4. Restaurants

Cupcake Jones

307 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR, 97209
  • (503) 222-4404
  • Store is closed

Cupcake Jones Menu

  • Main Menu

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  • Main Menu

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  • Andre E.

    Awesome Cupcakes Way better than I've had around town. Super moist and they have daily flavors that rotate monthly.

    (4)

  • Caron S.

    Super cute logo and atmosphere at Cupcake Jones. The three of us each selected a cupcake and split each one three ways (genius idea). The chosen ones: red velvet, chocolate chip cookie and carrot cake. They were beautifully presented - each served in a dark brown wrapper and topped with a round adornment (chocolate chip cookie cupcake gets props for the adorable little cookie on top). Light frosting and relatively moist cake. Love that they also offer mini cupcakes too. Two bites = always a winner!

    (4)

  • Monica T.

    I really like cupcake jones. It's by far my favorite place for cupcakes (in Portland that is. ;) ). They have a good selection of flavors to choose from. They also have normal size cupcakes, alone with mini's in case you want to save on calories. :D I also found out they have doggy cupcakes...which my dogs love. This is a must try in your in Portland.

    (4)

  • Andy B.

    What a great experience. Wife wasn't feeling great but had to work, so I wanted to send her a surprise to cheer her up. Staff on the phone was super nice and very accommodating I was able to call first thing in the morning and had some delicious cupcakes delivered to her at work a few hours later in a nice bag with a personalized card. I scored major points and got some killer leftovers.

    (5)

  • Alisha B.

    Cupcake Jones did my cupcakes for my wedding on February 8th 2014 during one of the biggest snow storms we have had in a long time. Not only did they come through with going into the bakery during the huge snow storm, but they made fresh fabulous cupcakes that were decorated perfectly! I would HIGHLY recommend them for any event, even a large wedding! They were just a delight to work with and the cupcakes were amazing! I still have people talking about how awesome the cupcakes were! Thank you Cupcake Jones!

    (5)

  • Kimmy K.

    I love Cupcake Jones! I love Lisa! I love the staff! But, what I really love are the cupcakes! Mr. Kupcakes and I get their cupcakes for all of our special occasions. It doesn't feel like a celebration without them. I recently got married on Maui and upon our return we had an at home reception. Of course, we had Cupcake Jones cupcakes to share with our friends and family. Yum! We love their spice cake so much we even pushed back the date of our at home reception to September just so we'd be able to have them.

    (5)

  • Kendra C.

    This is my favorite cupcake place ever! They have the best cupcakes and the jumbo cup cakes with the filling are amazing. My favorites are some of the flavors they have everyday: What's up doc (carrot cake), lemon cello (I think that's what's it's called), and the red velvet is great. I've had the pearl but it's probably my least favorite. Each time I've had it, it was a little dry. The staff are super friendly too. Each time someone comes to visit I make sure I take them to Cupcake Jones.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Worst cupcake in Portland. Taste like boxed cake at best. Skip this place and head to Saint Cupcake or Sweetest Thing Cupcake.

    (1)

  • Bethany T.

    My birthday was Tuesday, and my mom decided to send me cupcakes from cupcake jones. I've been pretty ill for a while, so we knew I wouldn't be going out or doing anything big for my birthday this year. My mom lives in Memphis, TN and saw a video about cupcake jones through YouTube, so she placed an order hoping it would brighten my day. I was so surprised when they showed up on my doorstep, but I was sad to see a few fallen sugar soldiers when I opened the box. I guess they were using a new delivery service and they didn't realize how fragile the cupcakes were, so a bunch got tossed around and smooshed together. Although I said repeatedly that they will taste just as good and that it wasn't a big deal, my mom called them to let them know what had happened. Cupcake jones went above and beyond to make my day special. A woman called me to apologize for the smooshed cupcakes and wanted to know if I'd be home in a couple of hours. She personally delivered another 6 cupcakes and a dozen mini sampler. Although it was way too much for me to eat, over the last week I was able to sample all but 2 of the cupcakes they make. A huge fan of anything chocolate, I was surprised how much I enjoyed all the other flavors. The peanut butter frosting was so peanut buttery, the sugared mint leaf was to die for, the lemon one was the perfect blend of tart and sweet... everything was top notch! I sent my mom pictures of everything cupcake jones gave me and not only was she happy, she was very impressed. We decided right there and then that they will be getting repeat business from us. But they did not stop there. Today my mom texted me because she got something special in the mail. Cupcake jones sent my mom a gift certificate for more cupcakes! Not only did they go above and beyond to take care of me, they showed my mom their appreciation and sincere apology. Now I'm looking forward to my next birthday and more gourmet cupcakes! Thank you so much for going the extra mile (literally) and making my birthday a sweet success!

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    They use traditional French cake recipes, resulting in a delicious, rich, cupcake. Then they top them off with a filled center, paired to match the cupcake flavour, top it off with a cream cheese frosting that imparts a smooth texture and heavenly cheesecake taste, and plate it beautifully. I know that there are quite a few competitive bakeries in Portland, but honestly cupcake jones is my favourite. Every now and then Saint Cupcake will come out with a sinfully delicious offering, or Ja Das Desserts will make a cupcake so refined you feel as though you are having a sweet from a Michelin rated restaurant, but these are not common occurrences. I reate venues based upon consistent performance, and Cupcake Jones is consistently awesome. No, they do not always provide me with a new superlative laden level of culinary enjoyment, but they always make me think "Oh dear lord this is so delicious!", and have yet to let me down.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    My preference of cupcake is light cake and light frosting. I tried their cupcakes I love their frosting they are very good at making the frosting. The cake is of the dense pound cake like ones. These are not my preference of cupcakes I like. My favorite one I would come back for is the vanilla cupcake in all of Portland. I always get the Pearl cupcake the one and only classic. Cons: I don't really care for the other flavors. Only one location.

    (4)

  • Vicki L.

    Let me preface this by saying that I consider myself a bit of a cupcake connoisseur. ....OK ... maybe connoisseur is a bit too generous. Cupcake addict? There we go. To be entirely candid, I originally wanted to visit Saint Cupcake, but since they decided not to be open on a Monday, and because I just happened to trek by Cupcake Jones on my way to another bakery - I couldn't resist. Based on presentation, I'd have to give these guys 5 stars. Each cake has a beautiful scalloped frosting top, and sit in cute little holders (that actually work quite well considering my two mini cupcakes remained damage-free after hours of travel in a bag). The thought of filled cupcakes didn't really appeal to me (I guess I'm a purist) but I did really appreciate the fact that you were allowed to taste the cake bases to help guide your decisions. In the end, I settled on a mini pear spice cupcake, and one chocolate peanut butter mini cupcake. Both cakes had a decent amount of sweetness and moisture, but I found the frosting to be too "buttercream"-y to me. Personally, I think I'm more of a fan of confectioner's sugar based frosting, and Cupcake Jones opts to use the more decadent buttery-style frosting. Nothing wrong with this, and most people might enjoy it more, but personally I just like something a tinge sweeter. I did however, pick up an awesome pink T-Rex re-usable juice bottle here for only $2 though, and for that I think this place deserves 10 stars. Would I return? Maybe if struck with a sudden craving, but I'm not sure I'd make a trip just for them.

    (3)

  • Christine M.

    I was in Portland visiting a friend who had a work commitment during the day, so I spent a few hours wandering around the Pearl, popping in and out of cute shops. I thought I had my fill (and maybe had hit a max for cute things) when Cupcake Jones showed up on my radar. Oh man, cute things AND cupcakes. I was sold. The store itself is quite small, but it's cute. There is a baking/work space behind the counter, with the daily offerings on display to salivate over as you stand there. The staff was friendly and efficient. I ended up with four mini cupcakes, all good...but think it might be a better deal to stick with the larger sizes (those have filling too, if that appeals to you). I love the cupcake trend and was very grateful for this little gem on my walk. I'd certainly go back if I were in the area. A worthwhile, and tasty, stop in the Pearl.

    (3)

  • Rowena D.

    Cupcake Jones makes some yummy cupcakes. I wandered in last Saturday with the intention of trying one of the cupcakes they serve. When I walked in I was greeted by a friendly and helpful staff person who handed me a menu of all of their cupcakes. On Saturdays they have six flavors available in regular and mini sizes. The first three flavors are available daily - The Pearl, Downtown Cupcake Brown, and Chocolate Covered Pretzel. And, the last three flavors are their Saturday Specials - Peter's Chocolate Mint, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Root Beer Float. Because they had mini versions of their cupcakes, I was lucky to sample every single one. At $1.50 each they are a little pricey but each of these cupcakes is made with care and good quality ingredients. And...the cupcakes are nicely decorated. My husband and I shared each cupcake and we both enjoyed Downtown Cupcake Brown, Peter's Chocolate Mint and Root Beer Float. My only criticism would be that some of the cupcakes were a little dry or overly sweet. After looking at their menu and seeing the cupcake specials for other days, someday I would like to try their Strawberry Lemonade, Velvet Painting and "cocktail inspired" flavors. Hopefully I will make it down to Portland soon and sample more cupcakes from Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Kimberly T.

    I've been sampling cupcakes all over town, and I have to say this one comes in first in terms of flavor. The other places might have icing just as yummy, but Cupcake Jones has the best tasting cupcakes (and biggest, which counts for something) in Portland. Great texture, great flavor. I recommend the vanilla bean!

    (5)

  • Erika B.

    Cupcake Jones is one of my favorite places to go in the Pearl. It is right next to Ben & Jerry's, so that is a total bonus when you want a dessert variety. Yes, their cupcakes are a little on the dry side, but their fillings and toppings make up for that in my opinion. I highly recommend the "peanut butter & Jelly", the "Pearl", "downtown cupcake brown" and "berry cobbler".

    (4)

  • Leigh K.

    I got two cupcakes here, but the one that I think about when I happen to drift off into a fantasy world where cupcakes are everywhere, I think about the Pearl. What a beautiful to look at and scrumptious to eat cupcake. I am so glad my friend Balki Dan took me here when I visited Portland. I will head back here the next time I am in Portland. Oh my.

    (5)

  • Dr B.

    I guess they've changed some things. The bigger cupcakes are drier and not as appealing. The minis are now the better pick, but still a little too sweet. It's not worth the money anymore.

    (3)

  • puck f.

    cupcake cupcake cupcake cupcake cupcake. i don't understand why anyone would buy mini cupcakes when for NOT VERY MUCH MONEY MORE they could have big cupcakes. but this is why my body is shaped not unlike a cupcake.

    (4)

  • Siobhan D.

    I have got to agree with most of the comments here. Cupcake Jones was a true let down. They put more effort into the design and interior of their shop than they did to their product. The quaint design has probably suckered a lot of people into thinking there is actual quality inside. The frosting was way too rich and grity. The cake part tasted stale, and crunchy. For the product, these were far over-priced. Saint cupcake is just up the road and they have never disappointed. Pass on this shop.

    (2)

  • Thomas W.

    The only "Pearl" worth experiencing in Portland resides in this here establishment.

    (5)

  • Claire M.

    These cupcakes were so delicious that I bought a Cupcake Jones t-shirt! I hit them up twice on a quick weekend trip down to Portland. I tried the Pearl Cupcake and the Cookie Dough cupcake. I loved the Cookie Dough Core! The service was fast and extremely friendly on both visits. I really appreciate the sample before you buy option :)

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    I love cupcakes. Cupcake Jones is not the place to go for good cupcakes though. I tried all the flavors they had one day and thought they were all dry and mediocre. And, the prices are ridiculously high. Saint Cupcake has perfected the art of little moist cakes topped by decadent and delicious toppings.

    (1)

  • Betty L.

    I just visited Portland and Seattle and I swear my vacation turned into an impromptu "Cupcake Tour." Out of 6 (!!) cupcake places in both cities, Cupcake Jones was by far the best! I got The Pearl (excellent description below by Thomas M., all vanilla) and a Chocolate Mint cupcake. What really makes the cupcakes so amazing is that they take out some of the cake and fill it with a rich cream and then frost it on top of that. It was fun to watch them make the cupcakes from the window, too. Absolutely delicious and I wish I could transport one here to Chicago now that I'm home.

    (5)

  • J S.

    I've only tried their red velvet painting cupcake but I have to say it was deliiiiiiiiiish! It was $3.25 like many of the cupcakeries I've been to (in the Bay Area) but it was a slightly bigger cupcake which can only be a plus for my sweet tooth :) I started off with the candied rose petal, YUM! never knew flower can taste so delicate! Next, the red velvet cake is super moist, and the cream cheese frosting had a perfect texture and consistency that partners with the cake...I thoroughly enjoyed it sitting down outside on the bench. I'll definitely be back for another flavor next time I'm back in PDX!! Oh, and their staff was uber-nice and considerate!

    (4)

  • Eggland B.

    Their cupcakes are fine, but not any better than I'd expect to get as a dessert from a restaurant. They're not so great that they warrant their own damn store. At $3.25 apiece, I figure you're mostly paying for the fancy location.

    (3)

  • Jesseka N.

    wow, wow, and wow!!! seriously good cupcakes, bought some for a friend and well, lets just say they didnt get all of their intended cupcakes : ) the staff was great, store was too cute and the cupcakes were amazing! and to make it even better they show you what the inside of the cupcake look like, makes it that much harder to choose which ones to buy lol

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Good stuff.

    (4)

  • Alissa R.

    I can't bring myself to give it a 5 because of the price of a cupcake but then again, if you look at it as a dessert and not merely a cupcake, $3.25 isn't too bad. After being a fervent fan of Saint Cupcake, I decide give Cupcake Jones a try... the filling was what drew me in. My first cupcake was a PB & J which rocked my socks! The cake is a little on the dry side like other reviews have said but it wasn't super noticeable because of the filling... oh so wonderful filling! The peanut butter frosting had me a bit leery but it was perfect.. not too sweet, not too rich and didn't taste fake. I still am a big fan of Saint Cupcake but the lack of variety there is what makes me a fan of Cupcake Jones with their ever changing menu of cupcakes.... always something new to try and the combinations are inventive

    (4)

  • Lizzie F.

    I absolutely love love love cupcake Jones! They have some very unique cupcakes and I like that they use organic ingredients. The actual cake is dense (it can sometimes be a tad dry, but still very good) and very flavorful. I love the pretzel flavored cake! Their icing is amazing!! Not too buttery and a perfect consistency. A lot of people around here often compare cupcake Jones to saint cupcakes. I like both places, but I have to say I think if I could only choose one place it would be cupcake Jones. There cupcakes are bigger and I don't know what it is but I love them! My Favorites: Chocolate chip cookie cupcake vanilla pearl peanut butter cup fluff-nutter downtown fudge

    (5)

  • Marion R.

    The staff couldn't be nicer or friendlier, and that counts for a lot. The cupcakes are delicious. I had the Downtown Cupcake Brown (the cake was on the dry side, the frosting SO fudgy and good they balanced perfectly. With a cup of coffee = heaven.) My husband had The Pearl and Strawberry Lemonade. Strawberry Lemonade was the winner out of the three, absolutely moist and delicious. We'll be back, Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Tracey M.

    I so wanted to like this place. It's tiny but very cute. I was surprised there were not more flavors but I found one of interest... the root beer float. My husband had the red velvet. We both felt let down. The cupcakes were dry and just not good. I love to support small businesses such as this but not when what they offer isn't good. I was especially let down considering the price.

    (2)

  • Chuck G.

    Cupcakes were lovely, and the lady behind the counter was extremely helpful and patient.

    (5)

  • Hotdogger G.

    I stopped in here with a group for cupcake tastings, and I bought every single flavor they had available. I am really disappointed with this place. The cake was dry and had little to no flavor, and what flavor they had was synthetic at best. The buttercream frosting tastes like it was made from shortening and left a gross film in my mouth. Their Downtown Cupcake Brown was horrible - I spit it out immediately. Gross, gross, gross!!! The only cupcakes that were decent were the red velvet with cream cheese frosting and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I'm not a huge carrot cake fan, but theirs was pretty good.

    (1)

  • Lisa W.

    Decent cupcakes, with moist cake and very yummy filling. They usually offer at least one seasonal flavor, but there really aren't very many other flavors to choose from (so, minus one star). Minus the other star because of the frosting, which I was completely unable to eat - it's not sweet... it tastes like slightly flavored butter (and has the consistency of butter). I would prefer a true butter cream or cream cheese frosting. To me, the frosting is almost half of the cupcake, so I felt like I was paying quite a bit more than it was worth.

    (3)

  • Bethanie C.

    Tiny space for people, but effective. Canine friendly shop! love that they have doggie treat cupcakes. Filled cupcakes are a bit spendy, but I thought they were good, smaller cupcakes available. nice place.

    (4)

  • Dan M.

    a friend just brought us a six-pack of goodness from cupcake jones. great stuff - i especially liked the german chocolate cake one with the coconut frosting

    (5)

  • Anita C.

    cupcakes! how can you say no? after indulging in voodoo donuts, there was no way i could have a regular sized cupcake, but i went with the mini cupcake. special of the day: spiced pear cupcake. oh my god! sooo good. i took a few pictures too and the staff was very friendly. i even emailed my photos to them. mmmm soo creamy...

    (4)

  • bridget n.

    i used to go here often. the past 3, yes 3 times i went in, my cupcakes were barely brewing over the top of the baking paper. tastes the same, still delicious BUT i refuse to spend almost 4 freakin dollars on ONE cupcake that lasts 1 and a half bites. totally not worth it. if you want to feel ripped off though, this is your place.

    (1)

  • Justin C.

    Join KINK FM community and they should send you a $10 gift certificate on your birthday.

    (4)

  • Amy c.

    This is a really cute and fun place- they take your picture and give you a candle in your cupcake for your birthday! The girls who work there are fabulous.

    (4)

  • Michael John W.

    Having moved to Portland in August from Worcester, home of the perfect 10 Bean Counter Red Velvet or Tuxedo cupcakes, I began my search, in earnest mind you, for the bombest cupcake this side of the continent. Entering St. Cupcake after a short walk through the seemingly omnipresent rain, having found a spot merely a block away within the busy downtown NW business quadrant, and to my surprise having to pay for parking on a Sunday due to some silly municipal government decision or another, I was enlightened by the atmosphere. The counter-lass would greet me with a smile. As is my practice, only this time verbally as she met the level assessment, I determine if she is a professional or student, then discern what she is or does. Square-framed glasses tell me she appreciates sharp order, separation, and classification as opposed to the harmony-circumspect style of round frames, and these square frames had blots of copper and black, indicative of a preference for and understanding of complexity. She's a student without a name, as I'd neglected to ask, I guesstimate psychology and communications double-major. The reality: education and theatre arts. I was for the most part wrong, she is cute, life, somehow, goes on. To the product review mobile Robin! I ordered the cupcake containing "Mexican" and "Chocolate" in the title at her recommendation the other words therein forgotten; a dark-chocolate cake with the perfect level of moistness, the blossom on top effectively chewy with a slight crunch around the edges (the blossom quality; I think muffin-top is passe given that it is now used to describe that unattractive excess body-fat phenomenon and is used for a different species of dessert altogether; is the same on all their cupcakes, with the cake mutually well done), topped with milk-chocolate mousse and espresso powder. Now, the filling is where this cupcake goes wrong for me, as it has a spiced chocolate filling, which while made proper I don't care for, as the spice reminds me of spiced apple cider; remove the spice from either and a grin turns to a smile. The Mexican Chocolate Cupcake - 9, as it is still bomb and upon the first bite, if done well, mind the frosting on the tip of your nose as it first made me feel quite foolish,almost apprehensive, but then entertained so it was alright, it's okay guys, I'm cool now. Their Red Velvet Cupcake - 10. The cream cheese frosting is legit and also fills the center, with the cake and blossom a godsend, making it one of my favorite adjectives: god-like. The next choice was the "What's Up Doc?", think Warner Brothers, think Elmer Fudd, you're getting there... Which I've yet to try as it is in the fridge, understanding the necessity of chilling cream-cheese frosting for full effect. If I remember that will go up later, or email me and be all like, "yo, where is that review mehn?" And I'll be all like, "word". So, the interior design is bright, the employees happy and knowledgeable and in no way rushing, the grounds exceedingly clean with nearly full transparency so I've no worry of cat-sized sewer rats and roaches like aliens from Starship Troopers lurking behind closed doors, just ill cupcakes and baked goodness. Check them out, then try St. Cupcake maybe a baker's dozen blocks away, and come to terms with your preferences.

    (5)

  • Kim L.

    Ah, but I wanted to love you more. I love the innovative sounding cupcakes, I'm just not a fan of their frostings. Too much butter cream that seems too much like a big dollop of butter. I guess I am bigger fan of lighter frostings or cream cheese frosting and always will be. That is why I love Saint Cupcake more: their vaniila cupcake with vanilla creamcheese frosting is the bomb!

    (2)

  • Ryan L.

    the cupcakes look so promising , and the shop definitely looks like the bakers are intensely interested in making delicious cupcakes, but they fall short in many ways. the cake is dry and flavorless. the fillings are generally too rich for the rest of the cupcake - they're just not balanced well (i've had three, so i feel comfortable making an unfair blanket statement like this). the frosting is definitely super rich and buttery, but again lacks flavor. i really only enjoyed its texture...maybe i'm stingy, but i'm not excited about paying $3.25 for a texture alone. one star for frosting texture one star for particularly inventive decorations

    (2)

  • Colleen P.

    I sampled some mini cupcakes at Hotel Vintage on Thursday night, checked out their menu and decided to hit the bakery on Friday. Cupcake Jones was far superior to Cupcake Royale in Seattle. I saw some complaints about dry cake, but it seemed ridiculously moist compared to what C.R. offers. My cake had some kahlua or irish cream frosting on it...can't remember but I thought it was delicious. $3.25 is a lot to spend on a cupcake but given that it was stuffed with cream and had a ton of frosting, I felt it was reasonable. My only complaint is the size of the shop and there's no seating. I'll have to check out the competition (Saint Cupcake?) next time I'm there, but Portland folks should be happy to have such a wide selection of fantastic bakeries in town!

    (4)

  • Jay W.

    I have tried Cupcake Jones twice now. Beside the issue of the price, I found both cupcakes to taste terrible, especially The Belmont. The cake was inedible and the frosting and filling were way too sweet and of an odd texture. I will stick to their neighbor Ben and Jerry's from now on.

    (1)

  • Cassandra C.

    Pretty darn good cupcakes! Definitely worth checking out!

    (3)

  • J. B.

    Pros: Very friendly staff, fresh cupcakes all day and the cupcakes are beautiful. They package them well in cardboard boxes that have individual holders so transport is easy and your Lemonciello wont get all over your Peanut butter Chocolate! My favorite is the Carrot Cake. It's moist and the cream cheese frosting will make you smile every time! The Peanut Butter Chocolate is a bit overkill with chopped peanuts on the icing and chocolate ganache inside, but if a sugar coma is what you're seeking, you will find it with that one!

    (5)

  • Shy A.

    Delicious! I don't have a huge sweet tooth but I have never been one to say no to a cupcake-especially a litte itty-bitty one. It's not bad if you can eat it all in one bite, right? I was so broken hearted with I heart St. Cupcake was closing down but I think that I found my new spot for a quick sweets fix! The red velvet and the carrot cake are some of my personal favorites!

    (4)

  • Leslie K.

    I went out of my way to find this little hole-in-the-wall. There's no dining in here...just get your cupcakes and be on your way. And I'm glad I made the trip. I bought a box of mini cupcakes -- 12 for $16.50 in a special box that preserved their aesthetics for the plane trip back home. Much of the toppings were added "just-in-time" so I really appreciated the freshness of the whole experience. What a treat to try so many different types. I averaged 3 minis per day. Several had fillings...all were yummy. Even the two vegan choices. Oh how I wished we had a Cupcake Jones in the SF Bay Area!

    (5)

  • Erica R.

    I got a chocolate, red velvet and a pearl.. Weird enough I didn't care for the chocolate one. It was quite meh. It was my fist time eating red velvet and I really liked it! The pearl was good too. I was scared of how much topping they have but it was good not too overly sweet.. I didn't feel any wow factor about there cupcakes thoe. So in the future I won't be going out of my way to this place.. Also it is very small inside, like on the cramped side. I prefer a place that has seating!

    (2)

  • Christina C.

    Yay!!! I'm doing a gender revealing party on on Monday and needed a place to make a dozen cupcakes filled with blue or pink in under 8 hours! I have been calling around all morning until I called Cupcake Jones and talked to a super fun friendly guy Spencer who has answered my prayers! He was so helpful and made the process seem fun not stressful anymore! Will definitely be using this place in the further and recommend it to everyone!! Can't wait to taste the amazing cupcakes!

    (5)

  • Chad A.

    I've visited the Portland area many many times over the past couple of years and on pretty long stays due to a Medical Leave from work before settling down in this area searching for a great Cupcake Shop. Now I'm not really that big on sweets, but I do get fairly regular hankerins for cupcakes... hence the search. I was so happy to happen upon CJ (and on my birthday...oh joy!) I couldn't understand why they weren't rating higher so I decided to read a bunch of reviews. Seems they must've read the lower rated reviews, took the feedback to heart, and improved upon things because I didn't experience any issues while there. I felt their prices were very fair for the products they were delivering. They offer two size cupcakes...either mini or regular size. While the regulars are filled, the minis are not, but just know that you are not being shorted on flavor. The actual cake is nice and moist and the frosting was neither too sweet or undersweet displaying a most perfect balance of sweet and moistness. We got six minis to take home and loved all flavors and cannot wait to return. The October Menu is simply incredible! I just love the flavor options available and look forward to what else they have to offer in the future. Service is outstanding. The gal helping us was sweet (pun intended,) patient, and informative. She did a great job of making us feel welcome and appreciated.

    (5)

  • Jenn V.

    This is, by far, my favorite cupcake place in town. Always friendly staff, incredibly tasty cupcakes and even gluten free choices. To top it off they make treats for the puppies! The red velvet is my favorite, and always hits the spot. The mini ones make a great little treat that I don't even have to feel guilty about!

    (5)

  • Jeannie V.

    On a day trip to Portland I stopped by this place to pick up dessert for a small group. I was going to go with an assortment of minis (they have a nice variety), but they minis don't have filling - dealbreaker! They had a special on the big ones, so I ended up purchasing a half-dozen jumbos, and it actually wasn't as expensive as I expected. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and the cupcakes ended up being delicious. So many cupcake shops focus too much on the toppings, and forget about the cake - these were moist on the inside, beautiful on the outside, and tasty everywhere.

    (5)

  • Ramie M.

    I'm not really a fan of sweets, but this little shop was nice. I like that you can buy mini's of most every kind, especially since I had no plans to eat a whole cupcake. I sampled a few in mini-size, and they were quite good. Pricing seemed entirely reasonable. Service was fast/friendly. It was a bit cramped inside because the actual customer service area is tiny, so a handful of people fills it up and you have to wait outside the door. If I were into sweets, I'd definitely return. But, I'm not and this was likely a one-time thing. Do not confuse my sentiments, though, if you like cupcakes or even marginally like cupcakes, check this place out.

    (4)

  • Rebecca B.

    We were going to Jimmy Maks for dinner when we parked we saw this adorable little store across the street and couldn't help ourselves. The staff was very friendly and it's always so nice to when you get to meet the owner of an establishment. We bought a few different cupcakes and everything is amazing. I'm stuffing my face with a mini pb&j right now. YUM! Definitely going back these are delicious! :-)

    (5)

  • Rachel D.

    Not a fan of these cupcakes. I've tried them a few times now and every time I'm so disappointed I wasted my time and money but I kept wanting them to be good. The cake is always dry and there's NO flavor in the cake, they all taste the same, they only differentiate their taste with frosting. Then there's the frosting. It's greasy (I hate greasy frosting where it sticks to your mouth) and even that has little flavor. These cupcakes are very lackluster, there are better sweets in town.

    (1)

  • Alisa E.

    There's a reason that Cupcake Jones has been creating and selling their fabulous cupcakes in Portland and beyond for almost 10 years. It's because they are darn good. (My personal favorite is the gluten-free red velvet with cream cheese frosting mini, and that's a custom creation that was personally recommended when I asked about gluten-free options!) This review is more than about a good cupcake though, because there are many bakery options in Portland and the surrounding area. I choose Cupcake Jones because their cupcakes are mighty tasty AND because I also feel very good getting my cupcakes from Cupcake Jones because I know that every month, a percentage of their proceeds go to charitable organizations. Do any other bakeries in town do this? I think not. {For example, April 2015 giving to CHAP (scheduled), and Mercy Corps/Nepal Relief-earthquake (emergent)}. Check out their website for CJ future charitable giving if you're interested...By the way, did I mention the Lemoncello cupcake? Quite simply, Nirvana.... (I can't help myself, and always have a jumbo!) At any rate, if you want a stellar cupcake, and to know that you are helping those in need through Cupcake Jones generous philosophy and action, the choice is obvious.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    Picked up three cupcakes for a special dessert treat, pearl aka vanilla, mint chocolate and peanut butter. Vanilla and mint were total disappointments, vanilla filling tasted like lard and the frosting on both had a generic cool whip taste. Peanut butter was quite tasty. Maybe they had a bad batch? If this was the normal recipe I suggest Beaverton Bakery all the way much better!

    (2)

  • Jennifer K.

    Cupcake Jones has cupcakes for dogs! Those mini cupcakes are just too cute and love the deco on them as every single one are well thought of to enhance the appearance and the taste of the cupcakes itself! - Pete's Chocolate Mint mini - What's Up Doc Mini (carrot!) - Red Velvet Mini Staffs are super cheerful and friendly. Happy people serving/baking cupcakes that makes other happy!

    (4)

  • Tania L.

    My wife and I stumbled on this place while visiting Portland. Needless to say, we visited everyday and bought a cupcake. Our favorites were the German Chocolate, but others we tried were wonderful. Hands down the best cupcakes I have ever tasted. I'd visit Portland just for the cupcakes at CJ. They are that good.

    (5)

  • Kylie B.

    Trying to find red velvet cupcakes in town comparable to Sprinkles. Unfortunately, the cupcake I had tonight does not reach the quality and amount of flavor Sprinkles has to offer. Still, pretty tasty. The frosting really made the cupcake. I'm not jumping to return, but I wouldn't avoid them either.

    (4)

  • Julio A.

    DEEELISH! Good stuff happening in this place. I try not to indulge in the jumbo cupcakes with filling too often, but they are SO good!!! And the minis always make for a good office pick-me-up when left out for co-workers. Huge plus for this place is the team that helps me out behind the counter - always a fabulous experience! AND... they donate a portion of each sale to a different organization each month. Awesome!!!! Love me some CUPCAKE JONES!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Hayden N.

    My top pick for cupcake places in the Portland-Metro area. I always get the same thing, I love their vanilla cupcake...the icing is light and not too sweet, perfect. Their other flavors are delicious as well, but I'm content being plain here.

    (5)

  • Robyn A.

    Super friendly people. Open til 8 & they have Vegan cupcakes too She frosts a fresh cupcake to order for you. If you love frosting, which is why I love cupcakes, you can get a shot on the side. Love it.

    (5)

  • Nina L.

    I just called for a delivery and the person who answered the phone was sweet and provided great customer service. I think the name was Spencer! So if you are reading this, thank you! I give 5 stars to any establishment that provides nice service. Cupcakes are of course delicious too. :)

    (5)

  • Kathryn E.

    I had a carrot cupcake that I didn't realize I was craving until after I took the first bite. My carrot cupcake was divine - better than homemade and I love to bake. They are moist and quite flavorful. I plan on trying every flavor they have!

    (5)

  • Scott H.

    Wedding cakes are out. Cupcakes are in. CJ did our wedding and it was spectacular. The hardest part had to be picking which ones we were going to use. We ended up picking their red velvet and creating our own "Raspberry Lemonade" I think it's really awesome that you can make your own flavors. They use seasonal and fresh ingredients which is great for the earth. It also makes for a more authentic looking color rather than the once that use Lake Blue 40 or whatever the crap that is. Since they only use natural stuff the cupcakes are not super sweet either. That's a good thing. Because super sweet cupcakes should have a plastic ring on the top. Our service was very personal, attentive and accommodating. So get your wedding cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. Because everyone looks good eating a mini cupcake at a wedding. .

