Ground Beef Served Cupcake Size and Super-Size

Cupcakes are sweet--that is, unless they have a meatloaf or ground turkey base and mashed potato or angel hair pasta topping. Such savory novelties are sold at the Meatloaf Bakery on Clark Street in Chicago, but  they can be mailed anywhere in the continental U.S. Below, read more about this unique restaurant, followed by news from two other ground beef restaurants that are not at all unique-- McDonald's and Burger King.

The Meatloaf Bakery (and Café)

If you like food that's fun as well as tasty, try the goodies created at the Meatloaf Bakery.  Since 2008, proprietor and chief meatloaf maker Cynthia Kallile has been operating this tiny restaurant. She's enjoyed a huge amount of publicity from TV, radio, online sites, and print media including (among at least 13 TV shows and 20 newspapers and magazines) the Food Network, Cooking Channel, and the Today Show, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and Food and Wine.  I was introduced to the shop by Fox 32, a local Fox TV station.

The Meatloaf Bakery's "café" consists of 3 small tables with 2 chairs around each. But that's enough for visitors to sit down and sample before buying some to bring home. It's also a good spot for a snack or quick lunch. (A salad or potatoes can be added for a more substantial lunch.) The merchandise--about 8 different types of cupcakes--is displayed and labeled behind glass in a refrigerated case.  The products have clever names, such as "No Buns About it Burger®" (a mini, mini cheeseburger) and Loaf-A-Roma® (with scrumptious Italian-style flavoring). The ingredients in each cupcake are listed on the menu, so diners know what they're eating.

We try to be flexible and do a lot of different things," Cynthia says.  She makes her creations in 3 sizes: Loafies® one-bite appetizers (about 2 oz.), mini cupcakes, medium size (about 4 oz), and single-serving cupcakes (8-10 oz).  Local area customers can buy 3 appetizer-size Loafies® for $5.95 or a dozen for $21.95.  Cynthia's merchandise can be served to diners who are on almost any diet since the selection includes products made with meat, turkey, salmon, or gluten-free vegetarian ingredients.  Note: the meatloaf mix contains beef, veal, and pork, so it's not for kosher diets.

 In addition to cupcakes, The Meatloaf Bakery also sells loaves, but these are typically special order with 24-hour advance notice. The Meatloaf Bakery’s mail order line--Meatloaf By Mail--features boxes of 8, frozen, 6-oz meatloaf cupcakes in four varieties including the popular start of it all— The Mother Loaf®.

Cynthia attributes her successful business in part to her mother's wonderful meatloaf recipe.  However, credit must also go to Cynthia's marketing know-how. She had a clever idea, and she knew how to promote it. Meatloaf Bakery serves customers in many ways. Products can be delivered to those living in the Chicago area. Local customers can also hire the bakery for catered parties "if they're not too huge," Cynthia qualifies. In addition, cupcakes and loaves can be shipped (go to "Meatloaf by Mail") anywhere in the U.S. They'll arrive individually shrink-wrapped and packed in dry ice.  The link to the restaurant's home page (given above) can get you to information about products, delivery, and catering. 

Here's one more option: you can make your own Meatloaf Bakery cupcakes or loaves. Cynthia is not keeping her recipes a secret. One recipe is on the Food Network. Furthermore, lovers of her products can also buy her Meatloaf Cookbook. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Meatloaf-Bakery-Cookbook-Comfort/dp/1440544549). The Kindle version is $9.99; a hard copy costs $15.25.

Here's the big question: Is this artistic food any good?  Groupon says 84% of 203 customers recommended it. (See reviews.)  Another review source is Yelp.  In my opinion, some of Yelp's were tougher than the bakery deserves. My husband and I tasted several different types of cupcakes (with and without accompanying sauces) and liked them all.

Diners don't usually expect comfort food to be both delicious and adorable, but Cynthia Kallile's cupcakes are both.  If you try them, let Shelf Life Advice know how your palate reacted by commenting at the end of this article.  

Meatloaf Bakery cupcakes. Left: No Buns About It Burger Loafie, Center: Loaf-A-Roma® mini, Right: El Loafo Del Fuego Loafie

McDonald's New Patty

Can you imagine having a thick, juicy burger at McDonald's? In 2013, the fast food chain tried this (with its Angus Third Pounder) but found the item too expensive for its customers, who come in to purchase a flat, cheap patty. Nevertheless, starting this month, for a limited time only, McDonalds is/will be selling "a trio of Sirloin Third Pounder burgers," says the Chicago Tribune.  The price?  Around $5.00. McDonald's U.S. sales have been slipping for the past 2 years. Will the new burger improve consumers' view of the quality of McDonald's food and inspire them to buy meatier burgers? Maybe. 

The new patties will weigh about one ounce more than the Quarter Pounder, according to Business Insider.  One choice comes with lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheese; another is Steakhouse style, with mushrooms, onions, cheese, and peppercorn sauce.   As of early April, they're already available in New York and could appear in your neighborhood in the near future.  If they do, try one soon; they won't be around long, McDonald's says.

Burger King's Surprising Generosity

Here's something unexpected and wonderful that Burger King will be doing this summer, but it's not about the menu. The company is paying expenses and providing gifts for the nuptials of a young Illinois couple luckily named Joel Burger and Ashley King.   

Their classmates have referred to Joel and Ashley as "Burger-King" since they were in 5th grade together in New Berlin (a town near Illinois' capital city, Springfield).  The twosome were recently photographed where they announced their engagement. They were standing next to a sign belonging to a local restaurant--you guessed it, a Burger King. The wedding date is July 17. The location is NOT Burger King.

Note: Employees of McDonald's and Starbucks are also recipients of significant generosity. Both companies of are offering some form of tuition reimbursements to workers attending college. But these programs come with some limitations.

Source(s):

Chicago Tribune, "McDonald's to roll out bigger burgers again," "Burger King will foot bill for nuptials for well-paired couple," and "College tuition perks at Starbucks, McDonald's" April 8, 2015.

businessinsider.com "McDonald's just revealed its biggest burger"

http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-adds-sirloin-third-pounder-2015-4

www.amazon.com "The Meatloaf Cookbook: Comfort Food with a Twist"

http://www.amazon.com/The-Meatloaf-Bakery-Cookbook-Comfort/dp/1440544549

Interview with Cynthia Kallile, founder and owner of The Meatloaf Bakery and author of the Meatloaf Bakery Cookbook.