Café Esmeralda Cakes & Bakery

Love this shop We get ice cream after chinease food Nextdoor The shop personally are very friendly and they have many choices of cakes and sweets even Boba tea.

Been coming here for years, love the way the cakes come out and taste and gonna order another soon dinosaur style update: unlike the unsatisfied customer, OUR cake came out amazing 🩷

I‘ve never left a negative review before, but my experience was so disappointing that I’m going to share. I was responsible for bringing the birthday cake to a friend’s party, and the main reason I ordered from this bakery was because I wanted a very specific design. Before placing my order, I called and specifically asked if they could do an edible image of a hot pink zebra print wrapped around the cake. (AGAIN SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR AN EDIBLE IMAGE). I made it very clear on the phone I wanted an edible image of only hot pink zebra print wrapped around the cake and they assured me it wasn’t a problem. They told me to text them a picture of the design along with the cake flavor and size, which I did immediately. I even wrote, “I want it to look exactly like this.” I also asked if I should come into the store to place the order, but they told me “I can order by phone and pay through Zelle, that it was better for advance custom cake orders”. So I sent my deposit and trusted that everything was set. When I arrived to pick up the cake, I was SHOCKED. Instead of the edible image I had specifically requested, the zebra print had been poorly hand-piped with black frosting. It looked nothing like the reference photo I sent. When I questioned it, the man helping me insisted that I never asked for an edible image and claimed I had only been charged for a hand-frosted design. I explained that the entire reason I called in the first place was to ask if they could make the cake using an edible image, and they had told me yes. I even showed him our messages and showed him I even said I wanted the cake to look EXACTLY like the reference photo. He then spent several minutes telling me that I should have come into the store if I wanted the cake to be exactly how I envisioned it. That made no sense because I literally asked! A woman then came out from the back and also insisted that I never requested an edible image. Instead of trying to resolve the misunderstanding, they repeatedly blamed me for it. The only solution they offered was a $15 credit. At that point, my options were to either pay the remaining balance for a cake I didn’t order or lose my deposit and leave with nothing. Since I needed a cake for the party that same day, I reluctantly paid the rest and left. On my way to the party, I stopped at Pavilions and bought a $20 cake that honestly looked much better than the custom cake I had just paid for. This was my first time ever writing a negative review because I understand mistakes happen. However, the biggest issue wasn’t just that the cake was COMPLETELY wrong, it was the complete refusal to take responsibility after they had clearly told me over the phone that an edible image was available and encouraged me to place the custom order by text and Zelle. I left feeling disappointed, frustrated, scammed and like my concerns were completely dismissed.

Got a cake for my daughters first birthday party, he was able to do it on theme for her party and we all loved it, plus the banana chocolate flavor was a hit so many people wanted to know where we purchased from. Will be getting all our cakes here, very friendly, helped me in choosing the correct size for the amount of people we were having (was going to get one that was way too big) he could have gladly sold the bigger one but he didn't, so so so rare to find honest and kind small businesses esmeralda bakery Is a gem in lincoln heights. They also sell delicious th rifty ice cream and desserts you can eat inside !

Ok

Me and my friends LOVED the cake we bought. Sooooo soooo good. I think about it often and want to go back soon.

Delicious cakes! Always moist and fresh! My family and I always buy cakes here for everyone’s birthday. They also have great customer service!

Amazing cakes and such great taste. They have done the cakes above and beyond from what I have expected. Recommend this place to everyone. Thank you so much .

Really good cakes and treats, and the best prices ever. They also have coffee, boba, and ice cream which I didn’t realize until I went in the first time. Real hidden gem, it’s a good place to hang out for a bit

Excellent