    (5)

  • Dee W.

    My bf and I popped into CJ randomly on our way to a French bakery. The cupcakes looked pretty solid, so we ordered a few of the mini cupcakes. I have to say that I was disappointed in the that thy had only 2 gluten free cupcake options- red velvet (no thanks) and chocolate. The server did note that I could order the chocolate cake with any frosting I would like. Seemed like a viable option until I actually tasted the cupcake, I was not impressed. It lacked the deep chocolatey flavor that I find with good gf cupcakes, and the frosting was just okay.

    (2)

  • Nina H.

    Cupcake Jones is a tiny little shop located in a really fun, upscale neighborhood (Pearl District). It's always fun to walk around the neighborhood and check out the shops. My friend ordered 30 mini cupcakes from the shop and they were all pretty tasty! I especially liked the red velvet and chocolate ones, those were pretty standard and you can't really go wrong with those. They also have a cool carrot cake one, and some German chocolate too. I'm not a huge fan of sweets, but this place has decent cupcakes, although they are really pricey if you buy less than a dozen.

    (4)

  • Vi B.

    Delicious, moist, sweet, chocolatey... aye ya- just writing this post makes me Jones for a Cupcake! I LOVE the pastries here. The bakers obviously know what they're doing, and you can taste it in everything they make. My all-time favorite is their red velvet cupcake, which I refer to as "15 well-earned minutes on the treadmill." And they have sweets for your dog, too! I definitely need to get one for my little guy the next time I'm there - but they look so delicious I might try to eat one myself. Don't judge me! Also, you would think after living in Portland I would be used to such pet-friendly establishments. On top of the doggy cupcakes, their decor consists of photos and highlights of animals from the Oregon Humane Society who need homes. Nothing like a little visit to Cupcake Jones to make your mouth water and your heart melt.

    (4)

  • Valery C.

    ** 3.5 stars ** Cupcake shop in the Pearl. An immediate win for presentation; viewable from outside and even better inside, their cupcakes are beautiful, with perfect swirls of icing and a distinct topping for each. A bonus are fillings in the standard "jumbo" size, which enlivens even usual fan favorite flavors, such as sour cream chocolate ganache in a chocolate cake, or vanilla bean cream in red velvet. Then there are more interesting ones like PB&J and carrot cake. Extra flavors rotate in the form of daily specials. For those who want to try a few flavors but don't want a whole (substantial) cupcake commitment, there are adorable mini versions of all, just as elegantly decorated, minus the filling. For these two bite minis, we sampled red velvet, chocolate mint, and carrot cake. To be fair, I rarely rave about cupcakes; these were decent versions, relatively moist, not too sweet, good flavor, nice balance between the creamy icing and cake. Definitely worth a visit for the cupcake enthusiast. Essentially a to-go operation. The space isn't small, but with well-nigh all of it allocated to cupcake preparation, there's just a sliver of a space by the door for the counter and a handful of customers to jostle for a view of the goods. Check out the doggie cupcakes too!

    (3)

  • Julia T.

    The cupcake shop has an awkward layout that does not accommodate well to the customers. I was expecting more from, Cupcake Jones. The cupcakes were not moist and simply put, I've had better.

    (1)

  • Lih-Wern W.

    I still think Sprinkles and Georgetown Cupcakes taste better but so far I think it's the best I've had in Portland. I like how they pipe in filling to the inside of the cupcake, but the price is more on the expensive side. Good for a craving every once in awhile but not something I could afford to get often.

    (4)

  • Sherrie M.

    Meh.... Cons: * Not sweet enough. The frosting tastes like shortening with a half pinch of sugar. * The cupcake part is dry. * They run out in the middle of the day (at east when I was there) * They don't have plain jane cupcakes - with BUTTERCREAM. * The large cupcakes are larger, but not like Crumbs. But somehow they are the same price. Too expensive for a unsweetened cupcake.

    (2)

  • Phong D.

    With 249 reviews before me, what hasn't been said about Cupcake Jones? They offer no nonsense cupcakes that will roundhouse kick you in the taste bud. The mini cupcakes are just the right size to scratch the sweet tooth and at $1.50/mini I think that's very reasonable. The PBJ cupcake would have benefited from a more assertive peanut butter flavor, but it did well to not overshadow the jelly which was clearly elegant and fanciful. The red velvet cupcake deserves a perfect "10." The cake was firm in the hand, moist in the mouth, and confidently introduced the vanilla frosting. The frosting was full-bodied and strongly sweet, like a firm handshake - respectable. I would totally remarry my wife just to have Cupcake Jones cater our wedding.

    (4)

  • Jenni L.

    Ok Mr. Jones...here's the deal, You can do better. At $3.25 a cupcake you should do better. I was pretty excited to walk into your shop tonight and take home a beautiful Pearl cupcake. It even came in it's own adorable little plastic case, made to fit, and topped with a candy pearl. It was gorgeous Mr. Jones. Really. I tried the frosting first, and that's where you drew me in with a tease. I usually hate frosting, it's the worst thing about a cupcake, and generally why I never want them. But you had creamy, whipped cream-esk frosting. It excited and delighted me, I have to say. Then I bit in. Disappointment... It was dry, and tasted like bland cornbread. Even the vanilla filling inside couldn't revive the crumbly texture and lack of substancial flavor. On the otherhand, I had been craving a cupcake lately and you made me not want one again for a very long time...go you. As a second part, you earn that third star only because my friend got the Bananas Foster cupcake and said it was really good. I'm going to take her word on it, and pass you out that third star even though I'm pretty sure you don't deserve it.

    (3)

  • Pui S.

    Wow, so expensive!

    (2)

  • Jessica K.

    I'm a huge cupcake loving girl so even though I was filled to the gill with all the fabulous cart food Portland had to offer, a small detour was in order to check this another cupcake place off my list of things to do. It's in a cute neighborhood right next to a Ben & Jerry's so as if ice cream wasn't bad enough, there's cupcakes right next to it! Yeah, but it looks like I'll be sticking with the Ben & Jerry's if I'm in the neighborhood again. I walked in and took a look around and inquired what the staff favorite was. The lady behind the counter shrugged and said, "well, I dunno" and handed me a leaflet with the flavors they offered. I picked out the chocolate orange mini cupcake and went on my way. The cupcake was bland, overridden with oil and devil's food cake mix and topped with heavy flavorless cream and a dry piece of candied orange. Did you get all that? In a tiny bitter nutshell, it sucked. I squished the rest of the cupcake between my fingers and literally twisted it around for a little bit before finding a trash can to dispose of it. With the great reputation Portland has regarding food, I was sorely disappointed but lesson learned.

    (1)

  • Violet T.

    Well, of course I am a regular. Their cupcakes rock!

    (5)

  • Joanne L.

    $7 for 2 cupcakes.. The red velvet is pretty good, with cream cheese frosting which was not too sweet, not too heavy so I appreciated it. The "Pearl" cupcake was very dry and crumble-y. I like my cupcake more moist and more vanilla-y. So I won't going back, but doesn't mean you shouldn't try this place.

    (3)

  • Aimee C.

    This was our first time here since our favorite cupcake place closed down (saint cupcake). My husband got the PB & J and I got the Velvet Painting, downtown cupcake brown, new tuxedo and the coconut Lemon. Out of the 5 cupcakes, 3 of them were pretty bad. The cupcake was very dry. The coconut lemon didn't even have a hint of coconut flavor. The only cupcake that was really spot on was the velvet painting. Frosting was delicious and cake was moist. I was so excited to try this place out but was a bit let down. I'm willing to give them another shot and hopefully next time will be better.

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    We love Cupcake Jones. We used them for our wedding and visit every time we get down to the Pearl. They use natural juices to color their cake instead of food colorings so of course they are a healthy cupcake right? They have seasonal flavors that change every month along with their standard every day flavors. The large cupcakes are filled with goodness and they have mini cupcakes as an appetizer to the large ones. They shop smells blissful when you enter and everyone working there is happy. I recommend this stop any time in Portland.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    The cupcakes were good. The cupcakes have been made with care. The cupcakes are delicious and I find it odd that a cross section of each variety is presented to the customer as if each delicacy needed a full examination. There are cupcakes on the windowsill outside. The cupcakes have the full attention and it's only in the late afternoon hours that the place does not have a light. I should note that each cupcake is quite delicious. I had the chocolate chip cookie flavor. Even the icing is good. I would recommend coming here because the place specializes in all types of cupcakes and not simply the popular red velvet flavor that everyone wants. I would recommend the latter as well. It is a walk in place so parking might be difficult.

    (4)

  • Maret S.

    I've been to their store and had them at my sister's wedding--the results were mixed. My first experience was at the store where I enjoyed the the red velvet filled with pastry cream and it was perfectly moist, flavorful and not overly sickly sweet like some cupcakes. Red velvet gets a 5/5 in its filled cupcake weight class. At the wedding I had PB&J. The frosting was kind of greasy, and I'm not sure the cupcakes traveled well. They were drier than the one I had from the store. The minis were also dry, but that's expected. Show me a mini cupcake ANYWHERE that doesn't suck. Please, I dare you.

    (3)

  • Gina A.

    I have been going 1-2 times a year since they opened. My son Gino prefers these to a 'real' bday cake - they are that good. Good service, cute ass teensy shop. Two things I have noticed - 1. DO NOT plan on buying and eating later. I have tried this more than once and the flavor and quality suffer by the hour. Eat them fresh. Eat them before you make it back to your car/apt/office/strip club. 2. AVOID the small ones - they have a less moist texture and NOT the same as the bigger ones. As for items 1 & 2 - I didn't say you have to eat the whole big one - find a friend, make a friend, buy a friend, and cut these suckers in 1/2. More than 1/2 of a big one and I start to feel really sugar sick. FYI, For those with nut allergies - guess what? Their carrot cupcakes are NUTLESS!!! Given what a cup of coffee costs these days, I really don't see the price being an issue, unless you are really cheap. I'll be back again when it's somebody specials birthday. Before then you'll find me at the gym.

    (4)

  • Stacy K.

    My boyfriend and I each got 2 mini cupcakes. We both agreed that the carrot cake was fantastic. But each of our other two cupcakes were white cake based which was very dried out and crumbly. The frosting was pretty buttery and not very sweet. I probably wouldn't come here again.

    (3)

  • Arlene C.

    Our group decided on ice cream at Ben & Jerry's but Cupcake Jones was just next door, so we decided on cupcakes instead. I ordered two cupcakes, the peanut buttercup and the mocha chocolate and I had to say that it was delicious. Normally I do not like eating cupcakes with that much frosting because it is too sweet for me, but these were simply marvelous and not overly sweet. I also like that they serve vegan flavors as well. Will have to try that another time. If the cake was just a tad more moist it would have been perfection, but overall I enjoyed every bite.

    (5)

  • Daniel H.

    The flavors here were phenomenal- I had smores, mint chocolate and carrot cake, and they didn't disappoint. there were so many other options I wanted to try! They sell cupcakes in regular and mini sizes (so you can get a few to try, or share them around!) But the thing that really sold me was the decorating- the cupcakes were so cute, the carrot cake had a little dried, candied carrot slice. The smores had a mini graham cracker. The mint chocolate had a dried sugar crusted mint leaf. And they had specialty cakes too!This shop was a great find for me.

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? They have cupcakes. Really, really good cupcakes. You need to eat them. That's pretty much the gist of it. To add another side I recently attended the wedding of two friends who had Cupcake Jones do their event. There were normal size cupcakes, bite size, and even a full size wedding cake. What I thought was particularly cool is that instead of making the grooms keep the top layer in their freezer for a year (then eating cake that's been frozen for a year, yuck) Cupcake Jones will provide them with a small cake on their first anniversary. That's one of those little details that really puts the frosting on top, if ya know what I mean. ;) Anyway, the point is to go try their cupcakes. I like getting a half dozen bite sized of various favors and going to town. My 5-year old niece also loves their frosting shots. There's no wrong way to do this.

    (4)

  • Josh S.

    Visited Friday August 21st in the Evening. Cute place in the Pearl District near coffee shops and bars. Was offered the Special. Buy 5 and get the 6th Free! Though was fully charged for all 6, Might have just been the Distraction as I wanted to know what all the Cup Cakes were and Frostings. All in all, a Good experience.

    (4)

  • Andrew R.

    Great customer service, AMAZING CUPCAKES!!! Thank you for your Vegan & Gluten free choices! Your delivery service is priceless (saved me time & time again!) - and we cannot thank you enough for your outstanding service at our wedding.

    (5)

  • Lindsay B.

    Best cupcake in town. I used to frequent Cupcake Jones when I lived in the Pearl and just revisited for the first time in years. I stopped in to get 2 dozen 'thank you' cupcakes and was glad that the girl was so nice even though I hadn't called ahead for such large order. I went with the minis and got a big one for myself. I am partial to their peanut butter chocolate vareties and chose something like a peanut butter cup. I love that all the big cupcakes are filled, the cake is yummy and moist, and their frosting can't be beat. It's always the perfect flavor and never too sweet. I don't think I've ever had one I didn't like.

    (5)

  • Courtney D.

    I live in Seattle and wanted to send my friends (they are married and have the same bday) in Portland a birthday cupcake box! I called the shop and they were great saying they would get them out that day. I ordered an assorted dozen. They tried to deliver them to my friends who weren't home so they called them multiple times and then finally called me to make sure someone would be there that day for the delivery. The shop then went back and dropped off the cupcakes and they looked great! They were fully intact and huge! I literally just saw their Yelp review and called and had the cupcakes delivered that day. If you want cupcake delivery in Portland I would highly recommend them!

    (4)

  • Benjamin W.

    Ok so I wasn't a huge cupcake fan till I got one of these guys!!!!! The staff here is always super friendly and give great service!!! The cupcakes are to die for!!!!!! I work down the street and we all love this place!! Any time we have to do a UPS run we take the long route back to get everyone a cupcake!!!!! If you haven't been here before you must try the lemonchello cupcake or the vegan chocolate!!!!

    (5)

  • Amanda H.

    So I love cupcakes and I was excited to try these cupcakes. The first time I went there I got a chocolate chip cupcake. It looks cute, then I went to enjoy it and I couldn't even get off the wrapper. I bought my dog two (dog cupcakes) and he LOVED them. On the other hand he is a dog....... So who knows if they even tasted good or not. So my coworkers went to get one so I was like, I will try them one more time. Good thing it was a free coupon for it because it tasted disgusting.. I wanted to like these but I can't.

    (2)

  • Joy C.

    I love there cup cakes!!!!!! Yummy I alway pick up the min ones ! A great treat and they have great flavors!

    (5)

  • Chris F.

    Ordered cupcakes for my bf's birthday form here on April 4th to be picked up on April 11th. They were very friendly over the phone, and were even gracious when I called to move the pick up time until later. They were ready on time. The cupcakes were wonderful. He loves Red Velvet and was not disappointed, everyone at the party loved them. Definitely worth a return!

    (5)

  • Winny S.

    Cute, yummy taste combinations. I love that you can get each flavor of cupcake in a tiny two bite size! First bite for me is the heavenly frosting, and the second bite is the moist tasty cake. My favorite is their "pearl" cupcake, named after the Pearl District, where Cupcake Jones is located on the Tenth Street. It's a wonderful vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting topped with a "pearl". But you owe it to yourself to try several flavors, and with the mini size option, you can! A must see when you're in Portland.

    (4)

  • Robin C.

    My favorite cupcakes without having to travel to Magnolias in NYC. LOVE the vanilla buttercream frosting! I can feel it sticking to my hips right now....lol. NOH8 people!!

    (5)

  • Renee T.

    I love your cupcakes! I have so many allergies that these are the only ones I can have, short of making them myself(I'm really not a baker). Please go soy free soon. :) many thanks!

    (5)

  • Christine T.

    Yum! I'm falling in love with these cupcakes! Having recently moved from Seattle (which had at least 2 really spectacular cupcake shops), my taste buds had some pretty high expectations. But Cupcake Jones certainly met and even exceeded them all! This time I got the chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake - so marvelous! Moist, perfect sweetness (which for me means not too sweet but more "tasty sweetness" if that makes any sense), a crunchy cookie on top, and an amazing cookie dough center. Ahh I wish I hadn't eaten this so fast but I just couldn't help myself! I've been here only twice (so far) but service has been quick and friendly. I love their flavors and am looking forward to trying them all out. This place can definitely compete with my old Seattle favs! Now the real questions are: when can I go back and what flavor should I get?

    (5)

  • Jenna W.

    Hands down, best red velvet cupcake in the world. I love cupcakes and have tried them at many shops in Portland and Seattle and I just can't find anything better than Cupcake Jones's red velvet. Dense, moist, not overly sweet. It is heaven in my mouth.

    (5)

  • Shila B.

    The store is very small, therefore, it will get crowded very quickly. My best friend and I went right at 12 noon, therefore, we had our pick of the litter in terms of selection. We had a pear spiced cupcake which was extremely addicting. The price was very decent for a gourmet cupcake at under $4. The staff were awesome and friendly.

    (5)

  • D. M.

    Portland has the best CUPCAKES!!!! Cupcake Jones never lets me down with their outstanding cupcakes! The flavors are amazing - it is always hard to choose from a special limited flavor or one of the menus classics. I recently picked up some cupcakes for a visiting friend and all she could say was "decadence" - I agree! I am obsessed. And if you have a Canine - indulge them in the doggie cupcake an employee told me that dog owners have to discourage their dogs from going into the store... because they love the doggie cupcakes - my four legged friends sing for their treats! The staff is always friendly - engaging and fun!

    (5)

  • Ana R.

    Picking up my hubby's favorite cupcakes for his birthday! Deelish! Service is always fabulous and the cupcakes only get better.

    (5)

  • Cora L.

    Cupcake Jones has the best cupcakes in town. They are moist, soft, richly flavored. You just can't get better. They have a variety of amazing flavors, some seasonal, so you can try something different every time you go. They make everything from scratch, even the candied rose petals they use to decorate, and use local ingredients when possible. Because these are our favorite cupcakes, my husband and I chose to cater Cupcake Jones as our wedding cake. I couldn't be happier with their service!! This is a very affordable alternative to wedding case (about $5 per person rather than $10 per person). Cupcake Jones took care of everything for a reasonable price. All I had to do was call and pick my flavors. They made all of our cupcakes (over 300 of them) the day of the wedding, drove them to our venue, and arranged them on our cake table. It was hassle free. If only all my vendors were so easy to work with!

    (5)

  • Elle J.

    Oh. My. Great. Golly. Gosh! Inventive flavors that span awesome to even more awesome. I'm digging that they have so many mini versions for those who love to eat but are all sad about their thighs. If you are in the area don't forget to stop in for a treat. The shop is super cute and the workers are beyond nice! Saturday flavor grasshopper mini: chocolate with a hint of mint made this cupcake rich without making me feel gross. I loved the little cookie detail and am committed to getting paw deep in a full sized one... after my run of course...

    (5)

  • Ben N.

    I love Cupcake Jones. The staff is super friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the cupcakes are to die for. Their German Chocolate cupcake reminds me of the delicious GC cakes my grandma used to make for family birthdays. SO. GOOD.

    (5)

  • Danielle K.

    Uuuugghhhh...Come in happy...leave with a stomach ache. My friend was REALLY irritating me today, because she kept on going off about how much she looooooved Cupcake Jones and how it was just so much better than the Saint. This, firstly, was a put-off. However, seeing this is NOT a review about how she pissed me off, this shouldn't even go into play. I will say, though, that there is pretty much no end to my sweet tooth. I like all things chocolatey, sugary, and basically bad-for-you. So Cupcake Jones should be like love at first sight, right? Well, I'm not sure how they did it, but they actually made something TOO rich for me. I know! I know! It seemed IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, even the small bite-sized version of the Vanilla Pearl proved to be too much. They weren't kidding when they called the frosting buttercream. It literally tasted like I was eating a spoonful of butter. Yikes! For the larger cupcake, I decided to try the peanut butter and jelly combo, which looked a lot more delicious than it sounds. And while the frosting on that one proved to be much more tasty, the filling was just a distraction from pretty dry cake. Which, to be honest, I noticed in the bite-sized version, but hoped wouldn't render true for another sampling. My friend was appalled when I told her how I felt, and continued to diss on Saint Cupcake. The truth is, though, Saint Cupcake is simpler, lighter, moister, tastier, and cheaper! At $3.25 for a regular cupcake, it bes' be good. The two things this place really does have going for it though, are their menu innovation and the owner. The menu changes frequently, and they have seasonal cupcakes (well, sort of seasonal...the ideas are seasonal, but I doubt the ingredients are), which cater to those who like novelties in their desserts. And the owner, well, he came over and just chatted us up like we were regulars. And the convo lasted a solid ten minutes. He was very nice, which makes the doling out of two stars seem almost mean to me, but the fact of the matter is, that while the cupcakes are cute and the names delightful, there really isn't the awesomeness behind them that I thought they would. I left feeling like there was a rock in my stomach...not a nice feeling. So, I'm sorry CJ. I hope you guys do well with business from people like my friend who swears by you. You really do seem nice! But I just can't handle it. :(

    (2)

  • M O.

    Im obsessed with this place. The vegan selection is phenomenal! I only wish they could squeeze a little bit of the amazing filling in the mini cupcakes!!! Please consider it!!!!!

    (5)

  • Aaron R.

    I got a batch of the mini cupcakes for my Valentines sweetie, and they were pretty rich and flavorful... although they might be a bit too "mini" to get the full idea of what their bigger siblings might taste like. Gotta love the lobby art, too, which includes the Oregon Humane Society's top 6, which tugs at my heart every time I walk by...

    (4)

  • Mariangela S.

    A brand new cupcake boutique in the Pearl District just caught my eye! We were there on a Wednesday when the special cupcake of the day is German Chocolate and Coffee Cake. A little dry but we were conserving calories and only ate the mini. I'd like to be there for Downtown Cupcake Brown - sound delicious!

    (3)

  • Wolf L.

    We were bumbling around in the Pearl District, my lady and me, on a beautiful summer day. We saw Cupcake Jones from across the street. Girlfriend is a cupcake wizard. Seriously, she creates the most beautimus, delectatasty cupcakes ever. She's an artist with that buttercream frosting, I'm tellin' ya. We decided to wander over and check out the goods. Girlfriend was rolling up her sleeves. She's a bit competitive when it comes to cupcakes. The place is tiny, but what little space they have is packed with beautiful cupcakes. Girlfriend cast her very critical eye on the bakery case. Silence. That was a good sign. If she saw any defects or cupcake shoddiness, she would have been quite vocal about it. We ordered two cupcakes. I got a red velvet and the lady got a vanilla. Quite tasty. I noticed right away that they were similar in texture to girlfriend's cakes--a little more dense than most and not too, too sweet. I could seriously eat half a dozen in a nanosecond. They're that good. "That's a good cupcake, eh?" I prodded Girlfriend. She nodded in agreement. That's all you're getting from her Cupcake Jones, but that's a pretty solid endorsement. Tons of tasty beer AND great cupcakes? Portland, you stole my heart.

    (4)

  • Shanna J.

    My new downtown Portland food addiction, located within a couple blocks of my office. Have made several visits and brought along co-workers each time - everyone loves this place. Presentation is amazing - they are as much art as food. The big ones are loaded - unless you have a pretty hardy sweet-tooth, good idea to split with a friend or loved one. The minis are perfect - get a couple. Heaven for $3.75 or $1.50 is a pretty awesome value.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Good cupcake!! nom nom!! great atmosphere I felt welcome as soon as I walked in the door, a must try!!

    (3)

  • Sean G.

    This place has been reviewed to death, so I will be quick. Pros: Good flavors, nice people, larger cupcakes. Con: Dry, dry, dry cupcakes. Unfortunately, since I have enjoyed the super-moist cupcakes at Saint Cupcake, it makes it hard to think I'll walk back here. Which is too bad, the people were real nice and the shop is a cool tiny place.

    (3)

  • Brandy S.

    I love cupcakes and this place has beautiful, unique flavors. But at $3 a pop, it just isn't worth it! Saint Cupcake does a much better job and for less. Sure the special filling in the middle might attract some, but the inconvenient wrapping and overly sugared frosting were just too much (but not in that "I want more, but am just too full" way). Overall: save your pennies and go to Saint Cupcake instead - if you really have to have the filling, add your own!

    (2)

  • Chloe V.

    I tried some minis, the carrot cake and the pb&j, which were just alright. They do have cool sippy cup drinks though. I got the green alligator, who had sour apple flavored juice inside of him. I will be back, if only to collect all of the animal shaped containers.

    (5)

  • Leisa H.

    Far be it from me to turn down a free cupcake, but if I'm offered another from Cupcake Jones (as I was today), I would graciously, though with the hint of a twisted look on my face, turn it down. I'm certainly no health freak, but I'm not gonna blow the calories on something that tastes "meh" at best. I've not been in to the shop itself, so I can't drop any knowledge about that (and from other reviews, the shop & staff seem to be perfectly pleasant) - so we'll call this a pure product review. Today I had a chocolate cake/chocolate frosting variety. It looked gorgeous - gargantuan and delicate at the same time. The paper cup so thick and sturdy, that I was certain it must be holding something extraordinarily precious. The first lick at the frosting was promising. At the second lick, the uber-sweetness kicked in. So I decided to plunge in to the cake part to try and offset the frosting. Disappointment. My first thought - "Wait, did I pick up a vegan cupcake?" (no hard feelings, vegans). It was dry and not particularly flavorful. I will say, though, the cake part did work to offset the belly-ache inducing frosting - because it had no hint of sweetness. I'd tried Cupcake Jones on one other (catered) occasion - I had bites of about 3 or 4 different cupcakes...none of them tasty enough to persuade a second bite. The chocolatey-chocolate cupcake from today is still sitting on my desk, two bites gone. We'll see if the afternoon munchies can bring me back to it - but at this point, I'm thinking I'll go hungry.

    (2)

  • Erica L.

    I would like to respond to those people who found the "cupcake" too dry. Perhaps I am too closely allied with the "old-school" of baking, but cake should not be so gooey-moist as to last through a nuclear-holocast (think those horrifying twinkies on convenience store shelves). I grew up with sponge cake that had a very short shelf life . . . that was light and airy and not overwhelmed by an oily texture. Perhaps those people who have found the cake at Cupcake Jones "too dry" have not had a similar experience. I enjoy the fact that the cake's texture is bound by the frosting's richness and that the flavours are anchored by real ingredients. Kudos to Peter and Lisa for keeping it real and staying true to the "cake" side of cupcakes.

    (5)

  • sharon m.

    I'm sorry cupcake jones, you have such a wonderful staff and beautiful cupcakes that I hate to give you just one star...but your cupcakes did not taste good. It tasted way to cakey and dry for me...and no matter what flavor I got, they all tasted the same. The frosting was too sweet and too creamy of a consistency, and the PB&J cupcake that you raved about was really not all that. Maybe your cupcakes just aren't my style. :(

    (1)

  • Andrea C.

    I loved this place. This is a bakers bakery ( being an-in -from- out-of-town pastry chef myself, I can make this bold statement). The ingredients were top of the line, the consistancy superb and made by a baker eager to please. While cupcakes aren't the most technically intriging of dessert chocies, they do evoke a strong sentimental longing for the days of unregulated caloric intake. Worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Will D.

    After much trepidation, I've finally decided I can no longer withhold a full 5 star review from Cupcake Jones. Today, Lisa (the owner) truly went above and beyond the call of duty for me. However, to understand the gravity of what she did, you have to understand my day. Today was my mother's 60th birthday. It's not right that anyone be as crapped upon as she was on her birthday, and her 60th at that. What happened isn't nearly as important as knowing that my mother's favorite cake is white sheet cake with white frosting and a rose on every piece. After my mother's craptastic day, I decided to see if I could make her day a little brighter. I offered to take her out to dinner (since her dinner plans had fallen through) and she turned me down, so I did the next best thing: I called Lisa last-minute to see if she could help me out. Lisa not only provided me with the requisite white cupcake, she went on to cover it in REAL rose petals in the form of aforementioned flower so it would have its very own for my mom. After doing that, she dug around in the back for me and found my favorite filling so I could have one of their mint chocolate cupcakes, even though they weren't serving it that day, making a total of two custom cupcakes for us at no extra charge. Even if the cupcakes were only ok (which they aren't -- they're fantastic. I mean, really, how can you go wrong adding ganache to the center of anything? And their constantly evolving menu is amazingly creative and delicious), this kind of service is exactly what I look for in a place I'm going to frequent. Lisa has ensured that I will be returning to Cupcake Jones and recommending them without reservation to both friends and clients.

    (5)

  • IH K.

    At 3.25 a cupcake, not only are they way cheaper than DC cupcakes, but they also taste a hell of a lot better. No prefab frosting here. When you sink your teeth into one of their treats, the frosting and cake are soft, room temperature and tastes distinctly fresh. I haven't been to any other bakeries in portland, so I don't want to prematurely say it's the best - but it's definitely won out over any DC cupcakery. P.S. bring you dog and treat them do one of their adorable little doggy cupcakes.

    (4)

  • Dawn D.

    Extremely dry cupcakes, very disappointing. This was my third visit and I have to say I have been disappointed every time. They have some interesting flavor combos, but its hard to notice the flavor when it all just tastes dry. We tried 3 big cupcake flavors and it was all the same. I say save your money, there are definitely better options out there.

    (2)

  • Coral C.

    The frosting was delicous and the filling was a nice surprise, but the actual cake portion of the cupcake tasted a bit like dog food. SO GROSS. For a place that only sells cupcakes, I would expect the cake part to be the best out of everything. Disappointed for sure, but I would go back for the frosting....mmm, frosting.

    (2)

  • Rena T.

    A-MAZE-ING! Oh how I wish Cupcake Jones lived closer to me. On a visit to Portland, I stumbled across this wonderful gem of a bakery. Not only do they make a delicious cupcake, the women I spoke to who run the joint, know their stuff. Very helpful, informative ... and super nice! I love that they have a lot of unique flavors (and are filled, too! double yum!) although I tend towards the more traditional combinations. I also love that they make a big (normal) size as well as little bite sized cupcakes. Did I mention that these things are like works of art? So beautifully decorated! Wow! They also make some pretty fancy pupcakes which I took home with me for my canine child. He naturally ate them in one gulp. What was really neat is the care and detail they put not only in the big fancy cupcakes but also in the pupcakes. These ladies truly take pride in their product, the quality is top top top shelf and they rock! Maybe it's not such a bad thing that I live so far from Cupcake Jones ... I may get myself into some big trouble. SO GOOD ... SOOOO GOOD!!!!!

    (5)

  • Emme J.

    I went here when I was visiting my sister and I was really excited to try out a new cupcake place. We got there pretty late at night, so there was not a huge selection. The frosting had a weird consistency. The cake was moist and nice, just not my favorite cupcake. They also had a very small selection of flavors, only six! The people were very nice.

    (3)

  • Claire W.

    Seven stars, I'm giving Cupcake Jones stars I didn't hand out in other reviews. Uber-nom. We bought five cupcakes for three of us to celebrate my birthday. We ate the vanilla, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes first, the three flavors that you can buy every day of the week. There's something to be said about doing superb basics. Hot damn, these are awesome. Chocolate: sour cream chocolate ganache filling! Soars above expectation. Vanilla: prettiest cupcake in the bunch and the pastry cream was delectable. Red velvet: cream cheese frosting! Great subtle flavors in the red velvet cake too. We also ate the August Wednesday flavors White Chocolate Marionberry and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. Toe curling good fruitiness. Amazing. We highly recommend buying various flavors and splitting them. The cupcakes are rich and a whole one could be overwhelming, and it's super fun to try a medley of flavors.

    (5)

  • Johana M.

