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Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: The LoopWashington/Wells (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Pink)
Washington (Blue, Red)
Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express, Orange)
Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
"Il Giardino Del Dolce came through for me yet again! I needed a cake to feed 50..and it had to be The Nightmare before Christmas themed.…" read more »
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I love the cupcakes here so much that I had to institute a new rule. I'm only allowed to have a cupcake for breakfast once a week. If I didn't have this rule, I'd go every day, gain even more weight, and be poor.
Her standard cupcakes are very good, but where she really shines is with the her rotating flavors. I LOVE maple - it is a little dense, but in a good way. And, honestly, the frosting tastes like real maple sugar.
Another huge favorite is the almond pear. The cake on this one is very airy, and you feel very delicate when you eat it.
My new absolute favorite, however, is the peanut butter and jelly. The frosting tastes like the very best peanut butter in the world - just a smidge sweeter than what you'd put on your sandwich. The cake is the airy white cake, but then there is real jelly at the bottom. It is so so decadent and fun.
They are very very nice, and I like their own Intelligencia blend. On its own, its a little bitter for me, but its a perfect match with their cupcakes.
So while I was walking to another cupcake place on Friday I passed this little shop. I immediately pulled out my phone doing a quick yelp look-up and saw this place is legit!
Always being one for trying something new (and because I wasn't going to eat more than one of the cupcakes) I decided to go in...
Unfortunately, they had a special cookie order they were making and I couldn't buy a dozen of their cupcakes.
Lady: Sorry, but I can't sell you a dozen cupcakes, but I can have them ready for you after 4pm if you can get them after.
Me: No! I flunked kindergarden for not being able to share.. I want all of your cupcakes in the case!
Lady: You can go over to Sugar Bliss.. I'm sorry, but I can't sell you all the cupcakes as then I won't be able to sell any to anyone else..
Me: Fine.. *storms off*
Ok.. that really didn't happen, but she did tell me about Sugar Bliss seeing that I needed to get a hold of lots of cupcakes.. I thought that was really nice and I was going to go to Sugar Bliss anyways if I didn't serendipitously find this place.
As I walked back from Sugar Bliss, I again passed by this place and got two cupcakes as the lady was really nice to me..
Got the chocolate/chocolate and red velvet.. Frosting was really good on both with them being sweet, but not too sweet.. Also, cake wasn't dry, but nice and moist..
Thanks Cupcake Counter! Now I have the option of not walking as far if I want to get my cupcake on!
After recalling a trip to Sweet Mandy B's, I wanted a cupcake badly and I wanted it during my work lunch hour.
I knew I was making a mistake when I forked up $3.00 for a tiny little maple cupcake that was gingerly wrapped in paper, and put into a cheap brown paper bag stamped with the store's logo - only to lose a bit of frosting upon transport back to the office. Ahem, Cupcake Counter, please learn from the other cupcake places that provide takeout boxes that will keep your cupcakes in tact. Or maybe your cupcakes are too small to warrant boxes. Hmm?
It's true, the cupcake was one of the densest things I ever ate. But I didn't want density! I wanted something big, sinful and edible to devour, even if it has a little bit of air. Besides, the density trumped any texture assessments - let alone taste. It was a blob of maple...stuff.
The place maybe has two seats. Maybe. It's also so tiny you'll probably miss it the first time you walk by.
Despite Cupcake Counter being what-may-very-well-be-the-smallest-eatery-in-the-c ity, it is a beacon of light and sweet goodness on a cold, dark autumn evening. Seriously. My friend and I work across the street and we randomly saw it while leaving work one dark Friday. It was the one establishment on Madison that exuded warmth and deliciousness. :) And the second I saw the word "cupcake," it was over. I literally ran across the street paying no attention to oncoming traffic.
Sadly, they were out of ALL cupcakes. But I was glad to hear that-- glad there's a cupcake place on my end of the Loop, glad the food is obviously good, glad it's so cute and small so they probably don't pay too much in rent, glad they're an independent place owned by a mother and daughter team, and glad I can get a cupcake fix ANYTIME I WANT.
