Yummy Cupcakes are, well, Yummy
Thursday, May 3, 2007 19:07With the frozen yogurt war upon us, you may have forgotten our last over-hyped culinary showdown, the invasion of the cupcakes. Judging from the lines which still wrap out the door of Sprinkles, the push for cupcakes hasn’t died down much.
Yummy Cupcakes opened an storefront recently in Santa Monica, around the corner from the Promenade on Wilshire Blvd. When my wife’s sister was in town checking out colleges, we picked a pack of cupcakes and went up to Will Roger’s Park for a taste test in the grass.
My assessment? I like them better than Sprinkles because of the flavor variety and I like the lighter cake; Yummy’s Cupcakes aren’t as dense and heavy feeling as Sprinkles. My wife likes that aspect too, and adds that she likes Yummy’s dedication to loading up the frosting. I’m not a huge cupcake fan, but any place that makes an Arnold Palmer Cupcake is going to get my vote. You can see their wide variety of creative flavors on their online menu (pdf).
I defer to the cupcake experts, represented here by my sister in law who will be an LA resident starting in the fall:
What do you think of the flavor selection?
I LOVE all of their flavors! On the website there are a ton more that I have to try (S’mores, Cream Puff, etc.) I can’t wait to get to LA and be able to go all the time.
How is the cake? (moistness, quality, flavor, etc) Value?
Good. Much lighter than Sprinkles, which I like because then I can try even more! And it is less intense.
Did you like the different kind of frosting?
The frosting was really good, and they packed it on which is NEVER a bad thing.
What was your favorite one?
I liked “Brown Sugar Cinnimon” and “Mint Chocolate Chip” as a tie, but I haven’t had time to try all of the ones that I wanted
What would you order when you go next time?
If they had it I would want to try S’mores.
Sprinkles or Yummy? Which is your favorite?
I like Yummy because there is so much variety in the flavors and they are lighter. I still love Sprinkles, but I think I would go to Yummy more often.
Yummy Cupcakes
BURBANK
2918 W. Magnolia Blvd 91505
818.558.1080
SANTA MONICA
313 Wilshire Blvd 90401
310.393.8283
By Jonah (see more of his posts). Jonah is the founder of la.foodblogging and also created Digesty, a food blog aggregator and Cheww.com, a spam free foodblog search engine.
Stacy says:
May 4th, 2007 at 10:46 am
I adore Yummy Cupcakes! I have never had a “bad” cupcake there: pink lemonade (yes, I said pink lemonade!!! It was very light and refreshing), the “Yummy Cupcake” my favorite, a peanut butter and jelly cupcake, the “Happy Day” cupcake, the red velvet, so delicious. I have not yet been to Sprinkles but am curious about theirs. Have looked at their website and does not offer as much of a variety as Yummy Cupcakes does.
beopenguin says:
May 4th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I love their cupcakes, but their staff is completely rude. When I said something to who I was told was the manager (A little blonde girl) about the treatment I had been getting for the past couple weeks I was told this” “Go f*ck yourself pr*ck”.
Love the cupcakes, but I will never ever go back in there. I can put up with bad service (I mean come on, I’m a LA foodie) but those ladies are just vile. One example, girl licked her finger and put it in the frosting of my cupcake. All because I asked girl for help after waiting 10 minutes as she had a conversation with a guy making frosting about her dating life. Nice. The owners can feel free to return my emails at anytime. Which they never have. (which were from my real email account) beopenguin@hotmail.com
Jonah says:
May 4th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Wow beopenguin, that’s some seriously bad service, no excuse for that kind of treatment.
When we were at the Santa Monica location, the girls behind the counter were really nice. They were really patient when we asked about all of the flavors and put together some made to order combos for us too.
If anyone treated me like they treated you, I wouldn’t return either.
Peggy Sanders says:
May 5th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I have been to both Yummy Cupcake stores and I am always treated VERY well! The staff go way out of their way to be nice. I think the “beioebguin” is making that story up. Sounds to me like you’re deliberately talking smack. Hmm…maybe you own a cupcake store and you’re trying to hurt them since they are clearly #1 in LA. Me and most of my friends are HUGE fans of Yummy Cupcakes and happen to think their cupcakes AND their staff are AWESOME!