    I dunno. Just because it's in the Pearl, doesn't mean it is a precious gem. Daily, there are only 3 or 4 flavors it seems, but they are at least somewhat inventive. Cupcakes come in 2 sizes...I'll call them Baby, and Big Ass. We had 3 Big Asses- blueberry, kahlua creme, and mimosa. Each Big Ass cupcake has a complimentary flavored custard-like filling. Ours were lemon, caramel and champagne I think. I'm gonna have to say the fillings were kinda the best part. The cakes flavors tasted good, but were really dry. Cupcakes should above all, be MOIST! After all, who doesn't like a nice, moist cupcake every once in a while? The girls at the store were helpful in explaining the various flavors and everything. They don't have vegan cakes like Saint Cupcake in Belmont (who also happen to have really MOIST cupcakes)! As a self-proclaimed frosting hater, I will give Cupcakes Jones props for their whip creamy frosting. It's not super sugary sweet...but I still had to wipe a bunch of it off. Hey, I can be a really fun person to eat cupcakes with if you LIKE frosting. Take mine!

    (2)

  • Tepa P.

    Lived in Portland for a few years, and moved to Vegas. Tried cupcakes all over town and nothing beats Cupcake Jones. I dream of their coconut cupcake every day! I have yet to find another cupcake that has the delicious filling inside! Miss you guys!

    (5)

  • Marina P.

    I'm surprised that the rating is only 3.5 stars because this place hands-down is the best cupcake shop in Portland. The service is always great and the cupcakes are just delightful. Some flavors change daily which makes it fun to come back to even everyday. I never liked cupcakes, but Cupcake Jones showed me an entirely new light.

    (5)

  • Gabriel W.

    Cupcake jones offers a transcendental cupcake experience. Their kindness and warm smiles bring faith to humanity and hope to those seeking a wicked cupcake fix. It is difficult for me to talk about cupcake jones with words, because any attempt would limit the endless love pouring from the hearts of those employed by this fine establishment. Cupcake jones: a bit of heaven on your hand.

    (5)

  • Jerry G.

    Pretty impressive, the cupcake was moist and the mix with peanut butter and chocolate really tasted like I was bitting into a reeces peanut butter cup. Good stuff!

    (5)

  • Amanda B.

    Lemoncello cupcakes. The reason I'd go back in a heartbeat! I got a 4 pack. Red Velvet, Lemoncello, PB&J and Chocolate Peanut butter. They were all pretty good.

    (4)

  • Peg C.

    Every time my hubby and I take a road trip to Portland, we make time to stop by Cupcake Jones. We've tried cupcakes in Washington, Oregon, California, New York, and Vancouver, BC, and hands down, Cupcake Jones has the freshest, moistest, and tastiest cupcakes of any cupcake place we've tried. They have amazing flavors and beautiful attention to detail. My hubby highly recommends the Peanut Butter N Jelly and the rootbeer float (available only during the summer). I would give the bakery 5 stars but I deducted one star since I tried the vegan vanilla cupcake and it was too sugary and too vanilla-y with a slightly funny taste. I couldn't finish it. Hopefully in time the amazing bakers will come up with a better vegan recipe. If anyone can do it, it's Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Luda F.

    My friend lost a bet and had to buy me a bunch of cupcakes. I ordered the same morning, she had it ready for me in 30 min. Everybody (my coworkers) LOVED them. The selection, taste and quality were superb. Definitely will be coming back.

    (5)

  • Nathaniel B.

    These cupcakes are out of this world. Soft, moist, and with filling in the center. They have special cupcakes on different days of the week. And so many different kinds to choose from. The staff are beautiful, helpful, and pleasant. They look like they really enjoy what they do.

    (5)

  • Angeli L.

    Such cheerful, courteous and pretty girls to help you choose from the delicious descriptions and adorable little and big cups of cake and frosting. The pic I posted of the 'What's Up Doc' carrot cake was delicious. The little candied carrot on top - genius!

    (5)

  • Celina H.

    Oooooo you are tasty and sweet! Drove by this place and my friends and i decided to try it out for Halloween last year. They've got a great selection of cupcakes and each day is a different cupcake special. The reasons I didn't give this place 5 stars was because it wasn't a cafe/a place to sit down and enjoy your cupcake, parking can be tricky, this shop is very boutique so they can be pricey but overall still worth a visit and definitely more than once a year. It's a great place for a sweet treat on any day and or occasion! They also offer mini cupcakes too! p.s. I enjoyed this place a little more than St. Cupcake.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Hands down the best cupcakes I have ever had! We used Cupcake Jones for our wedding this past July at Edgefield. They did a wonderful job setting up the cupcakes at the venue and making them look nice. We provided the stands, but they did all the set-up. They even worked with Le Cookie Monkey to pick up our 6 inch round cutting cake and deliver and set that up as well. All the guests loved them and we had very little left overs! Whenever we are in Portland we stop by and get some for the road trip back to Seattle.

    (5)

  • Kal C.

    The red velvet is where it's AT, people. I feel like most of the others are pretty dry in comparison. No one likes it dry. Everyone likes it moist. I also thought the chocolate with whipped peanut butter frosting and chocolate/peanut butter filling was delectable. It would've been awesome if it had an entire Reese's cup on top. The frosting was light and airy. Perfect amount of frosting v. cake. The frosting was super rich on the red velvet cupcake, so I assume it had 8 bajillion calories. I was having a stressful day, so I had CJ for lunch. Cupcake Jones, that is. Two whole cupcakes. AND I took one home. Don't tell. One of them had a piece of fresh strawberry on it, so at least I got my fruit.

    (4)

  • Grace L.

    Cupcake Jones is the BEST. We went with them for our wedding dessert, and oh my goodness did they deliver! The cupcakes were all gone far before we even got to the cake cutting- you can't blame people when they are that good! Besides having great customer service, really, they could be awful, and no one would care, because the cupcakes are so dang good, but they are wonderful, so it's like the cherry on top to that business! We had a great experience with them picking out flavors and getting everything organized for the wedding, they make everything very low stress and very easy to manage. I highly suggest the 'we-do-it-all' package, they arranged everything very prettily, and then no one had to worry about it! If you go wit them, always buy way more than you think you will need, they will fly off the tables!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    OMG..... The best cupcakes ever! I have not had a flavor I didn't like they are amazing like the staff and owners!

    (5)

  • Tariq S.

    Love love the cupcakes. More like addicted to the PBnJ. I get a dozen a week!!

    (5)

  • Evelyn S.

    For all you Cupcake Lovers, even the Vegans, this is the place to go! Cupcake Jones has had the best Cupcakes since they opened their doors, and now they are offering Vegan Cupcakes too! Last night I was afforded a real treat, an opportunity to try the new Vegan cupcakes, and I must say, that there is absolutely no reason everyone, even the most serious canivores among you, won't love the Vanilla cupcakes, they are fabulous! The Chocolate and Red Velvet were great too, but the Vanilla was simply out of this world. great! The staff are always super friendly. The owners are super too! Cupcake Jones supports non-profits, in fact every week they support at least one local non-profit with proceeds of the days sales. They also do great cupcake catering for events and weddings.

    (5)

  • A G.

    I just had one of their cakes and I'm in orbit. These aren't ordinary cupcakes; these are cakes in a cup. You've been warned.

    (5)

  • Ron T.

    They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Who ever said that must have been raised in a bubble. Ugh. Check Cupcake Jones out! Not that it cures grumpiness and bad vibes. It also satisfies your craving for some red velvet cupcakes topped with sugared rose petals. Florals and Reds are not your thing? There are specials every day besides the classic Vanilla Pearl, Peanut Butter and Chocolate. The only thing that I don't like much about this store is there is no chairs. It is too quaint and oftentimes very packed and busy. I don't want to think I have to risk my life finding a bench at Syringe Park. I mean North Park Blocks. While the park is nice when dry and there's sun. I don't like walking two blocks just to sit down and appreciate my cupcake. Get messy. Bring out the inner child in you. Cupcake Jones fits the bill for it.

    (4)

  • Ashley G.

    I'm totally disappointed with the changes in the vegan cupcakes at Cupcake Jones. My girlfriend and I were all excited to go get some custom-made vegan cupcakes the other day. We always loved to get the vegan vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate ganache inside... I idled out front while she ran inside to get them. Just after she paid, the girl told her "oh I don't know if you know that our vegan cupcakes are now all gluten free." Blast! My girlfriend came out with the two cupcakes with a dismayed look on her face and reported the change. We shared the first one... it was dry, crumbly, and tasteless. Did they use a corn batter? We couldn't figure it out. Their vegan cupcakes used to be so soft and moist! People, this is a CRIME against cupcakes! We didn't finish our first cupcake and ended up giving away our second to a homeless man begging at the freeway off-ramp when we stopped at the light on our way home. Newsflash: Not all vegans are gluten free. There are already 2 exclusively gluten free vegan boutiquey bakeries in town, one is just down the street. If you can't do gluten free well, don't do it just to get on the bandwagon. I swear I'm about to give up on cupcakes in this town. Stepping off my anti-gluten free soapbox now. No more Cupcake Jones for me unless they switch things back.

    (2)

  • Connie C.

    The window cupcake sirens are hard to resist. Look at my creamy perfectly swirled hat, my sexy buttery body, and don't forget my heart of pastry cream. I was able to resist this place just fine because of the poor reviews, but then I had Saint Cupcake & I knew there had to be better. I finally caved and gave this place a try. I went with The Pearl and my bff went with the chocolate one. The lady behind the counter filled/frosted ours fresh because they were about to close. She frosted a couple of mini bites for herself. Can't hate a place that even being around cupcakes all day, the employees still want one at the end of the day. There's a photo wall of adorable dogs, plenty of packaging options, cupcake jones merchandise, cross sections of the available cupcakes in the chilled display, and a giant cupcake jar for tips. I knew I'd have more variety with the mini's, but I'm a sucker for filling. I'm not sure how I feel about there not being the normal cupcake size. It's either mini or muffin. I normally wouldn't complain about something being mini or oversized, but I always root for the classic. The heavy duty cupcake wrapper kind of got in the way of my smashing the cupcake into my face routine, but it's still a nice touch. The vanilla was buttery and had a nice crumb. The "pearl" is made with gumpaste & I regretted putting it in my mouth. The pastry cream did it for me though. It was bavarian cream (pastry cream lightened with whipped cream) & it was the perfect cool contrast to my otherwise too large of a piece of cake. My bff's chocolate cupcake was moist, but reminded us of a Costco chocolate muffin (not necessary a bad thing but not high-end). The truffle filling was awesome though. Maybe I should've gotten mini's for a proper comparison to Saint Cupcake. Since the filling made both the cupcakes we had better, I'm not sure I even want to risk it. Despite all my seemingly critical comments, I would definitely crave this place. I will stick with the jumbo ones though. See? Now you have an excuse to overindulge! (See pics for details.)

    (3)

  • Micah A.

    One of the main flaws of cupcake factories is the idea that a cupcake of any shape or size is worth anywhere near $3.00. It is not. Cupcakes are glorified muffins, except they're smaller and more likely to exacerbate your diabetes. Cupcake Jones charges $3.25 for their jumbo (read: regular size) cupcakes. I'm not marking them down for that because all cupcakes cost about that amount, but that's insanity. Muffins at Starbucks cost half that. That's right cupcake companies: You got pastry slapped by Starbucks. Be ashamed. The glorified muffins here are not bad. They're limited on flavors, but those they do offer are exactly the types of cupcake flavors I like. Apparently they switch their flavors up every day, but Thursday was Bailey's Cake, Thin Mint, and S'Mores, to go along with their standard chocolate. They also do something unique to make theirs more innovative - as far as I can tell, every cupcake has a filling inside. That's a thing. Also, the store is the size of my closet. Cupcake companies need to hold back on their pricing shenanigans before I'd break my bank for them, but as a thing to do on a trip to Portland, this place was okay.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    Prime location in the Pearl District of Portland. Very small store without an area to sit, but there is a small area to stand and enjoy your cupcakes while you watch the bakers working away in the back. Fun! I always judge cupcakes by the vanilla/vanilla combo, known here as The Pearl. The flavor was very good, although the cake was a little dry for my liking. The icing was good as well; however, I prefer my icing to be a little firmer. This was extremely soft, almost like melted butter. I really enjoyed the S'mores cupcake. The homemade marshmallow and graham cracker on top were really nice touches. The flavor was fantastic. I really enjoyed the overall flavor of this cupcake. I actually preferred this cupcake over the vanilla/vanilla, which is surprising. I would highly recommends this cupcake! Help was very nice. Fridays are their "happy hour" cupcakes... will be trying those shortly!

    (4)

  • Kristine B.

    This was a cute cupcake shop. The shop itself is really tiny, though! It would be easier for more people to order and eat if there was a bit more space. The cupcake was delicious - we tried the Red Velvet.

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    I love cupcakes! I was so happy to find this little shop as I meandered around the Pearl District in Portland. As we walked in one of the girls who work there greeted us and we felt right at home. We looked through the display window and sampled a couple of cakes used for the cupcakes and decided on purchasing the assortment of mini-cupcakes. While I really wanted to try the big Velvet Painting and the big Samoa Cupcake (one of the three specials for Thursday), I settled on trying one mini of each. Each cupcake was beautiful decorated with the icing in a perfect swirl and an appropriate topping (whether it was a petal for the velvet painting or an edible pearl for the pearl cupcake). The selection we had for Thrusday was: the velvet painting, the pearl, and downtown cupcake brown. The specials they were offering were s'mores, almond joy, and samoa. Once we checked out the cupcake menu we decided that we had to go back to try Monday's specials: boston creme, linzer cookie and peanut butter cup. We decided on one mini boston creme and one mini peanut butter cup. Essentially missed out on the whole filling aspect to the cupcakes but they were both tasty nonetheless!

    (4)

  • Kelsi C.

    Pretty good. I had a chocolate cupcake that was good until I reached the center. Whatever that was, it was sick. We had a berry cobbler one as well, which was pretty much delicious. Haven't tried the minis so nothing seemed dry. I would go back and try again... I rarely get cupcakes, so this is quite the treat.

    (4)

  • rc c.

    The clinical symptoms of addiction include extreme measures to seek out the substance, often ignoring important roles or risking significant relationships. If I had any addictions, it would be to cupcake jones....and probably waffle window, but that's another story. I love that everyday they have 3 different cupcakes, and that they change every month. My absolute favorite so far has been the pumpkin cheesecake, which came out in Nov. But velvet painting is a close second, which is available this month...try it and see if you don't find your self in cupcake seeking behaviors.

    (5)

  • Orian I.

    White Chocolate Marionberry-white velvet cake, M-Berry compote fill, WC M-Berry Icing, is it wrong to say this make me have a tent in my pants? seriously i can't even stand their daily updates of what their making i seriously i get fat just talking about it. it's a full on mouth gazim need a big book in front of me to hide my embarrasment at how excited their cakes make me. now i love love love sweets, but i bake and i'm not a giant cup cake person, often it lacks what you can do with a cake. but this my foodie friends this creativity, limited flavors per day local farmers market berries in their ingredients. things of this are just not done any more and that's why i absolutely love them. they make me not care i will probably never fit into those size 00. i'd rather be curvy feisty with the sweetness of cup cake jones on my lips than not. and that my darlings is the straight from yours truely

    (4)

  • CaLiLu H.

    Oh Cupcake Jones, how I love thee! Whenever we have a birthday or just a craving for some sweetness, we always go to our standby and it never disappoints. On this particular night I bought a dozen of their assorted jumbo cupcakes (in case you didn't know...the jumbo ones are the only ones with the signature filling). I could barely contain my excitement for the Chocolate Mint, Velvet Painting, The Pearl, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Downtown Brown. The assortment was a huge success and my friends didn't have to fight over the flavors since they were all very good. My old favorites, PB'nJ and Pearl are in serious danger of being replaced by the Pumpkin Cheesecake which was perfectly smooth and cinnamon-y goodness. Now, it's not to say Cupcake Jones is for everyone because they are a touch on the sweeter side. Even my husband, who loves the Velvet Painting, can only enjoy half at a time. They also offer doggie cupcakes for your favorite pooch! My dog enjoyed a delicious custom-made jumbo oatmeal and apple cupcake with a peanut butter filling for her first birthday!

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    Beautiful? Yes! Delicious? No. I know delicious, moist, perfect-crumb, cake nirvana exists and C Jones doesn't have it. Beautiful presentation, friendly service, entrepreneurial spirit all to be applauded, but my treat dollars and calories go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Bonnie N.

    I tried 3 of Cupcake Jones' cakes, Raspberry Linzer Cookie, Marionberry Pie, and Vanilla. The Marionberry was very good, and topped with a pie crust "cookie." I took one bite of the Linzer and thought it was gross. No raspberry flavor...just greasy icing that was pink. The vanilla was outstanding, and I thought the pearl on top was beautiful and a nice touch (being that they're in the Pearl District and all...). The meringue buttercream was nicely balanced and very, very tasty. But I did think their cake was a little dry, and the texture wasn't as fine as some cupcakes I've had. I like that you can get minis instead of full size, and if you're a big frosting fan you can get a "shot" of frosting.

    (3)

  • Crystal F.

    When I was a little girl, back in the old days, every kid brought in cupcakes on their birthdays. Some brought store-bought cupcakes with sprinkles, some brought the type baked in a ice cream cone so that the cone made an edible cupcake holder. But my absolute favorite, the kind I never got to have at home because my mom worked and didn't make things like cupcakes, was the cupcake with the pudding inside. So imagine my glee when I bit into my pumpkin pie cupcake I bought at Cupcake Jones this past weekend! A pumpkin flavored cupcake with pumpkin pie filling inside! It's a pumpkin lover's dream dessert. The cake was moist, and the frosting was not too sweet - sort of like the whipped cream you'd put on top of pumpkin pie. Sigh. I wish I didn't live so far away from Portland, or I'd go back and get more to share with my friends. It's never too late to be the kid at school with the cool cupcakes.

    (4)

  • Jesus A.

    Cupcake Jones is small cupcake shop that makes fresh and locally every day. There are 2 types of cupcakes to choose from, a mini and jumbo. Each one of those huge cupcakes has a variety of fillings that will take the breath away with each bite. The mini cupcake will provide a sweet fix but sadly the mini cupcake has no filling. This a more like a one stop shop when craving cupcakes.

    (3)

  • Suzanne N.

    I ordered three dozen mini cupcakes for my son's graduation party. HUGE disappointment. I was willing to pay $50 for good cupcakes, but these were dry and tasteless. Very few were eaten by my guests -- they all preferred the $20 sheet cake from the grocery store. The cake wasn't anything special, but in comparison was far superior to the cupcakes. I emailed the shop the day after to express my disappointment -- no response at all. Oh well, their loss. I'm never going back.

    (1)

  • Rachele G.

    Every cupcake I have from Cupcake Jones is better than the last. This is where I go when I'm really needing a treat, to celebrate an even or pick me up after a truly bad day. I've told my cousin about them and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will go with them for he wedding. I cant imagine anything more magical than Cupcake Jones at a wedding.

    (5)

  • T K.

    I tried to get my cupcake fix at Cupcake Jones on Thursday morning. I was in the neighborhood, and not realizing it was 4 minutes until they opened, I popped in the front door. I was told that I would have to come back in 4 minutes since they weren't open (not very nicely, I might add). I was disappointed, but was going to go back later in the day. Right after I walked out, a small group of tourists stopped in, and were greeted, and served. What the hell??? I've been wronged... and won't be going back there. Saint Cupcake... here I come!

    (1)

  • Steve M.

    Dry. Crumbly. Gooey. I'm jonesin' for a barf bag.

    (2)

  • Tom H.

    I have to believe this place will either drift off into obscurity or become a cult classic. Based on the wide ranging reviews, it's hard to tell, but I will say I was a big fan when I tried it a couple of weekends ago. My wife and I stumbled across it, but she recalled the name from a travel guide or something and mentioned it had "insanely good cupcakes" according to her source. Well, never one to turn down anything "insanely good", I was game. Sure enough... crazy good! We were greeted with a very friendly cupcake server who gave us samples of the cake flavors... but what makes the big ones so tasty is the "stuffed" stuff! Be it icing or cream or some other goodie, it just makes the cupcake that much more delectable. Now, I'm no cupcake connoisseur, but I do know a cupcake I like... and this, my friends, fits the bill!

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    I love that they put filling in the middle of the cupcakes that is a great idea and very tasty I had the strawberry lemonade cupcake it was delicious!

    (5)

  • hannah k.

    Really good cupcakes but their mini cupcakes are REALLY mini. I bought a dozen for $16.50 approx $1.30 each and were able to eat each in one bite. If you're planning on getting cupcakes for a group, i'd go for their regular sized cupcakes or buy a few dozen.

    (4)

  • Jamie M.

    I really wanted to like Cupcake Jones because I thought the story on their website of how they went into business was really cute. Unfortunately, while I did like several things about them, I didn't love all of the cupcakes that we got. We ended up picking up three cupcakes to share, red velvet, chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate/chocolate. The red velvet cupcake was amazing, dense, moist cake with a perfect combination of tart and sweet cream cheese frosting. The other two cupcakes we had weren't as impressive, they were both dry and a little bland. I thought the employees working here were really friendly and I loved that they had mini puppy cupcakes. I'd come back for another red velvet cupcake definitely, and hopefully the other cupcakes were just a result of an off day.

    (3)

  • B B.

    Update: Almost a year later, we try this place one more time to see how it's change. Tried the downtown brown mini cupcake and my cousin tried the Boston creme mini cupcake. We were both pleasantly surprised at how the cupcake taste and texture had improved since the last time we came in September. Unfortunately, while the cupcake might have gotten a little better, the customer service has gone downhill. What happened to the super-friendly blonde-haired lady who made us feel so welcome the last time we came. Make her come back! Otherwise, we probably won't.

    (2)

  • Becky L.

    I really love their red velvet and vanilla cupcakes here. I've ordered these cupcakes for my boyfriend's birthday in short notice, but Cupcake Jones was able to take care of the order in a timely fashion! Wish I lived closer to this joint because I'd be visiting everyday!

    (5)

  • Winona R.

    I happened upon Cupcake Jones whilst spending my last precious hours in Portland. I was actually stuffed from brunch still, but who can resist just one last itsy bitsy cupcake? Not I, apparently. This place is basically just a bakery that you walk into to pick up your treats and go. There is a bench inside to dodge the rain while you eat your cupcake, if you like, but other people will be standing right over you, ordering cupcakes of their own. The cupcakes were tasty--I had a red velvet cupcake with a candied rose petal that made me want to order dozens for a party, they were so pretty. My friend had a carrot cake cupcake (also mini). Both were tasty, both cakes were moist. I thought the carrot cake could have been more.... carrot cakey. The girls working at the bakery were super nice and helped us choose cupcakes--I liked that they had vegan cupcakes as well, I know my vegan friends will be happy to know that!

    (4)

  • Catherine G.

    I've tried..and tried but my experience cannot have been a fluke after multiple visits. Yes, they are wildly innovative and the staff is so sunny and nice but the cupcakes are dry! I've had 3 different varieties in the hope of getting a moist wonderful piece of cake but it has not happened. Maybe a drier cake is needed because of the filling and weight of the frosting but it is not my preference. The frosting is amazing but I need both so it's on to try some of Portland's other bakeries. Sorry.

    (2)

  • Meghann M.

    Dear Cupcake Jones, Please let me start this by letting you know "it's not you, it's me." I used to have this big old mint green rotary dial phone. I needed an adapter to even in plug it into the phone jack. When it rang it scared the crap out of me and probably woke the neighbors as well. Why did I keep it? Because it was the only thing in the house that was heavy enough kill an intruder with if need be. Until I brought home one of your cupcakes. Why are they so heavy? Why? I just don't understand. The flavor is fabulous. Especially your gingerbread. But some of the things you create are just a little bit hard to swallow. That is not good in a cupcake. The people with whom you staff your shop are very nice. That is why I have stuck around this long, when I should have left long ago. That is why you get three stars. Creativity, niceness and flavor. But please work on the texture. If you do that, then maybe we can revisit this relationship in the future. Take care, Meghann M.

    (3)

  • Sara Q.

    not that big of a fan of cupcake jones, much more prefer saint cupcakes. maybe it was because i came late.. night time, so the cupcakes weren't so fresh? idk. i mean they looked nice but they didn't taste anywhere near as good as they looked. sad. i was so excited too. MAYBE ill go back for a round two during the day so i don't get all the crap cakes. but we will see. stay tune for a POSSIBLE update.

    (2)

  • Rob R.

    After spending a lot of time downtown we came across CupCake Jones and boy were we so excited. After a couple of more trips we had fallen in love so much that we ended hiring them to provide cupcakes for our wedding. Their ingredients are all natural, their cupcakes are delicious and the people there are fantastic to deal with. Definitely a must see/try in downtown Portland!

    (5)

  • Tom Y.

    What are you doing later today? Going down to Powell's. "Go to this place nearby for cupcakes." I forget about it until later on when I was walking around the area than I see the sign: "CUPCAKES", sure I have had a few beers by this point but I go in and there are big cupcakes and little ones. I inquired about their varieties that they have that day and I settled on a big'en of the carrot cake and a mini of the red velvet. They are all good as it ended up, it is a good thing I don't live nearby because i would get fat real quick because I would go here frequently. The big ones have the filling that is yummy, the little ones don't have the filling but can really come in handy if you just want something to get over your sweet tooth, for the moment that is.

    (4)

  • Russel C.

    I've been a fan of Cupcake Jones since the first time of stumbling upon them. When it came time to select a wedding cake, we went to all the common spots in town...but when it came down to finding something that was "Portland", featured the fruits and creativity that makes Portland what it is...we had to go with Cupcake Jones. The cupcakes were beautiful, delicious and amazed all of our guests. How can you go wrong with hand candied rose petals, pieces of fruit and the rest of their great garnishes?!?

    (5)

  • January M.

    Cupcake Jones: The only reason to go into the Pearl District. Ever.

    (5)

  • Sam K.

    Yeah, I was really unimpressed with these cupcakes. I had heard (and read) the rave reviews and so I thought I'd give it a try. The cupcakes were just too much. I completely agree with Kim L. here. There was no subtlety--just heavy-handedness. The setting is so-so, pretty cramped. The use of local ingredients is a great idea, I can get behind that. But the end result is completely disappointing. Saint Cupcake is a way better product. The ONLY reason this got three stars from me instead of two is because of the dog cupcakes. I got one for my little one and she loved them, so therefore CJ gets three stars. I definitely like pet-friendly businesses, so kudos to them for that.

    (3)

  • Ezra S.

    the staff here are always so sweet and friendly, I really appreciate it - it's a pleasure to buy a super-delicious cupcake and, well, that rules. Thanks, Cupcake Jones!

    (5)

  • Sunny B.

    There are 3 sizes to choose from (large, medium, mini). You can't go wrong with a mini cupcake, and when you say it "mini cupcake" it is almost as though you haven't ingested 1000 calories in one bite. Maybe it was running in from the rain to have hot tea and a few mini's. Maybe it was the delicious German chocolate cupcake with orgasmic filling. Maybe it is the fact that Arizona has nothing so brilliant as a shop devoted to cupcakes.. Whatever it is - I'm hooked.

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    I'd probably give Cupcake Jones a solid 2.5, so I'll be generous and round up to three. Overall, loved the cute shop and the obvious love and care they put into their baking and their business. The rotating flavors are a great idea to keep people coming in to try out different flavors. And filled cupcakes are a fun, new twist on the standard cupcake fare. Sadly, the cupcake itself, although beautiful, was just kind of average. I had the Pearl - vanilla cake with vanilla bean frosting and vanilla filling. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't have any issues with the cake itself. I found it to be perfectly dense and moist But I hated the frosting. There was too much of it, and entire thing was WAY too sweet. I could feel my cavities scream out in protest about 3/4 of the way through. The general consensus among my group of friends was 'UGH - that was just way too much'. I'd recommend sharing a jumbo with a friend or going with a mini.

    (3)

  • Alexis T.

    They make my favorite red velvet cupcake!!! Yum, Yum, Yum. I don't like super sweet frosting and theirs is rich and creamy making so good. Love the large cupcakes that come with a magical filling. Bar none, my favorite cupcake in Portland!

    (5)

  • Patrice W.

    Cute place, but I got the vanilla, and truly, yuck! I guess I chose the wrong flavor.

    (1)

  • Stefanie S.

    The cupcakes are large, but did not keep well over time. They seemed a little bland and dry. Thought Saint Cupcake was better.

    (3)

  • Diana R.

    omg. delicious cupcake from the angels. so much better than anything i've EVER had.. got a red velvet painting with cream cheese frosting and the sugared flower petal on top.. delicious super sweet frosting, the cupcake was soft and moist and the inner cream cheese filling was to die for.. my sister couldnt decide and got 3 mini ones instead of a full size but i wanted a huge one instead. yum yum yum.. rivals these kara's cupcakes here in sf.. and even the cupcake place over on union street.. MUST. GO .BACK. ASAP.

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    I tried the Pearl cupcake (vanilla cake & vanilla frosting. Cake was just too dense and frosting was sort of waxy and flavorless. The shop wasn't that appealing - it seemed all their offerings were smooshed into a super tiny case making it look messy and disorganized. The container was very effective though.

    (2)

  • Sara K.

    Still a bigger lover of Sprinkles and Citizen Cake in California, but hey they have mini cupcakes here!!! The mini cupcakes are super super cute. And the butter cream French vanilla is great. WARNING: The mini version of fruit filled cupcakes don't have the fruit filling, there is only a small dollop on top. Big plus: The staff is extremely helpful and fun.

    (3)

  • Joe M.

    This small cupcake shop located in the Pearl District has been booming. All cupcakes are made fresh and locally every single day. Even the garnishes and final touches are made at the shop with love and care. There are 2 types of cupcakes to choose from. The jumbo cupcake certainly puts those twinkies and ding dongs to shame! Each one of those huge cupcakes has a variety of fillings that will take the breath away with each bite. For those who prefer a smaller bite, the mini cupcake will provide a sweet fix. Sadly, the mini cupcake has no filling since they are quite small, but cute looking. The menu changes daily so check out the menu to see what fantasy cupcake you crave. The mini cupcake costs $1.50 and the jumbo cupcake costs $3.25. The price is somewhat high for buying a dozen; $36 for jumbo and $16.50 for mini. Other than that, instead of buying a manufactured factory made treat that is not made with love and care, this sweet shop will satisfy anyone who loves supporting local shops.

    (5)

  • Shawni L.

    eh. its a cup cake so what's really not to like? had worse....but also had WAY better. sprinkles, when will you come to portland?

    (2)

  • Amy C.

    Super friendly and helpful staff. The girl at the counter recommended the peanut butter cup cupcake and it was like heaven, especially the chocolate ganache filling! It was worth every cent I spent on that jumbo cupcake.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    Velvet Painting - hands down the best red velvet cupcake in town!

    (4)

  • Melinda B.

    A coworker and I were feeling the need for emergency cupcakes before beginning our shift this evening, so we hiked across downtown up to Cupcake Jones, lured there by promises of white chocolate deliciousness. This place definitely has a lot of PROS going for it: a committment to local industry & products, dog-friendly menu items, hand-made cupcake toppings, and creative flavor combinations, as well as a great staff & cute decor that shouts "We love Portlanders!" However, we just weren't digging the cupcakes. I ordered the white chocolate chai & my coworker ordered the Pearl, which is vanilla filled with vanilla topped with vanilla. Both looked and sounded pretty damn tasty, and we left the shop in good spirits. It went downhill from there. The frosting on both was a bit too rich and too much, & left kind of a weird film in our mouths. The filling in both was runny as hell and was not very convenient for cupcake-noshing on the go. The cake was by far the best part - the chai cake was moist and deliciously spicy, the vanilla cake was pretty much the ideal flavor and density for a velvet cake base. But the aforementioned liquid interior & overpowering frosting resulted in sugar-rush headaches and the urge to immediately brush our teeth. This place is new so hopefully they just need some time to work out the kinks in their recipes - but in the future I will stick to the minis for taste experimentation and save myself a couple bucks.

    (3)

  • Paul C.

    Stick with the minis. The full size are huge and the filling is overpowering. The cupcakes themselves actually outshine the frosting, which is a huge compliment. I really like the toppings. Candied orange twist on top of the blueberry cupcake, the single pecan on the german chocolate cupcake and the banana chip on the chocolate banana cupcake.

    (3)

  • mary anne l.

