosting. Being a huge peanut butter fan, I immediately chose the reeses peanut butter cupcake. It's an enormous chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting, 3 small pieces of peanut butter cups, and peanut butter and chocolate chips all around.  

Sounds good, huh? Unfortunately, thats where the fun ends. So anticlimactic!

The toppings were unpleasantly amplifying the already too sweet frosting. The cake was extremely dense and way too dry. It almost tasted as though the cake was stale or sitting out for too long. Half way through I just stopped eating it.

Should have walked the extra few blocks to magnolia's - would have burned some calories too.

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Photo of Sarah M.

 

15

43

Sarah M.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
8/20/2009

I must admit I feel like a bit of a 'tard for paying $11 for 2 cupcakes and 2 cups of milk (not all for me ok!).  But I get it - its NY, everything is expensive and cupcakes are HOT HOT HOT right now.

I had the cookie and cream cupcake and my dining mate got the hostess.  The frosting on both cakes was definitely orgasmic - sugary and but not too rich.  The hugeness of the cake was much appreciated, however, the dryness of the cake was a no-no.   Isn't the mark of a good cupcake a moist cake?  Boo-urns for that.

I might come back if I drag my hubs (who was thoroughly underwhelmed) back or if I need to entertain out-of-towners by showing them how us big city folks live it up.  Now excuse me I have a batch of cupcakes to frost.

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Photo of Tina L.

Elite '09

20

137

Tina L.

New York, NY

4 star rating
8/29/2009

I usually don't recommend Crumbs when cupcakes come up in conversations. They're too corporate (it's like recommending Starbucks as a cafe). I was surprised when a visiting friend complimented their cupcakes, but if Crumbs wasn't so accessible to me, I think I'd appreciate their offerings as well.

I stopped at this location after work, and picked up a frosted black & white, which I highly recommend. Not as sweet nor as messy to consume as a cupcake. A great choice for a location that offers no seating. Service here is much better than the 8th street location. Three servers efficiently managed their way around the cramped counter assisting the steady stream of customers.

Photo of mallory p.

Elite '09

777

127

mallory p.

Jamaica, NY

3 star rating
6/15/2009

Wow I'm surprised to see such low ratings on this place.

When I first saw people walking around Manhattan with HUGE cupcakes in a clear bag with the words "Crumbs" I was very skeptical. I've seen probably 3 people walking around with "crumbs" in their hands in one day and when I finally passed by the university ave store I knew I had to see what this was all about.

They had a small selection and it included the ever so good red velvet, but I wanted something new, something unique, so my bf and I tried the cookie dough. After putting that huge cupcake in my mouth all I could say was WOW. It was a HUGE cupcake with a chocolate frosting center and cookie dough flavored frosting on top with a cookie. I also liked the cake itself because it was very moist, but not too moist...just right. I wasn't too found of the chocolate center because I found it to be too sweet but what put it over the top was the frosting on top. Omg if they had a shots of that I would probably be the size of an elephant right now.

Although I was very impressed with the cookie dough cupcake I had here I would only give it 3 stars FOR NOW because I need to try the other flavors. But, I'll tell you what...it was reeeaaalllyyy good =) can't wait to try the other flavors now...I just hope that it's as good.

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Photo of Maiah J.

Elite '09

42

128

Maiah J.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/4/2009

Dear Crumbs,

My company bought you for me when I was still a little freelancer working my butt off. They gave me the large Red Velvet Cupcake with chocolate flakes sprinkled on top but also let me take home a few others as an extra treat. Well, Crumbs - I'm in love with you. I'll skip Magnolia for you any day. And I hate to admit it because I have a problem with commitment to a specific sweet treat, but for you, I'll do anything. Especially when it involves red velvet cake and vanilla frosting.

Xoxo,
Maiah J.

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Photo of Mimi W.

 

27

65

Mimi W.

Rockford, IL

1 star rating
6/10/2009

Not a fan.

I am saddened that I didn't like this place more. I really wanted to; it's a lot closer than Magnolia. But I really didn't. The cupcake was painfully big. It had all kinds of crap on it (I think they call it sprinkles) and there was crap inside of it (fudge or something). Overall, it was just way too sweet and complex. I much prefer the simplicity and deliciousness of Magnolia.

