Manda C.
Yelp
We were in the area for an event and I decided to satisfy my curiosity by stopping in.
This place is adorable and small with some furniture that's more cutesy than functional. That makes sense- how many people are going to stuff their face full of cream puffs in front of strangers anyway?
I mean have some shame and devour that box hidden in a dark corner like the rest of us, emerging with pastry crust in your eye lashes and filling streaking through your hair! Just kidding, I got no shame when it comes to sweets. There were a few stools in one corner, but we took ours to go.
I ordered an original with vanilla filling, a green tea and a honey & butter, both with a matcha filling. Then I asked my husband what he wanted. He got the Crispy Almond with vanilla filling.
Frankly, I thought the menu with all the flavors was a little overwhelming. I also had to reconcile the fact that I spent over $13 on 4 cream puffs.
However, the cream puffs are really large. They charge $3.20 for the original and $3.40 for other flavors. That's not too bad if you're wanting to try unusual flavors. This location has a rewards card where they sign off a stamp for every $5 spent, so basically for every 2 cream puffs you purchase. After 9 stamps, you get a free one!
That's good because my dessert habit can get pricey. Though that can be more of a problem with fresh product that's more than $3 a pop, but also has to be consumed quickly or refrigerated. I don't think at this size they would very good refrigerated.
There is something for everyone's flavor preference, but that may backfire. When there are too many combinations, and not necessarily all of them go together, it's definitely possible to get carried away and order 'wrong.' If you know what you like, no problem. If you're being adventurous, that's the potential price you pay.
All the different shells have varying sizes and textures, but they were all crispy, to varying degrees. Honestly, the original was the best. It had a crunchy shell with the best texture, a flavorful and smooth filling and a familiar taste. Solid choice!
I wasn't as impressed by the other shells, the varying shapes and sizes may make that crispy, crunchy shell softer or harder and won't necessarily be in that sweet spot. I didn't like that some of them, like the Green Tea shell, had a hardened cream on the outside. First, it was only on one side of the pastry and second, it threw off the texture contrast. Basically the other shells were just good, instead of magical.
I did like the flavor of the matcha filling the best, but the vanilla filling was smoother, more traditional and better suited to that perfect bite. Though I intend to try both fillings with the original shell for a more accurate comparison next time, I'm currently leaning towards the vanilla.
I also want to say that the ratio of filling was perfect, none were overfilled or messy. I noticed that was a complaint in some of the reviews, but we didn't have that issue. The staff was also friendly, helpful and very efficient. I can't speak for everyone there, but at least the staff on Sunday afternoons has it down to a science.
The packaging is ridiculously cute and had me giggling all the way to the car! Was it worth the price? Maybe, maybe not, that answer will be based on your personal dessert line in the sand. I will say I'm glad I tried it at least once and may stop in occasionally.
For me, the most impressive part of our visit, was how my husband responded to this concept. He is not big on sweets- at all! Anyone who is a lover of sweets, but has a partner who isn't, understands the complications and annoyances that can cause. I mean, it basically means that they won't (or rarely) partake in all your dessert adventures to justify your addiction by proxy!
So you can imagine my shock when my husband loved his Crispy Almond with vanilla cream puff enough to mention it twice that day, again four days later and then again yesterday. Twilight zone!
That in itself is a testament to how good this place is. I'm going to have to try the Crispy Almond next time too, just to figure out how they fixed him!
Since this is the only Beard Papa's currently in the North Texas area, I say you got to give them a try at least once!