    The owners of Cupcake Jones were the smiling faces we saw when we ducked in this place out of the COLD rain today. They seemed genuinely happy to be there, and after I saw the flavors of cupcakes available, so was I! Caramel Latte! Peanut Butter and Jelly! Cinnamon Apple Spice! The Pearl (all vanilla) and Downtown Chocolate Brown (all chocolate)! YUM!! Talk about a satisfaction for your sweet tooth! The Peanut Butter and Jelly had homemade marionberry jam stuffed inside the vanilla cake with LOADS of peanut butter icing on top! Now all I need is a big glass of 2% milk, and I'll be a blissful 8-year-old again! Also a great gift idea! They come in little brown boxes that protect them from damage. I'm gonna pass them out to people at work for Valentine's Day. Hopefully it'll make their day! My cupcake definitely made mine!

    (5)

  • Mary P.

    Peanut butter & jelly cupcakes with jelly filling, yum! I love how they have a cupcake-shaped compostable container for your to-go cupcake. I was never able to toss a cupcake into my bag before this.

    (4)

  • Melissa E.

    Oh my sweet little cupcakes, how I love you....especially the downtown brown. Thinking about your brown wonder makes me salivate. When can I get my little hands on you again?

    (4)

  • Bryan A.

    Good cupcakes, really enjoyed the frosting, very light airy, not too sweet. Most cupcakes seem to have a rich and dense taste which I don't always enjoy. Wife said that the fresh raspberry on top was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    Honestly I'd give this place 10 stars if i could. I had the red velvet and the downtown chocolate brown. I took them home in a box and once i got in the car and on the road I couldn't help taking a small taste of the frosting. *drool* The chocolate frosting was to die for and the cream cheese was decadent. I rushed home and ate my lunch so i could dig into the cupcakey goodness. I cut the cupcakes in half (saving half for my husband, I was being nice) I'd never had red velvet before and I hooked. The moist goodness and that custard-y filling. HEAVEN! Next came chocolate. I could taste the slightly sourish flavor of the sour cream. HEAVEN AGAIN! I'm going back..i'm SOOOO going back. OH and I got parking right in front. I think it was destiny.

    (5)

  • Ella W.

    Too much frosting on cupcakes/cakes is like dating a guy who drives a really big truck...it's not a full on red flag, but it kinda makes you wonder if just maybe, just possibly, he's overcompensating for something. I'm just saying! So yes, the fact that the amount of frosting on my cupcake was equal to the height of the cupcake was a turnoff. As was the $3.75 price tag. I'm not opposed to paying that much for a yummy pastry treat, but it had better be damn good. Once I removed 90% of the frosting from the top and got down to business...meh. My overcompensation theory was totally proved to be true. So let this be a lesson to you: big frosting...plain cupcake.

    (2)

  • Holly D.

    I'm not generally a fan of any type of cake, so I can't say that I'd ever go into Cupcake Jones and make a purchase. But I certainly won't complain if somebody else wants to buy me cupcakes... On a day that everyone should have been celebrating (my birthday, duh), a good friend sent me a surprising package of mini cupcakes, wrapped up in a polka-dotted ribbon. Adorable, sweet, and delivered to Vancouver (star, star, aaaand star). Of the six varieties (2 cakes of each), about half were shut-your-eyes, savor the goodness before it melts away. The others were either too rich or the cake was a little dry (granted I wasn't able to devour all 12 that first day). My favorite by far was the "velvet painting": red velvet cocoa cake with cream cheese icing topped with a candied rose petal - beautiful and delicious. What won that 4th star (and then some) for me, was reading (on the included brochure) that they use fruits instead of food coloring, no shortening, deliver using zipcar and public transportation, and donate any unsold cupcakes at the end of each day (although I'm not sure that the homeless should be eating tons of cupcakes). If you want to surprise a friend, a gift of cupcakes from Cupcake Jones is sure to bring a smile. Although I'm guessing it was somewhat of a pricey gift...

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    I still believe gourmet cupcakes are a fad. Still, the frosting on the cupcakes were tasty, and they're stuffed with different fillings, so there's something going for it.

    (4)

  • Aiyana B.

    These were the worst cupcakes I've ever had! They looked pretty and the service was great but the cupcakes were dry and the icing tasted like mascarpone cheese.

    (3)

  • JT T.

    As far as cupcakes go...this place is to die for. I tried the Pearl cupcake and a bit of the double fudge chocolate goodness... ...located in the heart of the Pearl District, I find myself CRAVING these damn little cupcakes everyday. The big ones have filling in them which add great flavor and makes for a cupcake that's not dry and tastes delicious.

    (5)

  • Madame M.

    I think CJ is a sweet little business and I love looking at their displays. However, I have noticed a decline in the quality of their cupcake. Their frostings, fillings, and look of the cupcake are great. However, the cake itself is a bit dry. As a baker, I feel their choice of baking cup is sucking the moisture out of the cake during the baking process. They need to change this in order for their cupcakes to be more appetizing. Other than that, I think its a lovely little business and I hope they stay around.

    (3)

  • Alison L.

    A welcome addition to the lower Pearl District "foodie" scene, Cupcake Jones makes a nice stop after drinks at Jimmy Maks or Life of Riley across the street. My dog loves the mini doggie cupcakes, and I am a fan of the mini person cupcakes. As lovely as Cupcake Jones is, for a true experience of cupcake glory, Saint Cupcake cannot be beat.

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    Good, but not amazing.

    (3)

  • Erika L.

    I ordered a whole mess of mini cupcakes for a work event. Perfect bite sized treats that people could just grab with no need for plates! Made set up really easy! They were pretty spendy, but everyone seemed to like them. I got a discount, and that was the only way we would have been able to afford them (and I saved money by not needed plates and forks!). Not sure that I will use them again for a work event, but if I am in the neighborhood I may just stop by for a treat!. The cupcakes themselves were very dense and a little dry. (I like really moist and soft cakes.) The flavors were really original and delicious. The frosting was not too sweet and didn't take over the whole top of the cupcake which scores big points for me! If you follow them on Twitter you can get the cupcake of the day (with a picture) and keep up on promotions and special events that they do!

    (3)

  • Felicia L.

    This place seems to be fairly polarizing--people seem to either love it or hate it! I Looooooooove it. Yeah the cupcakes are a little expensive, but that's because they are NOT ordinary cupcakes, they are delicious, wondrous creations, and hey the bakers go through a lot of work to hand candy items (like rose petals!) and create everything for their perfect little confections. If you are looking for a deal, on Fridays they have a "happy hour" special where you can get a 6 pack for basically half price. A six pack is enough to feed 6-12 people depending on how hungry you are, because the large cupcakes are very rich, especially because of the cream filling. Alright, that's my scoop. PS--Saint cupcake is icky.

    (5)

  • Hector B.

    I love the concept of a cupcake shop! You have no idea how excited I was when I discovered it soon after moving to Oregon, some 2 years ago. I wanted my first cupcake experience to be with Robert, so I waited until he moved up to Oregon. The cupcakes are good... I like the open kitchen. We've been there a few times.

    (4)

  • Angeline W.

    The chocolate cheesecake one and peanut butter & jelly cupcake is so amazing! Sugar overload sooooo gooooood!

    (5)

  • Josh R.

    Peanut Butter Cup. Just get one. No, not the mini! Get the biggun, since it has this amazing ganache center. Lisa, the owner, is super friendly. She gave me and my friend awesome star treatment today (she knew it was my birthday from a mutual friend we have). Her chocolate cupcakes are to live for (screw dying for them, then how can I have more and more???)!!! And her menu is interesting: every month she makes 3 of the same cupcake every day, then rotates a few more in every day of the week, so there is always some variety, but your old favorites are never more than a week away. I'm going to stop talking so you Portlanders can power your computers down and go there right now. Nom nom nom nom!

    (5)

  • Jarrod S.

    After passing by the place, a few reverse steps were in order. I'm not a huge sweets fan so a cupcake for like 3.50 is in order, oh, wait!!! They have a tiny one for 1.50...score! Service was prompt and very courteous. The icing was fantastical, and the cupcake was a bit off...maybe it was the mini size of it, or? It was good, i wouldn't recommend it per-say. But if you pass by and your sweet tooth makes you step back, please don't hesitate.

    (3)

  • nini t.

    A perfect cupcake can turn a rainy, wet day into a world of rainbows and unicorns....well, almost. It did generate a huge smile on my face. The streets were wet and I was a disappointed tourist. That is until I saw Cupcake Jones. My boyfriend and I quickly crossed the street and entered a cupcakery filled with the sweet smell of sugar. After consulting the friendly staff behind the counter, we decided to share a large red velvet cupcake. Sitting on the bench, I felt like the little kid sitting next to me. I held it in my hand and grinned from ear-to-ear, savoring the moist cake and crusty top. Seems like they sprinkle extra sugar (or crack) on top to give it that extra something something. It worked.....I savored every last crumb. What a perfectly sweet and moist piece of yummy goodness!

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    There is room enough in PDX for Cupcake Jones and Saint Cupcake. I like them both. I love the creativity of flavors at Cupcake Jones and the folks here are super nice. I'm not usually a frosting fan but their frosting is delicious! (Not too sweet and I've never had it stick to the roof of my mouth!) It complements the cake perfectly. I've encountered the occasional dry cupcake but not often. I think the minis are more likely to be dry because of their size but they are a great way to sample multiple flavors in a visit! The lack of seating can be frustrating but it does encourage one to wander the area.

    (3)

  • Ann G.

    Absolutely nothing better than when visiting my favorite neighborhood in Portland. Peanut Butter 'n Jelly and Velvet Painting...mmmm.

    (5)

  • Katio C.

    I managed to try this place while strolling downtown. It was OK. The staff wasn't super helpful but they weren't horrible either. The flavors were unique and cupcakes were okay. The frosting seemed a bit on the dull side. The cupcakes were packed with flavor. It was all in all a decent cupcake place but not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit.

    (3)

  • Hollye H.

    I enjoyed my cupcake well enough. However, the frosting just wasn't my style. It left a weird film-like feeling in my mouth and was rather bland. Next time I'd try one of their special flavors.

    (3)

  • Cecile D.

    Yummy and beautiful cupcakes! The Red Velvet and Strawberry Rhubarb are so good! Love that they have large and small cupcakes for sale. Cute little shop and the girls working there were friendly. I also like that you can watch them frost the cupcakes through the front window. :)

    (5)

  • Marta T.

    I live in Seattle, but happened upon Cupcake Jones on a recent visit to Portland and my mouth has been watering for these cakes ever since I left. I had a mini gingerbread one (I don't remember the exact flavor), but I do remember the spicy, moist deliciousness. I also had a sample of the pumpkin chocolate chip which was also amazing. Both were utter perfection! Sadly, much better than anything Seattle has yet to offer. I didn't have the large cupcakes with filling, but they looked divine... Sufficed to say Cupcake Jones is number one on my list next time I'm in Portland.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Weekend in Portland. Love the Pearl District. After roaming around Powell's books- especially hanging out in the baking books section for an hour, I was on the hunt for a bakery... I come across Cupcake Jones. I love it when that happens! When you find something your looking for on a whim. Esp. when craving something sweet. :) *Order to go- small place, no seats. *Free samples of all the daily specials. (me likey) *Friendly counter (believe the smiley face was the owner) Most of their selection seemed pretty traditional & rich in flavor. I went for the carrot cake. Light cream cheese frosting & moist carrot cake with a vanilla cream center. Something notable: All the cupcakes have FILLING in it that compliments the frosting and cake. I appreciate creativity. But the cupcakes are heavier than I'm used to. It's go BIG, or go HOME with this one. :)

    (3)

  • Heatherly H.

    Wonderful! Excellent knowledgeable staff and help guide me to my preferences...and the verdict is: RED VELVET CUPCAKE! I could just die for another...too bad I live so far away. Prices are reasonable. If I could pay $10 to have on of their Red Velvet cupcakes in the palm of my hand on a whim, I would...

    (4)

  • Peace S.

    I liked the cupcakes I've had there, but most of the frostings are just too sweet.

    (3)

  • M B.

    My first and last visit to this establishment can be summed up in 4 words" "Rude Man Hater Lesbians" enough said.

    (2)

  • Jen C.

    Yum! The carrot cake cupcake was so delish! The cream cheese frosting was not too sweet and the cake was so moist and delicious. Go for the larger cupcake!!

    (4)

  • Mei G.

    Had the chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake. The frosting was creamy, not too sweet. The strawberry compote in the center was really nice too. The cake itself was a little dry. Unfortunately, for my gut, I am a cupcake connoisseur. My muffin tops love muffins! I have to yet to review the carrot cake one that's in the fridge at the moment. Staff of adorable hipster elves. It's like a modern day Keebler factory back there.

    (4)

  • kristin e.

    I was walking to Skinnidip when this shop got in my way and when I saw that they have red velvet cupcakes, I knew I had to try it. Since I was planning to have frozen yogurt, I just had the mini-sized cupcake and it was just A-OK. Perhaps it's due to the small size, but I found it to be a little dry. The frosting was good though, I'm definitely a sucker for cream cheese frosting. I'll give it another go (full sized this time---FYI: the full sized red velvets have a vanilla custard filling; the mini ones do not) but until then, I like the red velvets at St. Cupcake better.

    (3)

  • Rebecca W.

    It almost brings me to tears to have to write this review. How can anyone say anything bad about a shop that sells only cupcakes?! It's madness! Yet, here I go. However, out of respect for the glorious cupcake, I will start with the positive. Cupcake Jones is an immaculate swanky shop on the east side of the Pearl District. The counter inside is adorned with a neat presentation of the most decadent looking cupcakes. All of their cakes were beautiful and appear as though a lot of love when into making them. The counters are spotless; not a crumb in sight and the staff appears well groomed and very friendly. The icings on all the cupcakes I tried were very tasty, though maybe a little too heavy on the sweet side. Now, the negative: I am so dang willing to pay $3.50 for a cupcake if it is the best damn cupcake I have ever had....or at least, AT LEAST, a damn good cupcake. But, alas, what was served at Cupcake Jones were just...cupcakes. In fact, they weren't even great cupcakes. I dare say the red velvet tasting more like it was made from a box recipe than anything fresh and inspired. It was overly dry and spongy. The filling, while yummy, could not overcome the blandness of the cake itself. The cookie dough filled cupcake again had a cake that was subpar. It did not hold up well because it was too dry. It crumbled into pieces as we tried to eat it. A cupcake should be much moister. The filling on this one was...okay. I couldn't put my finger on what it lacked, but the cookie dough just wasn't packed with flavor and the icing was way too sweet. Sadly, I couldn't even finish my cupcake. It just wasn't very good. Now, I am not a total cupcake snob, despite how my review may depict me. I have had incredible cupcakes from a cupcake shop before and I did rank Cupcake Jones largely based on my experience at this other bakery. The Sweetest Thing Cupcakes out of Newburg, and also has a shop in the Bridgeport Village, sent me to cupcake heaven with their cakes. I'd go back to them any day, but as for Cupcake Jones...I make better cupcakes in my own kitchen and for a fraction of the cost. For every Yelper who gave this place 4 or 5 stars I highly recommend you try other cupcake shops. It might change your perspective.

    (2)

  • Stephanie W.

    Not as good as I had hoped. I had the mini-mint and mini-velvet, and neither were memorable. Cake was moist enough, but the frosting wasn't fresh. It had the 'I've-been-sitting-all-day' feeling. I think they're a bit overpriced for what you get, $1.50 for mini and $3.something for full size.

    (3)

  • Anthony S.

    it was aight. I bought two normal sized cupcakes and they weren't soft in the middle. I think cupcakes are supposed to be soft. Atmos and the folks there are nice for sure. And for the price of one, $3.50? I'm glad I only got two pieces.

    (2)

  • Kirk F.

    Cute yet cool shop. Nice servers offered tips on how to care for the cupcakes I was taking home. The seasonal pumpkin cupcake was great, and so was the red velvet--very moist, and rich but not so rich I could not eat (and enjoy!) the entire 'cake...

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    These cupcakes come with a filling in the middle and I wasn't sure that I would enjoy that but I did. My sister and I split two cupcakes one was the Pearl and the other was a peanut butter and chocolate. They both had decent flavor and the frosting was smooth and creamy. The cake was a little dry but not bad. I would like to try some of the other flavors.

    (4)

  • Melissa P.

    Be still my heart. Ok, I ate a shit load of cupcakes in the past few weeks. I ate crappy ones, rad ones, big ones, little ones. And always, always compared them to the awesomeness of the first place on my list, Cupcake Jones. Lisa is the owner and she personally took us in the baking area to sample some of the best sellers. Unlike so many other places, the large cupcakes are filled. Depending on the flavor, you bite in and get frosting/icing/ganache on the top and the middle. On 'The Pearl' the vanilla cupcake, they handmake the white chocolate marble that goes on top. And they have a candied rose petal adornment that tastes like a Alma-Tadema painting. The Peter's Chocolate Mint has a Andes mint garnish and minty chocolate ganache that makes you want to eat your heart out. That was a favorite of the hombre. Every one that we tried was rich, delicious and again rich. I think if I eat too many of these I would pass out. And it was indeed hard for me to eat additional lesser cupcakes later that day. They have 3 different wedding packages with different pricing.. from a DIY option to the works were they deliver, set up and decorate the whole cake shebang. Their flavors change monthly and they have different daily options as well. I am really looking forward to these being the tasty delights at the partay.

    (5)

  • Tiffany G.

    Everytime I go to a new city and I hear they have cupcakes, I am always game to check it out. I stumbled upon this place on a walk through the Pearl district and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly, happy storefront. I bought 3 mini cupcakes (knowing I should have gone for the normal filled cupcakes), but.... Well, they were OK, frosting was good actually and the presentation was pretty cute too, the cake was a little dry, so at that point, they would be a 3-3nhalf stars for me, BUT, the next day on Friday, I ventured in again with my boyfriend who wanted to try them and I wasn't interested in buying on UNTIL the happy, friendly salesgirl told me that on FRIDAYS only (as a special treat), the mini cupcakes are FILLED. Well, that sold me, so I selected 4, packaged them nicely for my treck home, even put them in my ice chest to keep cool for my eating pleasure after my 10 hour drive home. I unpacked the car, poured myself a cool beverage, anticipated my yummy cupcake, only to find that, much to my chagrin, there was NO filling in my mini cupcake like I was promised. The cake was not moist. I think I got Thursday's cupcakes or was just flat out lied to because I looked like a cupcake novice. Boo, I had to throw the half bitten bits away. I so wanted to like you Cupcake Jones! Update: I received an apology from the owner who attributes the filling debacle to a change in bakers. She encouraged me to try some other flavors that may be moister. After her sincere note, I am going to give it a go next time I am in Portland.

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    Local, good quality and variety. Not a huge cupcake fan but every so often I stop in. People complain about the cost but it is an occasional visit the prices are fine by me

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    So the place is very nice inside the ladys there were very nice. I have to say though 3.50 for a normal size cupcake is way to much for the type of cupcake I got. I got the Vanilla bean and it was kind of hard crust and not very much flavor. I'm not saying it was that bad but c'mon 3.50 in this economy. Would not recommend.

    (2)

  • VOID V.

    Cupcake Jones makes great cupcakes. In my opinion, the best in Portland. They don't have seating, and they do have very little standing room. They have delicious cupcakes with extremely creamy and light whipped frosting that has just the right amount of sweetness. The staff is always very patient and pleasant all despite the crowds yearning to place an order. A comparison with St. Cupcake, the other Portland cupcake joint, is unavoidable. St. Cupcake has plenty of seating room. They serve tiny boxes of milk and have a stool for children (don't you, the adult, get near it) to view the confections. A little too precious for my taste. Self-awareness crosses from a burden to a flaw right there. St. Cupcake has a thicker sugary frosting that approaches the sugar-hardened variety found on festive cakes at your local grocery. I've always found the staff at St. Cupcake to be impatient, and one particular fellow, apparently a part-time drummer in a hard-rock band, to be hard-of-hearing as he always, without fail, asks me to "please speak-up". I don't find the staff to be particularly pleasant. Not that they need to be. I'm not there to make friends, but I am there to place my order without feeling subtly hurried. If you're trying to decide where to get the best local cupcake, I'd vote for Cupcake Jones. If you just want a cupcake at a place with seating, parking, and viewing stools for your kids, go to St. Cupcake, although I'd still advise one to try and stay secular.

    (4)

  • D. N.

    Cupcake Jones is a stellar example of what to do right if you want to open a cupcake shop. The people who run this small but heavenly bakery are so nice to see once a week. Yes, that's how often my family goes to Cupcake Jones and we keep their monthly rotating menu on our fridge. The cupcakes are AMAZING and the garnishes are made with such detail and care. I have been comparing cupcakes from cities all over and I do believe that the red velvet here is the best in the country! The ingredients are top notch and fresh so they are worth every penny! This is a must for visitors as well as us, addicted Portlanders!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    Overall the cupcakes are pretty good but not the best. I like the minis 100 times more than the regular sized ones. The big cupcakes have filling which has been really really rich each time I have tried one, not in a good way, in overpowering way. The minis on the other hand have a good ratio of frosting to cake and I like the varying flavors every day. The ones with peanut butter have been my favorite. Also, if you get a bunch of minis the price adds up quickly.

    (3)

  • Jonas T.

    Very pretty, but on the dry side.

    (2)

  • Laural M.

    It was almost a religious experience! I had a red velvet cupcake with a custard filling and a cream-cheese frosting. It was beautiful, sublime, worth the too much money it cost. My 15 yo daughter had the pina colada and said mine was better, but I noticed she managed to get her's down. It reminded me of expensive well made chocolate in the sense that you don't mind spending too much for a small amount and then slowly savoring the dance of happiness your taste buds make each and every bite. I am only sad that I live in Eugene and I can't get there more often...maybe that's a good thing. The only complaint I have is too much packaging, it's cute but wasteful everyone should do their part in reducing the abundance of trash in our country.

    (5)

  • Susie K.

    Today was cupcake day. I don't venture out of my little suburb very often to go into Portland, but today I was on a mission. The mission was to find out what all this cupcake talk was about. I added this location to my list of places to visit since it was close to Saint Cupcake. I am so glad that I stopped here. The experience was great from the beginning to the end. The person at the counter was extremely friendly and told me I should try the samples since it was my first time. I admitted that I would like to, but i was afraid because I feared that I could not reach them!!! hahaha I am not as tall as I would like to be :) She helped scoot them towards me. Thank you! Wow the 2 I tried (carrot and white velvet) were amazingly good. This prompted my to buy 2 more cupcakes than i had planned for. My cupcake partner in crime and I were amazed at the flavor and quality. I think it would be easy for someone who is not a baking snob (i admit It - i am a snob) to say that all cupcakes are good (and really they are), but some are clearly better. I am an avid baker and I often find myself disappointed when i purchase baked goods. This was not one of those times. the cupcakes are larger than normal and filled. The vanilla pastry cream filling and frosting were a bit bland for my taste, but the overall experience with their cupcakes was great. The chocolate cupcake tasted like they used real chocolate in the batter which I prefer over the "just cocoa powder" route. The flavor dimensions are much better. It's a small place and your order will be "to go." The people are friendly right down to the customers. Thank you to the nice gentleman who saw me coming and stepped out into the cold to hold the door open for me. The whole experience was great!

    (5)

  • A. M.

    I have been to this place 3 times. The amount of frosting and filling they use is awesome (if you love frosting), but the cake itself is "OK". This last time I was there I had their red velvet cupcake and it was delicious! So good that I would go back again just for that one flavor!! They are very friendly in there. Also if you go to the street of dreams in the pearl you get a $1.00 discount on their large cupcakes with your pearl pass!

    (4)

  • Richard R.

    It seems like there is such a wide range of opinions when it come to cupcakes. I'm not even the biggest fan (well, a growing fan thanks to Cupcake Jones), but my sweet-tooth wife twists my arm (yeah, right) me to join in the experience. There are some frosting fans, some cake fans, and our taste buds don't all prefer the same thing. For this guy, I'm trying to combine overall taste, size, and costs into my ratings. Currently, I prefer Cupcake Jones over Saint Cupcake and Sweetpea Baking Company. The $3.25 sticker shock of the larger cupcakes is initially a bit tough to comprehend, but I somehow found it easier to fork that over in lieu of paying $2.50 for the tiny creations at "Saint" and Sweet Pea. I give extra bonus points to Cupcake Jones for frosting shots and doggie cupcakes. I tried to get a picture of our pup consuming the doggie cupcake, but it's all a blur. The 3 seconds went essentially like this...... lick, lick, chomp, gone.

    (4)

  • Vi N.

    I bought a 1/2 dozen cupcakes and each one was just really dry. frosting and fillings were way too sweet. Not worth the money. On the positive side, the cupcakes are very cute and well decorated!

    (2)

  • Amy D.

    we sought out so many cupcake places and bakeries when we visited portland, and we just happened to run into Cupcake Jones, and we were glad that we did. They make full sized cupcakes and also minis as well, that way u can sample the diff flavours without feeling so bloated. I had the strawberry chocolate, and the buttercream was real, unlike many places that use frosting and call it buttercream. I appreciate that the little ones still received all the attention to detail as the large ones.

    (5)

  • Ninihada C.

    A-ok. Nothing spectacular. The cupcake itself is a bit dry, but since the icing is a nice buttercream, it sort of works. I prefer this over the oversweetness of saint cupcakes. Still on the hunt though.

    (3)

  • Mikee V.

    I really enjoy this shop about 75% of the time. The first time I went there I was with a group of people and we ordered a bunch of different cupcakes and sampled a little bit of all of them. The carrot cake seemed to be the best. At least during this visit. The shop seems to have an issue with not selling out stock before it would dry out. The carrot cake happened to be really popular that day, thus needed to be remade more often and so making a better tasting cupcake. But that cupcake was really good. The others were good, just dry and that kinda shot down the overall experience of those cupcakes. So when you go, ask what the most popular or most recently made cupcakes are and go for those.

    (3)

  • L G.

    I'm a huge fan of CJ's Velvet Painting! Their super friendly staff filled the cupcake with pastry cream then topped it with cream cheese frosting while we waited. The delectable treat was not too sweet, moist, and had just enough frosting. Other cupcakes in general seem to overwhelm from having an excessive amount of frosting and sugary sweet at that. The cupcake lasted 30 sec, but the blissful sensations lasted far longer!

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    dry!! the service was great and the flavors were really nice but if the cupcake is dry its a no go for me. i realize some people like them that way but not i. the only impression these cupcakes left was "holy crap i need some water!"

    (2)

  • Alison P.

    Cupcake Jones catered my wedding and the owner Lisa went above and beyond the call of duty to make my dream display come true. Even when I went diva and wanted only two flavors and this flower topper and my own wrappers and on and on, she gave me advice and then made it happen. The whole set-up and execution was very professional but I felt like it was a good friend on my side and not just a caterer. That is the personal touch you get with this gem of a business, that lacks in some of the competitors I checked out along the way. And now let's talk about the product. Not only are the cupcakes made with love, they are so darn delicious they are moan worthy. I could pop half a dozen minis in my mouth like bonbons, gimme red velvet then carrot cake all night long and I'm one happy girl. Can I get a Mmm Mmmmmm........

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    I had the carrot cake and the apple crumble versions. Very good. For those who say that they frosting is too buttery. Try letting it cool a little. The kitchen/store is warm and that why the frosting came come off as being buttery.

    (5)

  • Annaliza S.

    I love a good cupcake. I love a cupcake that isn't overpowered with sweetness or frosting. Cupcake Jones flourishes! The cupcakes are totally balanced and super good. I really like how they didn't have a huge list of the types of cupcakes they had. It was simple, straight forward and awesome. I had the red velvet cupcake and it was awesome! It was literally so freaking good. It wasn't super sweet, and the frosting was perfect. It was one of the most well balanced tasting cupcakes I have had in Portland. They even had cupcakes for my puppy and that's always an added plus! The pricing was a bit much, but in some ways it was worth it. Small place, don't really have a place to sit and enjoy your cupcake, Staff was amazing though, and it was cool how you could see them making the cupcakes!

    (4)

  • Katherine P.

    Wanted to send my big sis some cupcakes for her birthday even tho I live in Los Angeles. Heard she didn't have any cake for her birthday (and was heading into work!), which I wouldn't stand for. I needed to send some cheer even if I could only be there in spirit. So happy that Cupcake Jones got her six mini cupcakes delivered same day to the absolute surprise of the birthday girl--complete with candle, card and ribbon! Love it! (A little bummed about the $10 same day fee, but I guess that's what happens when you don't plan ahead?)

    (4)

  • Theresa N.

    So good. So delicious. I can't stand how good they are. German chocolate cake. Delicious. The frosting is fantastic. The folks that work there are really sweet. They have dog posters of dogs that are waiting for good homes... plus they have doogie cup cakes. (yeah... my dog still wanted mine.. the piggy...) Anyway.... they are sooooo much nicer and tastier than that grouch that sells them around the corner. :) Yummy! I felt Kade review was lame. Just like a twinkie.

    (5)

  • Thomas M.

    We went for "The Pearl" cupcake which was in their words "all vanilla." It was white velvet vanilla cake with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with vanilla bean butter cream icing and a handmade white chocolate pearl on the top! It was delicious. We really think the icing often makes the cupcake and this icing was incredible but the actual cake was really good too. It was fast, easy, and I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick desert or cupcake. If you are a tourist... as we were, please go here over Voodoo Doughnuts (see my other review) if you want to be in an awesome area of town and eat something truly delicious without wasting an hour or more of your day. Halfway through the line at Voodoo I told asked my wife if we could leave and go back to Cupcake Jones -She said no, we had waited too long to leave ): - My wife and I love cupcakes and are intrigued by the recent popularity of "cup cakeries." We like to pop in to see how each one is different and try a cupcake or two to see the variety and what each does good and bad. We live in NC and do not have one locally yet so when we travel it is a fun thing we have begun to do. We randomly stopped by Cupcake Jones and popped in to look around. The place is really clean, cute, and modern. We liked how they had examples of each cupcake in the windows when you walk by with descriptions of each.

    (5)

  • Lawrence M.

    Love this tiny spot. The cupcakes are phenomenal. Friendly staff. A must stop, if you have kids...of even if you don't.

    (4)

  • Rachael S.

    I've yet to find an amazing cupcake in the Portland Metro area. And I'm very disappointed. We tried Cupcake Jones after an uninspired trip to St. Cupcake. And it was just OK. First Thursday, why eat real food when you can eat cake, right? Naw. I had a mini cause I wasn't feeling any flavor enough to have a whole one. My guy had a big one, I think it was raspberry lemon or something like that. Good sized cupcake, bigger than St. C. Tiny little shop, no where to sit and enjoy. So we kind of just ate and left. Over and done, wham bam thank you ma'am. Another night, we showed up like 5 minutes after closing, the girls were in there boxing up day olds to send who knows where, and they just ignored us. I was kinda bummed about that. It was my birthday and I wanted cake... I had a little chocolate cupcake, no filling in the little guys. It was tasty, the cake was soft and fluffy, not too chewy, not overcooked as is the danger with tiny cupcakes. So they get points there. The shop was cute, they have pictures of rescue animals on the wall which I dig. All in all, a decent place to get a quick fix, but not an earth shattering cupcake experience.

    (3)

  • B. C.

    The prices are too expensive for the quality of product that you're getting. I got the coconut cabana cupcake. The frosting was delicious but the cake was too dry, to the point where it was not holding together and it tasted old.

    (1)

  • Travis S.

    Not impressed.

    (2)

  • Misty S.

    I love fancy cupcakes. The selection changes on a day to day basis so you might want to check their website if you're wanting something specific. It's always fun to see what new flavors they've got going on. The PB&J cupcake was pretty spectacular.

    (4)

  • The J.

    I came here today (on my birthday), and was greeted by two delightful cupcakers who made me feel at home and were open to answering any cupcakey questions I had. The display counter here is really smart in that it's a split open version of the jumbo cupcakes so you can see what the filling looks like. I had the German Chocolate Cupcake and it was delicious. If you like German Chocolate Cake-- or dark chocolate and pecans-- get it! I also got the daily special marion berry cupcake (but I haven't tried it yet). When they asked me what I was up to for the day, I mentioned that it was my birthday and I got a generous little birthday treat. When I have a cupcake need-- I'll remember that, and be back. :)

    (4)

  • Jen K.

