Rowie's Bakery

Name: Rowie's Bakery
Neighborhood: Budlong Woods / West Ridge
Address: 5664 N. Lincoln
Map (link above): pink pin
Nearest El Transit Locations:
Western Brown Line Stop
(then take the Lincoln Bus or Western Bus and walk)
Francisco Brown Line Stop (then walk)
Hours:
Tue - Fri  10am - 7pm
Saturday  10am - 5pm
Sunday  10am - 4pm
Bake On-Site: Yes
Individual Cupcake Prices: $1.99-2.25
Boxing/Packaging: fitted clam shell
What makes this bakery special: Strong Philippine influence! Their products use elements of Philippine desserts (such as pandan and ube) to create a fun, unique, cultural cupcake experience.

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Buco Pandan
Cake: Buco Pandan (light coconut and pandan flavor)
with Buco Pandan frosting
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 2

Pistachio
Cake: Pistachio chiffon
with Pistachio frosting
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Moisture: 2

Additional Notes:

I had been waiting for the perfect time to visit Rowie's--and this was near perfect. I was intrigued by the strong Philippine influence and couldn't wait to try the Ube and the Buco Pandan flavors, which are traditional Philippine dessert tastes. In addition, I wanted to plan my trip north on a day when they would also have pistachio cupcakes on the menu. Unfortunately, the particular time in the morning which I happened to drop in, the ube cupcakes weren't out yet, but there were French macaroons available in "ube" flavor, so I snatched a few of them up for the opportunity to try a new, unique flavor. 
Perhaps before I visit next time, though, I'll have had a chance to try ube, therefore going in with a better idea of what I'm tasting for. This goes for the buco pandan cupcake as well. It was delicious, yes, but I'm not sure I know what specifically I was tasting. I'll need to know the "traditional" buco pandan taste first. Both the buco pandan and the pistachio cupcake had a very subtle flavor, "foam-like" chiffon cake consistency, and very smooth, light and creamy frosting.
Cupcakes here are made fresh each day, throughout the day (exemplified by ube cupcakes not being available until the afternoon on the day I visited).
Also, in an effort to experience as many new flavors/concepts as possible from this trip, I tried a delicious bowl of champorado, a Philippine hot chocolate-and-rice porridge. If that sounds slightly strange to you, I recommend you try it anyway. I'm not one for rice pudding, yet champorado is a much different dessert.
The store is tiny but cozy and has a few indoor seats.
I'll be sure to return for a chance to try the ube and the green tea cupcakes!