Sara Sara Cupcakes

[mecarr]

I'm sure they are really great people... just something about the name 'Cuppies and Joe' that bothers me.... 'CUPPIES' c'mon really.... it's like baby talk... "I'd like a cuppie please."

Nope... can't do it LOL

I don't think "cuppie" is baby talk. What about when people refer to Chicago Cubs as the cubbies? Is that baby talk too?

[Platemaker]

Yes

[jbrown84]

I had my first Sara Sara Cupcake the other day. Went in around 6 or 6:30 and the place was empty. I really like what they did with the place, with the all white interior, and even the astroturf is fun.

I tried the pumpkin cupcake and it was not dry in the least. It was quite good, although the icing was made with cream cheese which I don't care for. Would have prefered a powdered sugar-based icing. But other than that, it was great. I would go back on occasion, but it's too expensive to be a regular stop.

[ISayGoPokes]

Cuppies and Joe is opening today, Dec. 19. They will be open today from 2pm-11pm. Their normal hours are Tues-Thurs 11a-8p, Friday-Sat 11a-11p.

[metro]

Seems like a late opening for a coffee type shop. You'd think they might want to try and pick up some morning business.

[BailJumper]

I agree, really bad hours for such a place.

[waitinonjoe]

went to Cuppies and Joe tonight. A+ all the way around, great "cuppie", great "joe" all in a great atmosphere. Owners are so nice, will go back for sure...

[John]

Biggest avatar EVER!

[sweetdaisy]

Holy moley! That's an avatar? I kept trying to figure out how the pic related to cuppies. WOW!

[AB'smama]

I think if you went in and just asked for a cupcake they would understand what you want. I don't think they expect you to order in "baby talk."

[AB'smama]

I'm sure they are really great people... just something about the name 'Cuppies and Joe' that bothers me.... 'CUPPIES' c'mon really.... it's like baby talk... "I'd like a cuppie please."

Nope... can't do it LOL

Don't use "baby talk" when you go into their shop. Just say, "I would like a cupcake." Does it bother you to call the Chicago Cubs the Cubbies? Didn't keep me from going to one of their games while in Chicago. So don't know why the word CUPPIE would keep you from going into a cupcake shop.

[AB'smama]

Seems like a late opening for a coffee type shop. You'd think they might want to try and pick up some morning business.

Cuppies and Joe is a dessert cafe that also sells coffee. They are not trying to tap into the AM crowd, assuming most people will not want a cupcake for breakfast.

[smacketyanne]

I agree. I went to "Cuppies" yesterday and had a cupcake and coffee. Cute place, really liked it, everyone was great. Loved the coffee, not big on cupcakes but it was good. I think their hours will draw the crowd they are looking for.

[metro]

can we keep the "cuppies" reviews in the actual cuppies thread? I think there is more in this thread than the actual c&j thread.

[warreng88]

I went by this morning and picked up a cupcake for breakfast. I was not exactly sure of their hours but they were open (they open at 7:30am on weekdays.) I spoke with Lindsey and told her I had never been there before. She asked if I liked Key Lime Pie, I said of course so she got me one. I asked if they take debit cards and she said they do but they are currently having issues with it. She offered me the cupcake without cost because of the problems (which was really nice), but I told her I had some extra cash in the car so I went and got it and paid her.

I then asked her about the homes next door and if they were going to improved as well. She said she heard the one right next door, which is approximately the same size, will be turned into some sort of retail. She said the one next to that and next to the train tracks is supposed to be some kind of bar. She also told be that the areas above Sarasara and the home next door are to become apartments for rent.

[JakeZula]

My coworkers and I decided to give Sara Sara a try yesterday. The building is very nice and attractive, but we were all thoroughly unimpressed with the cupcakes. In fact, we think the cappuccino cupcake was responsible for giving one of my coworkers some digestive trouble. They were pretty dense and a bit on the dry side. The frosting was heavy and oily; not at all what I had in mind. For the price, I expected them to be much better; I would have preferred a sickeningly sweet cupcake to the bland cupcakes we got. I agree with the above poster who said they should have a "crown" of toppings... they weren't even all that attractive.

We will give Cuppies and Joe a try soon. Even if they're just as mediocre, the difference in price will make up for a lot (even though I think "cuppie" sounds ridiculous).

[Stinger]

They were pretty dense and a bit on the dry side. The frosting was heavy and oily; not at all what I had in mind.