    I always thought I got my sweet tooth from my father, but it turns out that my mother may also play a hand in my love of sweet treats. Lately when we've had day trips into town, she is dragging (not really) me into chocolate shops and bakeries. Yay, mom! When I'm with the kids, I prefer Saint Cupcake because they have a larger selection (10-12 varieties a day) and have a cute little cafe so you can dine in. For more adventurous choices, I've got to tip my hat to Kir at Sugar Cube cart at the Mississippi Marketplace. But if I'm in the Pearl, then Cupcake Jones is a lovely place to stop. While I enjoy the mini cupcakes, you really should try the jumbo with the ganache center. They have a small selection with a couple daily standards and a few rotating daily specials. Here's the menu so you can make sure your favorite flavor is available when you visit: cupcakejones.net/menu.ht… The people here were absolutely wonderful and were so enthusiastic that I wish I could give the place more of a rave. This is a very small store with just a bench inside, so the intention is for you to grab your cupcakes and go. I salute Cupcake Jones for having individual containers of icing on sale for $1. Pretty funny because I have a kid that always eats the icing and never the cake, so that would be perfect for him. I wonder where he gets it?

    (3)

  • Joyce L.

    Love the selection of cupcakes but it is a hit and miss sometimes. I bought a couple mini cupcakes over the weekend and it was on the drier side. However, the last few times the cupcakes were good. I wish the location was just a tad bit bigger. The staff is super friendly though.

    (4)

  • True N.

    Must try there red velvet with sugar rose pedals it's like a party in my mouth!

    (5)

  • Doug B.

    OMG.....Like Grandmas cake on crack!!!!! The Pearl is so good. The strawberry Rhubarb the frosting shots, and so many more. The staff is friendly and they give back to the community each month! A great place!!!!!

    (5)

  • Cynthia G.

    The frosting doesn't overpower the flavor of the cupcakes and filling unlike other places The PB & J cupcake is really tasty. Moist vanilla cake filled with fresh strawberry jam topped with whipped peanut butter frosting and sprinkled with chopped peanuts. The red velvet is also quite good and is filled with vanilla bean custard and topped with just enough cream cheese frosting. If you can't decide, pick up the mini cupcake sampler pack. They also offer daily flavors. Bonus: they're right next to Ben & Jerry's (no need to half step it when going on the carb fest).

    (4)

  • Mel B.

    I want to give this place more stars. I really do, but I just can't put it on the same level as the other cupcakeries I've been to. The flavors are interesting, but not too exotic. On this particular trip, I sampled 4 flavors, and while the red velvet was probably the best, the peanut butter and jelly ranked a close second. The cream cheese frosting is delicious and the red velvet cake was moist and perfect. The other cakes, however, were not. They were a bit dry and crumbled when I bit into them. The buttercream frosting on the other cupcakes wasn't too sweet, which was a nice treat. The filling in the cupcakes was a nice change as well. But nothing can cover up the dry cake. Sorry. The staff was amazingly friendly, and that should get them many repeat customers. Me, I'm on a mission to lose this cupcake top (that's muffin top for the rest of you) so I won't be back for a while.

    (3)

  • Nancy M.

    I typically don't like cupcakes, but have had to make an exception for Cupcake Jones. The carrot cake is amazing, as is German chocolate cake, coconut, and in the Spring? How can you pass up on a Samoa? Oh my! Did I mention I don't normally like cupcakes? Add in the pleasant staff and it makes it a pleasure to do business. Love that they donate to a variety of charities as well. What's not to love about Cupcake Jones? They rock!

    (5)

  • Shira M.

    Best cupcake and fresh edible cookie dough I've ever had. Ask for the frosting shots . Every cupcake is amazing .

    (5)

  • E.B. G.

    My previous review for Cupcake Jones was a 4. Unfortunately, I'm just not comfortable with leaving it at a 4. They're a 3 star tops. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the last three trips were total flops. Cakes were very dry, frosting was just mediocre, either tooth hurting sweet, or barely sweet at all. We'll be trying another establishment the next time we need a cupcake fix.

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    I've tried 4 different cupcakes here: S'mores, PB Cup, Apple Strudel and Red Velvet. Hands down my favorite is the Red Velvet. Don't waste your time (or calorie intake) on any others. It was probably one of the best Red Velvet Cupcakes I've ever had. The cream cheese frosting was divine. Melted in my mouth. I'd say the cupcakes were a bit on the pricey side. But for a special occasion or treat, it's great! Plus I feel good supporting this local business.

    (4)

  • Joey Y.

    Overpriced cupcakes. They gave me a sample of the Red Velvet cupcake but I couldn't really taste the difference between theirs and other brands. BUT, after years of eating spicy, hot Korean/Asian food, my taste buds are not the best at judging taste. So... yeah. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, I can't just wrap my minds around paying $5 for a cupcake. For goodness sakes, they are just cupcakes with absolutely no nutritional values. I could get a footlong Subway sandwich for that amount that will satisfy real hunger. Ignore my last rant; I'm just hungry right now.

    (3)

  • Michelle C.

    We had just walked out of our spot for dinner and passed by this on the way to the car. When I spied the diminutive little cuppycakes, I told Sir that we simply HAD to stop there. and I usually get my way with such things=) I got a teensy blueberry cupcake, which only had enough room on top of it for One Blueberry (not including the One in the cake itself), and it was splendid- sweet, tart, and the frosting even stood out. Well played. Sir got the red velvet, and he said it was great too, not dry or overly oily like red velvet can be. The person at the counter was super nice too- You know that lady at the donut shop sometimes who gives you an evil eye for spending .65 on your one donut and for making her make change from your 75 cents? None of that here, As little as we bought, we still felt well-treated and got a fully legit smile when we handed over our cash money. We'll be back here after our next traipse around the Pearl. Tasty, a cheap stop, and no guilt for having eaten a Whole Cupcake. Just enough splurge to please.

    (4)

  • Leah H.

    Presentation of these cupcakes is always on point. And a cookie hat topping a cookie dough filled cupcake - simply precious. The novelty of the filling is enjoyable. Strip those off and you have a pretty OK cupcake. It is neither the moistest or driest cupcake I've eaten. Damn, why is it always so tough to write the three-star reviews? There is simply too much frosting for my tastes. It is fun that all of the cupcakes come with filling but then kind of sad that the mini cupcakes don't. I've had filled cupcakes that are smaller then golf balls. So if filling is their thing...they should probably just go all out and do the damn thing. "Cupcake points" with me for having rotating daily specials and Friday "happy hour." CJ is alright. It would satisfy me if I were jonesin' for a cupcake.

    (3)

  • Denise S.

    My daughter and I shared the vanilla perl cupcake. It really tasted like vanilla. The cupcake was stuffed with vanilla bean pastry cream. Yum. These are in the style of light & airy cupcake and frosting. The cupcake was pretty to boot which made me happy eating it. Worth the $3.25.

    (4)

  • Samantha T.

    Of course the best cupcakes I ever tasted. I always have to stop by here everytime I visit Portland and take some home back to Texas. I order a dozen of minis to have a variety of different flavors. So far my favorite is the peanut butter & jelly, red velvet and pearl. This place is a must stop if you have a sweet tooth...

    (5)

  • Christine H.

    Fancy cupcakes make everything better! I buy them for all my employees b-days... Just their appearance alone makes the office a better place...not to mention the aroma of these little sugar gems. I'd take a half dozen of these over flowers any day of the week ;)

    (4)

  • Shay F.

    I love this place because they have mini cupcakes! Perfect treats that are guilt-free. Well...I don't know how guilt free it is when I decided to get three of them! LoL. I got the vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet one. The vanilla one was meh, but the chocolate and red velvet one was mmmmmtastic! I should get the regular sized one next time! LoL. By the way, my roommate really liked the lemon one.

    (4)

  • Ashley S.

    So, I gave Cupcake Jones another try, and this time happened to be a happy ending! Like I said in my previous review, I only went back because it was my doggie's birthday (haha, I know), and I wanted to get her a doggie cupcake. The employees were still cheerful and knowledgeable. I order two doggie cupcakes and just decided to try another cupcake. What the heck, give me the cookie dough cupcake! Guess what? It's UH-MAZING! I seriously can't wait to try it again. The only blegh thing about the cupcake was the icing. I just don't like whipped tasting-ish icing, and although it wasn't whipped, it tasted like it. However, it was still awesome. Oh, yea, my dog also loved her cupcakes so I guess she will be going back too! Mad props, Cupcake Jones!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Cupcake Jones is so overrated, expensive, and disappointing that it makes me want to cry. Although they have more interesting and creative flavours than their competitor, Saint Cupcake, the quality of Cupcake Jones cupcakes is way inferior. Where to begin? The concept of filled cupcakes, while wonderful in theory, is horrible in practice. Imagine a really rich cake, filled with really thick cream, topped with really heavy frosting... yeah, pretty gross right? Not to mention the fact that both the filling and the frosting is so buttery that both are almost flavorless! How bizarre! I've given Cupcake Jones their fair share of chances and have tried a lot of cupcakes here (The Pearl, the Downtown Brown, Smores, White Chocolate Chai, etc...) -- every single one is far too heavy and far too rich to be enjoyable. I might as well be eating pure butter, yurgh. I will say one thing however -- there's only one cupcake of theirs that manages to pull off being stuffed with heavy cream and topped with rich frosting. It's the Velvet Painting. The red velvet cake is far superior to Saint Cupcake's. And that frosting with the sugared rose petal... perfection. I was going to give this place two stars, but I thought that their red velvet cupcake deserved a star to itself.

    (3)

  • Jeena L.

    I'm really torn to give them 4 stars instead of 5. Here's the reasons going against them: -Lady at the counter wasn't very inviting or friendly. Even asking for their samples made me feel bad for even getting a taste test -Super tiny shop! Thank goodness it wasn't crowded around the time we had gone inside However what I liked about Cupcake Jones was the fact that they did have samples to try in tiny jars! Ive never had cream or chocolate velvet flavors before but I went with the most popular (that's what the lady recommended) red velvet cupcake. Hands down, I think this is the best red velvet cupcake I've had and I've had MANY from afar! This was quite moist and the filling on the inside made the cupcake very flavorful and savory. They are quite expensive. $3.25 a pop!

    (4)

  • A K.

    To be honest, we don't like the cupcakes here. Why go here when Saint Cupcake is soooo close. However, we do come and occasionally pick up a dog cupcake for our lab/rhodie mix, which she seems to enjoy. Then again, she does eat her own poop sometimes so I guess she doesn't have the most discerning palate. But we'll still come when we're around with the pup so she can have a little treat.

    (2)

  • Alyssa A.

    Cupcakes have to be one of my favorite desserts and Cupcake Jones doesn't disappoint. I love the cute, hole-in-the-wall location sandwiched next to Ben and Jerry's in the Pearl. The fun part about this cupcake joint is the variation and limited selection. They offer a different selection of flavors on a daily basis. There are a few that are standards, such as the Pearl, the Downtown brown cupcake and the Velvet and then the rest of the menu rotates. Large cupcakes cost over $3 and the minis are $1.50. All the jumbo cupcakes are filled with some kind of a ganache or pastry cream. I will say that there has been a time or two when I was surprised by the dry texture of the cupcakes. They're not always that way but every once in awhile they seem to be less moist than I like. Not sure why this is...

    (3)

  • Melanie R.

    I love this cupcake place! The peanut butter and jelly cupcake is my favorite. Whenever I'm in the store I pick up two doggie cupcakes for my pups and they love them.

    (5)

  • Michael V.

    The first time I visited Cupcake Jones I came with my sister and didn't order anything. I simply laughed at how ridiculously small the store was. The maximum capacity is probably five people, including the two working behind the counter! "Wheel chair accessible"? Yeah, but only one at a time! You almost feel like you're violating someone else's space, since you're literally standing shoulder to shoulder. Came here yesterday--soaking wet, cold, and grudgingly. I have always been a fan of Saint Cupcake, so coming to Cupcake Jones was like routing for the UCLA Bruins to win the quarterfinals against the Portland Pilots...Or like going to your mother in-law's house. I however was completely shocked at how well my visit went. The young lady at the counter was friendly, patient, and helpful. She asked me where my jacket was, since it was pouring outside. The small space was indeed small, but larger than I had remembered. Maybe it was because there was only one other person in the bakery at the time. I unwillingly handed over $3.25 and bought the best damn red velvet (velvet painting) cupcake I have ever tasted. When compared to my beloved StCC, CCJones' red velvet was a little bit bigger, more moist, and had a sweeter cream cheese frosting. The cupcake top was a bit crispy and had a vanilla bean filling that was a nice addition to the overall taste. I however could care less about the candied rose petal, as I like StCC's sprinkles better. Alas, I can no longer hate CCJones. ( I STILL HATE THE BRUINS THOUGH!!!! D:) Next time I have to try their peanut butter 'n jelly. The gingerbread cookie also sounds delicious! Velvet paintings are made daily? Now I don't have to wait for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday to roll around. You are going to make me FAT Cupcake Jones...and POOR. ):

    (4)

  • Jana C.

    My friend and I walked here after going to visit her husband's office in the Pearl to come sample and buy some special treats. So they're pretty special alright....different flavors on different days. Pretty swell, yes? But then.. I had tried St Cupcake by the 405 before this junior competitor entered the ring,and I must confess, i prefer the other better. But CJ still holds its own, and there is a decent enough of a selection to choose from--mini or regular. About $3.5 per, and it's definitely a true treat. Rich and moist.

    (4)

  • Rick S.

    Bottom Line - I expected dense, moist and overall enjoyable-in-my-mouth cupcakes, but they were disappointingly dry, crumbly and left A LOT to be desired. I would not go out of my way to come back and cannot recommend this place to others. It was my birthday and a friend of mine gave me a gift certificate to come here because I love good cupcakes!!! So I came here and got 3 cupcakes with my certificate: what's up doc? (moist carrot cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand made candied carrot) - The cake itself was the most moist of the three cupcakes I got; however, on its own it was still on the dry side. If not for the frosting, this cake would have gotten a D in my book. The frosting was good. chocolate chip cookie (fluffy brown sugar chocolate chip cake filled with chocolate chip cookie dough, topped with vanilla bean buttercream and a homemade chocolate chip cookie) - This was the most dry of the three cupcakes I got. Even the frosting did not save this cupcake. We actually took a few bites of this and didn't finish it.... it went into the trash. black forest (devil's food cake filled and iced with Amarena cherries and fresh whipped cream, topped with a fresh grated dark chocolate) - Again, the cake itself was pretty dry. Like the chocolate chip cookie, the frosting wasn't enough to save the dryness of this cupcake. The frosting overall was good, but they really need to work on tweaking their cake recipes so that they are more dense and MORE MOIST... I feel that using boxed cake mixes would have yielded much better results. On the positive side, the staff is wonderful!

    (2)

  • Jennifer W.

    If you can't take a lot of cake and icing, this place is not for you. If that's your thing, then step on in. That said, the cupcakes here are larger than your standard grocery bought or homemade cupcakes. The reason why they're so big is that they also have filling in it, which is a good thing too because the cake is a little dry. The cupcake holds well, but is quite rigid. Either way, each cupcake comes out perfect, cute, and dressed true to their names.

    (4)

  • Liz T.

    i'm a cupcake snob. Good presentation, large sized cupcakes have good fillings. I was unimpressed with the flavor selections and the frosting. The only thing work going back for would be the velvet painting. All other cakes were unmemorable and a bit on the dry side. But they get an extra star for good presentation, and convenient take out containers.

    (3)

  • Ophelia Y.

    I give Cupcake Jones four stars for their Red Velvet cupcake. Typically I prefer Saint Cupcake cupcakes over Cupcake Jones, but the Red Velvet at Cupcake Jones is more chocolatey and moist. Velvet Painting FTW! Update: I tried Downtown Cupcake Brown and The Pearl, and they are both really dry cupcakes. The frosting is delicious, the cupcake, not so much.

    (4)

  • LaQueanya H.

    We mainly visit here when we want to get doggy cupcakes for our puppies! The human cupcakes are just ok kind of dry, but my Pugs really do love the doggy cupcakes! Lol! I do love what they do for the community in giving back!

    (3)

  • Maria C.

    Perfection. Every time I go to Portland I head to Cupcake Jones.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I like how everything is freshly baked throughout the day (up until closing at, according to the dude behind the counter, "Eh, ya know, 8-ish." :) I love the layout of the cupcakery! It's small, quaint, and hip with cool colors that just make me want a cupcake. I ordered the peanut butter and jelly one. It was all right. A little too sweet on the frosting. The cake part was moist and delightful, though I can't give this place higher than a 3 since by the time I was done with 3/4 of it I was feeling a bit grossed out from the taste. Too much of something is not a good thing. If I'm ever to return to Portland I'll have to split a Cupcake Jones cupcake with someone next time since it's far too sweet for me alone.

    (3)

  • Travis P.

    It's always an indulgence to get a treat from Cupcake Jones. I've experimented with plenty of their cupcake flavors ... some I like, some I LOVE (I mean, they can't ALL be my favorite), but I always come back to the red velvet. Amazing. Not only are their cakes off-the-hook good, but I'm constantly amazed at the level of support Cupcake Jones provides to the community. From their benefit-day Tuesdays (a portion of sales each Tuesday goes to a deserving non-profit) to donations for all sorts of amazing charitable events, the crew here really knows what it means to give back. Kinda makes you feel not so guilty about the decadence of the amazing cupcake(s) you just ate!

    (5)

  • Chereta M.

    After having Saint Cupcakes, nothing compares...and I'm from Los Angeles, so I"m gonna fly back to Portland for the food and cupcakes. After our walking tour, we bought some cupcakes I tried: Choco Chip Choco w/ganache Carrot. None of them were good....they had very little flavor and we ended up just throwing them away, sadly. After having Saint cupcakes, It just didn't measure up for me. THat's just my opinion...Saint's was a lot better.

    (1)

  • Kilee W.

    Amazing cupcakes piped and garnished right before your eyes. Fresh and moist. The icing is creamy and not too sweet. Try the Lemon, Choc PB, or Coconut, you will not be disappointed!!!

    (5)

  • Valerie W.

    I'd have to agree with some of the other posts on here. I've stopped by Cupcake Jones on many occasions when in the area and the last couple years I've been sadly disappointed in the taste. My latest adventure brought me out to try the cookie dough cupcake. All I can remember is that it was super dry! The chocolate cupcake....dry! Dry cupcakes at Cupcake Jones seem to be the consensus. For the price....I'd much rather make my own.

    (2)

  • MirMack M.

    Best cupcakes in town and owners who care about the community. Conveniently located at a street car stop!

    (5)

  • Stephanie E.

    Bought 2 full dozen of these assorted behemoth baked gems (at a whopping $76 - that's my fault, I'm clearly an idiot) for an event last night, and I've gotta say, after all the hype, and a CUPCAKE CARE GUIDE from the shop, I was pretty disappointed. They're adorable, seriously if all you're going for is a cupcake that makes you drool just to look at, grab one, park it in your peripheral, and you're set. If you don't have milk on hand to wash down a mouthful, you're in trouble. I tried bites of the chocolate, red velvet, strawberry lemonade, and rocky road cupcakes, and each and every one, if not slathered in its own frosting, was like swallowing a horse pill. Flavor, for the most part, good, but the frosting's way too ... fatty. Oily? Whatever it is, my co-worker claimed she didn't need chap stick if she ate these cupcakes all the time. I'm not really a cake person, so I don't have a go-to cupcake shop, but we got another co-worker gluten-free cupcakes from New Cascadia Traditional and they kick the pants of these little fellas.

    (3)

  • Tonya J.

    I ordered three dozen cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. I ordered two vegan (Velvet Painting and a Chocolate) and one regular (Hot Buttered Rum). They were mini cupcakes. The cupcakes were tasty enough. Normally, I don't care for vegan food, but I was having an event and wanted to make sure the vegans could eat too. The staff was pleasant enough. Folks kind of stared at me when I walked in. I guess they don't get many folks of color. But that's the Pear District, in general. It's why I loathe the area. The cupcakes were okay to me. I paid about $70 bucks for the cupcakes. It seems like the cupcakes would have been handed to me some pretty packing for that much. But the cupcakes were in cheap plastic containers and a cheap convenience store type bag. I felt like I walked out of a Safeway, instead of a gourmet cupcake place. The lady stated they didn't have big enough bags for the cupcakes, which I thought was odd. All in all, my experience at Cupcake Jones was okay. I felt like something was missing, though.

    (3)

  • Kris H.

    I luv luv luv the s'mores cupcake. Great frosting. Very light taste and subtle flavors. Just enough sweetness to go well with a cup of milk. At the same time, I'm NOT crazy about the carrot (cup)cake. The cream cheese frosting was insanely sweet and the cake was a bit on the dry side. BUT, I heart Cupcake Jones, regardless.

    (5)

  • Theresa H.

    I've been here twice in 2 weeks. It's delicious and the guy who has waited on me both times is a peach. Love him. The cupcakes have been delicious and moist without tasting like a total gut bomb. Love the red velvet. Will be back often for sure.

    (4)

  • Karen M.

    The pearl cupcake is like an expensive twinkie. The buttercream frosting had a very slightly off taste to it, sort of a cross between refrigerator taste and butter that was a wee bit past its prime. My dog scarfed his doggie cake. But he's a dog and has been observed noshing on a rotting deer leg. I hope my cupcake doesn't sit in my stomach for 10 years like a real twinkie. Has anyone ever used the cupcake defense to explain an horrific crime?

    (2)

  • Formicas F.

    I wasn't impressed with this place. They were rather curt/ rude to me (wasn't sure if it was because my two little kids were crying and the stroller blocked their doorway?) but still... not the friendliest. As for the cupcakes, I have had the best of the best in NYC and these just don't stand up. They didn't have 3 of their 6 choices iced when I stopped in around 3 in the afternoon (on a weekday). I can't understand why they wouldn't be ready for business mid day. The cakes were a bit dry on the small ones. None of the larger /stuffed ones were iced so I couldn't try them. I would imagine their must be a better option in town. Presentation is delightful but taste is what really matters.

    (2)

  • Helen F.

    This was the first cupcakery I went to...the beginning of my cupcakery tour... This is a cute little place in Portland. The cupcakes are just so beautiful in the windows. I got the red velvet cupcake. The cake was moist and good cream cheese frosting. What won me over is the vanilla bean filling inside! Yummy goodness! Having gone to numerous cupcakeries in various cities since then, this is still one of the top red velvet cupcakes in my book. :)

    (5)

  • Kristine N.

    The BEST cupcakes ever! The owners are the nicest people you will ever meet. The jumbo cupcakes are filled and are all made with natural ingredients. They give back a lot to the community too, which makes them even more wonderful! Please do yourself a favor and try their Velvet Painting and What's Up Doc? cupcakes. You won't regret it! They also have Happy Hour on Fridays where you can get 6 jumbo cupcakes for the price of 5!

    (5)

  • Mari T.

    After becoming a gourmet cupcake junkie and being thrilled to find 2 establishments that specialized in them, I had to have repeated tastings to figure out which one I liked better. Cupcake Jones came out on top! They have wonderfully delicious cupcakes that are filled with flavors that perfectly complement the cake they are wrapped in. Their frostings are not heavy and they taste fresh and natural. The garnishes are homemade and really yummy - I especially love the sugared rose petals! Their Red Velvet filled with vanilla cream is to die for! The mini cupcakes are very small, but really tasty. Being in close proximity to Powell's certainly doesn't hurt :)

    (4)

  • Marisa S.

    I wanted to love these cupcakes. They look scrumptious and are so beautiful. Unfortunately, the taste is not there. I got the Pearl, a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. The frosting tasted like pure butter and the cupcake was dry. The Downtown, a chocolate one, was not better. I also got the blueberry one, it was ok, still a little dry. The only one that I didn't throw half in the garbage was the mini red velvet. Maybe it was better because it was so small. I guess some of the other reviewers are right, these taste like they are a little stale.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    This is my favorite cupcake place. I bought them for the rehearsal dinner at my wedding 2.5 years ago. They were such a hit! I especially like their red velvet cake one. They even have some mini cupcakes to get that are pretty darn cute.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    I really truly want to give Cupcake Jones a better rating. I've been there many times, and the cakes are always very dry. They just don't taste same-day-fresh. There's some inconsistency with quality of flavors.... for instance, the German Chocolate is pretty good: moist, flavorful and chocolate-y. But the Marionberry White Chocolate I had yesterday was awful. It just tasted like a big pile of sugar, including the frosting. They need to add some lemon zest or better marionberry jam to bring some tartness and balance of flavors to that cupcake. The frosting had no fruity flavor at all. That cupcake tasted no different than a Hostess cupcake. At four times the price. I like the shop, the mini versions, the fact that they donate to homeless shelter and staff are friendly and blah blah blah... but when I rate, I rate on the product. And I just don't see that it's worth the price. But I hope it improves...the world could use more great cupcakes!

    (3)

  • Alice R.

    Good GOD! The cupcakes here are insane!!!! Do not bother with mini cupcakes. Puh-SHHA! Give me the damn filling with all the pretty, pretties on top, please! Oh and very cool they have biodegradable containers for their cupcakes to go. To go where? Straight to my mouth, yo!

    (5)

  • Kitty A.

    Best cupcakes I've had. Peters chocolate mint = nom nom nom

    (5)

  • Brenda P.

    We got married in September of 2011 and worked with Lisa and her team through the year leading up to that. Lisa (and everyone in the shop) was great to work with. This might have been the easiest part of our wedding. We went; we tasted; we ordered; they arrived. We had extra fun with our tasting box - opening up the voting to our friends at a summer barbecue and tasting more cupcakes than I can even remember. Was a GREAT way to make the decision, actually. What I had assumed we'd order (the more exotic and fanciful flavors) were transitioned to the more traditional options to please the masses. And, of course, the Velvet Painting was the favorite (we chose it as our vegan option, but it was still the #1 favorite of the omnivores too). I'm really appreciative of the patience Lisa showed as I was always in my "wedding-checklist" mode. She was great in letting me know when to expect certain things to happen and then they just magically did. No worries. No stresses. Just deliciousness. I'm also grateful for the flexibility in allowing us to use our own (DIY) cupcake stands. The setup was amazing and everything was beautiful. And, yes, our guests loved the cupcakes!

    (5)

  • Kitt J.

    Thank non-existent god this place is so expensive, or I would be the fattest fatass ever to fatten an ass. Seriously, these are some of the best cupcakes I've had in my life. Every morsel from this lovely little shop is a handcrafted jewel. The proprietress makes everything by hand, including decorative flourishes like graham crackers and candied rose petals. This makes me want to spend a few minutes contemplating life before I eat them, and it justifies the prices, too. That still doesn't mean I can afford them very often, which makes my tummy cry, but is probably for the best. My figure thanks you for it!

    (5)

  • Jim A.

    I've been on a diet for a little while now (lost 17.5lbs thank you very much), and I am pretty good at saying no to places like this. Well, I saw a family eating cupcakes outside, and I about lost control. I almost punched their daughter and stole her cupcake because it looked so damn tasty! I was able to maintain my self control, and went inside to order a cupcake of my own. Boy am I happy I did. This was one fine cupcake. The center vanilla bean filling was a wonderful surprise! I could have done with little or none of the frosting though. It was the typical butter cream frosting. The kinda that coats your mouth is a layer of film... uck... I hate that. My GF had a chocolate mint cupcake. It had an Andies Mint on it. It looked really good. She's lucky she had a cold and took a bite before I could sucker punch in her in the gut and steal it from her. The best part was their juice bottles. I got myself a sweet blue dinosaur. RAD! Even if you hate cupcakes (and if you do hate cupcakes please never talk to me ever again) go here and order some juice. You NEED to own one of these bottles.

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    A far better Jones than the travesty that was the latest movie starring the Doctor of the same surname; our visit to Cupcake Jones was a midday dessert compromise between the gelato faction, the donut faction and the cupcake faction along the lines of "my girlfriend wanted a cat and I didn't so we compromised and got a cat." A hole in the wall hidden next to a Ben & Jerry's, with no seating, less customer floor space than Voodoo Doughnuts, no shortage of customers, and only six flavor choices (three fixed, three rotating) on any given day, they have chosen to do one thing and focus on doing it well. Slightly pricey at $3.25 for a normal sized "jumbo" and $1.50 for a "mini" (two bites maximum), the expectations for the cupcakes were set high. After taking a minute or two to deliberate with the line building, between our group we tried: - Downtown Cupcake Brown: a mostly standard double chocolate cupcake with sour cream (!), which managed to please even a party member who "dislikes cupcakes" - Peter's Chocolate Mint: take the former, subtract sour cream and add mint; to my unsophisticated taste, on par with Trophy, the (mostly) undisputed leader in Seattle. I will make every effort to try both a pumpkin-based and a red velvet-based cupcake on subsequent trips to Portland even though it will be like playing a lottery (a delicious cake lottery) and for the sake of my cholesterol hopefully not both in the same visit.

    (4)

  • Tony T.

    Just recently had a chance to sit down with Lisa Watson, owner of Cupcake Jones, and talk about her business for my web site and blog readers. Tried some of the tasties and they certainly are good! Lisa puts a lot of work into the Portland business and it certainly shows. Everything (and I do mean, EVERYTHING) is made by scratch, the business is as Green as it gets and they donate all cupcakes left over to a local homeless shelter. Cool beans!

    (5)

  • Sandra C.

    The Red Velvet here is the best you'll ever have. Their large cupcakes do have frosting inside so the biggest complaint I hear is "they're too sweet." If you don't want a layered middle then opt for the bite-size cupcakes. Prices are a bit high but they ingredients they use and the programs they fund are absolutely worth the extra buck.

    (5)

  • T M.

    Seriously THE BEST cupcakes! They are moist and flavorful and I dream of the German Chocolate!! I recently hosted a surprise party for my husband and Cupcake Jones delivered 7 dozen mini cupcakes - Downtown Cupcake Brown (my husbands fave!!), German Chocolate (my fave!!), and Lemoncello (these went first, so I guess they were the guest fave!!) First of all I went there for a tasting - I purchased four flavors, ate them ALL and loved every minute of it. The service is outstanding!! The people that work there are very friendly and very service-oriented. I asked a lot of questions and they were all answered with patience and enthusiasm. I ordered the cupcakes and they were delivered exactly as promised - time and place. No delays, no confusion - just right on time as they said they would. That alone makes me want to recommend them and order from them over and over again. It's very rare that people actually do what they say they are going to do. The main thing though is quality. I hesitated to order mini-cupcakes because every one I've ever had before was a little dry and lacking flavor. Not these - these minis are FANTASTIC. (I was surprised by other review that said they were dry. This was NOT my experience at all!!!) They are larger than the average - very reasonably priced - and the cake part is very moist and the frosting is AMAZING!! Plus there is always a little something extra special on top. It's like giving a gift to each one of your guests. Luckily we had leftovers, and have been enjoying them all weekend. The flavor and the moistness does not suffer the next day or two. Still really, really good!! Anyway, I would recommend Cupcake Jones to anyone who asks. It's a great idea for a party, a corporate event, or just a fun little gift for a friend. And, have you seen the regular size cupcakes. They are all filled and are the most decandent, delicious dessert ever. YUMMY!!!!

    (5)

  • Kimberly D.

    Delicious! Loved the red velvet with cream cheese frosting!

    (5)

  • Shawn A.

    To die for...all the cupcakes are good but the pb&j, strawberry rhubarb, and red velvet are a fat kids dream I *heart* you Cupcake Jones

    (5)

  • Bronwyn E.

    Cupcake Jones is the place to go for a cupcake fix. They recently celebrated their fourth birthday by giving their loyal customers an amazing party. The Party was completely catered with an amazing variety of delicious cheeses, fruit, veggies, and other treats. They also celebrated the evening by letting us try their new Vegan cupcakes. The vanilla was heavenly, and the Red Velvet was great too. The next time I'm in the Pearl District, I will be buying a cupcake here. I'm a fan of the coconut and you can sample the cakes before committing to buying. Great place to grab a treat or for catering a party. I give them two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • G.L. T.