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Photo of Kimberly F.

Elite '09

62

249

Kimberly F.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
6/9/2009

I am very very surprised by the low rating of this location. My friend brought me in here, after i challenged her to finding me a better cupcake that Magnolia. She won!

As the cute boy behind the counter handed me a massive cupcake with a little cookie on top, i thought nothing of it. It wasn't til later as i sat in the movie theater quietly unwrapping heaven, one lick and i was hooked!

First of there is so much icing, but i don't have any problem with that! Its like double the fun eat the top, then savory the cakey goodness! This location, is clean, well stocked and the people are helpful and friendly.
I recommend stopping by before seeing a movie, its cheap and tastier than a bucket of popcorn.

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Photo of Kim G.

 

0

11

Kim G.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/17/2009

I love this place!! the cupcakes are super cute and they taste awesome. I must say this is not the type of treat to eat everyday, but once in a while is good. The only problem i have is tat the cupcakes after 3 bites are a bit too sweet. but other than that its good

Photo of Elliott W.

Elite '09

127

284

Elliott W.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
7/30/2009

Maybe I just don't like cupcakes, but seriously, this nonsense has got to stop!  What is the obsession with the cupcake?  Is it because it's cute and tiny and you can carry it in your hand?  You know what, you can carry a bag of dog sh-t in your hand too and I don't see anyone opening bag-o-dog sh-t places on every friggin' block!  
My uncle lives near this Crumbs and picked up an assortment of their cupcakes for my mother's birthday...rather than, ya'know, a regular cake.  He got the Artie Lange, the Hostess, and two or three others; each one sweeter than the next.  Massive sweet things filled with more sweetness, topped with icing and in some cases multiple icings and random other sweets as toppings.  
I told a chef friend of mine about Crumbs to which he responded, "so basically, they recreate crappy cupcakes with slightly better ingredients and charge you four times as much?"  To which I replied, "yeah, basically."

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Photo of Winnie M.

 

1

34

Winnie M.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
6/27/2009

This place is very tiny.
The cupcakes look so DELICIOUS, but they're a bit costly.

We tried the CARAMEL APPLE cupcake. There were actual apple pieces inside (I asked the guy before I bought it :P). It was soo good. Soo worth the price.
I'm going to try all of them one day!

They also sell cookies, brownies, drinks, and cases of mini-cupcakes (that they should really sell individually....).

The people are really nice, too :)

Photo of Meagan M.

 

3

9

Meagan M.

New York, NY

1 star rating
6/18/2009

I really wanted to like this place, but honestly, I could make better cupcakes myself. Maybe I got the wrong flavors? But I got 2.. Reese's something and the Brownie cupcake and neither were even close to what I was hoping for. My roommate came with me and got 2 different flavors.. I think Red Velvet and the original or something, and was not pleased at all with hers either.

I'm usually an easy please when it comes to cupcakes, so I was disappointed  

If you want a REAL cupcake, fly to Beverly Hills and go to Sprinkles. You will not be disappointed there.

Photo of Joolie T.

Elite '09

482

1001

Joolie T.

New York, NY

2 star rating
2/10/2009

*barf
*pOw*
*zap
*bOink*

this is the sound my mouth makes whenever i think about Crumbs.

the staff is nice and they're very fun to chat with when you're drunk... i walk in here on my way to karaoke or on lunch breaks. do i buy anything? NOPE. not really. all attempts of trying the Hostess, Red Velvet, etc. etc. have been horrendous and disappointing.

if i really disliked someone and wanted to get 'em a mean gift- this is the place where i'd go to get it.

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Photo of Chris O.

Elite '09

9

119

Chris O.

New York, NY

4 star rating
8/11/2009

I see a lot of annoying reviews for this place; people who say the cupcakes are too sweet, have too much frosting, or reviewed by someone who DOESN'T LIKE CUPCAKES. I've tried a lot of cupcakes in this city, and I can say this: Crumbs does not have the best in the city (Butter Lane does). However, it's damn good. Try the Baba Booey.

Photo of Sherri C.

