CHICAGO — Based on some highly unscientific polling at Dinkel's Bakery, the contest between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney is too close to call.
Sales of the bakery's candidate-themed sugar cookies, $2.89 each, are "neck and neck," said employee Quetina Kaiser. "It's literally a dead heat."
Romney held an early lead, according to Kaiser, but orders for the Obama cookie have dominated of late. Dinkel's was prepared to bake up batches of both, as needed, throughout the day.
Sweet Mandy B's and Lovely bakery were feeling patriotic, too. At Sweet Mandy B's, customers could choose among cupcakes frosted in red, white or blue. Most were opting for an assortment, according to Carrie Kowalewski, who added that the bakery had fielded a number of orders for cakes decorated with the American flag or donkeys and elephants.
Over at Lovely, 1130 N. Milwaukee, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes were frosted with a red, white and blue swirl. "We're trying to stay pretty neutral," said employee Clay Hickson.
As a reward for voters, Fritz Pastry was offering a 20 percent discount on any item to customers who presented their "I voted" sticker, while Angel Food Bakery was handing out free Thin Mint Cookies to voters.
"We have had quite a few" redeem the offer, said Angel Food's Isabel Abbott.
Finally, proving that America truly is the land of the free, the Flirty Cupcake van was dispensing complimentary cupcakes on Election Day to all comers — voters and non-voters alike — including red velvet with blue frosting.
The bakery was announcing its location on its twitter feed: At 3 p.m., the van was handing out the cupcakes at Huron and Fairbanks.
