You might remember the first Chicago Cupcake Crawl that took place in February(and if you don't, read it here!). Well, it seems that we missed a few cupcake shops and that some new ones opened up since Sues was last in Chicago. The only solution to that? Go back to Chicago and participate in Cupcake Crawl Part 2. And this time bring Chels along for the sugary ride. Sues's sister, Beth, did her research and had the crawl planned out by the time we arrived in the city.
More Cupcakes
First stop on our tour was the newly-opened More. We were pretty excited about More because we heard that they have cupcakes involving bacon. This also scared us just a bit. But we love cupcakes and we love bacon, so score huge, right?
More is a really sleek, minimalist store, with basically just cupcakes. There's no seating, but that's okay because we weren't quite ready to eat our cupcakes yet. We got them to go.
We loved the packaging and branding.
More is the perfect name for a cupcake shop. Who doesn't want more?
We chose to get 2 of their savory cupcakes: the Maple Bacon and the BLT (Whaaat. I know). We also got 2 sweet: Chocolate with Vanilla frosting and the Black and White.
Now on to the scariest one of all. The BLT cupcake. This is just so wrong on so many levels. But also so fabulous on so many levels. But in the end, a BLT just shouldn't be a cupcake. The cake wasn't as good as the maple bacon and the frosting? Honestly, I think it made all of us gag a bit. All we could think of was giant globs of mayonnaise. But really, the frosting tasted like tangy ranch dressing. And on a cupcake? Not so hot.
On to the sweet! A welcome change. The cake on this chocolate cupcake was so rich and decadent and completely melted in our mouths. Amazing. The frosting was a bit too light and not quite sweet enough, but kind of made a nice contrast to the cake.
The black and white was the best of our More cupcakes. Again, the cake totally melted in our mouths and the chocolate shavings were much better than simple frosting...and it was quite attractive too! We'd definitely go back to More for "more" black and white cupcakes (hehe).
Overall, Sues says More is a completely awesome place even though we weren't in love with the bacon cupcakes. Chels is glad the bacon cupcakes didn't turn her off from bacon forever...which probably would never happen. It was an interesting experience and one you can't get too many places. We're glad we tried them even if we wouldn't order them again.
And Adam wouldn't eat the rest of the BLT cupcake even after Sues offered him $100 to do it.
More CupcakesOne East Delaware Place
Chicago, IL
312.951.0001
And the walls in Chaos Theory make the store so much fun. And yes, Sues contemplated where she could get someone to decorate her apartment walls with images of cupcakes.
Anyway, the party was a green wedding event, which was somewhat appropriate since Beth and Adam are planning their wedding for next fall. So, we chatted with a few of the vendors, but were much more concerned with eating cupcakes. The huge variety was displayed on the counter in cute little leopard print papers.
The cupcake flavors at Chaos Theory are extremely unique and awesome (unfortunately Chels couldn't participate in the Chaos Theory cupcake tasting as most of them involved nuts. Sad! However, she did try their chocolate-covered bacon). Sues and Jessi were pretty obsessed with the Thanksgiving Mousse cupcake. As in, Thanksgiving dinner on a cupcake. As in, heaven. This cupcake included cranberry gelee, pecan cake, sweet potato mousse, and marshmallow fluff.
Below is the Symphony Cake, the cupcakes that the lovely ladies of Chaos Theory had just finished packaging up for Madonna and her crew by special request (Madonna was in Chicago that weekend). The cupcake was hazelnut dacquoise, caramelized hazelnuts, caramel, caramel mousse, and mocha buttercream. And incredibly rich and decadent. Yes, we could see why Madonna is also in love.
Chaos Theory2961 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
773.281.2353
BomBon Americano
They also had some fabulous cupcake flavor choices, so we picked up a Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, and Oreo.
We love the prettiness of the BomBon cupcakes, but we weren't overly impressed with them in the end. The cake wasn't too bad, but the frosting? It had a strong taste of Crisco and not nearly enough sugar. We weren't fans of it. Also, the Oreo cupcakes, which we were pretty excited about, tasted nothing like Oreo.
However, the blueberry cupcake cake was actually quite enjoyable and we loved the blueberry jam inside. Too bad the frosting really took away from our pleasure.
BomBon Americano
1000 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312.787.7717
Thank you to Chicago for your sooo much better than Boston cupcake selection. Please continue opening these wonderful shops, so we can keep returning and cupcake crawling. And to our Chicagoan readers, let us know what we missed and what your favorite cupcake spots are. And for now? We're taking a little bit of a cupcake break!
[Sues and Chels]
pbandrazz says
i love chaos theory! the thanksgiving cupcake was interesting, but i prefer the curry. num num.
Alya says
I am JEALOUS!! I'm sooo tempted to do a cupcake crawl over here (Kuwait), but I'm on a diet and cannot afford to gain some pounds :((
GET IT GIRL says
I absolutely love love LOVE your blog!! I will definitely be hitting these spots up! Thanks for posting:-)!!
Shanti says
Oh, Sweet Mandy B's. Epic. I used to pass by BomBon Americano before it opened every day on my way to work, I love that building and I have no idea why. Good to know I didn't miss much as far as cupcakes go though.
Darius T. Williams says
LOL - you guys really did it up. I live here in Chicago and haven't been to some of these places.
-DTW
[www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com]
amber {daisy chain} says
mmm, I'm still licking my lips!! I may have to make a trip to Chicago for some sweet mandy b's!!
IMC says
I was part of a market research project that explored the Chicago cupcake trend. If you're interested in seeing our results (and some yummy pictures and videos), check out:
http://www.medillimc.tumblr.com
lhrdst1 says
Love your site and loved the pics of the cupcakes! Come on back to Chicago anytime (Chicago is a GREAT summer city!)
bethannept04 says
Sues and Chels, Adam and I loved reading your posting about all the cupcakes we ate. We just went to Sweet Mandy B's to "say good bye"... delicious! I still don't know why Adam wouldn't take the $100.... ggrrr. Anyway, can't wait to see you in a few weeks when we make our move back east..... off to make some pumpkin chocolate chip squares. 🙂
Stephanie says
So I left a comment on your first cupcake crawl ... and was so delighted to find Part 2!
Can't wait to get to Chicago and try some of these awesome-looking treats 🙂 (and here's hoping that they're better than some of the cupcakes we've eaten in New York City. Holy overpriceyness, Batman!)
Chris says
OK, totally off subject. I saw PB & Razz comment here, and it reminds me....I used to read her blog all the time until she passworded it! Erin, what happened? I miss you! You're adorable!
Beth says
I just was going to try to do a cupcake crawl..this one looked great...my friend MJ and Nancy told me about yours..good job...would love to talk with you more...yummy