    One reviewer said too much frosting and too little cake - I agree! They look fabulous, but they are 75% frosting and 25% cake. We got the Pearl and the German Chocolate. We both agreed that neither of the frostings were particularly memorable. Then I accidentally dropped the Pearl on the floor... it landed frosting down... we picked it up, there was just a tiny bit of frosting left... much better than 2-3 inches of frosting! What little cake there was did have good flavor, however, they were dry. And I'm not talking a little dry, I'm talking wicked dry! I wouldn't go back for more.

    (1)

  • Chris L.

    The name Cupcake Jones is the perfect name for a Pam Grier early 70's blaxploitation film character. This "baddest one-chick hit squad that ever hit town" would be smooth, sexy and one bad ass bitch. The same can't quite be said for the Pearl's Cupcake Jones. This cute little purveyor of all things cupcakes is certainly good, but certainly isn't the baddest cupcake squad that ever hit our town. While Pam's characters were all cake with very little frosting, Cupcake Jones' tends to be more frosting then cake.

    (3)

  • Milla M.

    My husband and I decided to go here after they had frosting samples at a chocolate festival and hearing such great things about them. When we first walked in, I was very shocked at how tiny the space was. I was expecting a couple of tables so we could sit down to enjoy our cupcakes and some milk. What I found was that there was only enough room for a couple of people to stand and order. I was also surprised to find out that they only serve certain flavors on certain days. While I can understand how this would make it easier for them, I think it kind of sucks since some people are only able to get out and do something on spacific days of the week. I ordered the downtown chocolate brown or something like that, DH got the Pearl, and my 5yr old got the a mini chocolate. When we got home and ate them, we were actually surprised at how disapointing they were. First their is SOOOO much frosting on the inside and on top that you cant even taste the cake. Frosting wasn't bad, but WAY to much. When I tried the cake alone, it was kind of dry and bland. The cake hardly tasted like chocolate at all. DH said his wasn't bad, but did lack some flavor and had to much frosting. Even my son didn't like it. What 5 year old doesn't like cupcakes?? All in all I was very disapointed that I spent almost $10 on 2 cupcakes and a bite sized one that were not even very good.

    (1)

  • Carrie S.

    I score lots of points at work for buying these as thank yous for my co-workers. They smell amazing and walking into this place makes me hate my gluten allergy. Always super friendly and they package up everything just right so it survives my commute to LO.

    (4)

  • Erin K.

    Being the sweet lover that I am, they pretty much earned at least 2 stars from me just for serving cupcakes. The Pros: -Super friendly, helpful, patient service -CUPCAKES! Super adorable cupcakes! -Frosting shots ($1 for a shot glass full of frosting...genius!) Cons: -No seating (I guess I was expecting at least 1 little table) -Lame tea selection (all they had was Tazo: 2 black varieties and 1 -chamomile...they could do better) But the biggest downside is that the cupcakes aren't amazing. I tried the Chocolate dipped strawberry and it was way too light and fluffy for my taste (I like a cupcake with substance), as was the frosting which had the consistency of whipped cream, not buttercream. Don't get me wrong, they are not BAD, just not as amazing as you would expect from a place that makes only 1 thing.

    (3)

  • Lisa K.

    Best cupcakes and service in town. The variety makes my pastry-buying decision a real brain teaser. If that weren't enough, this business supports the community in several ways.

    (5)

  • Kimberly V.

    First, I must issue a rebuttal (emphasis on the butt - I've been eating like a horse post-Derby loss) to Kade M's comparison of The Pearl cupcake to a Twinkie. Twinkies are like porn. You know you've sampled some here and there, even if you won't admit it to most people. And what you might not even admit to that select few is that you totally dug it. I actually think this fluffy little number is quite aptly named. Much like the district where Cupcake Jones resides, The Pearl has a lot of magpie-friendly trappings. A candy bauble in the center! Edible glitter! A glop of vanilla bean cream in the middle! But in order to partake in those delights, you must navigate through less inviting environs. In the case of the neighborhood, it's yuppies and traffic. For the cupcake, it is too big a portion of flour and not enough butter, eggs, cream, unicorn power, or whatever it is that helps to dampen the cake. Next, I will say that Cupcake Jones has a lot of ambitious ideas. Blueberry compote and chocolate graham cracker pastry cream sound divine, at least in print. Also on the topic of visual spectacle, the presentation is always impressive. You couldn't find more darling cupcakes if a baby unicorn miraculously hopped out of the wrapper and tap-danced across your kitchen table. And I appreciate the spiel on the website that Cupcake Jones gives on their use of local ingredients and environmentally-friendly products in their store. But I must offer a counterpoint to all those positive characteristics. It's the same in each case, and that is the cake. Again and again. Even if Cupcake Jones is operating their entire kitchen on solar panels (an odd choice in the Pacific Northwest, if that were the case) and churned out cupcakes that stirred Michelangelo from his grave to announce, "Just kidding! What I did was nothing - these cakes in cup form are true art! Peace out, Earthlings!" they would be vastly improved if the cake was less dry. I hope Cupcake Jones changes my mind at some point, because really, why would I want fewer cupcakes in my life?

    (3)

  • Lori G.

    This is truly the best cupcake shop in the U.S., bar none - with maybe ONLY Magnolia in NYC as a peer!! . The cake, fillings and buttercream (the best I've ever had) are exceptional. It is my first stop when I drive I to Portland from Montana. I always tell them that and they always seem tickled and appreciative that I make them a priority on my trip. They also accommodate me if I want a different frosting or filling combination. I do so appreciate that, as I am an anal, neurotic cupcake eater! Ha ha. I did go to another shop for the longest time and they were okay, but once I found this place, it's been shameless indulgence after shameless indulgence. Their cupcakes are also quite beautiful, and never endeavor ridiculous favors - just classic great cake and stellar frostings....which I can have extra of with their frosting shots. Yummy!!!

    (5)

  • Jeannie J.

    If you have read many of my reviews, it's easy to say that I have a major sweet tooth! I've tried Cupcake Jones several times now. I like it, kinda. The cupcakes look fancy and pretty, and the concept of a filling is good. I just haven't LOVED any of them. They have all been just OK, nothing great or memorable. Since they are filled, it makes them hard to eat because they fall apart after you've had a bite. I lost half of mine on the sidewalk outside last time, and a dog gobbled it right down. The store is tiny, no where to sit except a bench outside. They are also pricey, but hey, I know it is the Pearl. They are very helpful and nice though!

    (2)

  • Evelyn L.

    Mini cupcakes are so cute - box of 12 for $16. Got 2 boxes for a halloween party and they were finished quickly by 5 men. Friendly service. The downside is it's hard to find street parking.

    (4)

  • Lee S.

    They've got a bench out front so you can have a "sit-down meal" of cupcakes. The only trouble is that when you get up to get a second round, someone is definitely going to grab the bench. Suggestions?

    (4)

  • Sharon W.

    I usually laugh at the people who complain about dry cupcakes, but these were really pretty bad. I ended up going to Ben & Jerry's next door because the minis here didn't satisfy my sweet tooth, or any other flavor craving. Janet R., I live in San Francisco and work nearby one of the KaraVan's normal routes. Cupcake Jones is no Kara's Cupcakes :(

    (2)

  • Erin M.

    My first big cupcake experience and it has become a family favorite. Any big event in our house now demands cupcakes from here. Birthdays just wouldn't be the same without these wonderful yummy delights. We get the small ones for the classroom party and then the big ones instead of cake for the family party. Love you guys!

    (5)

  • Andy W.

    We were looking for something fast and sweet to munch on last night, and walking past Ben & Jerry's on 10th and Davis, I thought, "What about Jones?" My mind began to wander... "What about Jones?!!" screams Belloq at the Nazi stooges on board Captain Katanga's tramp steamer, while Indiana figures out a way to swim to the German U-Boat, prompting the orchestra in my head to perform a rousing rendition of Indy's march. (Dun-ta-dun-taaaaa! Dun-ta-daaa! Dun-ta-dun-TAAAAA! Dun-ta-daa daa DAAH!) Back to reality, I was fully prepared for a mind-blowing cupcake experience. They have a modest space, a refreshing contrast with other places in the Pearl District, and very attractive cupcakes. Their selection is a bit limited, though, with only six flavors to choose from at any time. But the proof is in the pudding, and sadly these cupcakes are heavy and dry, not made up for by the small amount of filling poking down through the top. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I've had a lot of better cupcakes at a lot of other places. My mind wanders again... "Shut your eyes, Marion! Don't look at it, no matter what happens!" Oh, Jones, you disappoint me. You outran a huge, tumbling ball of stone, dodged poison darts and Nazi bullets alike, killed a guy twice your size with an airplane propeller, commandeered a truck at 50 mph after scooting underneath it using only your whip to hang on, and then your big climactic feat is ... closing your eyes? What a letdown. And don't even get me started on that Crystal Skull nonsense. Lame, Jones. Lame.

    (2)

  • Sam W.

    Cupcake Jones is home to my favorite cupcakes. Even so, I'm only giving it four stars. The counter area is small and often gets crowded. If you don't know what you want when you get there, grab a menu and go back outside to look at window while reading the descriptions. I usually don't like frosting, but whatever they make them from here is delicious. Try them out. I like the chocolate ones best.

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    Got two mini cupcakes - red velvet and downtown chocolate brown. Their cupcakes are overpriced compared to what I'm used to ($1.50 for mini cupcakes) and they tasted okay but nothing that I would go out of my way to buy again. The customer service was excellent and I liked the dog-friendly mini cupcakes they sold. But once again, $1.50 for a mini cupcake, let alone one for my dog, is not something I'm down for.

    (2)

  • Erin D.

    I had my daughter's 3rd birthday party at Cupcake Jones and it was fabulous!! Lisa, Shannon and their crew had everything ready and were beyond helpful with every little detail.

    (5)

  • Joshua G.

    I tried both the red velvet and pecan waffle cupcakes here (on two separate visits). I liked them both fine. If you just want to cure that cupcake craving this isn't a bad place to get the job done. However, there are better places to go, and not on the fault of the staff. Both times I've been in Jones the staff was outstanding. Everyone who works in this place seems to be both very nice and very helpful. I can't say enough good things about them. However, I do feel like their product is lacking something to set it apart from the cupcakes I could make at home from ready-made mix with bleached flour.

    (2)

  • Brandi W.

    I have been here a couple times now and my impression is that this is a cool place that takes your boring basic cupcake and elevates it to a new level. I have had a lemon cupcake that was incredible, so far my favorite flavor. The cake was moist and the lemon flavored frosting mouth puckeringly wonderfulicious. The chocolate frosting they use on their everyday 'Downtown Cupcake Brown' is soooooo decadently tasty that really I could just buy a dozen of those little frosting shots they sell and feel no remorse about the lack of cake. I had a pumpkin cheesecake one today. I thought it would be a heavy frosting, more like a cream cheese style. Instead I was surprised to bite into it and discover the frosting was light and intensely flavorful. Not as light as a whipped cream, but certainly lighter and much less sweet than a buttercream. Awesome! My only complaint is that their cupcakes, with the exception of the lemon, are a bit on the dry side. Since I consider a cupcake as a frosting delivery device, that doesn't bother me a bit. I also do wish they would put more filling in their cupcakes, usually you barely get a dab. If they just did that, I think it would be worth 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Red velvet and vanilla cupcakes were delicious. The cookie dough and carrot were meh. Okay, let me expand: jumbo cupcakes ($3.50 each) were baked perfectly with a little crunchy/chewy top with a creamy filling. The mini cupcakes ($1.50) did not have the crunchy/chewy top nor creamy filling, and therefore were "meh". The flavor was good, but it's the texture that makes it special. If I were to return to Cupcake Jones, I'd get the jumbo Red Velvet cupcake, which were not that jumbo.

    (4)

  • Caroline L.

    Just about gasped with happiness to see a cupcake shop while strolling around Pearl district. However, after my first bite, was a bit disappointed. Very cute/creative to-go container for the cupcake, and the filling inside the Pearl cupcake was yummy. However, the actual cake itself was a bit dry and I don't really like buttercream very much. Was a bit disappointed after paying $3.25 for the cupcake. The mini cupcakes are a cute idea and they have samples of their daily flavors. Much prefer Magnolias (NY) and Sprinkes (LA).

    (2)

  • Erin M.

    Two years later, I've returned to Cupcake Jones to find that their cupcakes aren't up to par. I don't know if it was low standards then, or deteriorating quality, but these cupcakes are not all that. They are nothing but crumbs, and this is after trying them 2 separate times a few weeks apart. The flavor is also lacking. Next time, I'll get my treat from Ben and Jerry's right next door.

    (2)

  • Nancy B.

    Not much more that I can add. Very friendly staff. When we mentioned that we were from Seattle and had visited the cupcake shops "up North" they were very interested to hear the differences. It happened to be a holiday in June day - pumpkin pie, chi, and gingerbread flavors were featured. Loved the dozen mini box! With a quart of milk it made for the perfect evening long snack as we plotted out our next day of touristy things to do! They are also on Twitter and if I was in the area I would be afraid to follow :-) The website is tempting enough!

    (5)

  • Ling H.

    Most places I go to have good Red Velvets and this place is no exception, but borderline 3.5-4 stars. Their Velvet Painting is a red velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand candied rose petal. The cream cheese wasn't overly sweet and balanced the dense, moist red velvet perfectly. YUM. I also tried the Pearl, a white velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream, topped with vanilla bean buttercream icing and a hand made white chocolate pearl. I expected a little bit more from this one, but the cake was a little too dense. Not too sweet, which is good and the white chocolate pearl was shaped like a pearl and was equivalent to chewing on a softened lemon head. Interesting. We came here before dinner and came back after for another cupcake. This time instead, we all got the jumbo pastry cream-filled red velvets and the girl at the counter was nice enough to give me another candied rose petal because the bf ate it before I could even try it. Thank you Cupcake Jones for your wonderful service!

    (4)

  • David M.

    For the prices and the hype (having Yelp stickers posted on the exterior window) I don't think the cupcakes were the best.

    (3)

  • Maureen H.

    First off, the employee that greeted me when I walked in was extremely friendly and helpful. He seemed genuinely excited about selling cupcakes and talked to me for a minute about their new-ish vegan selections. Plus one star for great service and vegan options. I got a cupcake 6 pack plus a mini vegan chocolate cupcake because I was starving but the cupcakes were for dessert. For my six pack I chose: vegan vanilla, vegan red velvet, strawberry shortcake, blueberries n cream, and two peanut butter cup (several are Monday only selections). The mini chocolate was good, but I hated the vegan vanilla. I threw it away. A cupcake. I threw away a cupcake. Not typical. The cupcake was hard and dry, and the vanilla taste was too overpowering. All the other cupcakes got good reviews from those that ate them. My friends particularly liked the vegan red velvet and the strawberry shortcake. The blueberry and the peanut butter got thumbs up but they were less enthusiastic about them. I would probably go back to grab cupcakes for another special occasion. I love cupcakes and this place does an alright job. Plus, they have several delicious sounding flavors that weren't available on the day I went. But which day to choose...

    (4)

  • Al D.

    Total rip off. The mini cupcakes were dry and the frosting was disgusting. Big disappointment.

    (1)

  • Olivia T.

    An affair is always bad to have... Especially when it's a cupcake affair... I hope Saint Cupcake won't find out that this past weekend... I had a one night stand with Cupcake Jones... We had a hot passionate Red Velvet with creamy filling sexy time.. I can't really explain what's going on... I didn't remember how did it happened... It was all blurry.. All I remember was the sensations... Hopefully this is just a one night stand... I just can't have two lovers... Maybe I can have one lover and one mistress.. Well, That's just plain wrong...

    (4)

  • Emily G.

    I love Cupcake Jones. Yes, their cupcakes are fantastic, but that's not the reason I'd recommend them for your wedding/party/friday night hangout. I recommend Cupcake Jones because of the way they run their business. My partner and I came in for a tasting and were welcomed into the back where Mia (yes, I still remember her name 8 months later) gave us a bunch of samples and worked with us to figure out flavors we'd like. Then Lisa, the co-owner, came back to hang out with us. Turns out we were getting married at the same place she and her husband did! We chatted away and she gave us her cell phone number in case we had questions about the venue or the cupcakes. A couple weeks before the wedding, Lisa spent about half an hour with me on the phone finalizing the order, running the numbers on how many cupcakes we should order for my big eating, jewish, family, and answered every single question patiently and thoroughly. The day of the wedding, Lisa and her husband, Peter, delivered our cupcakes themselves and set them up for us. They told me how beautiful I looked in my dress, hung out for a few minutes making sure everything was set up well, then snuck out the back. Everything was perfect and our guests loved the minis because they got to try a bunch of flavors. One word of caution, if you have a family who likes to eat, order one more dozen minis than recommended. Leftover cupcakes would have been awesome. Since the wedding, I've seen Lisa around town and she always remembers my name and makes sure to say hi. I'm not just a huge fan of the Cupcake Jones product, I'm a HUGE fan of the way they run their business. Use them. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Zy X.

    This place is cupcake heaven!!! I normally don't like frosting, because it's just too sweet for me. I usually scrap off the frosting from cakes and cupcakes. However, this isn't the case when it comes to a cupcake from Cupcake Jones. I've tried many flavors, but my favorites are the red velvet and peanut butter/chocolate ones. My favorite thing about Cupcake Jones' cupcakes is that it has a center filling! YUM! I appreciate that they offer mini-size to help me fulfill my craving for sweets, but not to affect my caloric intake dramatically. The regular size cupcakes are reasonable enough to share between two people.

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    I gave this place a second chance, I have to appreciate how big their cupcakes are compared to Saint Cupcake. I also like how they are filled.

    (4)

  • Sherri C.

    I bought 5, yes 5, different flavored cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. Although they are larger than the standard size, and pretty to look at, the cakes are dry and crumbly and totally lacking in flavor. The frosting is on the thick side and also lacking in flavor. I wish I could say better things about them because the store is small and cute, and the people friendly -- but at least there are enough people in Portland who (I think) will continue to support the business. It looked pretty popular during the time we were there.

    (2)

  • Addie N.

    I am giving Cupcake Jones a 3 instead of a 2 because of their Red Velvet cupcake. My boyfriend and I ordered half a dozen cupcakes for a dinner party dessert and the consensus was the only one worth the salt was the red velvet cupcake. Staff was very nice and friendly, and made suggestions on which one to order.

    (3)

  • Lillian G.

    I wanted to like this cupcake shop - honest! They seemed like a quaint little place, but they have too much going against them for me to be any sort of a fan. The shop is TINY with zero seating and barely any room to order. The cupcakes are more expensive than other shops in town and it is only for pomp and circumstance, rather than taste. They offer truly beautiful cakes, but the ones I tired were way too sweet and with unsavory fillings. The staff was friendly enough, but a bit cookie cutter (to pardon the expression). The counter folks seemed a bit tired and didn't really seem jazzed about selling cupcakes. I know how it is to work in retail, but it's cupcakes! I'm going to stick with my first love, Saint Cupcake. Sorry Cupcake Jones, you're just not up to snuff.

    (1)

  • Tiffany T.

    Got to Powells early to meet a friend and instead of getting lost in the stacks decided to walk down a few blocks for a predinner snack. I tried 1 of their quarter sized red velvet with cream cheese frosting cupcakes. The frosting was a dreamy creamy creation. The cake didn't taste of chocolate to me and was fine but unmemorable, perhaps too subtle in that tiny size? The store was cute. And the fact that they do dog treat cupcakes adorable! A nice little shop if your downtown.

    (4)

  • Natalie W.

    Commitment cupcakes. It's not a place you can visit all time. If you just want a sugar fling, go somewhere else. There are mini cupcakes and jumbo cupcakes, and they come in all sorts of varieties (that change regularly). The jumbo cupcakes have both frosting *and* filling, which means they're the optimal choice for a hearty sugar fix. But the jumbo cupcakes are, in fact, a lot of cupcake (and for a Pearl-district price). A commitment, sure. But definitely a tasty one.

    (4)

  • Katherine C.

    Great cupcakes. These are much larger than Saint cupcakes and they don't sacrifice any flavor. Plus, they are filled which is always a treat. I'm a big fan of the Red Velvet, Chocolate chocolate and Carrot Cake.

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    We found this adorable cupcakery while driving around the Pearl District (for the SF folks, it's comparable to our SOMA). The owners, Peter and Lisa, are as nice as can be and seem like they genuinely love what they do. Yes, they're pricey, but consider how much love they put into their product/business: they make almost everything by hand (including marshmallows, graham crackers, jams, etc.), they candy everything by hand, they recycle everything, they use mass transit for deliveries, they donate leftovers to the homeless, etc. I'd be more than willing to pay more for tasty, great quality cupcakes while supporting a unique cupcakery that's enthusiastic about helping the community. AND they have dog-friendly cupcakes! Can't help but love them. But anyway, I had a pearl (white cake, vanilla cream frosting, topped w/ a white chocolate pearl), a velvet painting (red velvet cocoa cake w/ cream cheese frosting), and a champagne&roses (white cake w/ champagne butter cream frosting). ALL YUM. I wanted to try a peppermint hot chocolate cupcake but my friends ate it while I was in the shower. Assholes.

    (5)

  • Annie E.

    Plus: good cupckaes Con: only 6 to choose from Cupcakes Jones always has 3 flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet. Then every day they switch with 3 other flavors. Problem for me is that I live in Washougal and they are in downtown Porltand so I only get the weekend flavors. Maybe i'll have to talk the hubby (who works downtown) to get me some sometime! I do find the cupcakes a bit dry but I think that's how they are meaning to make them. I do love cupcakes and not so much the frosting so I usually toss most of mine to the hubby. I do think its hilarious they have 'frosting shots' but I guess some people really, really, really like frosting. I'm just not one of them. Definitely worth a trip :) Because really, who doesn't like cupcakes that they don't have to bake!

    (3)

  • Shirley W.

    Portland can't compare to the cupcake places in CA such as Sprinkles and Kara's cupcakes but Cupcake Jones is as good as it gets around here. I had the mexican hot chocolate and the red velvet cupcakes. They were filled with something that resembled like pudding and gave a nice contrast to the frosting and the cake. In the mexican hot chocolate, the filling was more cinnamon-y and it was injected in chocolate cake. The red velvet had a vanilla filling. I thought the frosting on the mexican hot chocolate was more oily tasting, leaving an unpleasant film coating my mouth. But the cream cheese frosting on the red velvet was really good. Both the cakes were very crumbly and I had to use the filling and frosting to hold it together. Overall, I would get the red velvet cupcake again but I'll probably veer away from the others.

    (3)

  • D L.

    Eh, it was ok. Maybe it was because we went late in the day, but the mini cupcakes were really dry. Maybe the regular ones are better.

    (3)

  • Tani S.

    Really good..can't quite understand the negative reviews for Cupcake Jones revolving around dry cupcakes, we had the opposite experience. We picked up four cupcakes and they were delightful! They were moist and inventive from the neopolitan, to the lemon, to the pink rose petal one, and chocolate one. I loved the surpise in the middle of the jumbo cupcakes with a yummy filling. I also loved the fact that these cupcakes had balance, not overly sweet. The price seemed fair as well given that the cupcakes were really big, fresh, and interesting...!

    (5)

  • Don B.

    MMMMMMMM..... that pumpkin chocolate-chip cupcake rocked my world today. Yum!

    (5)

  • Kristin K.

    If I was grading the cupcakes only, they would be getting one star. But they were so nice that I just don't have the heart. While the frosting on their cupcakes was great, the cake really fell apart in my hands. It was crumbly and dry, which I don't really like in a cupcake. Some people might like that, in which case it's worth trying.

    (3)

  • Jaime Patricio M.

    Reading these reviews.... ouch.... I would hate to see if Cupcake Jones wasn't doing a great job. One comment said $3 was too much. This is what high quality cupcakes cost and in particular if this is the bulk of your business I do not think the principals of Cupcakes Jones are living large. Also good ingredients cost more than say something like hydrogenating oils... mmmm hydrogenating oils! Nahhh.... I take butter and better ingredients for my ideal cupcake. Go to any other city and $3 is cheap go to New York and you will pay $5-6 or more. I ordered their large Pearl cupcakes; it was fresh and exactly what I wanted and needed. There is a small white chocolate pearl on top and while I enjoyed that I completely enjoyed the frosting with a little tunnel of butter cream in the center. When I go back to Portland I will come back and bring some back home. Great job Lisa and Peter.

    (5)

  • April B.

    Strolling through the Pearl and just had to have a cupcake ...or 4... -Downtown Cupcake Brown -German Chocolate (x2) -Chocolate Pretzel Cupcake I wouldn't call these top notch. My husband and both though they were slightly dry - perhaps because we bought them at the end of the day. The filing in the Downtown and Pretzel cupcakes was odd - a chocolate ganachey thing I am sure wasn't needed - not much flavor going on. My husband said his German chocolate cupcakes had too much filling and not enough cake. I do give them bonus points for making doggy cupcakes, one of which my beagle devoured. Decent cupcakes but room for improvement.

    (3)

  • Heather D.

    Great stop on a birthday celebration tour of the Pearl! Mini cupcakes and Fullsize cupcakes, icing shots and doggie cupcakes. Open late for a bakery 8pm-ish. Super friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Kenny P.

    I like Cupcake Jones a lot... It's a little bit pricey. You can't just eat this like everyday. Not everybody is willing to spend $3.50 on a single cupcakes. Having said that, the taste is really good though. I have tried so many cupcakes (sprinkles, pinkabella, saints, and hundred mores) and I think jones is in my top 10 list of best cupcakes. They should promote it better though. For example: last thanksgiving, I was urging my friend to buy Jones cupcakes. However, the other cupcakes place has a better deal like buy one get one free (they are not crappy cupcakes store, just as fancy as jones). I asked Cupcakes Jones in the website is there any special deal for holiday or something, unfortunately jones cupcakes is pretty stiff in having deals. At the end, 10 of us (yes.. 10...) went to other cupcakes stores and get lots of them. All of my friends have been returning to that cupcakes store for gazillion times now. I know Cupcake Jones is a very good quality place for cupcakes. However, once in a while, I think they need to just make a special deals for its customers. After all, nothing wrong in pampering and giving a special treatment for your loyal customers. That's the only turn down. If you are in P-Town, after finished dinner and want a piece of sweetness, i suggest this place. Red velvet is the heaven :)

    (4)

  • Lizzie V.

    I am so nervous to write this review because the Yelp event is happening tomorrow and Cupcake Jones will be there and I feel like I'd be ungrateful to give them a bad review, but you people count on my integrity so I am going to give it to you. It's a little place. It fits two guys in wheelchairs and an extra body. That was the actual case when I came to get cupcakes. I split the full sized strawberry chocolate and the German chocolate with my husband. They are really cute, and have some fun stuff in the middle, but I feel like the fun stuff in the middle is used to cover up the dryness of the cake. Both were dry...very dry. If these cupcakes were amazing I would feel totally fine about spending $3.25 on a cupcake for a treat every now and then, but they weren't amazing. They were totally unamazing.

    (2)

  • Janet R.

    OM NOM NOM!!! These cupcakes were even better than Kara's Cupcakes in San Francisco. They had mini cupcakes in case you wanted to sample more than one, and they even had doggy cupcakes! THAT alone adds another star!! I had a banana split cupcake, some chocolate with chocolate something, and another chocolate with cherries. SOO yummy. I will definately come back, but next time, Ill bring my puppy!

    (5)

  • liz l.

    This is my third favorite cupcake spot. I don't like the shop, I have a hard time maneuvering my jogging stroller in the door, it is tiny. I need to the jogging stroller so that I can burn off the cupcakes... Anyway the best thing, for me, is that they have a red velvet. The tiny cupcakes are better, in my opinion, here than the regular sized ones. The chocolate raspberry (it has a cuter name than this, I think) was OK. My son devoured the downtown chocolate brown, so 2 year old approved, so much so that I didn't even get a bite. If I needed a red velvet, I'd make my way over here, maybe I'd drive.

    (3)

  • Sasha R.

    I tried it on a Monday for an event that I needed cupcakes for, and they were open. So instead of going to Saint Cupcake, I came here. The cupcakes were good, just not the amazing loveliness that I'm used to from Saint C's. Also, the whole gimmick here is that they put some fun stuff in the center of the cupcake, like a frosting filling etc... but I guess I'm a little more old fashioned and simply like a good honest cupcake like the ones I should be making at home. However, the STAFF was AMAZING!! Triple awesome, in every way, and totally hooked me up with a huge order that I needed right away, without being upset at me for not ordering ahead. For that they get a third star I would otherwise not have given.

    (3)

  • Annette V.

    I LOVE cake. And although cupcakes are considered "mini-cakes" by some...I'm inclined to disagree and say that you can never compare a cupcake to cake....it's just wrong. With that being said, I've always thought cupcakes to be the inferior species, and it takes a lot for me to love a cupcake enough to go back for another. Cupcake Jones isn't perfection, but they do produce a pretty darn tasty red velvet ("velvet painting") that keeps me coming back when I'm in the neighborhood. The filling is definitely different from the frosting, and the cupcakes are nicely balanced just the way I like them; moist interior with a crunchy top that I haven't figured out how to do in my own oven at home. Pretty spendy if you're going for more than 1 cupcake but ugh, so good.

    (4)

  • Shannon F.

    Let me start by saying that I'm a lover of all things baked and gooey...give me a good brownie and I'm in. For the last few years I've loved cupcakes, I don't feel nearly as guilty making cupcakes and then just eating one, or two or ten...because they're little and cute and can't possibly have as many calories as a full piece of cake could right? But anyway...I was pleasantly surprised with Cupcake Jones unlike some other cupcake shops in Portland they had some interesting flavors and went outside the box a bit which is half the fun with cupcakes (the other half is decorating them). I tried the tired and true chocolate because making a good chocolate cupcake is always a must but then a few of their fun flavors as well...the oatmeal cookie was quite good, I really liked how they had cookie dough inside of it! My only complaint would be that for their size the cupcakes were a bit pricey. I don't mind paying that much for a cupcake but I just with it had been bit more substantial.

    (4)

  • Kent M.

    Easily the best cupcakes in town and lovingly owned by a fantastic, civic-minded couple. Located right on the streetcar too. I highly recommend these folks and their delicious desserts.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    In some cases, time changes nothing, but in the case of Cupcake Jones, time has made all the difference. Since first reviewed Cupcake Jones and my mediocre experience there, my little cupcake shop has turned itself into quite the force on the Portland cupcake scene. Now, cupcakes are cakey and not oily, the frosting is delicious and inventive, and the prices match the value you get in each delectable little bite. If you need a reliably fabulous and interesting cupcake - try Cupcake Jones. They have a limited, rotating selection but I've yet to meet a (current) cupcake there that I didn't like.

    (5)

  • sarah y.

    the cupcakes here are good, but a bit dry for my taste. the flavors are unique and change quite often, but i especially like "the pearl" -- name very fitting to the store's locale. it's also nice that they have doggie cupcakes that are banana flavored... my beagle loves them :) the customer service is always great though, they're extremely friendly and often invite my dog under the counter so he can enjoy his treat immediately!

    (3)

  • Janet T.

    A weekend trip brought me to Cupcake Jones in the Pearl District (comprable to Belltown in Seattle) This is probably the best cupcake that I've ever tasted! These cute little cupcakes packed in a mouth full of tantalizing flavors. There are several different flavors to choose from...and my ultimate favorite was the Velvet Painting which consists of red velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand candied rose petal! YUM! These cupcakes are a bit pricey at $3.25 a pop, but definitely worth checking out at least once.

    (5)

  • Mr. C.

    I love red velvet cake. Always have since my grandma used to make it when I was but a wee lad in Kansas. These cupcakes are made in front of your eyes and are extremely delish!

    (5)

  • Javier J.