So I finally snagged myself two cupcakes at lunch today. I was delighted to find the cupcake display stocked with several delicious flavors. I chose the pistachio and carrot. Both were a normal cupcake size, both had a good amount of frosting (deliciously homemade) along with a cute accent (a pistachio and a walnut, respectively), and both were dense but moist.
So though the cupcakes aren't the very best I've ever had, they're good enough for me. Cupcake Counter is a super cute independent place with yummy baked goods and it's a WELCOME addition to a blah, chain-ridden area. Welcome, Cupcake Counter!
Cute place! I really like it and it's always nice to have places like this in the loop. Who cares if it's small and they run out? That means they make it themselves! And I'd rather have that than something mass produced!
Anyway, I had the devils food cupcake, or whatever they call it... It had vanilla frosting with a malted milk ball on top and a chocolate cake. The frosting isn't the style I like but it was still pretty good. And the cake was amazingly moist. Decent price, as well.
What an awesome addition to the Loop!!! Ok, so it's very small and they do run out of cupcakes...but they are a new establishment, so I think with time CC will work out the kinks and be just fine.
I love their brownies--super soft and amazing (think so soft that if you were to squeeze the brownie, your fingers would end up touching each other). I bought an Urban Legend cookie today (milk chocolate, pecans and oatmeal)..have yet to try it. I am stoked that they have macaroons (I just wish the bottoms weren't covered in chocolate).
Will definitely come back to satisfy my post-lunch sweet craving again.
I thought the cupcakes here were really good. I was looking on Madison St during rush hour afterwork traffic and had a little trouble finding this place. I didnt think it would be so small!!! I guess calling it a cupcake counter really is the truth--no seating here! So expect to pick it up and go!
I ordered my cupcake after work yesterday. Got too busy last night and ended up bringing the cupcake to work this morning to eat. The cupcake lasted pretty well. It was not hard and a little dry (but it was a day old so it was to be expected). The frosting was the BEST though. Very creamy and delicious! And sweet but not too sweet. I cant handle cupcakes where the frosting is too sweet. Overall an excellent cupcake! I wish they had more variety though. Maybe in the future? I thought chocolate on chocolate would be too much chocolate so I ordered the chocolate with vanilla frosting. It was YUM!
It's me again. Obsessing over cupcakes. Again. This time at the tiny downtown sweets shop called Cupcake Counter.
The name doesn't lie--it literally has a counter. And that's all. But considering the location it totally works for them. Ms. Cupcake Aficionado scooped up 4 precious little cakes--RV, Carrot, Pistachio & PB & J at $3/each.
With all the mixed reviews I didn't know what to really expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
+PB & J: = dynamite! Yellow cake with strawberries in the batter, topped with a dreamy peanut butter icing. This is *exactly* how I imagined a PB&J cupcake to taste like.
+Pistachio = loads of ground pistachios with an okay icing. It had a hint of citrus (or am I imagining it?) :)
+RV = My least favorite, in terms of cake. The cream cheese icing was phenomenal though.
+Carrot = Flavorful cake with chunks of walnut. Again, this had that fantastic cream cheese icing. Yay!
Shots anyone?? Frosting shots, that is. Their twist on frosting shots is serving it in an edible chocolate cup--can't get much better than that!
Their selection is small, but the flavors do not disappoint! They are located right off of the Washington/Wells Brown Line stop.... convenient, right?! Pick up a few on your way home (open till 7!) and score big points with your roomies/man-friend/hubby/neighbor/etc.
Went to Cupcake Counter today for the first time. Cute place and the Cupcakes not bad either ! The frosting tasted a little strange and I can't quite put my finger on it... Not sweet enough ?? I had the choclate with chocolate frosting.
The cupcake itself was actually pretty good and nice and moist .
I would probably go back if I am in the neighbourhood but wouldnt make a special trip..............
Let's try this again....
Hmmm....so many people describe these cupcakes as "dense" and even go on to say that these cupcakes "require more chewing and drinking of beverage to be able to swallow than necessary". And for dry, flavorless cupcakes you people still give 3 stars?!! WTF?!! The last time I checked, cupcakes aren't supposed to make your jaw hurt and scratch your throat.
As with a lot of generous reviewers on here who love to jump on the cupcake bandwagon and give out more stars than they really should have, it's obvious that decor and service win out over something as trivial as TASTE. What happened to the true foodies out there who weren't so mesmerized by an eating establishment's bells and whistles?