PattyJean says:
May 6th, 2007 at 8:46 am
To beopenguin - calling BS on your story!
MaxMillion says:
May 6th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Why would beopenguin make that stuff up? I doubt very much he has an ulterior motive for reporting poor — actually unsanitary — service and shameful insults. Yuck!
Stephanie says:
May 7th, 2007 at 6:38 am
I have been to Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank several times and have *never* had issues like beopenguin. I have a hard time believing it’s true, but you never know I guess? I’d highly recommend Yummy. I’ve had both Yummy and Sprinkles (more than once) and really they’re about the same to me. I love the different flavors they offer everyday. If you get a chance to try the Peanut Butter & Jelly one, I’d highly recommend them. Also of the “everyday” flavors, I’d recommend the Red Velvet and Fudge Yummy.
Tyler says:
May 7th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Heh. Well, the girl that helped me at Yummy didn’t say a word to me. I just told her what I wanted and she got it for me. Not friendly, but certainly not adversarial.
The cupcakes were pretty damn good. I think personally I might have to give Sprinkles the slight advantage, but Yummy is a great alternative to swimming up Santa Monica Blvd, upstream into Beverly Hills.
The other flavors are intriguing as well. I wasn’t too adventurous, but did have to try the Chocolate Cherry Chunk or something like that. It was good, but lacking in the advertised Cherries, but then I dump a ton of dried cherries straight from Michigan into my cookies when I bake so I like lots.
I’m glad they opened this place up, I was never able to find the Burbank store when I tried a couple of times. This place is a little under the radar for now too. It’s right next to Sur La Table and Dragon Herbs. Unfortunately that’s literally down the street from me, so I’ll be returning a few bakers dozen times.
Tyler says:
May 7th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
By the way, noticed on the way back from there, that there’s also some Vanilla Bake Shop, opening soon a couple blocks away from Yummy.
http://www.vanillabakeshop.com/
So expect more cupcakin’ competition in the area.
Jess says:
May 7th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Well. I USED to be a huge fan of Yummy Cupcakes. I would make the trek from West Hollywood to Burbank on a weekly basis. I posted on my Flickr page how much I love the cupcakes. And then, the service got crappy (it was never great to begin with), the cupcakes got smaller, and they stole some of my photos and used them as advertising on their site. I’ve told them several times that I would like is for them to ackowlege my photos by listing who took the picture (ME), but I have gotten the cold shoulder. I will never eat there again.
And I hate that they have opened on the Promenade. Amy’s Baby Cakes aka Vanilla Bake Shop is opening there soon. And I hope Amy creams them! She’s making all of my wedding desserts! I encourage everyone to check out the shop when it opens. Not only are her cakes delicious and the ice box desserts classically wonderful, Amy is very sweet.
beopenguin says:
May 9th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
You may feel however you like. I stand by my story. It is also why I put my email in the post in hopes that the owners would contact me. I have nothing against the product. In fact, I think they are the best cupcakes I’ve ever had. Especially the Red Velvet. It’s the service I have a problem with. In look in the past, I’ve commented normally positive things. In fact, I believe I was one the few people defending Off Vine in Hollywood. You may slander me any way you like kind ladies and gentlemen, but I stand my experiences at Yummy.
kscrew says:
June 7th, 2007 at 11:47 am
OMG! beopenguin i know exactly how you feel! I went to the burbank location and my friend and i were treated so disrespectfully by some guy who said he was the supervisor of the whole store. We placed an order like a month in advance and when we went to pick it up it was totally worng. They did fix it, but in the process the ‘manager’ would make rude condescending remarks about how its not the end of the world and we’ll have bigger problems in our lives than this. I was completely appalled at the customer service or lack thereof, i will never ever go back there again. And when i called back to speak to the owner he wouldn’t give me any information and continued to be rude offensive. Don’t ever order cupcakes from this store… i certainly won’t!
