It has been quite some time since I provided my initial recommendations for Chicago’s sweets landscape. With a recent visit to the city, I gave some new establishments (at least new to me!) a try.
Donuts
As we walked around Chicago, we noticed several Stan’s Donuts locations. After a particularly long stroll one Saturday afternoon, we decided to try a few treats for an afternoon snack, as we had not heard of this bakery before. I chose a standard – Chocolate Sprinkled Glazed – and was pleasantly surprised by the texture and taste of the icing. On the surface it appeared to be a basic offering, but the quality of the ingredients really showed, resulting in a delightful bite each time.
From Yelp recommendations, we also elected to try the Peanut Butter Banana Pocket, which was dripping in a thick coat of icing. I must say, this one did disappoint. For all of the flavors incorporated into the pocket, nothing in particular stood out. The peanut butter and banana seemed to rarely meet, and the experience was underwhelming.
I will absolutely revisit Stan’s again, electing for the simpler (and to me, more satisfying) selections.
Pie
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuit came highly recommended from several sources as a must-try in Chicago. With the changing leaves and dropping temperatures, it feels like the perfect weather for a biscuit and a slice of pie, so we decided to check it out last weekend.
We visited the location near the Blue Line California stop. The flow of the establishment itself was confusing. Despite having two doors, the staff insisted that the line proceed outside, instead of inside, the establishment on the blustery Sunday afternoon. You could hear a few murmurs of frustration as the queue shifted to accommodate the request.
Once finally at the counter, we ordered a slice of apple and a slice of the chocolate chess to try something new. The apple was nice – not too heavy on the cinnamon or goopy like some fruit pies are, and overall hit the spot for those looking for a classic. At $6 a slice, however, it is not going to be a regular indulgence.
The chocolate chess, on the other hand, was disappointing. A layer between the rich but grainy dark chocolate filling and the crust possessed a strange, gummy texture. Described as brownie-like by the cashier, it unfortunately did not resemble this treat.
Based on the overall experience and expense, I may opt to bake my own instead! The chocolate chip cookies did look pretty good though (and were the size, roughly, of a dinner plate) so I may give this place one more chance.
Cupcakes
After discovering many of the places I had previously tried have since closed, I jumped at the chance to try a new establishment. The Cupcake Counter looked like a small, family-operated bakery and I stopped in to try a seasonal selection – the pumpkin chocolate chip cupcake.
Opting to enjoy the treat at home, I was disappointed to discover the default was to place the frosted cupcake into a paper snack bag, which was sure to impact the presentation. The employee said boxes were available for an additional $0.85, a disappointing and seemingly unnecessary upcharge for a cupcake establishment. Opening the box when I arrived home, I discovered the cupcake had been placed sideways in the box.
The pumpkin cake didn’t have much flavor. While moist, it was quite heavy and dense. The pumpkin frosting had a great cinnamon richness, but did not pair together well with the cake itself, competing with one another instead.
Overall the customer service experience and the taste of the cupcake itself ensure Cupcake Counter will remain off of my recommendations list.
Until next time,
SugarSource
To quickly cool, we pop these into the freezer. They are ready for guests to enjoy within the hour, and last for 1-2 weeks (though we have found they are long-gone before then).
SugarSource 