If it came down to cake or pie…..it would be a tough call but I’d probably go with cake. I mean, I love some sweet apple pie but I do really love cake a lot.

And because I can’t walk around eating a piece of cake on the street (it would look really nasty), I can eat cupcakes outdoors and in Chicago, cupcakes are queen.

I get spoiled by all the cupcake options in Chicago because Wisconsin doesn’t have a formal cupcake shop! I know, trust me, I looked and was shocked at that realization.

But, I have thoroughly sampled several cupcake options in Chicago and here are my feelings on them:

Must visit:

• Sugar Bliss (Loop) – The best red velvet cupcake I’ve ever had. Period. Frosting sticks to your lips and the chocolate mint cupcake is also great. It’s like a Thin Mint, but in a cake form! Also, my parents LOVE this place.
• Molly’s (Lincoln Park) – Another great place for a quick stop. With free glasses of water, swing chairs and make-your-own cupcake selections, it’s got something for everyone.
• Southport Grocery (Lakeview) – Very affordable ($2/each) but few flavors to pick from. Doesn’t bother me though, I love everything I’ve had there.
• Swirlz (Lincoln Park) – Humongous cupcakes with a ton of varieties to pick from. Also, very blogger-friendly. They supplied cupcakes for the BlogHer Chicago meet up and the owner was SO sweet to us when we visited last summer as a group. Also offers gluten-free cupcakes that are very tasty.

So close:

• More (Loop) – The only place in Chicago I know with savory cupcake (like B.L.T.) but the last few I’ve bought here have been dry, and expensive. Two things I don’t like.
• Sweet Mandy B’s (Lincoln Park) – This one is the “doll” of Chicago, very well known, and a group of us bloggers visited it last year. The cupcakes are good, but man that frosting is sweet. Like stomach ache-inducing.
• Bittersweet (Lakeview) – Awesome atmosphere but it only serves the “cupcake of the day” flavor. So if you don’t like the selection, there’s no other cupcake options available. Fortunately, there are other sweets to pick from :)
• Phoebe’s Cupcakes (Lakeview) – I was thrilled when a cupcake shop opened right near my house and the staff is so nice whenever I go in but the last few cupcakes I’ve had there have been dry and the frosting has tasted a little off. But I won’t write it off just yet.

So those are my thoughts on the cupcake shops in Chicago, as you can see, I’ve done my research. Oh and one cupcake company even delivers? That is dangerous.

Whenever I go to a new cupcake place, the two I always get are: red velvet and chocolate with vanilla frosting. Those are my favorite :)

What’s your favorite flavor?

Also, so you don’t think I’m just cupcake snob, I’m guest posting over at my friend Maris’ blog In Good Taste. My guest post includes a recipe and photos from my cupcake-making adventure.

Trust me, they’re really good!