Birthday Cake Saga- Rant and Praise in Western Burbs

Who knew it would be so difficult to order a birthday cake for my mother-in-law's 65th birthday party??? Thanks to Upper Crust Bakery it is not.

I started at Ingram's Busy Bee Bakery in Downers Grove- I will start by saying I fell in love with this bakery in February for their panczki and other assorted baked goods (doughnuts, swedish flop, etc...all old fashioned bakery items..delicious!) So when my MIL's bday cake order came around I was so excited to give this place a try on cakes. I went in last week to order and I knew exactly what cake flavor, filling, etc...I wanted but I needed a little help in the "design/decoration" of the cake. I told the woman behind the counter about my need of help in the design and her reply was "You're in the wrong place- not here!" - she said laughing under her breath. As a customer coming in for the first time (regardless of what time!)...NOT GOOD TO HEAR! I am a serious cake girl and cake is very imoportant to my events- both looks-wise and taste-wise. That started us out on the wrong foot but I thought to myself "maybe she is just trying to be funny but keep going...you will really like this cake - eveything else is so good- remember...just the workers...not the cake...". Still at every turn I was told "we don't do that", that will cost you extra, let me ask- no we don't do that...." Got the vibe that anything out of their box (ie not in their photo album of cakes) they would either not do or charge you like crazy...the feeling portrayed was"not intersted in your order". I left.

I remembered Upper Crust In Lisle...thank goodness! I went in and told the woman what I wanted and needed help with the design and no problem! Excellent customer service. John (owner?) just had to get back to me on price....excellent to work with! I have never had a cake from here but I have heard through others they are fantastic.

My order? A 14 inch round yellow cake, custard and raspberry filling with white whipped cream frosting - with purple and pink polka dots, swirls, etc.... nothing too hard to create....just needed help with the vision....Upper Crust was happy to help and I am happy so far! Will report back on results.

regarding busy bee - i ordered a birthday cake there for my son a few months ago with the vague instructions of a curious george theme, and was very pleased with the decoration. i'm sorry that you didn't have a great experience there, but the upper crust is an EXCELLENT bakery and i'm sure you will love their cake! my workplace gets a cake from there every month to celebrate birthdays. if it was closer to my house this would be the only bakery i would go to.

Yeah, I am also a fan of Upper Crust - best by far around here.

They could try doing some things with a little less sugar and fat, like their tiny pound cakes encased in flavored glaze, or their intense, over the top coffee cakes loaded with filling, way to excess. They are good, but you lose any experience of eating a baked product using flour, ending up with an intense confection.

But that is more a disagreement with the concept than a criticism of their execution - pretty much everything is well-made and tasty, even if I cannot eat most of it very often. Maybe I should suggest to John that they try making some simple, bready, slightly sweet items, or maybe they are there and I just have been drawn to the excess.

Is the Upper Crust still open? After searching site for good bakery near Naperville, I tried to call to order some things. Phone just keeps ringing and does not go to voice mail. Coupons on their site expired in 2006. Maybe status has been posted in another thread, but this is all I found.
Thanks!

Upper Crust is indeed closed.

If it's not too late, I would suggest the Danish Bakery in the Burr Ridge Town Center - County Line Road just south of I-55. They do some pretty nice custom cakes. It's adjoining the Brookhaven Market. (While you're there, look into Brookhaven; it's a marvelous supermarket.)

You could also drop into Amici Italian Deli and Market - Main Street and 63rd Street in Downers Grove. They have a nice bakery section and I believe they prepare custom cakes.

Check out the deli while you're there. they do a really good and reasonably-priced Italian Sub, as well as a wide selection of deli meats and high-quality meats and chicken.

This place is really good:

http://www.pastrygirls.com/

KevinT

Just saw this today, thanks for the update/suggestions. It's never too late to learn about a good bakery.

ptieck's bakery does all kind of shape's( no adult)
my wife says they get alot from western burb;s

pticek's bakery
5523 s. narragansett ave.
chicago,il.
773-585-5500
I-55 TO HARLEM SOUTH TO ARCHER
EAST TO NARRAGANSETT(TURN RIGHT)
SEE POST IN SHOPPING & COOKING