The Cupcake Counter: User Reviews

Went there last week and had the pumpkin cupcake which was absolutely delicious. My husband had the red velvet cupcake which was ok. It is hard for midwesterners to get red velvet right so I won't hold it against them. I will definitely be back (just not for the red velvet).

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I work around the corner from the Cupcake Counter. I was pleasantly surprised that a cupcake business opened in the loop as I occasionally crave sweets at work. It is a very small shop, just in between a Starbucks, Argo Tea and a Dunkin Donuts - I thought, "how will they survive?" I generally love Argo Tea, go to Dunkin Donuts for bagels and caramel lattes, and occasionally will go to Starbucks - FOR THE COFFEE/TEA - the sweets have always been very dry and do not seem fresh. I did not have a coffee at the Cupcake counter (I had milk waiting for me at the office) but I promised myself I have to try one during my next visit.

I had two of the 5 "daily" cupcakes: the red velvet and butter. I ate the red velvet first - always a favorite of mine. I've read reviews on yelp.com and many of them talked about the cupcakes being dry. I found this to be true with the red velvet, although I do admit that it's why I like red velvet, although it was more dry around the edges than the center. The red velvet cupcakes I've had at Swirlz or Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park were larger, more expensive, and pretty dry also. I'm not a chef but I just believed that red velvet was this way. The frosting was a light cream cheese frosting and very smooth - it definitely moistened up the cake so I would recommend to not get too excited and lick off all the frosting - enjoy it together.

The butter cupcake was very sweet (and I like sweet) but I had to take a chug of milk after every bite to balance it out. This cupcake was VERY moist. I read a review about the butter saying it must be made with shortening because it doesn't melt and doesn't taste as buttery as it would if made from butter. Yes, the frosting had a very "glisteny" effect like shortening. I'm not positive of the ingredients but it did taste like butter to me. The cupcake itself almost did not need frosting...it was so moist. I think there was a chocolate and vanilla "butter" cupcake - I chose vanilla.

I went to the shop around 10:30 am on 9/16/09 and the lady behind the counter was cheerful and let me know that a few selections that were not on display were just being frosted and that I could still choose those. The red velvet was the one I chose that was fresh. The butter was on display. Overall, they were both scrumptious and I don't think the average person wanting a cupcake should think twice about going here for one. They even put my 2 cupcakes in a cute little cardboard cupcake box with a Cupcake Counter sticker and a little ribbon. It was a nice homemade touch.

After the recent issue at a nearby Corner Bakery, I've hoped for a more family-owned shop. Most places in the loop are chains, and, although I completely enjoy them, it's nice to have a place like this to go to with a coworker and enjoy something fresh and different.

My only recommendation is that they post general ingredients - how about organic cupcakes? There's a noticeable difference between them and their nearby competitors.

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