The only reason I can possibly think of as to why this place has gotten so many positive reviews is that there are many people who felt ripped off for having overpaid for a crappy, below average, dry cupcake and what better way to feel better about being the victim than to share the experience with so many uninformed cupcake lovers out there?
You Cupcake Counter have just earned yourself a poem by yours truly and it goes a little something like this:
Your frosting sucks
Your cake is dense
Either one is not worth
Two cents
Your cupcakes look great
But that's pretty much it
Cupcake's so dry
I'd rather eat $@!T
Or have someone
punch me in my mouth
For real red velvet
You better head South
To the state of Georgia
Or to Tennesee
When it comes to cupcakes
Don't mess with me
I'm a fat dude and
know my food
I want a cupcake so good
It gives me (fill in the blank, hint: begins with "W")
Keep your cupcakes
Cuz they're all for show
Meant for people
Who aren't in the know
To make a good cupcake
Doesn't take a whiz
Instead of your cupcake
I'd rather drink my own (fill in the blank).
Winner, winner, I say hell no to your dry, chewy, overpriced cupcake dinner!
P.S Was this review PG-13 enough for you?
So I decided to go ahead and pay 3.00 for a freaking cupcake.....
I have two beefs though
1. Its SUPER small
2. The Butter cupcake I got was dry and not tasty, the frosting was delicious but the cake left much to be desired
I think I will go back and give it another try the Devils Food Cake looked kind of good......
.....to be continued
Oreo....life changing. PB&J...DELISH! Double butter is still my fave.
It's nice to have a place to get cupcakes in the loop, I'll give them that. But, compared to all the different cupcakeries in the city, the Cupcake Counter is just kind of average, especially considering the price.
Their cupcakes are plainly decorated (they reminded me of bake sale goods). The cake itself (as noted in other reviews, is very very dense). My friend compared the cake of her chocolate peanut butter one to a brownie. I had a red velvet and a banana-- The red velvet wasn't very flavorful and the banana was more like a muffin. However, the frosting was tasty (the cream cheese frosting trumped the banana flavored buttercream).
If you're in the loop and in need of a sugar rush, this will definitley do, but I think it's worth it to walk the extra few blocks to Sugar Bliss.
Ok I went here again except this time I went first thing in the morning 9am on a weekday. I ordered chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, and blueberry muffin.
My gold standard, chocolate on chocolate, was very disappointing. It was HARD on top...the frosting was hard, the top of the cupcake was hard. How can this be? I don't understand how these two parts can be hard! Plus the cupcake was on the dry side.
The muffin, while full of berries, did not taste homemade. It was definitely not too sweet but it lacked some moistness.
I definitely won't be back. If you need a cupcake in the Loop, I would go to Sugar Bliss.
Ok so if you don't know about my mission, I'm determined to see who sells the tastiest cupcake in… Read more »
Definitely the best cup cake to be found in the loop. Definitely small and hard to find.
I love their idea of 'frosting shots,' which are a thin roll of chocolate filled with frosting. The red velvet cupcakes come with a cream cheese frosting that is tart and tasty. Most of the other cakes come with a fluffy butter cream. The snicker doodle cookies are probably my favorite thing offered, but I can't say no to cinnamon.
Intelligensia coffee is the way to go for a perfect cupcake compliment. The breakfast goodies sound heavenly, but I never make it here before 2, so they will most likely always be out of these unless I arrive earlier.
Some have criticized the Counter for running out of things, but I'm fine with it. They're a small shop, and everything is handmade and fresh. I'd rather them be out of something than have them serve me a two-day old cupcake.
Blink and you'll miss this new cupcake boutique in the Loop! It's literally a tiny, hole in the wall cupcake bakery!! Since hearing of another cuppie place in the Loop, I was determined to try it for the sake of research purposes. During the lunch hour, this place is hopping with customers getting their sugar fixes. I picked out a butter cupcake with vanilla frosting and a chocolate with a vanilla frosting. I tasted the butter cupcake first. It's alright, but frankly nothing special. The cake is pretty dense and unremarkable. The frosting is pretty questionable. Everyone says it's buttercream, but it holds up a little too well. I, too, suspect that there's shortening in the frosting because my other cupcake's frosting hasn't melted or oozes by a temperature difference. Also, it lacked that fresh buttery taste that I expect from buttercream frosting.
