WICKER PARK — A name — even as innocuous as Chicago Cupcake — can be deceiving. Case in point, the first retail outpost for a popular food trucks also offers holiday pies, liege waffles, puffed pastries, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts, along with its namesake treat.
The cheerful shop at 1415 N. Milwaukee Ave., in the former Bar Bar Black Sheep spot and within one block of several other shops offering doughnuts, coffee and ice cream, opened on Sunday and offers about 20 seats.
Elvis Reyes, a Bridgeport resident, was eating a liege waffle topped with strawberries and drizzled with chocolate on Sunday.
"It's really good. It's not too sweet; it has more of a bread taste and it's crunchy," said Reyes, who traveled to Wicker Park just to check out the shop. Reyes said he was already a fan and follower of the food truck and then heard about the opening on Groupon.
Owner Brendan Bolger, who ditched a career in real estate development to pursue his passion for baking, said that he uses brioche bread to make the Belgium liege waffles, which are caramelized with sugar and chewier than softer waffles that have a cake-like texture.
The new store also serves as a commissary kitchen for Bolger's two food trucks, Big Red and Little Red, which make stops in the suburbs and city, announced on Twitter at @Chicago_Cupcake.
Cupcakes, baked onsite, are offered in several varieties, including turtle and pumpkin latte and available in small or large sizes and individually or by the dozen.
According to the menu inside the store, items featured include turtle, key lime and banana foster cupcakes, sold at $3.40 each or $41 for a dozen. Holiday pies, chocolate and pecan, are $19.99 or $3.99 per slice. Coffee from Sparrow Coffee Roastery starts at $2.75.
Chicago Cupcake, 1415 N. Milwaukee Ave., Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday; Closed on Monday for now.
The menu at Chicago Cupcake food truck's 1st retail outpost. [Photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
A liege waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream.
A mini version of a turtle cupcake, drizzled with caramel.
Chicago Cupcake owner Brendan Bolger.
The exterior of Chicago Cupcake, 1415 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chocolate and pecan pies are available for $19.99.
Don't forget to order your pies for #Thanksgiving! 312-300-4797 pic.twitter.com/xD6UGoThj7
— Chicago Cupcake (@Chicago_Cupcake) November 23, 2015
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