My thoughts exactly. You can definitely find better cupcakes at places like Saturn Grill.

[SavageDigital]

My thoughts exactly. You can definitely find better cupcakes at places like Saturn Grill.

I felt that their cupcakes (and modern decor) were more "refined" than some other offerings; but they're also much more rich, expensive, and not very inviting. I personally enjoyed the rich buttercream frosting with my "cappuccino" cupcake, but found the actual cake to be a tad crumbly. The one thing that made me stop by Sara Sara was their savory breakfast cupcake. It was very pleasant the cake was sweet and provided a unique balance for the other ingredients (but still a little dry).

My criticism of their take on the emerging cupcake market is two fold:

• It's a sterile environment - I didn't feel "comfy" eating there (I would drink a martini if offered though).
• The brewed coffee is nearly twice the price of similar establishments and not of the same refined quality they're reaching for in other products (didn't finish my cup).

...if I really wanted to impress someone, a client perhaps, with a cupcake - I'd buy from Sara Sara. But for my own satisfaction, I'll likely look elsewhere for my fix (and a better cup of coffee).

[metro]

SavageDigital, just curious, but have you been to other upscale gourmet cupcake places in California, NY or elsewhere? Most are the minimalist "sterile" environment you speak of. They are meant to be more high end boutique and minimalist works of art. If you want coffee, go to a coffee house, not a cupcake shop. Personally I love it. Cuppies & Joe was meant to feel more like a coffeehouse and the cupcakes aspect seem to be more of an afterthought. Try going to Kara's in San Fran! "Sterile" environment and the cupcakes will blow you away! Far better than anything I've tried locally.

http://www.karascupcakes.com/

Anyhow I stopped by again last night with a buddy. It's probably my 4-5th time now. I tried the judge joe cannon. it was okay, but in all fairness, I don't really like bananas very well and was too banana tasting for my taste. I took a key lime pie one home to the wife and she loved it. My favorite is still chocolate with chocolate frosting or vanilla with chocolate frosting. The Count Rockula comes in close second. The cherry is not bad either and is nice and moister than most of their flavors. I tried the milk bar for the first time last night. It was very nice. You get your own frosted glass out of their freezer and then pick your choice of milk from the super ice cold milk bar. I also noticed last night they have a new product, candles that are scented like the flavors of some of their cupcakes.

[andimthomas]

Wow, Kara's Cupcakes has a pretty interesting setup. Hopefully I'm going to San Francisco next year. I'd like to try a cupcake that's worth four dollars.

[danielf1935]

Just my opinion, I would rather not pay 4 dollars for a 2 dollar cupcake!!!!!

[metro]

Just my opinion, I would rather not pay 4 dollars for a 2 dollar cupcake!!!!!

You would if you ever visit Kara's, it's definitely worth the $4. Now Cuppies & Joe is a $1 or $2 cupcake and tastes like something I could make myself.

[bravofriendly]

I had the same trouble with dry and crumbly cupcakes here - both the capuccino & savory breakfast. The Roman Holiday cupcake at Cuppies blows this one out of the water.

BUT I was there on a Tuesday and their strawberry cupcake is AMAZING and I don't generally like strawberry-flavored cake at all. The cake was moist and delicious and the frosting is a perfect combination of sweet with a hint of tartness. I ordered milk and didn't realize how expensive the "milk bar" was. It was the frostiest glass of cold milk goodness that I've ever had. I'm glad I ordered before I knew the price since I did enjoy it that much but would never pay that again for a glass of milk.

I enjoyed the "sterile" atmostphere as something unique in this area. It definitely feels clean. I wasn't terribly impressed with the friendliness of the staff. The cashier clerk was nice enough but someone who seemed to be manager/owner type status was nearly rude in his refusal to return a smile.

Bottom line for me:
strawberry cupcakes to-go at Sara-Sara
any cupcakes, coffee and a sit-down at Cuppies (that's for all you who love the baby-talk :-)

[danielf1935]

Metro, I went to Sara-Sara on their opening day, cupcake was good, but not worth the $$$$. Of course, that's my opinion, and everyone has one.

[DarrellM]

i think these guys have it figured out. i have been 2 or 3 time and it gets better every time. last week we tried the pineapple upside down and the destin. very good. i found them to be very tasty and super moist. i took a dozen to work and they were gone in 10 minutes. people loved them!