All in all, I won't be going out of my way for cupcakes from here. The selection is limited and the cupcake just didn't thrill me. Out of the Loop cupcake shops, it's a decent entry, just not as tasty or as thrilling as the other shop.
What? A new cupcake store opened in the Loop? Does this mean cupcakes for lunch?!?!
I came to the Cupcake Counter b/c I needed to see if Loop cupcakes tasted any different than Northside (read: Molly's, Luscious Layers, SMB's) cupcakes. And just like the Cupcake Counter's Loop neighborhood....these cupcakes are all business.
Carrot Cake, Vanilla, Chocolate Mousse, and Peanut Butter and Jelly, the cupcakes here are dense and flavorful. I felt like they were a little dry, but I came in around 6:30pm so perhaps that was the reason. I don't think these cupcakes are quite as good as the others in Chicago. The icing isn't as sweet and again, the cake part is dry *tears*. It's a shame, too, because the Cupcake Counter is so cute and a really nice diversion from the daily grind of working in the Loop.
The people working there are extremely nice, and for a bakery that has "Cupcake" in their name, they have a plethora of other bakery items! Stop by to try their cookies, danishes, brownies, coffee, etc.
The best part of the Cupcake Counter, however, are the frosting shots. Now those are some "shots" that go down smooth! It's soft chocolate frosting encased in a hard chocolate shell. Chocolate-y goodness.
I ordered the "Ice Cream Sandwich" with a chocolate cupcake that had chocolate icing. The "Ice Cream Sandwich" is a cupcake that they split in half and put a huge scoop vanilla ice cream in the middle. It is served in a large plastic cup. The portion size was much larger than I had expected, which was a pleasant suprise. It's basically a birthday party in a cup. Ice cream and cupcakes is a great combination & I love the idea. I don't even want to know how many calories it is, but it is tasty as a combo.
The cupcake itself was just ok. Not bad, but not fabulous. I probably wouldn't order a cupcake there without some ice cream to go with it, based on the chocolate one I had, but I'll give them another chance and try some different things. I noticed that they had muffins, etc. for the morning- so I may try that sometime, as well.
Really small space, quaint, yet cute. Has a "boutique" bakery feel, which is nice for the business part of the loop.
Its worth a try. If you need a pick-me-up, try the Ice Cream Sandwich for sure. This is the item that makes them stand out vs. other cupcake shops.
This place is dangerously close to work. It's a small shop with various options of other cutesy things to eat besides cupcakes, like muffins, brownies, large cookies, pecan turtles, granola, yogurt parfait, macaroons, and frosting shots. They also make "ice cream sandwiches" out of their cupcakes! Can't imagine that will hold up well, but can't knock 'em for trying.
But onto the important stuff... the cupcakes. There are only 5 flavors daily, which is kind of a let down. I've tried two: coconut w/chocolate frosting and cookies & cream. Word of advice: get the coconut cupcake w/chocolate frosting (to resemble the taste of a macaroon) - the frosting itself is like mousse! The cookies & cream cupcakes have a cookie bottom and chunks of cookies inside the cupcake. The tops of both cupcakes were crunchy but the insides are fluffy and moist. In my experience, crunchy tops is a result of a lot of butter in the recipe. The frostings also have a strong buttery flavor. But the frosting to cake ratio is just right, and they are frosted neatly. $3 each - not that bad!
I pass by this place on the way into work and was very excited when I first saw it. I finally got a chance to visit. The store is tiny but cute. When you walk in the smell of fresh baked items just hits you. There were three types of cupcakes out when I was there: red velvet, coffee and vanilla with buttercream frosting. I got a vanilla one--I thought it was kind of pricey for $3 but whatever . . . I'm getting used to the inflated Chicago prices. If I pay $10 for a sandwich, I guess $3 is good for a cupcake. The cake itself was pretty flavorless. Not too sweet but not bad . . . just not much of anything. I did like the consistency of it--very soft moist cake with a crispy top to the cupcake. Just not very flavorful. The icing was good (and they selll icing shots for $1.25) and that made the cupcake better but I wasn't wowed.