    After drinking at two brewpubs and stumbling back in time before my parking meter expired, the cupcakes came across my eye... My goodness, they looked delicious from the window! And to boot they had a second even smaller cupcake sitting next to the slightly larger than normal size cupcake. Now as someone who is beyond buzzed at 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday, this could be a strange sight to see and one that would make one question their sanity. WHY IS THERE A SMALLER CUPCAKE NEXT TO THE BIGGER ONE!?! These are not the things a drunk man should bare witness. I began to sweat. I looked around to see if there was any cameras.. Clearly this sort of thing is some sort of hidden camera show type of gag. Sure enough, those cupcakes were there mocking me. The smaller one even meaner than the larger one. I mean, isn't that the way it always is. The smaller of the group always the one that packs the bigger punch? Well clearly I wasn't going to take this verbal abuse. No sir! Not from a pint sized cupcake that looked delicious. I'll show you one thing or another, ting s'more cupcake! And that's what I did. I walked in there, slapped down the $1.50 for a small cupcake and bit that mofo showing him who's boss. Well, I'm sure that cupcake just went straight for my ass. So I dunno who came out the real winner in the end. But I have to say, it was a very delicious cupcake. Very cute looking. From what I was told between mocking the cupcake back with every bite was that they have both weekly and monthly rotating cupcakes. Holy shit, I thought, I wonder what sort of mocking tones those other cupcakes to come would be. I can only wonder what they'll be... perhaps you'll have to carry on this battle against insulting pastries while I'm not in Portland to go on and eat these little bastards! Delicious cupcakes. A pretty decent price for such high class tasty treats! Awesome all around.

    (4)

  • Jenny C.

    The cupcakes here are so adorable, baby bunnies and puppies might send each other cards of them. But like the umpteenth email forward from your grandma with the subject "FW:FW:FW:RE: Awww", Cupcake Jones is probably not something you want all the time. Every so often though it's a nice departure from the mundane baked goods of grocery stores and undoubtedly more welcome than the hard candies prevalent in any grandmother's home. Owned by Oregon natives, it's a swell little place, worthy of 3.5 stars on the Yelp Scale and perfect to run into for a quick sweet tooth fix. Grab a sample from the case before you decide what jumbo or mini cupcake to take on your way or put together a dozen to share with friends. The patient staff behind the counter in the open kitchen behind pleasantly engages you in conversation on the specials of the day that are intermixed with the regulars. The general recipe appears to be rich frosting atop dryish cake. The oh so chocolaty Downtown Cupcake Brown is my favorite by far, but defiantly not the best I've ever had. Still, it's a sincere effort overall, even down to the doggie cupcakes for your pup. Maybe you can get one of those, take a photo, and send it off to Nana, subject line "mmmm & awwww".

    (3)

  • Cat P.

    Stopped by here on the way back from dinner and were immediately welcomed by the very friendly and helpful staff. Their selection was incredibly appealing and ultimately went with the Pearl and Lemoncello. Despite it being near 8, the cupcake was still fresh and moist, and the freshly inserted lemon curd, so tart and creamy. The frosting was smooth and lacked the overly fatty/sugary taste so many cupcake places pile ontop of their product. Have yet to try the Pearl, but looking forward to it.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth W.

    They are always friendly and the cupcakes are very yummy. I like how they put a filling in the cupcakes. I wish there was a little more filling because sometimes the cake can be a little dry without the filling. I think their "normal" (probably butter cream) frosting is a little boring. I would definitely suggest getting something with cream cheese frosting because it is so yummy! Overall a very good cupcake! Also, a good portion size for your money compared to other cupcake shops around. It is always a treat to go to cupcake jones.

    (4)

  • Caite F.

    I love cupcakes. Like. I'd have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could. Cupcake Jones satisfies my love for cupcakes. I enjoy their cupcakes and friendly service!

    (5)

  • Haroun K.

    One evening there was a knock at my front door, and a woman was standing there holding a box. She handed it to me, said "there are instructions," and left quickly. Very KGB and everything. I was not expecting cupcakes! Some lovely spy had 12 of these giant cupcakes sent to my door. Cupcake delivery! They lasted the week (or a few days). They were all quick delicious, and kept their flavor in the refrigerator. The best of the batch were the Lemon curd. Sublime. I also quite liked every other flavor, especially the cookie dough. I'm no cupcake aficionado, but these are good cupcakes!

    (4)

  • Jessica A.

    Friendly staff and a good variety of cupcake options. The cupcakes looked delicious, but we're disappointed with the taste. We got a chocolate mint & a chocolate chip. The mint had good frosting. The chocolate chip frosting tasted like pure butter. Both cakes were very dry.

    (2)

  • Kimberly V.

    First, I must issue a rebuttal (emphasis on the butt - I've been eating like a horse post-Derby loss) to Kade M's comparison of The Pearl cupcake to a Twinkie. Twinkies are like porn. You know you've sampled some here and there, even if you won't admit it to most people. And what you might not even admit to that select few is that you totally dug it. I actually think this fluffy little number is quite aptly named. Much like the district where Cupcake Jones resides, The Pearl has a lot of magpie-friendly trappings. A candy bauble in the center! Edible glitter! A glop of vanilla bean cream in the middle! But in order to partake in those delights, you must navigate through less inviting environs. In the case of the neighborhood, it's yuppies and traffic. For the cupcake, it is too big a portion of flour and not enough butter, eggs, cream, unicorn power, or whatever it is that helps to dampen the cake. Next, I will say that Cupcake Jones has a lot of ambitious ideas. Blueberry compote and chocolate graham cracker pastry cream sound divine, at least in print. Also on the topic of visual spectacle, the presentation is always impressive. You couldn't find more darling cupcakes if a baby unicorn miraculously hopped out of the wrapper and tap-danced across your kitchen table. And I appreciate the spiel on the website that Cupcake Jones gives on their use of local ingredients and environmentally-friendly products in their store. But I must offer a counterpoint to all those positive characteristics. It's the same in each case, and that is the cake. Again and again. Even if Cupcake Jones is operating their entire kitchen on solar panels (an odd choice in the Pacific Northwest, if that were the case) and churned out cupcakes that stirred Michelangelo from his grave to announce, "Just kidding! What I did was nothing - these cakes in cup form are true art! Peace out, Earthlings!" they would be vastly improved if the cake was less dry. I hope Cupcake Jones changes my mind at some point, because really, why would I want fewer cupcakes in my life?

    (3)

  • Lori G.

    This is truly the best cupcake shop in the U.S., bar none - with maybe ONLY Magnolia in NYC as a peer!! . The cake, fillings and buttercream (the best I've ever had) are exceptional. It is my first stop when I drive I to Portland from Montana. I always tell them that and they always seem tickled and appreciative that I make them a priority on my trip. They also accommodate me if I want a different frosting or filling combination. I do so appreciate that, as I am an anal, neurotic cupcake eater! Ha ha. I did go to another shop for the longest time and they were okay, but once I found this place, it's been shameless indulgence after shameless indulgence. Their cupcakes are also quite beautiful, and never endeavor ridiculous favors - just classic great cake and stellar frostings....which I can have extra of with their frosting shots. Yummy!!!

    (5)

  • Jeannie J.

    If you have read many of my reviews, it's easy to say that I have a major sweet tooth! I've tried Cupcake Jones several times now. I like it, kinda. The cupcakes look fancy and pretty, and the concept of a filling is good. I just haven't LOVED any of them. They have all been just OK, nothing great or memorable. Since they are filled, it makes them hard to eat because they fall apart after you've had a bite. I lost half of mine on the sidewalk outside last time, and a dog gobbled it right down. The store is tiny, no where to sit except a bench outside. They are also pricey, but hey, I know it is the Pearl. They are very helpful and nice though!

    (2)

  • Erica L.

    I would like to respond to those people who found the "cupcake" too dry. Perhaps I am too closely allied with the "old-school" of baking, but cake should not be so gooey-moist as to last through a nuclear-holocast (think those horrifying twinkies on convenience store shelves). I grew up with sponge cake that had a very short shelf life . . . that was light and airy and not overwhelmed by an oily texture. Perhaps those people who have found the cake at Cupcake Jones "too dry" have not had a similar experience. I enjoy the fact that the cake's texture is bound by the frosting's richness and that the flavours are anchored by real ingredients. Kudos to Peter and Lisa for keeping it real and staying true to the "cake" side of cupcakes.

    (5)

  • Will D.

    After much trepidation, I've finally decided I can no longer withhold a full 5 star review from Cupcake Jones. Today, Lisa (the owner) truly went above and beyond the call of duty for me. However, to understand the gravity of what she did, you have to understand my day. Today was my mother's 60th birthday. It's not right that anyone be as crapped upon as she was on her birthday, and her 60th at that. What happened isn't nearly as important as knowing that my mother's favorite cake is white sheet cake with white frosting and a rose on every piece. After my mother's craptastic day, I decided to see if I could make her day a little brighter. I offered to take her out to dinner (since her dinner plans had fallen through) and she turned me down, so I did the next best thing: I called Lisa last-minute to see if she could help me out. Lisa not only provided me with the requisite white cupcake, she went on to cover it in REAL rose petals in the form of aforementioned flower so it would have its very own for my mom. After doing that, she dug around in the back for me and found my favorite filling so I could have one of their mint chocolate cupcakes, even though they weren't serving it that day, making a total of two custom cupcakes for us at no extra charge. Even if the cupcakes were only ok (which they aren't -- they're fantastic. I mean, really, how can you go wrong adding ganache to the center of anything? And their constantly evolving menu is amazingly creative and delicious), this kind of service is exactly what I look for in a place I'm going to frequent. Lisa has ensured that I will be returning to Cupcake Jones and recommending them without reservation to both friends and clients.

    (5)

  • IH K.

    At 3.25 a cupcake, not only are they way cheaper than DC cupcakes, but they also taste a hell of a lot better. No prefab frosting here. When you sink your teeth into one of their treats, the frosting and cake are soft, room temperature and tastes distinctly fresh. I haven't been to any other bakeries in portland, so I don't want to prematurely say it's the best - but it's definitely won out over any DC cupcakery. P.S. bring you dog and treat them do one of their adorable little doggy cupcakes.

    (4)

  • Dawn D.

    Extremely dry cupcakes, very disappointing. This was my third visit and I have to say I have been disappointed every time. They have some interesting flavor combos, but its hard to notice the flavor when it all just tastes dry. We tried 3 big cupcake flavors and it was all the same. I say save your money, there are definitely better options out there.

    (2)

  • Rena T.

    A-MAZE-ING! Oh how I wish Cupcake Jones lived closer to me. On a visit to Portland, I stumbled across this wonderful gem of a bakery. Not only do they make a delicious cupcake, the women I spoke to who run the joint, know their stuff. Very helpful, informative ... and super nice! I love that they have a lot of unique flavors (and are filled, too! double yum!) although I tend towards the more traditional combinations. I also love that they make a big (normal) size as well as little bite sized cupcakes. Did I mention that these things are like works of art? So beautifully decorated! Wow! They also make some pretty fancy pupcakes which I took home with me for my canine child. He naturally ate them in one gulp. What was really neat is the care and detail they put not only in the big fancy cupcakes but also in the pupcakes. These ladies truly take pride in their product, the quality is top top top shelf and they rock! Maybe it's not such a bad thing that I live so far from Cupcake Jones ... I may get myself into some big trouble. SO GOOD ... SOOOO GOOD!!!!!

    (5)

  • Emme J.

    I went here when I was visiting my sister and I was really excited to try out a new cupcake place. We got there pretty late at night, so there was not a huge selection. The frosting had a weird consistency. The cake was moist and nice, just not my favorite cupcake. They also had a very small selection of flavors, only six! The people were very nice.

    (3)

  • Claire W.

    Seven stars, I'm giving Cupcake Jones stars I didn't hand out in other reviews. Uber-nom. We bought five cupcakes for three of us to celebrate my birthday. We ate the vanilla, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes first, the three flavors that you can buy every day of the week. There's something to be said about doing superb basics. Hot damn, these are awesome. Chocolate: sour cream chocolate ganache filling! Soars above expectation. Vanilla: prettiest cupcake in the bunch and the pastry cream was delectable. Red velvet: cream cheese frosting! Great subtle flavors in the red velvet cake too. We also ate the August Wednesday flavors White Chocolate Marionberry and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. Toe curling good fruitiness. Amazing. We highly recommend buying various flavors and splitting them. The cupcakes are rich and a whole one could be overwhelming, and it's super fun to try a medley of flavors.

    (5)

  • Johana M.

    I dunno. Just because it's in the Pearl, doesn't mean it is a precious gem. Daily, there are only 3 or 4 flavors it seems, but they are at least somewhat inventive. Cupcakes come in 2 sizes...I'll call them Baby, and Big Ass. We had 3 Big Asses- blueberry, kahlua creme, and mimosa. Each Big Ass cupcake has a complimentary flavored custard-like filling. Ours were lemon, caramel and champagne I think. I'm gonna have to say the fillings were kinda the best part. The cakes flavors tasted good, but were really dry. Cupcakes should above all, be MOIST! After all, who doesn't like a nice, moist cupcake every once in a while? The girls at the store were helpful in explaining the various flavors and everything. They don't have vegan cakes like Saint Cupcake in Belmont (who also happen to have really MOIST cupcakes)! As a self-proclaimed frosting hater, I will give Cupcakes Jones props for their whip creamy frosting. It's not super sugary sweet...but I still had to wipe a bunch of it off. Hey, I can be a really fun person to eat cupcakes with if you LIKE frosting. Take mine!

    (2)

  • Sara S.

    Prime location in the Pearl District of Portland. Very small store without an area to sit, but there is a small area to stand and enjoy your cupcakes while you watch the bakers working away in the back. Fun! I always judge cupcakes by the vanilla/vanilla combo, known here as The Pearl. The flavor was very good, although the cake was a little dry for my liking. The icing was good as well; however, I prefer my icing to be a little firmer. This was extremely soft, almost like melted butter. I really enjoyed the S'mores cupcake. The homemade marshmallow and graham cracker on top were really nice touches. The flavor was fantastic. I really enjoyed the overall flavor of this cupcake. I actually preferred this cupcake over the vanilla/vanilla, which is surprising. I would highly recommends this cupcake! Help was very nice. Fridays are their "happy hour" cupcakes... will be trying those shortly!

    (4)

  • Kristine B.

    This was a cute cupcake shop. The shop itself is really tiny, though! It would be easier for more people to order and eat if there was a bit more space. The cupcake was delicious - we tried the Red Velvet.

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    I love cupcakes! I was so happy to find this little shop as I meandered around the Pearl District in Portland. As we walked in one of the girls who work there greeted us and we felt right at home. We looked through the display window and sampled a couple of cakes used for the cupcakes and decided on purchasing the assortment of mini-cupcakes. While I really wanted to try the big Velvet Painting and the big Samoa Cupcake (one of the three specials for Thursday), I settled on trying one mini of each. Each cupcake was beautiful decorated with the icing in a perfect swirl and an appropriate topping (whether it was a petal for the velvet painting or an edible pearl for the pearl cupcake). The selection we had for Thrusday was: the velvet painting, the pearl, and downtown cupcake brown. The specials they were offering were s'mores, almond joy, and samoa. Once we checked out the cupcake menu we decided that we had to go back to try Monday's specials: boston creme, linzer cookie and peanut butter cup. We decided on one mini boston creme and one mini peanut butter cup. Essentially missed out on the whole filling aspect to the cupcakes but they were both tasty nonetheless!

    (4)

  • Kelsi C.

    Pretty good. I had a chocolate cupcake that was good until I reached the center. Whatever that was, it was sick. We had a berry cobbler one as well, which was pretty much delicious. Haven't tried the minis so nothing seemed dry. I would go back and try again... I rarely get cupcakes, so this is quite the treat.

    (4)

  • Diana R.

    omg. delicious cupcake from the angels. so much better than anything i've EVER had.. got a red velvet painting with cream cheese frosting and the sugared flower petal on top.. delicious super sweet frosting, the cupcake was soft and moist and the inner cream cheese filling was to die for.. my sister couldnt decide and got 3 mini ones instead of a full size but i wanted a huge one instead. yum yum yum.. rivals these kara's cupcakes here in sf.. and even the cupcake place over on union street.. MUST. GO .BACK. ASAP.

    (5)

  • Orian I.

    White Chocolate Marionberry-white velvet cake, M-Berry compote fill, WC M-Berry Icing, is it wrong to say this make me have a tent in my pants? seriously i can't even stand their daily updates of what their making i seriously i get fat just talking about it. it's a full on mouth gazim need a big book in front of me to hide my embarrasment at how excited their cakes make me. now i love love love sweets, but i bake and i'm not a giant cup cake person, often it lacks what you can do with a cake. but this my foodie friends this creativity, limited flavors per day local farmers market berries in their ingredients. things of this are just not done any more and that's why i absolutely love them. they make me not care i will probably never fit into those size 00. i'd rather be curvy feisty with the sweetness of cup cake jones on my lips than not. and that my darlings is the straight from yours truely

    (4)

  • CaLiLu H.

    Oh Cupcake Jones, how I love thee! Whenever we have a birthday or just a craving for some sweetness, we always go to our standby and it never disappoints. On this particular night I bought a dozen of their assorted jumbo cupcakes (in case you didn't know...the jumbo ones are the only ones with the signature filling). I could barely contain my excitement for the Chocolate Mint, Velvet Painting, The Pearl, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Downtown Brown. The assortment was a huge success and my friends didn't have to fight over the flavors since they were all very good. My old favorites, PB'nJ and Pearl are in serious danger of being replaced by the Pumpkin Cheesecake which was perfectly smooth and cinnamon-y goodness. Now, it's not to say Cupcake Jones is for everyone because they are a touch on the sweeter side. Even my husband, who loves the Velvet Painting, can only enjoy half at a time. They also offer doggie cupcakes for your favorite pooch! My dog enjoyed a delicious custom-made jumbo oatmeal and apple cupcake with a peanut butter filling for her first birthday!

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    Beautiful? Yes! Delicious? No. I know delicious, moist, perfect-crumb, cake nirvana exists and C Jones doesn't have it. Beautiful presentation, friendly service, entrepreneurial spirit all to be applauded, but my treat dollars and calories go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Bonnie N.

    I tried 3 of Cupcake Jones' cakes, Raspberry Linzer Cookie, Marionberry Pie, and Vanilla. The Marionberry was very good, and topped with a pie crust "cookie." I took one bite of the Linzer and thought it was gross. No raspberry flavor...just greasy icing that was pink. The vanilla was outstanding, and I thought the pearl on top was beautiful and a nice touch (being that they're in the Pearl District and all...). The meringue buttercream was nicely balanced and very, very tasty. But I did think their cake was a little dry, and the texture wasn't as fine as some cupcakes I've had. I like that you can get minis instead of full size, and if you're a big frosting fan you can get a "shot" of frosting.

    (3)

  • Crystal F.

    When I was a little girl, back in the old days, every kid brought in cupcakes on their birthdays. Some brought store-bought cupcakes with sprinkles, some brought the type baked in a ice cream cone so that the cone made an edible cupcake holder. But my absolute favorite, the kind I never got to have at home because my mom worked and didn't make things like cupcakes, was the cupcake with the pudding inside. So imagine my glee when I bit into my pumpkin pie cupcake I bought at Cupcake Jones this past weekend! A pumpkin flavored cupcake with pumpkin pie filling inside! It's a pumpkin lover's dream dessert. The cake was moist, and the frosting was not too sweet - sort of like the whipped cream you'd put on top of pumpkin pie. Sigh. I wish I didn't live so far away from Portland, or I'd go back and get more to share with my friends. It's never too late to be the kid at school with the cool cupcakes.

    (4)

  • Jesus A.

    Cupcake Jones is small cupcake shop that makes fresh and locally every day. There are 2 types of cupcakes to choose from, a mini and jumbo. Each one of those huge cupcakes has a variety of fillings that will take the breath away with each bite. The mini cupcake will provide a sweet fix but sadly the mini cupcake has no filling. This a more like a one stop shop when craving cupcakes.

    (3)

  • Suzanne N.

    I ordered three dozen mini cupcakes for my son's graduation party. HUGE disappointment. I was willing to pay $50 for good cupcakes, but these were dry and tasteless. Very few were eaten by my guests -- they all preferred the $20 sheet cake from the grocery store. The cake wasn't anything special, but in comparison was far superior to the cupcakes. I emailed the shop the day after to express my disappointment -- no response at all. Oh well, their loss. I'm never going back.

    (1)

  • Rachele G.

    Every cupcake I have from Cupcake Jones is better than the last. This is where I go when I'm really needing a treat, to celebrate an even or pick me up after a truly bad day. I've told my cousin about them and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will go with them for he wedding. I cant imagine anything more magical than Cupcake Jones at a wedding.

    (5)

  • T K.

    I tried to get my cupcake fix at Cupcake Jones on Thursday morning. I was in the neighborhood, and not realizing it was 4 minutes until they opened, I popped in the front door. I was told that I would have to come back in 4 minutes since they weren't open (not very nicely, I might add). I was disappointed, but was going to go back later in the day. Right after I walked out, a small group of tourists stopped in, and were greeted, and served. What the hell??? I've been wronged... and won't be going back there. Saint Cupcake... here I come!

    (1)

  • Steve M.

    Dry. Crumbly. Gooey. I'm jonesin' for a barf bag.

    (2)

  • Tom H.

    I have to believe this place will either drift off into obscurity or become a cult classic. Based on the wide ranging reviews, it's hard to tell, but I will say I was a big fan when I tried it a couple of weekends ago. My wife and I stumbled across it, but she recalled the name from a travel guide or something and mentioned it had "insanely good cupcakes" according to her source. Well, never one to turn down anything "insanely good", I was game. Sure enough... crazy good! We were greeted with a very friendly cupcake server who gave us samples of the cake flavors... but what makes the big ones so tasty is the "stuffed" stuff! Be it icing or cream or some other goodie, it just makes the cupcake that much more delectable. Now, I'm no cupcake connoisseur, but I do know a cupcake I like... and this, my friends, fits the bill!

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    I love that they put filling in the middle of the cupcakes that is a great idea and very tasty I had the strawberry lemonade cupcake it was delicious!

    (5)

  • hannah k.

    Really good cupcakes but their mini cupcakes are REALLY mini. I bought a dozen for $16.50 approx $1.30 each and were able to eat each in one bite. If you're planning on getting cupcakes for a group, i'd go for their regular sized cupcakes or buy a few dozen.

    (4)

  • Jamie M.

    I really wanted to like Cupcake Jones because I thought the story on their website of how they went into business was really cute. Unfortunately, while I did like several things about them, I didn't love all of the cupcakes that we got. We ended up picking up three cupcakes to share, red velvet, chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate/chocolate. The red velvet cupcake was amazing, dense, moist cake with a perfect combination of tart and sweet cream cheese frosting. The other two cupcakes we had weren't as impressive, they were both dry and a little bland. I thought the employees working here were really friendly and I loved that they had mini puppy cupcakes. I'd come back for another red velvet cupcake definitely, and hopefully the other cupcakes were just a result of an off day.

    (3)

  • B B.

    Update: Almost a year later, we try this place one more time to see how it's change. Tried the downtown brown mini cupcake and my cousin tried the Boston creme mini cupcake. We were both pleasantly surprised at how the cupcake taste and texture had improved since the last time we came in September. Unfortunately, while the cupcake might have gotten a little better, the customer service has gone downhill. What happened to the super-friendly blonde-haired lady who made us feel so welcome the last time we came. Make her come back! Otherwise, we probably won't.

    (2)

  • Becky L.

    I really love their red velvet and vanilla cupcakes here. I've ordered these cupcakes for my boyfriend's birthday in short notice, but Cupcake Jones was able to take care of the order in a timely fashion! Wish I lived closer to this joint because I'd be visiting everyday!

    (5)

  • Winona R.

    I happened upon Cupcake Jones whilst spending my last precious hours in Portland. I was actually stuffed from brunch still, but who can resist just one last itsy bitsy cupcake? Not I, apparently. This place is basically just a bakery that you walk into to pick up your treats and go. There is a bench inside to dodge the rain while you eat your cupcake, if you like, but other people will be standing right over you, ordering cupcakes of their own. The cupcakes were tasty--I had a red velvet cupcake with a candied rose petal that made me want to order dozens for a party, they were so pretty. My friend had a carrot cake cupcake (also mini). Both were tasty, both cakes were moist. I thought the carrot cake could have been more.... carrot cakey. The girls working at the bakery were super nice and helped us choose cupcakes--I liked that they had vegan cupcakes as well, I know my vegan friends will be happy to know that!

    (4)

  • Catherine G.

    I've tried..and tried but my experience cannot have been a fluke after multiple visits. Yes, they are wildly innovative and the staff is so sunny and nice but the cupcakes are dry! I've had 3 different varieties in the hope of getting a moist wonderful piece of cake but it has not happened. Maybe a drier cake is needed because of the filling and weight of the frosting but it is not my preference. The frosting is amazing but I need both so it's on to try some of Portland's other bakeries. Sorry.

    (2)

  • Meghann M.

    Dear Cupcake Jones, Please let me start this by letting you know "it's not you, it's me." I used to have this big old mint green rotary dial phone. I needed an adapter to even in plug it into the phone jack. When it rang it scared the crap out of me and probably woke the neighbors as well. Why did I keep it? Because it was the only thing in the house that was heavy enough kill an intruder with if need be. Until I brought home one of your cupcakes. Why are they so heavy? Why? I just don't understand. The flavor is fabulous. Especially your gingerbread. But some of the things you create are just a little bit hard to swallow. That is not good in a cupcake. The people with whom you staff your shop are very nice. That is why I have stuck around this long, when I should have left long ago. That is why you get three stars. Creativity, niceness and flavor. But please work on the texture. If you do that, then maybe we can revisit this relationship in the future. Take care, Meghann M.

    (3)

  • Sara Q.

    not that big of a fan of cupcake jones, much more prefer saint cupcakes. maybe it was because i came late.. night time, so the cupcakes weren't so fresh? idk. i mean they looked nice but they didn't taste anywhere near as good as they looked. sad. i was so excited too. MAYBE ill go back for a round two during the day so i don't get all the crap cakes. but we will see. stay tune for a POSSIBLE update.

    (2)

  • Rob R.

    After spending a lot of time downtown we came across CupCake Jones and boy were we so excited. After a couple of more trips we had fallen in love so much that we ended hiring them to provide cupcakes for our wedding. Their ingredients are all natural, their cupcakes are delicious and the people there are fantastic to deal with. Definitely a must see/try in downtown Portland!

    (5)

  • Tom Y.

    What are you doing later today? Going down to Powell's. "Go to this place nearby for cupcakes." I forget about it until later on when I was walking around the area than I see the sign: "CUPCAKES", sure I have had a few beers by this point but I go in and there are big cupcakes and little ones. I inquired about their varieties that they have that day and I settled on a big'en of the carrot cake and a mini of the red velvet. They are all good as it ended up, it is a good thing I don't live nearby because i would get fat real quick because I would go here frequently. The big ones have the filling that is yummy, the little ones don't have the filling but can really come in handy if you just want something to get over your sweet tooth, for the moment that is.

    (4)

  • Russel C.

    I've been a fan of Cupcake Jones since the first time of stumbling upon them. When it came time to select a wedding cake, we went to all the common spots in town...but when it came down to finding something that was "Portland", featured the fruits and creativity that makes Portland what it is...we had to go with Cupcake Jones. The cupcakes were beautiful, delicious and amazed all of our guests. How can you go wrong with hand candied rose petals, pieces of fruit and the rest of their great garnishes?!?

    (5)

  • January M.

    Cupcake Jones: The only reason to go into the Pearl District. Ever.

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    I'd probably give Cupcake Jones a solid 2.5, so I'll be generous and round up to three. Overall, loved the cute shop and the obvious love and care they put into their baking and their business. The rotating flavors are a great idea to keep people coming in to try out different flavors. And filled cupcakes are a fun, new twist on the standard cupcake fare. Sadly, the cupcake itself, although beautiful, was just kind of average. I had the Pearl - vanilla cake with vanilla bean frosting and vanilla filling. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't have any issues with the cake itself. I found it to be perfectly dense and moist But I hated the frosting. There was too much of it, and entire thing was WAY too sweet. I could feel my cavities scream out in protest about 3/4 of the way through. The general consensus among my group of friends was 'UGH - that was just way too much'. I'd recommend sharing a jumbo with a friend or going with a mini.

    (3)

  • Alexis T.

    They make my favorite red velvet cupcake!!! Yum, Yum, Yum. I don't like super sweet frosting and theirs is rich and creamy making so good. Love the large cupcakes that come with a magical filling. Bar none, my favorite cupcake in Portland!

    (5)

  • Patrice W.

    Cute place, but I got the vanilla, and truly, yuck! I guess I chose the wrong flavor.

    (1)

  • Stefanie S.

    The cupcakes are large, but did not keep well over time. They seemed a little bland and dry. Thought Saint Cupcake was better.

    (3)

  • Emily W.

    I tried the Pearl cupcake (vanilla cake & vanilla frosting. Cake was just too dense and frosting was sort of waxy and flavorless. The shop wasn't that appealing - it seemed all their offerings were smooshed into a super tiny case making it look messy and disorganized. The container was very effective though.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    This small cupcake shop located in the Pearl District has been booming. All cupcakes are made fresh and locally every single day. Even the garnishes and final touches are made at the shop with love and care. There are 2 types of cupcakes to choose from. The jumbo cupcake certainly puts those twinkies and ding dongs to shame! Each one of those huge cupcakes has a variety of fillings that will take the breath away with each bite. For those who prefer a smaller bite, the mini cupcake will provide a sweet fix. Sadly, the mini cupcake has no filling since they are quite small, but cute looking. The menu changes daily so check out the menu to see what fantasy cupcake you crave. The mini cupcake costs $1.50 and the jumbo cupcake costs $3.25. The price is somewhat high for buying a dozen; $36 for jumbo and $16.50 for mini. Other than that, instead of buying a manufactured factory made treat that is not made with love and care, this sweet shop will satisfy anyone who loves supporting local shops.

    (5)

  • Shawni L.

    eh. its a cup cake so what's really not to like? had worse....but also had WAY better. sprinkles, when will you come to portland?

    (2)

  • Amy C.

    Super friendly and helpful staff. The girl at the counter recommended the peanut butter cup cupcake and it was like heaven, especially the chocolate ganache filling! It was worth every cent I spent on that jumbo cupcake.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    Velvet Painting - hands down the best red velvet cupcake in town!

    (4)

  • Melinda B.

    A coworker and I were feeling the need for emergency cupcakes before beginning our shift this evening, so we hiked across downtown up to Cupcake Jones, lured there by promises of white chocolate deliciousness. This place definitely has a lot of PROS going for it: a committment to local industry & products, dog-friendly menu items, hand-made cupcake toppings, and creative flavor combinations, as well as a great staff & cute decor that shouts "We love Portlanders!" However, we just weren't digging the cupcakes. I ordered the white chocolate chai & my coworker ordered the Pearl, which is vanilla filled with vanilla topped with vanilla. Both looked and sounded pretty damn tasty, and we left the shop in good spirits. It went downhill from there. The frosting on both was a bit too rich and too much, & left kind of a weird film in our mouths. The filling in both was runny as hell and was not very convenient for cupcake-noshing on the go. The cake was by far the best part - the chai cake was moist and deliciously spicy, the vanilla cake was pretty much the ideal flavor and density for a velvet cake base. But the aforementioned liquid interior & overpowering frosting resulted in sugar-rush headaches and the urge to immediately brush our teeth. This place is new so hopefully they just need some time to work out the kinks in their recipes - but in the future I will stick to the minis for taste experimentation and save myself a couple bucks.

    (3)

  • Paul C.

    Stick with the minis. The full size are huge and the filling is overpowering. The cupcakes themselves actually outshine the frosting, which is a huge compliment. I really like the toppings. Candied orange twist on top of the blueberry cupcake, the single pecan on the german chocolate cupcake and the banana chip on the chocolate banana cupcake.

    (3)

  • mary anne l.

    The owners of Cupcake Jones were the smiling faces we saw when we ducked in this place out of the COLD rain today. They seemed genuinely happy to be there, and after I saw the flavors of cupcakes available, so was I! Caramel Latte! Peanut Butter and Jelly! Cinnamon Apple Spice! The Pearl (all vanilla) and Downtown Chocolate Brown (all chocolate)! YUM!! Talk about a satisfaction for your sweet tooth! The Peanut Butter and Jelly had homemade marionberry jam stuffed inside the vanilla cake with LOADS of peanut butter icing on top! Now all I need is a big glass of 2% milk, and I'll be a blissful 8-year-old again! Also a great gift idea! They come in little brown boxes that protect them from damage. I'm gonna pass them out to people at work for Valentine's Day. Hopefully it'll make their day! My cupcake definitely made mine!

