Smallcakes Cupcakery:
For some, a ten-minute drive might seem a bit far, but this charming bakery offers an experience that is well worth the drive. Smallcakes is located on North 18th Street, and with its bold pink lettering and vibrant cupcake decals, it is impossible to pass by.
Sophomore social work major Sterling Terry and I had never explored this side of town, so stumbling across this bakery took us by surprise. We stepped inside and the sweet aroma of cupcakes instantly greeted us.
Smallcakes offers a variety of treats, including cupcakes, cheesecakes and ice cream. Celebrating Mardi Gras, the bakery currently serves vanilla cupcakes topped with buttercream icing and decorated with gold, green and purple sugar sprinkles. Although tempting, I opted for a scoop of red velvet ice cream for $3.89, while Terry chose a red velvet cupcake for $4.99.
“The cupcake was moist, but not too moist,” Terry said. “The cream cheese frosting had just the right sweetness, though I would have preferred it a bit thinner. Overall, it was good.”
As for the ice cream, its smooth, velvety texture complemented the red velvet crumble mixed throughout. I can confidently say it was the best I have had in a long time. I was also pleasantly surprised by the generous portion. My cup was nearly overflowing, with the ice cream rising about an inch above the top.
Smallcakes opens its doors Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It is a fantastic spot for affordable, high-quality sweets for every day of the week, except Sunday.
Eskamoe’s Frozen Custard and More:
For college students on a budget, Eskamoe’s Frozen Custard and More claims the title as an ideal spot for anything from a pretzel to a sundae. Students looking for a quick stop only have to drive seven minutes to reach this sweet spot, located at 2800 Forsythe Avenue near the Gordon McKernan Injury Attorney’s office.
After leaving Smallcakes, Terry and I met with our mutual friend Maddalyn Doughtie, a junior psychology major, to try Eskamoe’s. I had been there once before with my roommate, but neither Terry nor Doughtie had. I was excited to hear their thoughts on their dessert of choice.
The tempting custard flavors, such as tiger’s blood and green apple, immediately caught our attention. I went with a small kiwi snow cone for $1.75, while Terry chose a small lemon snoball. On the other hand, Doughtie bought the large brownie sundae with extra toppings, which came to $7.76.
“The consistency of the custard and flavor was nice, and the whipped cream was soft which added to the overall texture,” Doughtie said. “The nuts added a nice crunch that broke up the sweetness. I would recommend getting chocolate syrup versus the hot fudge.”
As someone who enjoys snow cones year-round, I can confidently say Eskamoe’s did not disappoint. Even though I ordered a small, my cup overflowed with crushed ice and juice. It even soaked through the cup and napkins, making a mess in my car. Terry had a similar issue and used napkins from my glove box to replace their soaked ones.
The kiwi’s crisp, refreshing flavor perfectly captured the taste of the fruit. Even better, I did not find any plain patches of ice, which I found to be a problem with other places.
Craving a late-night treat? Look no further than Eskamoe’s. It stays open from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until 11:00 p.m.
Andy’s Frozen Custard:
For those who prefer to stay in their car rather than dine out, I recommend Andy’s Frozen Custard in West Monroe. It is conveniently located at 110 Basic Drive, between Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Texas Roadhouse. If you need a good dessert after dinner, it might be worth checking out Andy’s.
My friends and I stopped by for dessert, ignoring its savory neighbors. Terry chose a Butter Pecan Concrete—a frozen custard with roasted pecans and butterscotch drizzle for $6.29. I went with the Dirt and Worms for $5.89, a classic dessert of frozen custard topped with crushed Oreos and gummy worms.
“The butter pecan custard had decent flavor, but without the butterscotch or pecans, it just tasted like plain vanilla,” Terry said. “I wish it was mixed a bit better.”
While Terry was less than impressed with their dessert, I enjoyed mine. The gummy worms were chilled but easy to chew, and the custard was flavorful. My only complaint was that the Oreo bits sat on top instead of being mixed throughout.
Overall, I’d like to return and try more from its menu. Thankfully, its hours are like Eskamoe’s, so I can satisfy my cravings almost anytime. Andy’s is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