I'll certainly be back to try more. I think it's a nice addition to the area--just maybe some minor tweaking needed.
spend your $3 on (2) boxes of cake mix instead...
i actually think it's in a great location however it's really small and hidden. the display itself is just a step up from a bake sale and maybe even a step below some dessert displays i have seen at family parties!
not much of a selection - there was a bigger selection of muffins when i arrived on a monday afternoon and only (2) fancy cupcakes (red velvet and carrot) and (1) regular cupcake (butter). i chose one of each "fancy" plus a buttercream shot. the buttercream shot is .25 more than sugar bliss because it is served in a chocolate shell. the shot was nothing amazing. i tried just bites of each of the cupcakes and didn't need anymore. they weren't terrible but weren't worth splurging my calorie intake for the day (or $6 for that matter). good enough to stick around the loop but they will never last against its competition.
BEST CUPCAKE IN TOWN.....
anyone who thinks differently must enjoy the cupcakes found at places like Jewel or Dominick's.
The size of the Cupcake counter shouldn't make a difference, who cares if it is small? The only thing that should matter is the taste and customer service. I think they have cupcakes that taste homemade, never dry and always perfect. Also, the owners are the nicest people you'll ever meet.
3 dollars for a cupcake in the loop is NOT a rip off..you are in Chicago, come on! Cupcakes that don't even compare to the Cupcake Counter are over 3 dollars in the loop.
Next time you walk by and look through the glass doors, go in and try it out for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed.
The Cupcake Counter will be the only place I ever order cupcakes from.
The End.
So it was our office celebration for the August birthdays this week, and this new joint just around the corner was the perfect option for treats!
I must say, I was jealous I didn't get to try one of the frosting shots, which is presented so cute in a little chocolate "shot glass," but those are reserved for the birthday folks. Although usually the idea of a mouthful of frosting makes me shudder with thoughts of hypoglycemic crashes, this was just a tiny serving. The perfect size for a candle and a birthday song. :)
For cupcakes we tried the devil's food cake with malted vanilla frosting (delish, moist, heaven), red velvet, vanilla with buttercream, chocolate on chocolate, and even Woodstock (a purple and white cake with tie-dyed frosting!). It got rave reviews from everyone, and I'm trying to decide now if this is a good thing or a bad thing to have delicious cupcakes so close by. The lunch hour just got so much more interesting!
I am basing this review on the chocolate/chocolate cupcake my boyfriend brought me after work one day.
Finding out a cupcake bakery had opened practically across the street from where my boyfriend works was very exciting to me. But the cupcake was a total let-down.
It had the consistency of an old muffin with barely any frosting on it to speak of. Which was a good thing because the frosting was overly buttery, to the point of seeming greasy.
I told him not to bring me any more cupcakes from there.
This place is so pimp, it really just needs half of a word as a review: "Ridic." Since, I'm bored right now it's getting more. The Le Cordon Bleu-trained proprietor of Cupcake Counter has created a veritable crack dispensary in her brand new Franklin and Madison niche. Malted vanilla bean, red velvet, carrot cake, coconut, and the simply named "Butter" all = gloriously artistic cupcake deliciousness. Refreshing flavored iced teas make a perfect capper on a hot day.
With regards to other reviewers' concerns about price, I must say I'm borderline obsessive when it comes to seeking good values in dining, and this place surely fits the bill. I'd rather pay 3 dollars for incredibly fresh, flavorful and immaculately presented Cupcake Counter product than to eat the bland, processed crap that Corner Bakery, Starbucks, and all the other chains that dominate the Loop pawn off as being edible. And, as for the reviewer pining for "PILES of frosting," I'm going to go ahead and recommend that you replace some of the cupcakes in you and your kids' diets with slimfast.
After trying two cupcakes from The Cupcake Counter, I've got to say that they're off to a pretty good start. The cupcakes are very dense, as in the most dense cupcakes I have ever had. First I tried the cookies and cream one and today I tried the Reese' peanut butter one that friends brought me. The icing on both cupcakes was awesome, but the cake required way more chewing and drinking of beverage to be able to swallow it than is necessary. The place itself is tiny, really sweet and nicely decorated. They have a built in market right there, being right by the La Quinta. I'll be back to try the frosting shots.