PattyJean says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:40 pm
For Kscrew - You failed to mention that you yelled at the staff and screamed at the top of your lungs at the counter in the store. If you want to talk the owner leave a message for them. Do not demand their cell phone number and hang up when you don’t get it. People work hard at their jobs everyday. Having the ability to speak ill of others through the internet does not mean you have to speak lies. Each of us shoud be responsible for our actions and should treat others with respect. Even toward people who work at a cupcake store and you feel that gives you the right to put them down and be condesending. If you truly have an issue, call and speak to an owner. They care very much about their guests and return all calls. They don’t however give their private cell phone numbers out. If you just want to complain - keep doing this. PS - Dark chocolate frosting is brown not pink.
nancy says:
August 8th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Patty,
You are so defensive over customers reactions to YOUR service! You should stop and try to correct people from walking out the door with such bad experiences. IT IS YOUR JOB to give the best experience possible and YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A BAD DAY OR SAY A CUSTOMER IS WRONG! Suck it up like the rest of us do and ALLOW YOUR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A BAD DAY!! MAKE THEIR DAY BETTER!
Your comments lead me to believe they are absolutely correct about your service.
Diego says:
August 9th, 2007 at 12:34 am
The customers bad days shouldnt relfect the way the staff of YC reacts, I dont walk into Mc Donalds with a bad attitude and expect them to make me smile with a discount on my burger or for them to go out of their way to microwave it better. Reality is reality and i am with it as its obvious you people arent, I have never had a negative experience there and they are working people just as you and i are, I am sorry you are so superficial that you have to bad mouth people trying to earn a living on the internet because you dont have the guts to complain to them face to face, and not that this matters but i am in business with a few of the same people YC is in business with in the movie industry and they have been completely happy, so as far as anyone cares your opinion has no relevance or substance here, for godssake man up and ask for the manager and complain face to face!
seriousLEE says:
September 28th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I had the worst experience at Yummy Cupcakes in Santa Monica. The service is awful. The woman helping me dropped two of my cupcakes and then gave them to me after they were a little demented…i didn’t say anything cuz i was trying to be nice. Then she took about 10 minutes folding a box(sprinkles has boxes stocked and made already). I then gave her my credit card and she rang me up. I asked for a receipt and she rolled her eyes at me as if i’m crazy for wanting one. I looked at it and said nicely, ” I think you might have over charged me”. She grabbed the receipt from my hand made a huffing and puffing noise and got a supervisor and both of them did not give me the slightest apology. She just handed me a random wad of cash. I had ordered a coffee and the woman says to me ” maybe this is yours” and hands me the coffeee without even knowing if it was mine or not. They have no milk or anything for the coffee and when i took a sip of it it was FREEZING COLD. i’m not exaggerating here i dont know how it is possible to hand someone the coffee that cold so i took it to the lady and asked do you have any coffee that was just brewed? and they say “no”. again no apology. and i said do you at least have a bag for my many cupcakes? and she says we are all out of bags. I will NEVER go back here again. I would recommend going to sprinkles where the customer service is number one and the employees are sweet as can be- not to mention better on the eye!
Jonah says:
September 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
seriousLEE - I notice that you have trashed both Crumbs and Yummy Cupcakes, while propping up Sprinkles. Do you have a vested interest there?
Sammy says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I have noticed that Yummy Cupcakes has had a new staff. I saw two clean teenage looking kids following around one of the not-much older employee. I hope this knew change in staff helps out with you unsatisfied customers. When I went in there the other day i had to buy the Banana Split cupcake. I actually sat there and split the cupcake with my daughter and we thought that the people working there were really great. They all had smiling faces and not that fake facade i see from other food places. I’m not to big of a fan of Sprinkles because of the long line, and as soon as you enter the actual store, it’s as big as a broom closet. And I’m still pretty iffy with this new Vanilla place opening up down the street from Yummy Cupcakes because the menu style is exactly the same as Yummy Cupcakes. All in all i was satisfied with the service and product that Yummy Cupcakes gave me. I will definitley be returning and recommending.