Elite '09

53

357

Sherri C.

San Jose, CA

1 star rating
4/22/2009

Walking into the store I was hit by the sickly sweet smell of fried doughnuts.  That should have been enough warning for me, as I don't like doughnuts.  But I was in New York!  I wanted a Red Velvet cupcake!

Sitting in Union Square Park, I took one bite and handed it over to hubby.  He took one bite and handed it back to me.  Normally, we'd be fighting to keep the cupcake in our own greedy little hands.  Instead, I then handed it over to the garbage can.

My cousin had a chocolate cupcake and just grinned at us with frosting and crumbs all over his face; it was his first cupcake from a bakery and, being a cupcake virgin, he thought it was fine.

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Photo of Aria v.

Elite '09

82

130

Aria v.

New York, NY

2 star rating
3/14/2009

It was a cold day at the USQ Greenmarket, and on my way to campus I passed by. The urge to consume some sugar overcame me. I gave in.

Food:
It's a cupcake store. That said, they're big cupcakes. I was excited. They had a snow cap one, and I was sold. The Grasshopper and the Red Velvet called my name as well, but I relented to my love of little chocolate mountains. Now I was excited, and I wanted this thing, I wanted to devour it, but as usual my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

So, I only ate half of it, and the rest of it sat in my fridge for about a 3 or 4 days before I knew it was too stale to eat. Did I like it? Well, yeah, it was a big ol' chocolate cupcake with chocolate filling and vanilla frosting with snow caps on top. It, however, was too sweet. Shy of nauseating, but sugary in a sense that I couldn't finish it.  It also, wasn't that great. I mean, I know everyone says, SSS is better than Magnolia's blah blah blah, but Magnolia's still does good cupcakes, and their's were better than these.

That said, I'd get another one to share with a friend if I needed a sweet fix.

Venue:
On University just south of Union Square. It's not a big place, two other people in there and I was feeling crowded. The red and gold stripped sign outside is cute, and it's got this sorta soda fountain bar feel. It's a grab and go place, don't expect to linger. The one on W 4th is bigger.

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Photo of Esme j.

 

0

18

Esme j.

New York, NY

2 star rating
4/21/2009

I don't get it!.

Crumbs cupcakes are really too sweet (what ingredient did they omit that they have to use so much sugar?) and the smell of sugar is nauseating. Why is everyone  flocking to this bakery as if this is la creme de la creme. Nothing to write home about.

Magnolia is also overrated.  I guess it's back to baking my own

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Photo of Tina C.

Elite '09

98

1025

Tina C.

New York, NY

5 star rating
Updated - 6/5/2009

The nirvana of all cupcakes, period.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    4/6/2009

    "It was a beautiful day..." as I saw "FireProof" at my co-worker's church, and got together with a… Read more »

Photo of Holly B.

 

2

17

Holly B.

New York, NY

2 star rating
4/19/2009

I'm sure Crumbs cupcakes are some people's cup of tea -- just not mine. Too big, too sweet, too over the top. Give me a classic devil's food cupcake with some not-overly-sweet buttercream on top ANY DAY over the goopy monstrosities Crumbs serves up. Not for me the "s'mores" cupcake with chunks of chocolate and marshmallow jammed into the frosting crown, nor the Oreo cupcake with an entire cookie jutting out of the top.

For my money, the best cupcake in town remains Amy's Bread's black and white. Puts Magnolia "Duncan Hines R Us" Bakery to shame.

Needless to say, with Crumbs' University Place location being the closest cupcake fix to my home, I reserve the right (in spite of the above review) to duck into Crumbs when I am having a cupcake attack. I stick to the plain "chocolate" or "vanilla" options (still too sweet, but I don't have to scrape a bunch of needless goo off the top before I did in).

Photo of steph L.

Elite '09

23

65

steph L.

New York, NY

1 star rating
7/3/2009

Gross. I couldn't eat more than one bite. Way too sweet for me. If you don't like boatloads of icing piled on top of candy plus more sugar on top of that, you probably won't like their cupcakes. I know everyone looooves Crumbs, but lots of people also like Mc Donald's. I'm just sayin'....

Photo of Gregory W.

