I think it's safe to say that Cupcake Royale has officially been spanked on My Ballard.

Who would want a Deathcake Royale the day before Thanksgiving? I mean, it's not like I'd ever turn down chocolate but why sell this now? It seems like a pathetic attempt to boost sales. Hey, I have an idea-work on your cupcakes! They suck!

Actually it only comes out once a year, this is the first year they've made it any other time than Valentine's Day. The deathcake is ok. They used to make it with Theo chocolate, not it's just boring old non-organic chocolate, and yet it's no less expensive. It's still better than their regular cupcakes though, but those are terrible.

You may not like Cupcake Royale's actual cupcakes and that's fine...I, too have had dry cupcakes there, but I think it's dependant on the batch. Sometimes they're really good.

However, the Deathcake Royale, stands by itself...it's NOTHING like their regular cupcakes. It's so rich that you can only take a bit or two...and it generally only comes out twice a year.

I am so not a fan of the "orgasms" at Madame K's...talk about sweet...whoo! If I'm gonna go sweet (and for calories!) at Madame K's I'll spend it on their Berry-licious Sangria...delish!

Anna #17 above...

I love those "orgasms" (pun intended!) at Madame K's as well... but one time my hubby and I went there on the early side of the evening for one... and just dessert, no dinner... and the server almost turned our $$$ away because she was a bit concerned about us taking a 2-top table during dinner hours for "just" dessert.

In some ways, I wished that I would of just told her to "shove it", but we chose to stay and enjoy our dessert. Because we needed to get home to relieve our babysitter, we were out of there in about 45 minutes. But that sour note did stick with us.

$$$ is money. I say, don't ever turn away good paying customers.

Cupcake Royale sucks - if you are going to have ONE product you should make sure it actually tastes good. I think they skimp on quality. Trophy cupcakes are awesome - the real deal and I don't mind shelling out $3.50 for one because it feels like a real decadent treat. The ingredients are top notch (vahlrona chocolate etc) and the service is good. Royale's atmosphere is also bad - always dirty disheveled. We do need another alternative on Market St. Trophy - come on over!!

I have a secret love affair with cupcakes maybe its the whole memories of childhood thing, but having been all over Trophy in Wallingdford is super good. I do however prefer Royale's Red Velvet than Trophy's. Having moved though my current favorite is Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in West Seattle...any cupcake I get there is heavenly.

I don't know Gordy, I did have one warm from the oven this am from Honore and it was quite delectable. Different but just as good dare I say.
It's nice to have options.

I went to Honore this morning. The macarons are expensive but wonderful. Thanks for the recommendation. The croissants looked good but no one could possibly make them as delectable as James at Besalu.

We've had a cupcake at Royale once, but now choose to go to Madame K's for an "orgasm" when we're in the mood for something sweet in Ballard.

I know what keeps people going in. Kitchy cute design, clever marketing, all sizzle no steak. It's effective business sense and a good location, not good food.

I LOVE sweets! Especially with coffee. But I won't spend a penny on the cupcakes at Royale. The aren't worth the $ or the calories.

Why are they so popular with a line to the door sometimes? Because it's pretty much the only place to get a sweet treat after dinner hours in Ballard. You could go to a restaurant for dessert, but that takes time and a tip. Here, you just walk in, grab your coffee and a sweet, chat with your friends, then leave.

There needs to be a better after dinner dessert and coffee place in Ballard, then I think you won't see so many people in line. I've heard that Aster Coffee stays open 'till 11 pm on weekend nights and has dessert.

Wow! I didn't realize there were so many Royale haters... yet the lines at that place are always super long. Where are their customers coming from?

I, personally, don't think they're the best cupcakes in the world, but they're fine enough for what they are. They're cupcakes! It's not like we're reviewing a $50 steak at El Gaucho.... it's a $2.50 cupcake you eat in 4 to 6 bites. I guess I have never thought it needed to be scrutinized that much. It's a cute place and locally owned. That's good enough for me!

Chiming in for Team Trophy!

I balk at paying $2.50 for a cupcake, so there is no way in hell I'd pay nearly seven dollars for one.

This place is lame anyway. Their cupcakes and frosting are all unpleasantly sweet. My friends and I still have coffee there, and we all refer to the place as "The Too Sweet".

I agree that the cupcakes at royale suck ass. In a recession spending any extra money must be worth it. Spending my extra cash on these turds with frosting is not going to happen. You are better off buying a piece of two day old bread from great harvest. I would put money on it that the bread will be less dry than royale. Royale is code word for turdcake.

The owner, Jody Hall, has a background at Starbucks corporate which really comes through with her trendy cupcake venture. This is yet another unfortunate example of sucess of a product based upon clever and relentless marketing and branding rather than true quality of craftmanship.

ok, can't resist. i can't understand the buzz about them either. and they received so many accolades. who's eating them to love them? are they vegan or something?

While I can't speak for management or employment issues, I agree with the comments about the product. There's nothing super special about a small piece of dry cake w/ flavored frosting. The novelty of a cupcake shop got me excited a few years ago...but the novelty has totally worn off.

I too have never understood the attraction of the cupcake royale. I went the first time expecting a cupcake above the quality that I can make at home. They were not. I went back a second time after continually seeing people in the store and thinking that I had missed some essential part of cupcakeness. I had not-All things considered, I think the money would be much better spent at Besalu or the new French bakery soon to open on Leary.

I'll second or third the dryness of Cupcake Royale's cupcakes. The first time I went there I figured, it's dry, I'll try it again the next time. Next time came and again it was dry...I'll pass.

The last time I had a cupcake from Royale it was so dry. I don't think I will be going back too soon. Trophy has more clever flavors and combinations.

I see these anonymous Internet attacks on Cupcake Royale posted all over the place now. Why is that?

i have heard of trophy and homemade. i prefer royale.

Duplicity at its finest. Touting a seven buck piece of cake alongside requests for donations to a food bank. I'll feed a couple of deserving hungry kids with my $7.

Cupcake Royale is crap. I have no idea why this place appears to be doing so well. Their cupcakes are gross (my partner used to bake there so I've had my fair share of tastes). The owners refuse to listen to their own bakers suggestions on how to make them better and they treat their employees even worse then their cupcakes taste. Ever heard of Trophy? Or homemade?