Aesha E.
Yelp
Before there was Mindy's Bakery, there was [Mindy's] Hot Chocolate on Damen, maybe half a mile away. I had long wanted to visit Hot Chocolate but didn't get to Bucktown very often and parking in the area is a bear, so it never worked out. But when I realized that Mindy opened a bakery (in fact, closed Hot Chocolate in order to open the bakery instead) I wanted to stop in.
I picked up a few bakery items: A cake-like thing that was really tasty; a couple sugar cookies (well, I ordered and paid for two, but only one made it into my bag, unfortunately), and a Stromboli. I don't think I've had Stromboli before but it was good. This one had polish sausage inside, yum. I really, really love savory pastries, probably more than sweet ones, so this hit the spot nicely. I wish I remembered what the cake-like thing was; it was small, about the size of an oversized cupcake (say, a cupcake and a half) and it had a kind of mousse-like frosting... anyway, it was so delicious and I wish I'd bought one for each of us instead of one to share. The sugar cookies were good as well, but a sugar cookie is a sugar cookie and next time I'd probably focus on something that was a fan favorite or specialty of the bakery.
Of course I can't conclude my review without talking about the hot chocolate. Their hot chocolate is the epitome of gourmet. It's incredibly rich--you don't find hot chocolate like this most places, even other places that sell a high quality hot chocolate. I bought a bag to bring home as well, and for some reason I went with the dark blend... it's fairly bitter to my tastes, but I'm not dark chocolate's biggest fan (I know, why did I buy the dark?). For myself, I would switch to the "creamy" blend next time. The cup I bought whilst here was made from the Classic blend, and I had the marshmallow added to it (instead of keeping it separate--a homemade marshmallow comes with it, and as I've made them myself I can tell you they're completely different from the Kraft ones). It was a lovely treat to coat my throat. They also sell a Mexican blend (spicy blend, perhaps they call it), and since I'm not a fan of cinnamon it's not something I'll try but I know the quality will be of the highest standards.
I'm not someone who generally wants to wait in line at a bakery (special occasions like paczki day notwithstanding). The line isn't just something that was a result of the early pandemic; in December 2023 there's still a line down the block in the morning. But anyway fate smiled upon me with a parking spot right in front and no line since it was early afternoon and I couldn't pass up the chance to stop in. And my baby and I were greeted by Mindy herself, which I wish I'd realized at the time! It was worth it and I'm looking forward to a return visit.