 

1

8

Gregory W.

New York, NY

5 star rating
8/4/2009

I fell in love with Crumbs a few years, by far the best cupcakes I've ever tasting. The moist deliciousness of Crumbs is in a class all by itself. Magnolia??? C'mon... Maggies is Betty Crocker with extra sugar.

Photo of Lexy M.

Elite '09

286

106

Lexy M.

New York, NY

2 star rating
11/7/2008

Crumbs is no Sugar sweet sunshine...

Ok, I know it's always better to be positive rather than negative so I'll share my positive side of this review first.

Positives:

A) I received my free cupcake today at Crumbs because of their new location special. Always a plus to have free sweets.

B) Cupcakes are always a pleasure, and it satisfied my sweet tooth this morning

C) It's the only cupcake place in Union Square (That I know of)

Now... the honest ugly truth. (Scary Music Plays)

Negatives:

A) Crumbs cupcakes have WAYYY to much frosting and are bit too huge and much for me to handle. I feel like their over decorated loaded cupcakes is something a 10 year old on their birthday would enjoy more.

B) The new location in Union Square has AWFUL costumer service (On Friday mornings at least). Both emploeyes there did not know how to make an espresso and I almost had to instruct them on how to make my cappuccino. You would think when you have a grand opening of a new place they would inform the staff better on what's on their OWN menu!

C) It took almost 15 minutes for them to make my awful cappuccino along with ringing up my order on my credit card while a line formed behind me.

D) I would rather have Sugar Sweet Sunshine, their cupcakes are AMAZING!

Hey.. a girl has to tell the truth. I apologize my sweet New York Crumbs. ;o)

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Photo of Karen F.

Elite '09

97

148

Karen F.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/8/2008

free vanilla cupcake with white icing and rainbow sprinkles.
VANILLA CUPCAKES WITH WHITE ICING AND RAINBOW SPRINKLES!!!

AMAZING.

i would have even paid for it. but i got it for free,

in love. like a lot.
i had wonderful service and i love the plethora of cupcake options as anything with rainbow sprinkles equals my favorite food.

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Photo of Sarah C.

Elite '09

25

168

Sarah C.

Bronx, NY

2 star rating
6/5/2009

On Sunday, after being thwarted in my quest for Shake Shack's red velvet custard, Boyfriend magnanimously offered to buy me a red velvet cupcake to make up for it. They had eaten Crumbs at his office last week, and he had nothing but good things to say, so we decided to walk down from Madison Square Park to their Union Square location.

The place is tiny but clean and well-lit, with an enticing display of cupcakes. I was excited by the variety, but I was also overwhelmed by the sheer size of them. These things are the size of diner muffins, not cupcakes! No one's mother ever made cupcakes this big! That being said, the price is quite low considering the amount of cake you are getting, which is always nice. Still, I wish they had more of their interesting flavors in the smaller size. I was intrigued by the Oreo and Marzipan Star varieties (a tri-color cookie on top? oh baby), but I had come with red velvet in mind, and that is what I got.

It was a big disappointment. It didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste like red velvet either. Generic box chocolate cake taste: spongey and sugary and bland. Also, there was rather too much of it in proportion to the frosting (which was admittedly delicious) because the thing is so damn big! I didn't even finish it, and while I enjoyed the second half a bit more when I ate it the following day, I was still not impressed. Boyfriend, on the other hand, hit it big with his carrot cake cupcake, which was dee-licious. He liked it so much, he basically ordered me not to give Crumbs a bad review. I might have listened, had I not gone back a second time on Wednesday. I was ready to try the Marzipan Star, but as they were out of it I settled for the Oreo variety. Once again, the cupcake itself was generic chocolate cake. The frosting was so sugary it almost made my teeth hurt, and the Oreo on top of the cupcake was gross and stale, having absorbed too much moisture from the frosting. Yetch. This time, the second half was no better with breakfast the next morning. I also sampled a bite of a Reeses cupcake: boring chocolate cake with sugary sweet peanut butter frosting. Also a miss.