Ok first of all, I passed this place when I walked by...twice. So needless to say, its tiny. However, I got over the size when I see this nice lady behind the counter greet me with a cheery smile as she's rearranging cupcakes. She said hello to me and said that there was additional candy in the back if I was looking for a particular kind. "No ma'am, I'm here for a butter cupcake." I glance at the tiny display case and see it sitting there. They look just like something your grandma would make. Some simple. Some with sprinkles on top.
So I purchased my butter cupcakes and this delicious looking cupcake that was apparently a cherry scone.
The frosting on the butter cupcake...Oh Em G! Its homemade frosting for sure. Now the cupcake itself is soft and moist. But it wasn't fluffy. It was good. Don't get me wrong. But I prefer fluffy.
As for the cherry scone...I'm in love! There's nothing worse than those terrible scones from Starbucks or Corner Bakery that are topped with hard sugar. No no no. Not this little gem though. And the cherries were big fresh cherries. The texture was a much better improvement then the cupcake. It was like soft biscuit (it is a scone after all)
I brought some back for my co-workers as well. They squealed with delight.
Thus far, this is definitely our new pick for afternoon indulgences.
Great cupcakes, cool decor and the best service ever. The classics are classic and the inventive ones are inventively good. I loved by chocolate on chocolate and it was NOT hard - it was soft and chocolately and creamy - yummy- and delivered with a smile!
Cupcakes are mouthfuls of happiness. This is a small operation delivering major joy - so enjoy your time in the heaven that is the cupcake counter and savor the cupcakes (or other sweet treats you get) because we all need a little sugary goodness to make the medicine go down.
This reviewer loves being at the counter so to those unhappy and clenched up- take a little more joy! I am probably biased, but then so is everyone offering an opinion.
This place is close to my job and I had a sweet tooth. While the cupcakes did not take me over, but they were decent. They weren't the best I ever had but they weren't half-steppin' either. It makes me wish there were more bakeries in the loop other than Au Bon Pain and Corner Bakery. I hope it starts a trend.
Even though I read the reviews saying it was a small place, I still almost walked right past this place. Don't blink or you'll miss it.
The inside space was clean, and I found the decor to be cute. The was only a small selection of cupcakes, as well as some other baked goods. I tried the red velvet and the butter cupcake. I found them moist, but dense just like a homemade cupcake should be. The frosting was also delicious, but I felt like it was a little on the skimpy side.
All in all, I will return here if I'm in the area, but I am still on my search for the best cupcake in Chicago.
Good, but not great...Sugarbliss wins out in my opinion, but this place is a little closer. Its a no frills cupcake "fastfood" bakery. We tried the tiramisu cupcake and the frosting was amazing! It tasted a lot better than some tiramisu I've had at Italian resturants. The cake part left a little to be desired..denser than other places and could have been a little more moist. For $3 a piece, you want perfection and this wasnt. Its only their second week so I'll cut her some slack.
stopped by for a cookie this week...snickerdoodle!! OMG it was buttery heaven in my mouth and super large (which is great for a sugar fiend like me). also tried the Urban Legend cookie which was good, but not at all "legendary" in my book...the snickerdoodle was better because it was chewy and not hard. they also had samples of a zucchini and sweet potato muffin...WHAT?! omg, the perfect delish breakfast on the go...i think so! wish i walked past Cupcake Counter on my commute, that muffin was so wonderful.
2 enthusiastic yums up...i will be back for more cupcakes and cookies soon!
OMG an ice cream cupcake??!!! YES PLEASE! when i found out about this new spot today and heard… Read more »
I bought 6 cupcakes for a work function. The packaging was nice, but the cupcakes weren't that great. We tried the Butter with Vanilla, Butter with Chocolate, Coffee, Red Velvet, Chocolate with Chocolate and Carrot.
