Sweet Thang **CLOSED**

01/25/09

Sweet Thang Broke My Heart Twice, But I Still Keep Going Back...

by Kimbrozia at Citysearch

Sweet thang has broken my heart twice by failing to deliver on orders that I have placed. This is a classic dilemma between exceptional food and poor business sense. I ordered weeks in advance for my husband's 30th bday, and by some lack of organization and misunderstanding of the date on the order form, NOTHING was ready when I went to pick up the treats I had so tenderly and delightfully chosen. But they refunded a portion of my money and gave me what they had in stock for the party. Brokenhearted, I vowed to not return, but the pastries called to me and I tried again with a friend's bridal shower. Once again, I was disappointed...this time they apologized, refunded my money AND gave me my choice of substitutions. Obviously the organization and customer service leaves much to be desired, nevertheless they remain the most authentic delicious french pasty shop in the city of chicago. And despite the disappointments, I remain in love with the craftsmanship and artistry of Sweet Thang Bakery.

• Pros: Best French Pastries in the land...
• Cons: if you're ordering, be extra careful, get a copy, confirm a week before and follow up again and maybe you'll succeed in getting what you ordered...

Closed.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
The room is brightly decorated with red and black tables and chairs, along with whimsical fringed light fixtures and colorful paintings on the walls. Customers admire the cases filled with tempting cakes and pastries before placing an order at the counter; selections are delivered to the tables by the charming (and often French-speaking) staff. Favorite items include ham and cheese croissants, quiche and panini sandwiches.

• Pros: Great pastries
• Cons: Out of way neighborhood

03/17/08

Best Croissants in Chicago!

by gabynunezcrain at Citysearch

I love their almond croissants, I drive up north just to have one. The French speaking employees are a wonderful touch. You will not be disappointed!

• Pros: Pastries
• Cons: Parking

12/23/07

Understated

by finallife2004 at Citysearch

This hole in the wall pastry shop has amazing food everytime I visit. The servers are friendly and even remember my name and my regular order: A double espresso, toasted chocolate croissant, tomato basil quiche, and a chocolate mousse cake with raspberries. I would never expect such a warm place to be so tiny and not packed all the time. I visited France a few years ago and desperately desired to visit again and when I walked in, I heard a mix of French and Arabic music that gave me that authentic French feel, spoke French with the counter person, and when I first tasted the croissant, I knew I was in the right place.

• Pros: Amazing food, warm atmosphere, REAL French people.
• Cons: parking, can get very busy at times

11/04/07

Best croissants in town

by badjuju at Citysearch

There are 3 places for French bakeries. Sweet thang is the most authentic. Ask to have your pastry warmed. I would give it 5 stars if they actually put real chocolate bars in their "pain au chocolat" instead of chocolate chips. The flavored mousses are super tasty and actually "mousse-like", not stiff or gelatinous like a lot of places sell you. Really, it should be a 5 stars but I'm just too picky!

It's open 7 days a week too and the staff is very friendly. Coffee is great. A gem!

• Pros: Good variety, friendly staff, open hours, most authentic in town
• Cons: Parking, never too big of a crowd

10/10/07

Horrible Customer Service

by jah0329sdi at Citysearch

TOTALLY RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL!!!!!

I ordered a cake and cupcakes for my nieces baptism with 3 weeks advance notice. The girl taking my order wasn't extremely helpful and didn't seem to know a lot about the cakes. I patiently waited while she took the order and even gave her a copy of the invitation asking to have the cake match it. I watched her write everything down, and had her repeat back the order so I thought everything was ok. Big surprise when I went to pick up my cake - the white/pink/silver cake and cupcakes I had requested were dirt brown. It was the ugliest cake I have ever seen and totally not appropriate for a little girls baptism. When I pointed out the cake was not correct, the owner looked at the form and said this is what I requested. Basically it wasn't his problem, I ordered it wrong. Luckily the girl who took my order was there and she showed him the form with the request for white/pink/silver, his reply was that she filled out the form wrong. I was not watching them point the finger at each other and they were acting like I wasn't even there. I was eventually given 2 options - take the cake as is or wait while he scraped the frosting off and redid it. I didn't have the 1-2 hours he needed to do this, and was afraid of what it would look like, so I took it as is. By the way, no discount or apology for getting it wrong. The owner just walked away and dismissed me. While the cake tasted great, the cupcakes I ordered for the kids turned out to be cappuccino flavored, not what I ordered and not desirable for 7 year olds. They were all given away.

I would not trust them with ordering a cake for a special occasion, they don't seem to have the processes worked out on their end, nor do they care then they make a mistake.

• Pros: Pastries
• Cons: Can't seem to fill a cake order correctly / customer service

08/20/07

Horrific Customer Service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by sprcohen at Citysearch

The customer service here was AWFUL!!!!!!!! I made an appointment with Bernard (owner) for a cake design consultation. I left work early on the day of the consultation- as it turns out, they guy who took my appointment (Bernard's brother) didn't write it down, so Bernard didn't show up!!! I had to re-schedule the appointment and leave work early AGAIN to meet with Bernard. The consultation itself was fine. I was told I could pick up my cake at noon on Saturday. I show up at 1:20pm and Bernard is STILL working on the cake!! It was for a surprise party that was to start at 4pm that same day. I aksed the very rude woman at the counter how much longer the cake would take- she said 5 minutes, which turned into 50 minutes. I NEVER got an apology. Bernard even gave me attitude once the cake was brought over to me- the letters were all messed up on the cake. He said he could fix them, but it would take a few more minutes. What did a few more minutes matter- I had already been waiting more than an hour. Once the letters on the cake were fixed, I didn't even get help carrying the cake out to my car. A very nice patron helped me do it! The workers at the is place were just plain rude every time I called or talked ot htem in the store. I let everyone at my party know where I got the cake, but to NEVER EVER go there because of how awful and rude the custer service was!!! DO NOT EVER EVER ORDER A CAKE FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!! I will continue to spread the bad word to everyone I know!!!

• Pros: NONE!!!!!!!!!
• Cons: AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06/20/07

Best Bakery in Chicago!

by lpaloma at Citysearch

When I first moved to chicago a year ago, it took us several months to find a decent bakery. We were literally disappointed with every bakery we were recommended until we came across sweet thang. The croissants here are the best I have ever tasted, better than the ones we had in France. Make sure to order them warm and have a seat and enjoy a coffee. Their quiche is also excellent, whatever quiche you choose. The desserts are beautiful and you can't go wrong with any of them. The atmosphere is warm and the service is great. If you decide to stay and eat they will bring your order to your table. You don't expect this type of service since the location is so small. It is a pleasant surprise!

• Pros: The best croissants you'll ever taste!
• Cons: Small location.

12/13/06

Best Bakery in Chicago

by rterron at Citysearch

I absolutely love this place. I typically volunteer to bring the dessert anytime there's a get together because Sweet Thang is a winner everytime. All desserts are unbelieveably good- tastes very homemade. They have great designs for your cakes if you want to add some flare. You won't be dissappointed, order your dessert...

• Pros: Great desserts
• Cons: Parking

11/21/06

Quaint and high quality

by citygirl2007 at Citysearch

I love this place! Whether you need to pick up lunch (great quiche) or get a cake for a special occasion (I highly recommend their beautiful chocolate ganache glaze over a raspberry filled cake) this place will not disappoint.

• Pros: Amazing quality food and desserts, cute atmosphere
• Cons: Parking is tough during peak hours