I am not sure why I found Crumbs so lacking. The non-traditional carrot cake was wonderful, so maybe their normal flavors are just not my type of cupcake. I'm discovering I prefer a denser cake myself, so perhaps it all comes down to personal preference-- I actually am quite fond of much reviled Magnolia cupcakes, for instance. I find it interesting that this location is rated so much lower than the 9 other Manhattan Crumbs (2.5 stars here, 3.5 or 4 at all the others). The staff is quite friendly, but perhaps this particular bake-shop is somehow deviating from the normal course of operations? Whatever it is, I plan to get my cupcakes from other establishments in the future, although I wouldn't entirely rule out my sampling a Marzipan Star sometime.

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Elite '09

28

135

Sylwia W.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/10/2008

After what seemed like the week from hell (I guess that's what happens when you accidentally spill a mug of pomegranate cherry tea all over your precious Macbook, essentially ensuring its slow death), my friend walked up to me before my second class of the day and said, "Hey do you want to get free cupcakes at the new Crumbs on University after class?"

Well, there were no free cupcakes (that would be NEXT Friday, October 17), but I got one anyway. Thing is, I love Crumbs cupcakes; giant, moist, just the right level of sweet, and in a variety of great flavors, they make for a perfect treat on those days when I just kind of really hate the world. I alternate between Cookie Dough (so good, but so sweet), Peanut Butter Cup (tastes just like a mini Reese's peanut butter cup), and Oreo (perfect...just, perfect), though I've also taken a crack at the rich Red Velvet.

Anyway, this new location is incredibly tiny; it's probably the actual size of what New Yorkers like to joke their apartments feel like. There are no seats inside, or even a bar, so expect to take your cupcake somewhere else, like Union Square, or walk down to 8th Street to buying something at that Crumbs. The prices are the same as at every other Crumbs: $3.75 for a giant cupcake, with smaller cupcakes and drinks like coffee, chai, tea, and milk available. What I loved most was the staff, who, though obviously under pressure considering the line going out the door, were extremely polite (a welcome change from the 8th Street location) and even apologized profusely for not having soy milk even though I said skim milk was fine.

Bathroom Grade: N/A. Did I mention that it's small?

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Photo of Rebecca B.

 

3

68

Rebecca B.

Brooklyn, NY

1 star rating
1/23/2009

because the review was kind of bad, it tempted me to try how true they are. and yes! I wasn't dissapointed at all because they are pretty bad!
First bite, I kind of laughed, wow. so yes I should trust these reviews.
The cream tasted weird, the cake crumbly and dry.
If I found this in a cafe, I could bear it. But to find them in a bakery that specialize in cup cakes ! wow, its like having a friend thats particularly bad at singing going to a music school, hey, its none of my business, but I really think you should start a new carreer.
I guess, because of its location they won't runn out of business
but it was really bad! Try penny licks in brooklyn, way better

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Elite '09

123

313

Christina M.

New York, NY

3 star rating
10/17/2008

What's up with New Yorkers and their cupcakes?  Honestly, living in this city the cupcake competition is pretty serious stuff with Magnolia, Buttercup, The Little Cupcake, Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery, and from what I had heard, Crumbs.  Rumor had it that Crumbs was supposed to be one of the big guns, stepping up to the plate be-sprinkled with some serious flavor weapons.

So I was Crumbs-free up until yesterday.  Crumbs has simultaneously held a place on both my "To Do" and "To Don't" List.  (I'd like to be in the loop without having to add another loop to extend my waistband)  The new (it opened Friday, October 10th) Crumbs location on University is too convenient to resist, so I finally got to take a bite of the famed red velvet option (the staff said it's the most popular) sold at the NY cupcake chain.  

So, on the plus side of the dessert shop, the cupcakes are adorable, fun, inviting and visually stimulating.  There are many flavor options to choose from like Hostess Cupcake, Cookie Dough, Oreo, Strawberry something, Peanut Butter, Traditional, Red Velvet, Pumpkin.  Also important to note: 1. all the cupcakes are HUGE; 2. the oreo one really tastes like oreo; 3. the icing on the red velvet was delish.  

However, I think the cakes that instantaneously bring a smile to my face when I see their rainbow colored decorations do leave something to be desired when I think about the actual cake consistency.  I wanted it to be fluffier.  It was like a little too dense and heavy instead of light and airy with the ability to melt in your mouth.  

