There's a big, white truck roaming the streets of Philadelphia luring people closer to it by offering up delicious cupcakes. This truck has taken to the Internet to expand its reach. Sound kinda creepy? Well fear not, it's just the labor of love of Kate Carrera, aka The Cupcake Lady, and her cupcake truck, pictured above. She turned in her lawyer duds for icing-laden fingers and Philly hasn't been the same since.
Somehow — we forget exactly how — Picky first got word of the truck roaming the streets. He convinced Messy and two friends to take a hike up to the Philadelphia Book Company (Frankford, just south of Girard) for Frankford First Friday back in August. The cupcake truck was supposed to be making its debut. But L&I hadn't come through yet so The Cupcake Lady just set up shop with tray upon tray filled with cupcakes. We said our hellos and proceeded to get a first taste of the goodness.
Picky opted for a regular size ($2) yellow cake with chocolate ganache frosting. We were told that the ganache is made with Ghiradelli dark chocolate (she doesn't mess around). Messy chose a marble mini ($1) with chocolate ganache. Nobody opted for the $4 jumbo cupcake, but we were all extremely satisfied with our choices. The cake is dense and rich. If you want a fluffy, airy cupcake, we warn that you're not going to find any of that here. You're also not going to find stiff, overly-sweet bakery-style frosting. These cupcakes are exactly like what your mom made — only much, much better. Bring your A appetite and prepare for a serious bite.
How do you catch up with the cupcake truck? If you're on twitter, follow them @buttercreamphl. They post updates just about daily on locations, specials and what-have-you.
You can place an order and have them delivered, free of charge, via this form. You can still get your fix at Pumpkin Market (1609 South St), where Kate drops off trays of cupcakes on the regular. Picky's current favorite cupcake is the red velvet with cream cheese frosting, aka Joans (after the Mad Men character). It's pictured above at bottom. Check out the full lineup of flavor combos here.
Messy *****
Picky *****
The final word: Run to this truck like you did the ice cream man as an 8-year-old.
UPDATE 11.06.09
From now until February 15, 2010, we are going to be on a limited schedule of 3 stops per week, wednesday, thursday and fridays. I am going to take that time to rebuild the engine of cupcake truck, get a great plan going, incorporate and all that good stuff. We will have a big re-launch for Valentine's Day with specials and extra stops. We are going to try to plan it so we can be all over the city and make trips to places like South Philly, Northeast Philly, Manayunk, etc. without "breaking down on 76" fears.
Buttercream Cupcake Truck
Hours/Location: Varies day to day, week to week. Check the calendar and on twitter @buttercreamphl
(267) 505.7486
did you see the shop on south/2nd area near wawa that just sells cupcakes?
we love you Kate!!!!!!!!
[...] Messy and Picky review, Mac & Cheese [...]
hello cupcake lady??? im in need of some advise on how you might get started on any kinda business i have alot, all i need is that jump, can you jump start me on way to the city of prosperty, this place im in right now is vary "dead", when im talking about "dead" this town tossed out all the jewish people, you have never wented to do business a place like this, for bussiness, are nothing like that, this place is drug infested aids infested, vary laid back, please let me tell you when i say laid back??? "laid back to the cave days"ps. im not thying to be negative, please for give if i im, thats the way this place is, a person with all the know how and can't, get a jump start
hello cupcake lady i love you, and you know that youer number one you are amung the best, you have that "class" to build the brand, my best wishes for you this year and many more to come with much proparity