Chicago Cupcake (Truck)

Name: Chicago Cupcake
Chicagoland area
See twitter for weekly truck locations.

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Cupcake Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell


Red Velvet 

Cake: Red Velvet
with Cream Cheese Icing and Chocolate Wafer Crust
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Pumpkin Patch

Cake: Pumpkin
with Vanilla Italian Buttercream and (Graham Cracker?) Crust
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Comments: Ok, so I've been absolutely dying to try some Chicago Cupcake. Essentially, I've been trying to "hunt" the truck down for about a month now. You're right, I'm not supposed to hunt cupcake trucks for the purposes of this project but you have to understand that Chicago Cupcakes are different. Way different. I actually wasn't on the hunt today and guess what...There was the beautiful red truck, on my way to the train station, waiting for me. My excitement was so noticeable it was embarrassing. Oh well.

So, a "Chicago cupcake" has three parts: the fabulously unique crust, the ultra moist dairy-infused cake, and the airy icing/frosting. See in the photos? THREE DISTINCT LAYERS! Brilliant.

I'll take this layer by layer. First, the crusts for both cupcakes absolutely added a unique texture and flavor to the cupcake experience. Both were like delicious sugar-packed pie crusts. Then the cake. Oh, the cake. So, Chicago Cupcake "infuses" their cake with dairy, creating a extra, extra moist cake which creates the texture similar to that of fluffy cheesecakes. FABULOUS! Last comes the icing. The cream cheese icing on the red velvet was the perfect balance of cheesy, creamy, and sweet. The buttercream on the pumpkin patch was so light it created the illusion that I was eating pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top. To make this even better, they don't use preservatives, food coloring, etc. ALL NATURAL, BABY! I mean, I love this stuff! It's too bad that I shared! Ha! To sum up, this is something I can't really put into words. You'll have to hunt them down and try a cupcake (or two or three) to see for yourself. Enjoy!

Flirty Cupcakes (Truck)

Name: Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly truck locations and hours
In addition to the truck, they also have a location (not on map...yet) at 1030 W Taylor, Mon-Sat 9am-8pm

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

PB&C
Cake: Chocolate
with chocolate cupcake filled and topped with peanut butter ganache
Appearance: 2

PB&C (Left) and Beached Coconut (Right)

Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Beached Coconut*

Cake: vanilla soaked in coconut milk 

with Coconut Buttercream and coconut flakes
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Additional Notes:

PB&C ganache was fresh and the peanut butter filling didn't make the cake soggy a day after I purchased it. This cupcake was simple but delightful and definitely for those who love chocolate.
The Beached Coconut*, according to my partner, was delicious because the way the icing/coconut is arranged. You get a little of everything in each bite!
I'm planning on visiting their "Dessert Garage" location soon because the truck was a fun experience.
Purchased on 6/30/2012 at the Holstein Park Centennial Celebration in Bucktown

* denotes that this cupcake was enjoyed by my research partner, M.G.G.

Cupcakes for Courage (Truck)

Name: Cupcakes for Courage
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly locations and hours

Cupcakes Purchased and Reviewed:
Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

Spicy Sriracha Turtle

Cake: Mesquite Chocolate
with Fudge Buttercream and covered with homemade smoked caramel and pecans in spicy sriracha syrup
Appearance: 3
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Fun Fact: This cupcake was featured on the show Cupcake Wars!

Maple Bacon*

with Maple Buttercream with Bacon Bits on top

Turtle (Left), Vanilla/Vanilla (Middle), Maple Bacon (Right)

Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Vanilla/Vanilla*

with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3

Additional Notes:

Don't let the Turtle cupcake surprise you like I did. I had forgotten the sriracha component to the cupcake and found myself appalled by it. If I had remembered that it was supposed to be spicy (due to the sriracha, of course!) then I think I would have been better prepared for such a unique experience. If you like spicy foods don't pass this one up. Seriously.
The bacon bits on the Maple Bacon* cupcake were more chewy than crispy, which gave them a strange consistency, according to my cupcaking partner, and the actual cake part of the cupcake was the best part.

Purchased on 6/30/2012 at the Holstein Park Centennial Celebration in Bucktown

* denotes that these cupcakes were enjoyed by my research partners, D.E. and M.G.G.

Gia Via Sweets (Truck)

Name: Gia Via Sweets
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly locations and hours

Peanut Butter Cupper
Cake: Chocolate
with Peanut Butter Buttercream
Appearance: 2
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Price: $3.60
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

Additional Notes:

Buttercream: Oh so creamy!
Nice selection.
Loop of Chicago

Sweet Ride (Truck)

Name: Sweet Ride
Chicagoland area
See website for weekly locations and hours

Vanilla/Vanilla
Cake: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Cake
with Vanilla Buttercream
Appearance: 1
Size: Average
Bite #: 3
Price: $3.25
Boxing/Packaging: Fitted clam shell

Additional Notes:

Although this truck is kind of shady it is legit and adorably small. AND they were outside my school on my birthday! Score!

In Loop of Chicago