The store is also super small.  Thank God their wasn't a line to buy cupcakes because if there were anymore people waiting, we would have to queue around the door.  (I imply this would be a detractor, but then look at Magnolia).

Anyway, Crumbs was pretty good but I would have liked a place to sit and a little more bang for my buck, .  They DID give free coffee though (probably part of the grand opening scheme) and they will have pretty Halloween cupcakes soon for the season.  Crumbs also peddles a dozen pack of mini cupcakes so you can sample a lot of their flavors for...only $18!  (note sarcasm; that price is so out of control).  

So yeah, I'll probably be back since it's so close to one of my most frequented 'hoods, but I still much prefer Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery, and probably even Magnolia.

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Elite '09

10

106

Calvin Y.

Little Falls, NJ

2 star rating
5/12/2009

Too much buttercream and not enough cake. There's cream frosting in the core of the cupcake base. I bought 6 full-size ones in a variety of flavors but my fiancee was totally turned off by the over sweetness (and she has a huge sweet tooth) and I was left eating the cupcakes. After the third one, I had to toss it. I felt Crumbs would be good because of its wide spectrum of flavors that a few of the NY places lack. So don't be fooled when you're riding on the subways and you see someone carry a half dozen in a Crumbs bag.

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Elite '09

61

142

Colleen L.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
11/25/2008

YUM YUM YUM! I am a huge cupcake fan, so I always love an opportunity to try somewhere new. We got the Devil Dog (the chocolate cake was delish, the whipped cream filling was a little bland, but the rich/light balance is about right) and a vanilla. The vanilla was actually perfect. Soft cake, creamy icing...

The girl behind the counter though... not so great. We kept asking her what the flavors were (What is 'Thanksgiving' flavor??? Apparently it's just orange & brown sprinkles on a vanilla cupcake) and she seemed like we were pestering her - there was nobody else in the shop. Perk up a little, you work in a cupcake store!!!

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Elite '09

7

200

martha m.

New York, NY

3 star rating
11/2/2008

I normally love Crumbs, but this one has unpredictable service.

One day:  nice, friendly guy who chatted with me about piano playing in Las Vegas.
Another day:  girl who gave me a blank stare as I waited for 3 minutes for her to take my order.  I waited, but she never asked what I wanted--she just stared.  I left after she walked away as I was telling her my order.  There was no one else in the store.  It was awkward and weird.

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Elite '09

18

95

Chris S.

Astoria, NY

3 star rating
4/13/2009

Been here a couple times with people from out of town while we were wondering around Union Square. The coffee was fresh, the cup cakes were heavily coated with icing, and very greasy.

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3

89

Angry D.

New York, NY

3 star rating
5/16/2009

I had the small vanilla cupcake.  It was quite good; the cake was moist and the frosting was not super sweet. But is it worth $2.50?  Probably not though if I'm really feeling for a cupcake near Union Sq I would go for it.

I had a brownie with chocolate chips. It was dried out and too sugary almost gritty.  Avoid.

My only other observation is that some of the other toppings appear to be filled with artificial colors and most of the frosting work is disturbingly very sloppy.  As if they were close relatives of typical bodega cupcakes.

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Elite '09

52

308

Chris L.

Cupertino, CA

4 star rating
4/1/2009

We HAPPENED to pass by as we were exploring Union Square after eating lunch at the Coffee Shop.  The red velvet cupcake was to die for ($3.75).  The cupcakes are much bigger than Kara's and look yummier and less snobby.  They had M&M cupcakes, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, carrot, brownies, cookies, cakes, a lot of stuff.  VERY YUMMY.  Efficient and friendly service.

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28

Anne T.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
8/4/2009

I would give it 3 stars if there wasn't so much hype. Tried the regular vanilla one (I absolutely don't like chocolate- don't judge) and it was tasty and sweet, but nothing special. Especially with all of the cupcake places in the city, I don't understand how this place gets so much credit. Maybe I need to venture out to other flavors (would've tried the key lime but they ran out) and go earlier in the day, but even still the cake wasn't that moist and that's definitely not a good thing when the cupcakes are so big.