The Butter with Vanilla, the cake was moist, but the frosting with overly sugary and felt like they use shortening. The Butter with Chocolate had a nice chocolate frosting. The Red Velvet, the cake was ok, but the cream cheese frosting was watery. The Carrot didn't taste like carrot, too many nuts and the Coffee was my least favorite. I almost had to spit it out...sorry....didn't taste like coffee and had a weird after taste. The frosting design was not the greatest.... probably not the best presentation. I will stick to Sugar Bliss they are just a couple of blocks down the street, but they have more variety and better presentation.
These are by far the best cupcakes I have had in Chicago! Stopped by for the first time yesterday afternoon and already having my second helping today!
I passed by this place on my way to work and stopped in for coffee because I saw the Intelligentsia sign. (I'm a die-hard fan.) The shop is super cute and I am excited to see an independent store in the Loop!
I tried a carrot- zucchini muffin and enjoyed that it wasn't an obnoxious Super Size-me amount. That's the last thing I want to start my day. It tasted light and fluffy and went perfect with my coffee.
I also just tried their carrot cupcake the other day - very tasty! Their frosting is unique and addictive- light, not heavy. I look forward to more!
I was super excited to find out a new cupcake place had just opened up in the Loop. I went there today to try a cupcake and was very impressed. The store is tiny, I seriously almost walked right by it. And the inside is super cute and girly.
They do not have too big a variety, but I tend to prefer that. They have the basic vanilla and chocolate and them some fun flavors daily. I ended up getting the orange almond cupcake and it was perfection. The frosting was really good and the orange flavor was strong but not overpowering. The cake was very dense and it was moist, with little almond pieces. The thing that I liked most about it was the flavors. The strong orange and almond flavors work so well together, just thinking about that yummy cupcake now makes me wish I had another one!!
I will definitely be going back to try one of the cookies and I need to try a zucchini and sweet potato muffin, it sounds amazing!!
Just ate my first cupcake from this tiny tiny place. Though I think the national cupcake craze is overblown (there's a world full of sweets out there, folks!), this was one yummy cupcake (chocolate cake w/ vanilla icing and a dollop of dark chocolate on top). It is incredibly dangerous that they are right across the street from where I work.
I visited this tiny shop looking for coffee and a snack while between appointments. I was thrilled to find a small array of unexpected treats, frosting shots, cupcake ice cream sandwiches, brownies, scones, muffins and cookies. I was captivated by the ice cream sandwich which was a great and satisfying value at $4. I took a brownie and zucchini-sweet potato home to my children. These were fantastic with rich and dense flavor combinations.
The following week I had high school cross country team breakfast scheduled so i visited the website, which is very helpful. I placed an order for a mix of 2 dozen red velvet, chocolate-vanilla cupcakes, and 1 dozen mixed muffins. I arranged to pick the order up curbside at 7:30 a.m., perfect packaging allowed easy transport. The kids and coaches completely enjoyed this special surprise and I was extremely pleased with the presentation and quality.
The customer service here is off the chain, impressive for a tiny family owned operation! I will be back!
This new establishment is starting out as a 2 star but I am rooting rooting rooting for it to become a 5 star cupcake joint ASAP. I am a cupcake conneseur. I know and love my cupcakes. My children were literally built on cupcakes in the womb. These cupcakes have definite potential. My favorite cupcakes in the world belong to Sweet Mandy B's in Lincoln Park but I work in the Loop and I have needs. When the Cupcake Counter opened - I was SO excited. I was unfortunately underwhelmed. The cupcakes were good. My issues - EXPENSIVE! If I am going to pay more than THREE dollars for a cupcake - it had better be twice the size of the one I ate and have PILES of frosting. I think they were small and needed about 3 times more frosting (which was tasty). Make these changes and I'll be a regular.
The reason that the Cupcake Counter runs out is that every cupcake is made from scratch on the premises, in contrast to bakeries who job out their baking to other facilities at night and/or use a mix. So, when you get a carrot cake or a zucchini muffin at the Cupcake Counter, there is actually a person in the back of that little shop grating carrots and zucchini and frosting those cupcakes by hand. I think that people are so used to processed foods that they don't understand the time and the labor that goes into an actual scratch cake - most people have never tasted one. These cupcakes sell out because they are mouthwateringly GOOD, and once you've had one, you'll understand what I mean. Just wish they had a diet version...
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Neighborhood: Wicker Park
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Neighborhood: Lakeview
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