Sprinkles Cupcakes
WHAT: Sprinkles Cupcakes (ATM)
WHERE: 50 E. Walton St.
OUR RATING: Chance It!
(sprinkles.com)
Sprinkles Cupcakes is not actually a Chicago native, but a California immigrant who arrived on the scene a little while ago. What they didn’t really publicize was their newest nifty little method of cupcake delivery, which comes in the form of a 24-hour cupcake ATM outside their location in the Gold Coast. We love the futuristic, Japan-esque feel to the machine, as well as the super fast way they shoot out. But the cupcakes themselves leave quite a bit to be desired.
(sprinkles.com)
Adam: Sprinkles Cupcakes has a fantastic concept and the money to implement it. By creating the novelty of a vending machine imbedded in a wall (their “ATM”), Sprinkles manages to attract a line at 11:40pm that fills their entire entranceway. The excited energy that surrounds the event of dispensation mirrors that of some fad item that everyone has to try.
When I arrived at the machine, I must admit, it was pretty damn cool. Rows of beautifully boxed cupcakes line the glassed off case covered with a pink metal lattice. An LCD touch screen flashes welcomingly at you, as you make your selection and pay by card (no cash option available). At this moment, the cupcake whizzes out and down a chute (filmed and relayed to the screen, of course) and you are ready to enjoy. A fairly excellent adventure in futurism.
But, the cupcakes themselves are so very saddening. For example, my Red Velvet, which they assure you would have an “upped…chocolate quotient” and a “rich cream cheese frosting”, wasn’t particularly more chocolatey than any other red velvet I’ve had, nor was the frosting that creamy.
Alicia: While standing in line for the cupcake machine late on a Saturday night, I was sure the ATM would be out of both of the flavors we wanted, as Red Velvet is their most popular cupcake and Irish Chocolate is their special from March 1 – 17. I was super excited, however, when we were able to snag both, and get in on a scrumptious baked goods at a time of day I usually crave them the most, but when most shops are closed.
When I opened the cute box for my Irish Chocolate cupcake, I was greeted by a large green shamrock. What was it topping? Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese. Then for the main event: I pulled the cupcake apart and made sure I had all the flavors together and popped it in my mouth. Moist cake…and some frosting. Not very Belgian Dark, and not very Bailey’s or cream cheesey. Kind of just chocolate cake and frosting. There was some hint of some kind of liquor in there, more likely whiskey, but that was super faint.
Final thoughts: A great concept, a fun delivery method and a beautiful presentation, but ultimately, the cupcakes just don’t take the cake, especially for the price tag. On the small side for the price ($4 for a special and $3.50 for a regular), seemingly regular tasting and not always what’s promised, Sprinkles doesn’t really hold a candle to Molly’s or Crumbs, both of which provide bigger, tastier, more moist and creamier deliciousness. Therefore, our evaluation is this: Sprinkles spent a lot on the machine, but the cupcakes are normal and not quite worth it. Perhaps go once, just to try a new flavor, but forget it after that.