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Elite '09

86

100

Jennifer C.

Elmhurst, NY

4 star rating
3/4/2009

I snuck in my very first "Artie Lang" cupcake from CRUMBS a few months ago while I went to see "The Reader" with my friend at the theather across the street.  Wow... did we devour that devil-y delicious treat.I'm surprised that the reviews are bad.. I've had many a cupcake in my day and this was surprisingly one of the best yet~!

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4

11

Aida L.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
4/5/2009

The cupcakes from Crumbs really aren't that much to rave about. I really don't know why I keep coming back. I think the shiny awning and all that pink just draws me in. I do have to admit though, once I'm inside, the display case with all those cupcakes really just sings to me. They really are beautiful and BIG. They're nearly twice the size of "normal" sized cupcakes. The folks at Crumbs really do a good job of decorating the cupcakes, the frosting, the sprinkles and other toppings really just work well. However, sadly, aesthetics seem to be the only thing that traps me into actually getting a cupcake. At $3.75 a piece, they're kind of pricey for just cupcakes. The cake itself is a bit dry, but has a nice taste to it. The frosting is "need a glass of milk" sweet. I feel like you can get better cupcakes elsewhere for less. But I guess it costs more because the size is a bit bigger than regular cupcakes.

I've been to Crumbs several times, and the red velvet always calls my name so I always wind up getting it. But most of the time that I get it is to give it to people as sort of a gift, along with another type of cupcake. Just last week I picked up a red velvet and caramel swirl for a friend's birthday. They looked really good so I hope they taste just as good. The cupcake that stands out that I've tried from Crumbs was the Pistachio one. The cake tasted okay, a little dry but nice overall flavor. The frosting was very nicely sweet at first, but after about three bites, you realize how excruciatingly sweet it is. But the whole pistachio flavor is delicious and the crushed pistachio on top of the frosting works well. If only they made slightly smaller sizes and priced it for less, I would come back more often.

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Elite '09

7

53

Karina B.

New York, NY

1 star rating
12/31/2008

No please don't.  These are bad.  They taste chemically and synthetic and wrong and I think it's because they don't use butter.  Quality baking is based in quality ingredients.  Crumbs is a cheap chain and you deserve better.  They obesity epidemic in America is too serious to be wasting calories this way.  If you induldge, do it with grace and style and intense New York foodie pride.  You do not live in Missouri and shop at Walmart for packaged Ding Dongs.  You eat and thrive where people care about which country the vanilla extract came from, and God fucking bless it, it matters.

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3

1

Kellee F.

Bridgewater, NJ

4 star rating
4/25/2009

Of course, I've had Crumbs in other places and would write a glowing review for any of their establishments except the location of this place is SO out of the way that it seems like very few customers show up... which makes for quick service. However, that mindset may just be me. The only cupcake I can have from there is the Red Velvet. It's decadent and delicious and I think I'll go to work on Monday with only one purpose: To get that cupcake for my ride home.

Photo of Kenneth C.

 

4

16

Kenneth C.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
3/10/2009

Stopped in here one Sunday night, selection was sparse but the Red Velvet cupcake was calling out to me. Kinda expensive at $3.75 each, but the cupcakes are gigantic. I assumed since it was near closing time that the cupcake wouldn't be very fresh, but I bit into it and was surprised by the moistness. Frosting is a bit too sweet, but not nauseatingly so like others have said(perhaps a matter of differing palates). I'll definitely stop in if I'm in the area jonesing for sweets.

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0

95

STEVE G.

Ridgewood, NY

1 star rating
2/13/2009

Most Disgusting Cupcake I ever had!!  My Gf and I were curious to try them so we went there last Saturday night. Ordered the Red Velvet and a Chocalate with vanilla icing.. WAAAAAY Too SWEET!!! Actually hurt my teeth, ANd on top of that The Chubby brunette with curly  hair has a Major attitiute problem with the customers. She actually told the girl in front of me on line to lower her voice while on the cell phone... I would have went 40 decibles higher at that point!!! What a stupid girl!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
Stupid employees with Horrible Cupcakes... I dont think so

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