    (5)

  • Mary P.

    Peanut butter & jelly cupcakes with jelly filling, yum! I love how they have a cupcake-shaped compostable container for your to-go cupcake. I was never able to toss a cupcake into my bag before this.

    (4)

  • Melissa E.

    Oh my sweet little cupcakes, how I love you....especially the downtown brown. Thinking about your brown wonder makes me salivate. When can I get my little hands on you again?

    (4)

  • Bryan A.

    Good cupcakes, really enjoyed the frosting, very light airy, not too sweet. Most cupcakes seem to have a rich and dense taste which I don't always enjoy. Wife said that the fresh raspberry on top was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    Honestly I'd give this place 10 stars if i could. I had the red velvet and the downtown chocolate brown. I took them home in a box and once i got in the car and on the road I couldn't help taking a small taste of the frosting. *drool* The chocolate frosting was to die for and the cream cheese was decadent. I rushed home and ate my lunch so i could dig into the cupcakey goodness. I cut the cupcakes in half (saving half for my husband, I was being nice) I'd never had red velvet before and I hooked. The moist goodness and that custard-y filling. HEAVEN! Next came chocolate. I could taste the slightly sourish flavor of the sour cream. HEAVEN AGAIN! I'm going back..i'm SOOOO going back. OH and I got parking right in front. I think it was destiny.

    (5)

  • Ella W.

    Too much frosting on cupcakes/cakes is like dating a guy who drives a really big truck...it's not a full on red flag, but it kinda makes you wonder if just maybe, just possibly, he's overcompensating for something. I'm just saying! So yes, the fact that the amount of frosting on my cupcake was equal to the height of the cupcake was a turnoff. As was the $3.75 price tag. I'm not opposed to paying that much for a yummy pastry treat, but it had better be damn good. Once I removed 90% of the frosting from the top and got down to business...meh. My overcompensation theory was totally proved to be true. So let this be a lesson to you: big frosting...plain cupcake.

    (2)

  • Holly D.

    I'm not generally a fan of any type of cake, so I can't say that I'd ever go into Cupcake Jones and make a purchase. But I certainly won't complain if somebody else wants to buy me cupcakes... On a day that everyone should have been celebrating (my birthday, duh), a good friend sent me a surprising package of mini cupcakes, wrapped up in a polka-dotted ribbon. Adorable, sweet, and delivered to Vancouver (star, star, aaaand star). Of the six varieties (2 cakes of each), about half were shut-your-eyes, savor the goodness before it melts away. The others were either too rich or the cake was a little dry (granted I wasn't able to devour all 12 that first day). My favorite by far was the "velvet painting": red velvet cocoa cake with cream cheese icing topped with a candied rose petal - beautiful and delicious. What won that 4th star (and then some) for me, was reading (on the included brochure) that they use fruits instead of food coloring, no shortening, deliver using zipcar and public transportation, and donate any unsold cupcakes at the end of each day (although I'm not sure that the homeless should be eating tons of cupcakes). If you want to surprise a friend, a gift of cupcakes from Cupcake Jones is sure to bring a smile. Although I'm guessing it was somewhat of a pricey gift...

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    I still believe gourmet cupcakes are a fad. Still, the frosting on the cupcakes were tasty, and they're stuffed with different fillings, so there's something going for it.

    (4)

  • Aiyana B.

    These were the worst cupcakes I've ever had! They looked pretty and the service was great but the cupcakes were dry and the icing tasted like mascarpone cheese.

    (3)

  • JT T.

    As far as cupcakes go...this place is to die for. I tried the Pearl cupcake and a bit of the double fudge chocolate goodness... ...located in the heart of the Pearl District, I find myself CRAVING these damn little cupcakes everyday. The big ones have filling in them which add great flavor and makes for a cupcake that's not dry and tastes delicious.

    (5)

  • Madame M.

    I think CJ is a sweet little business and I love looking at their displays. However, I have noticed a decline in the quality of their cupcake. Their frostings, fillings, and look of the cupcake are great. However, the cake itself is a bit dry. As a baker, I feel their choice of baking cup is sucking the moisture out of the cake during the baking process. They need to change this in order for their cupcakes to be more appetizing. Other than that, I think its a lovely little business and I hope they stay around.

    (3)

  • Alison L.

    A welcome addition to the lower Pearl District "foodie" scene, Cupcake Jones makes a nice stop after drinks at Jimmy Maks or Life of Riley across the street. My dog loves the mini doggie cupcakes, and I am a fan of the mini person cupcakes. As lovely as Cupcake Jones is, for a true experience of cupcake glory, Saint Cupcake cannot be beat.

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    Good, but not amazing.

    (3)

  • Erika L.

    I ordered a whole mess of mini cupcakes for a work event. Perfect bite sized treats that people could just grab with no need for plates! Made set up really easy! They were pretty spendy, but everyone seemed to like them. I got a discount, and that was the only way we would have been able to afford them (and I saved money by not needed plates and forks!). Not sure that I will use them again for a work event, but if I am in the neighborhood I may just stop by for a treat!. The cupcakes themselves were very dense and a little dry. (I like really moist and soft cakes.) The flavors were really original and delicious. The frosting was not too sweet and didn't take over the whole top of the cupcake which scores big points for me! If you follow them on Twitter you can get the cupcake of the day (with a picture) and keep up on promotions and special events that they do!

    (3)

  • Felicia L.

    This place seems to be fairly polarizing--people seem to either love it or hate it! I Looooooooove it. Yeah the cupcakes are a little expensive, but that's because they are NOT ordinary cupcakes, they are delicious, wondrous creations, and hey the bakers go through a lot of work to hand candy items (like rose petals!) and create everything for their perfect little confections. If you are looking for a deal, on Fridays they have a "happy hour" special where you can get a 6 pack for basically half price. A six pack is enough to feed 6-12 people depending on how hungry you are, because the large cupcakes are very rich, especially because of the cream filling. Alright, that's my scoop. PS--Saint cupcake is icky.

    (5)

  • Hector B.

    I love the concept of a cupcake shop! You have no idea how excited I was when I discovered it soon after moving to Oregon, some 2 years ago. I wanted my first cupcake experience to be with Robert, so I waited until he moved up to Oregon. The cupcakes are good... I like the open kitchen. We've been there a few times.

    (4)

  • Angeline W.

    The chocolate cheesecake one and peanut butter & jelly cupcake is so amazing! Sugar overload sooooo gooooood!

    (5)

  • Josh R.

    Peanut Butter Cup. Just get one. No, not the mini! Get the biggun, since it has this amazing ganache center. Lisa, the owner, is super friendly. She gave me and my friend awesome star treatment today (she knew it was my birthday from a mutual friend we have). Her chocolate cupcakes are to live for (screw dying for them, then how can I have more and more???)!!! And her menu is interesting: every month she makes 3 of the same cupcake every day, then rotates a few more in every day of the week, so there is always some variety, but your old favorites are never more than a week away. I'm going to stop talking so you Portlanders can power your computers down and go there right now. Nom nom nom nom!

    (5)

  • Jarrod S.

    After passing by the place, a few reverse steps were in order. I'm not a huge sweets fan so a cupcake for like 3.50 is in order, oh, wait!!! They have a tiny one for 1.50...score! Service was prompt and very courteous. The icing was fantastical, and the cupcake was a bit off...maybe it was the mini size of it, or? It was good, i wouldn't recommend it per-say. But if you pass by and your sweet tooth makes you step back, please don't hesitate.

    (3)

  • Sara K.

    Still a bigger lover of Sprinkles and Citizen Cake in California, but hey they have mini cupcakes here!!! The mini cupcakes are super super cute. And the butter cream French vanilla is great. WARNING: The mini version of fruit filled cupcakes don't have the fruit filling, there is only a small dollop on top. Big plus: The staff is extremely helpful and fun.

    (3)

  • nini t.

    A perfect cupcake can turn a rainy, wet day into a world of rainbows and unicorns....well, almost. It did generate a huge smile on my face. The streets were wet and I was a disappointed tourist. That is until I saw Cupcake Jones. My boyfriend and I quickly crossed the street and entered a cupcakery filled with the sweet smell of sugar. After consulting the friendly staff behind the counter, we decided to share a large red velvet cupcake. Sitting on the bench, I felt like the little kid sitting next to me. I held it in my hand and grinned from ear-to-ear, savoring the moist cake and crusty top. Seems like they sprinkle extra sugar (or crack) on top to give it that extra something something. It worked.....I savored every last crumb. What a perfectly sweet and moist piece of yummy goodness!

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    There is room enough in PDX for Cupcake Jones and Saint Cupcake. I like them both. I love the creativity of flavors at Cupcake Jones and the folks here are super nice. I'm not usually a frosting fan but their frosting is delicious! (Not too sweet and I've never had it stick to the roof of my mouth!) It complements the cake perfectly. I've encountered the occasional dry cupcake but not often. I think the minis are more likely to be dry because of their size but they are a great way to sample multiple flavors in a visit! The lack of seating can be frustrating but it does encourage one to wander the area.

    (3)

  • Ann G.

    Absolutely nothing better than when visiting my favorite neighborhood in Portland. Peanut Butter 'n Jelly and Velvet Painting...mmmm.

    (5)

  • Katio C.

    I managed to try this place while strolling downtown. It was OK. The staff wasn't super helpful but they weren't horrible either. The flavors were unique and cupcakes were okay. The frosting seemed a bit on the dull side. The cupcakes were packed with flavor. It was all in all a decent cupcake place but not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit.

    (3)

  • Hollye H.

    I enjoyed my cupcake well enough. However, the frosting just wasn't my style. It left a weird film-like feeling in my mouth and was rather bland. Next time I'd try one of their special flavors.

    (3)

  • Cecile D.

    Yummy and beautiful cupcakes! The Red Velvet and Strawberry Rhubarb are so good! Love that they have large and small cupcakes for sale. Cute little shop and the girls working there were friendly. I also like that you can watch them frost the cupcakes through the front window. :)

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Weekend in Portland. Love the Pearl District. After roaming around Powell's books- especially hanging out in the baking books section for an hour, I was on the hunt for a bakery... I come across Cupcake Jones. I love it when that happens! When you find something your looking for on a whim. Esp. when craving something sweet. :) *Order to go- small place, no seats. *Free samples of all the daily specials. (me likey) *Friendly counter (believe the smiley face was the owner) Most of their selection seemed pretty traditional & rich in flavor. I went for the carrot cake. Light cream cheese frosting & moist carrot cake with a vanilla cream center. Something notable: All the cupcakes have FILLING in it that compliments the frosting and cake. I appreciate creativity. But the cupcakes are heavier than I'm used to. It's go BIG, or go HOME with this one. :)

    (3)

  • Heatherly H.

    Wonderful! Excellent knowledgeable staff and help guide me to my preferences...and the verdict is: RED VELVET CUPCAKE! I could just die for another...too bad I live so far away. Prices are reasonable. If I could pay $10 to have on of their Red Velvet cupcakes in the palm of my hand on a whim, I would...

    (4)

  • Peace S.

    I liked the cupcakes I've had there, but most of the frostings are just too sweet.

    (3)

  • M B.

    My first and last visit to this establishment can be summed up in 4 words" "Rude Man Hater Lesbians" enough said.

    (2)

  • Jen C.

    Yum! The carrot cake cupcake was so delish! The cream cheese frosting was not too sweet and the cake was so moist and delicious. Go for the larger cupcake!!

    (4)

  • Mei G.

    Had the chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake. The frosting was creamy, not too sweet. The strawberry compote in the center was really nice too. The cake itself was a little dry. Unfortunately, for my gut, I am a cupcake connoisseur. My muffin tops love muffins! I have to yet to review the carrot cake one that's in the fridge at the moment. Staff of adorable hipster elves. It's like a modern day Keebler factory back there.

    (4)

  • kristin e.

    I was walking to Skinnidip when this shop got in my way and when I saw that they have red velvet cupcakes, I knew I had to try it. Since I was planning to have frozen yogurt, I just had the mini-sized cupcake and it was just A-OK. Perhaps it's due to the small size, but I found it to be a little dry. The frosting was good though, I'm definitely a sucker for cream cheese frosting. I'll give it another go (full sized this time---FYI: the full sized red velvets have a vanilla custard filling; the mini ones do not) but until then, I like the red velvets at St. Cupcake better.

    (3)

  • Marta T.

    I live in Seattle, but happened upon Cupcake Jones on a recent visit to Portland and my mouth has been watering for these cakes ever since I left. I had a mini gingerbread one (I don't remember the exact flavor), but I do remember the spicy, moist deliciousness. I also had a sample of the pumpkin chocolate chip which was also amazing. Both were utter perfection! Sadly, much better than anything Seattle has yet to offer. I didn't have the large cupcakes with filling, but they looked divine... Sufficed to say Cupcake Jones is number one on my list next time I'm in Portland.

    (5)

  • Brandy S.

    I love cupcakes and this place has beautiful, unique flavors. But at $3 a pop, it just isn't worth it! Saint Cupcake does a much better job and for less. Sure the special filling in the middle might attract some, but the inconvenient wrapping and overly sugared frosting were just too much (but not in that "I want more, but am just too full" way). Overall: save your pennies and go to Saint Cupcake instead - if you really have to have the filling, add your own!

    (2)

  • Chloe V.

    I tried some minis, the carrot cake and the pb&j, which were just alright. They do have cool sippy cup drinks though. I got the green alligator, who had sour apple flavored juice inside of him. I will be back, if only to collect all of the animal shaped containers.

    (5)

  • Joshua G.

    I tried both the red velvet and pecan waffle cupcakes here (on two separate visits). I liked them both fine. If you just want to cure that cupcake craving this isn't a bad place to get the job done. However, there are better places to go, and not on the fault of the staff. Both times I've been in Jones the staff was outstanding. Everyone who works in this place seems to be both very nice and very helpful. I can't say enough good things about them. However, I do feel like their product is lacking something to set it apart from the cupcakes I could make at home from ready-made mix with bleached flour.

    (2)

  • Sunny B.

    There are 3 sizes to choose from (large, medium, mini). You can't go wrong with a mini cupcake, and when you say it "mini cupcake" it is almost as though you haven't ingested 1000 calories in one bite. Maybe it was running in from the rain to have hot tea and a few mini's. Maybe it was the delicious German chocolate cupcake with orgasmic filling. Maybe it is the fact that Arizona has nothing so brilliant as a shop devoted to cupcakes.. Whatever it is - I'm hooked.

    (5)

  • Kristin K.

    If I was grading the cupcakes only, they would be getting one star. But they were so nice that I just don't have the heart. While the frosting on their cupcakes was great, the cake really fell apart in my hands. It was crumbly and dry, which I don't really like in a cupcake. Some people might like that, in which case it's worth trying.

    (3)

  • Rebecca W.

    It almost brings me to tears to have to write this review. How can anyone say anything bad about a shop that sells only cupcakes?! It's madness! Yet, here I go. However, out of respect for the glorious cupcake, I will start with the positive. Cupcake Jones is an immaculate swanky shop on the east side of the Pearl District. The counter inside is adorned with a neat presentation of the most decadent looking cupcakes. All of their cakes were beautiful and appear as though a lot of love when into making them. The counters are spotless; not a crumb in sight and the staff appears well groomed and very friendly. The icings on all the cupcakes I tried were very tasty, though maybe a little too heavy on the sweet side. Now, the negative: I am so dang willing to pay $3.50 for a cupcake if it is the best damn cupcake I have ever had....or at least, AT LEAST, a damn good cupcake. But, alas, what was served at Cupcake Jones were just...cupcakes. In fact, they weren't even great cupcakes. I dare say the red velvet tasting more like it was made from a box recipe than anything fresh and inspired. It was overly dry and spongy. The filling, while yummy, could not overcome the blandness of the cake itself. The cookie dough filled cupcake again had a cake that was subpar. It did not hold up well because it was too dry. It crumbled into pieces as we tried to eat it. A cupcake should be much moister. The filling on this one was...okay. I couldn't put my finger on what it lacked, but the cookie dough just wasn't packed with flavor and the icing was way too sweet. Sadly, I couldn't even finish my cupcake. It just wasn't very good. Now, I am not a total cupcake snob, despite how my review may depict me. I have had incredible cupcakes from a cupcake shop before and I did rank Cupcake Jones largely based on my experience at this other bakery. The Sweetest Thing Cupcakes out of Newburg, and also has a shop in the Bridgeport Village, sent me to cupcake heaven with their cakes. I'd go back to them any day, but as for Cupcake Jones...I make better cupcakes in my own kitchen and for a fraction of the cost. For every Yelper who gave this place 4 or 5 stars I highly recommend you try other cupcake shops. It might change your perspective.

    (2)

  • Sam K.

    Yeah, I was really unimpressed with these cupcakes. I had heard (and read) the rave reviews and so I thought I'd give it a try. The cupcakes were just too much. I completely agree with Kim L. here. There was no subtlety--just heavy-handedness. The setting is so-so, pretty cramped. The use of local ingredients is a great idea, I can get behind that. But the end result is completely disappointing. Saint Cupcake is a way better product. The ONLY reason this got three stars from me instead of two is because of the dog cupcakes. I got one for my little one and she loved them, so therefore CJ gets three stars. I definitely like pet-friendly businesses, so kudos to them for that.

    (3)

  • Ezra S.

    the staff here are always so sweet and friendly, I really appreciate it - it's a pleasure to buy a super-delicious cupcake and, well, that rules. Thanks, Cupcake Jones!

    (5)

  • Richard R.

    It seems like there is such a wide range of opinions when it come to cupcakes. I'm not even the biggest fan (well, a growing fan thanks to Cupcake Jones), but my sweet-tooth wife twists my arm (yeah, right) me to join in the experience. There are some frosting fans, some cake fans, and our taste buds don't all prefer the same thing. For this guy, I'm trying to combine overall taste, size, and costs into my ratings. Currently, I prefer Cupcake Jones over Saint Cupcake and Sweetpea Baking Company. The $3.25 sticker shock of the larger cupcakes is initially a bit tough to comprehend, but I somehow found it easier to fork that over in lieu of paying $2.50 for the tiny creations at "Saint" and Sweet Pea. I give extra bonus points to Cupcake Jones for frosting shots and doggie cupcakes. I tried to get a picture of our pup consuming the doggie cupcake, but it's all a blur. The 3 seconds went essentially like this...... lick, lick, chomp, gone.

    (4)

  • Vi N.

    I bought a 1/2 dozen cupcakes and each one was just really dry. frosting and fillings were way too sweet. Not worth the money. On the positive side, the cupcakes are very cute and well decorated!

    (2)

  • Ashley B.

    Overall the cupcakes are pretty good but not the best. I like the minis 100 times more than the regular sized ones. The big cupcakes have filling which has been really really rich each time I have tried one, not in a good way, in overpowering way. The minis on the other hand have a good ratio of frosting to cake and I like the varying flavors every day. The ones with peanut butter have been my favorite. Also, if you get a bunch of minis the price adds up quickly.

    (3)

  • Jonas T.

    Very pretty, but on the dry side.

    (2)

  • Laural M.

    It was almost a religious experience! I had a red velvet cupcake with a custard filling and a cream-cheese frosting. It was beautiful, sublime, worth the too much money it cost. My 15 yo daughter had the pina colada and said mine was better, but I noticed she managed to get her's down. It reminded me of expensive well made chocolate in the sense that you don't mind spending too much for a small amount and then slowly savoring the dance of happiness your taste buds make each and every bite. I am only sad that I live in Eugene and I can't get there more often...maybe that's a good thing. The only complaint I have is too much packaging, it's cute but wasteful everyone should do their part in reducing the abundance of trash in our country.

    (5)

  • Kirk F.

    Cute yet cool shop. Nice servers offered tips on how to care for the cupcakes I was taking home. The seasonal pumpkin cupcake was great, and so was the red velvet--very moist, and rich but not so rich I could not eat (and enjoy!) the entire 'cake...

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    These cupcakes come with a filling in the middle and I wasn't sure that I would enjoy that but I did. My sister and I split two cupcakes one was the Pearl and the other was a peanut butter and chocolate. They both had decent flavor and the frosting was smooth and creamy. The cake was a little dry but not bad. I would like to try some of the other flavors.

    (4)

  • sharon m.

    I'm sorry cupcake jones, you have such a wonderful staff and beautiful cupcakes that I hate to give you just one star...but your cupcakes did not taste good. It tasted way to cakey and dry for me...and no matter what flavor I got, they all tasted the same. The frosting was too sweet and too creamy of a consistency, and the PB&J cupcake that you raved about was really not all that. Maybe your cupcakes just aren't my style. :(

    (1)

  • Andrea C.

    I loved this place. This is a bakers bakery ( being an-in -from- out-of-town pastry chef myself, I can make this bold statement). The ingredients were top of the line, the consistancy superb and made by a baker eager to please. While cupcakes aren't the most technically intriging of dessert chocies, they do evoke a strong sentimental longing for the days of unregulated caloric intake. Worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Aaron R.

    I got a batch of the mini cupcakes for my Valentines sweetie, and they were pretty rich and flavorful... although they might be a bit too "mini" to get the full idea of what their bigger siblings might taste like. Gotta love the lobby art, too, which includes the Oregon Humane Society's top 6, which tugs at my heart every time I walk by...

    (4)

  • Mariangela S.

    A brand new cupcake boutique in the Pearl District just caught my eye! We were there on a Wednesday when the special cupcake of the day is German Chocolate and Coffee Cake. A little dry but we were conserving calories and only ate the mini. I'd like to be there for Downtown Cupcake Brown - sound delicious!

    (3)

  • Amy D.

    we sought out so many cupcake places and bakeries when we visited portland, and we just happened to run into Cupcake Jones, and we were glad that we did. They make full sized cupcakes and also minis as well, that way u can sample the diff flavours without feeling so bloated. I had the strawberry chocolate, and the buttercream was real, unlike many places that use frosting and call it buttercream. I appreciate that the little ones still received all the attention to detail as the large ones.

    (5)

  • Ninihada C.

    A-ok. Nothing spectacular. The cupcake itself is a bit dry, but since the icing is a nice buttercream, it sort of works. I prefer this over the oversweetness of saint cupcakes. Still on the hunt though.

    (3)

  • Mikee V.

    I really enjoy this shop about 75% of the time. The first time I went there I was with a group of people and we ordered a bunch of different cupcakes and sampled a little bit of all of them. The carrot cake seemed to be the best. At least during this visit. The shop seems to have an issue with not selling out stock before it would dry out. The carrot cake happened to be really popular that day, thus needed to be remade more often and so making a better tasting cupcake. But that cupcake was really good. The others were good, just dry and that kinda shot down the overall experience of those cupcakes. So when you go, ask what the most popular or most recently made cupcakes are and go for those.

    (3)

  • L G.

    I'm a huge fan of CJ's Velvet Painting! Their super friendly staff filled the cupcake with pastry cream then topped it with cream cheese frosting while we waited. The delectable treat was not too sweet, moist, and had just enough frosting. Other cupcakes in general seem to overwhelm from having an excessive amount of frosting and sugary sweet at that. The cupcake lasted 30 sec, but the blissful sensations lasted far longer!

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    dry!! the service was great and the flavors were really nice but if the cupcake is dry its a no go for me. i realize some people like them that way but not i. the only impression these cupcakes left was "holy crap i need some water!"

    (2)

  • Rowena D.

    Cupcake Jones makes some yummy cupcakes. I wandered in last Saturday with the intention of trying one of the cupcakes they serve. When I walked in I was greeted by a friendly and helpful staff person who handed me a menu of all of their cupcakes. On Saturdays they have six flavors available in regular and mini sizes. The first three flavors are available daily - The Pearl, Downtown Cupcake Brown, and Chocolate Covered Pretzel. And, the last three flavors are their Saturday Specials - Peter's Chocolate Mint, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Root Beer Float. Because they had mini versions of their cupcakes, I was lucky to sample every single one. At $1.50 each they are a little pricey but each of these cupcakes is made with care and good quality ingredients. And...the cupcakes are nicely decorated. My husband and I shared each cupcake and we both enjoyed Downtown Cupcake Brown, Peter's Chocolate Mint and Root Beer Float. My only criticism would be that some of the cupcakes were a little dry or overly sweet. After looking at their menu and seeing the cupcake specials for other days, someday I would like to try their Strawberry Lemonade, Velvet Painting and "cocktail inspired" flavors. Hopefully I will make it down to Portland soon and sample more cupcakes from Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Kimberly T.

    I've been sampling cupcakes all over town, and I have to say this one comes in first in terms of flavor. The other places might have icing just as yummy, but Cupcake Jones has the best tasting cupcakes (and biggest, which counts for something) in Portland. Great texture, great flavor. I recommend the vanilla bean!

    (5)

  • Erika B.

    Cupcake Jones is one of my favorite places to go in the Pearl. It is right next to Ben & Jerry's, so that is a total bonus when you want a dessert variety. Yes, their cupcakes are a little on the dry side, but their fillings and toppings make up for that in my opinion. I highly recommend the "peanut butter & Jelly", the "Pearl", "downtown cupcake brown" and "berry cobbler".

    (4)

  • Leigh K.

    I got two cupcakes here, but the one that I think about when I happen to drift off into a fantasy world where cupcakes are everywhere, I think about the Pearl. What a beautiful to look at and scrumptious to eat cupcake. I am so glad my friend Balki Dan took me here when I visited Portland. I will head back here the next time I am in Portland. Oh my.

    (5)

  • Dr B.

    I guess they've changed some things. The bigger cupcakes are drier and not as appealing. The minis are now the better pick, but still a little too sweet. It's not worth the money anymore.

    (3)

  • puck f.

    cupcake cupcake cupcake cupcake cupcake. i don't understand why anyone would buy mini cupcakes when for NOT VERY MUCH MONEY MORE they could have big cupcakes. but this is why my body is shaped not unlike a cupcake.

    (4)

  • Siobhan D.

    I have got to agree with most of the comments here. Cupcake Jones was a true let down. They put more effort into the design and interior of their shop than they did to their product. The quaint design has probably suckered a lot of people into thinking there is actual quality inside. The frosting was way too rich and grity. The cake part tasted stale, and crunchy. For the product, these were far over-priced. Saint cupcake is just up the road and they have never disappointed. Pass on this shop.

    (2)

  • Thomas W.

    The only "Pearl" worth experiencing in Portland resides in this here establishment.

    (5)

  • Claire M.

    These cupcakes were so delicious that I bought a Cupcake Jones t-shirt! I hit them up twice on a quick weekend trip down to Portland. I tried the Pearl Cupcake and the Cookie Dough cupcake. I loved the Cookie Dough Core! The service was fast and extremely friendly on both visits. I really appreciate the sample before you buy option :)

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    I love cupcakes. Cupcake Jones is not the place to go for good cupcakes though. I tried all the flavors they had one day and thought they were all dry and mediocre. And, the prices are ridiculously high. Saint Cupcake has perfected the art of little moist cakes topped by decadent and delicious toppings.

    (1)

  • Betty L.

    I just visited Portland and Seattle and I swear my vacation turned into an impromptu "Cupcake Tour." Out of 6 (!!) cupcake places in both cities, Cupcake Jones was by far the best! I got The Pearl (excellent description below by Thomas M., all vanilla) and a Chocolate Mint cupcake. What really makes the cupcakes so amazing is that they take out some of the cake and fill it with a rich cream and then frost it on top of that. It was fun to watch them make the cupcakes from the window, too. Absolutely delicious and I wish I could transport one here to Chicago now that I'm home.

    (5)

  • J S.

    I've only tried their red velvet painting cupcake but I have to say it was deliiiiiiiiiish! It was $3.25 like many of the cupcakeries I've been to (in the Bay Area) but it was a slightly bigger cupcake which can only be a plus for my sweet tooth :) I started off with the candied rose petal, YUM! never knew flower can taste so delicate! Next, the red velvet cake is super moist, and the cream cheese frosting had a perfect texture and consistency that partners with the cake...I thoroughly enjoyed it sitting down outside on the bench. I'll definitely be back for another flavor next time I'm back in PDX!! Oh, and their staff was uber-nice and considerate!

    (4)

  • Eggland B.

    Their cupcakes are fine, but not any better than I'd expect to get as a dessert from a restaurant. They're not so great that they warrant their own damn store. At $3.25 apiece, I figure you're mostly paying for the fancy location.

    (3)

  • Jesseka N.

    wow, wow, and wow!!! seriously good cupcakes, bought some for a friend and well, lets just say they didnt get all of their intended cupcakes : ) the staff was great, store was too cute and the cupcakes were amazing! and to make it even better they show you what the inside of the cupcake look like, makes it that much harder to choose which ones to buy lol

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Good stuff.

    (4)

  • Alissa R.

    I can't bring myself to give it a 5 because of the price of a cupcake but then again, if you look at it as a dessert and not merely a cupcake, $3.25 isn't too bad. After being a fervent fan of Saint Cupcake, I decide give Cupcake Jones a try... the filling was what drew me in. My first cupcake was a PB & J which rocked my socks! The cake is a little on the dry side like other reviews have said but it wasn't super noticeable because of the filling... oh so wonderful filling! The peanut butter frosting had me a bit leery but it was perfect.. not too sweet, not too rich and didn't taste fake. I still am a big fan of Saint Cupcake but the lack of variety there is what makes me a fan of Cupcake Jones with their ever changing menu of cupcakes.... always something new to try and the combinations are inventive

    (4)

  • Lizzie F.

    I absolutely love love love cupcake Jones! They have some very unique cupcakes and I like that they use organic ingredients. The actual cake is dense (it can sometimes be a tad dry, but still very good) and very flavorful. I love the pretzel flavored cake! Their icing is amazing!! Not too buttery and a perfect consistency. A lot of people around here often compare cupcake Jones to saint cupcakes. I like both places, but I have to say I think if I could only choose one place it would be cupcake Jones. There cupcakes are bigger and I don't know what it is but I love them! My Favorites: Chocolate chip cookie cupcake vanilla pearl peanut butter cup fluff-nutter downtown fudge

    (5)

  • Marion R.

    The staff couldn't be nicer or friendlier, and that counts for a lot. The cupcakes are delicious. I had the Downtown Cupcake Brown (the cake was on the dry side, the frosting SO fudgy and good they balanced perfectly. With a cup of coffee = heaven.) My husband had The Pearl and Strawberry Lemonade. Strawberry Lemonade was the winner out of the three, absolutely moist and delicious. We'll be back, Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Tracey M.

    I so wanted to like this place. It's tiny but very cute. I was surprised there were not more flavors but I found one of interest... the root beer float. My husband had the red velvet. We both felt let down. The cupcakes were dry and just not good. I love to support small businesses such as this but not when what they offer isn't good. I was especially let down considering the price.

    (2)

  • Chuck G.

    Cupcakes were lovely, and the lady behind the counter was extremely helpful and patient.

    (5)

  • Hotdogger G.

    I stopped in here with a group for cupcake tastings, and I bought every single flavor they had available. I am really disappointed with this place. The cake was dry and had little to no flavor, and what flavor they had was synthetic at best. The buttercream frosting tastes like it was made from shortening and left a gross film in my mouth. Their Downtown Cupcake Brown was horrible - I spit it out immediately. Gross, gross, gross!!! The only cupcakes that were decent were the red velvet with cream cheese frosting and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I'm not a huge carrot cake fan, but theirs was pretty good.

    (1)

  • Lisa W.

    Decent cupcakes, with moist cake and very yummy filling. They usually offer at least one seasonal flavor, but there really aren't very many other flavors to choose from (so, minus one star). Minus the other star because of the frosting, which I was completely unable to eat - it's not sweet... it tastes like slightly flavored butter (and has the consistency of butter). I would prefer a true butter cream or cream cheese frosting. To me, the frosting is almost half of the cupcake, so I felt like I was paying quite a bit more than it was worth.

    (3)

  • Bethanie C.

    Tiny space for people, but effective. Canine friendly shop! love that they have doggie treat cupcakes. Filled cupcakes are a bit spendy, but I thought they were good, smaller cupcakes available. nice place.

    (4)

  • Dan M.

    a friend just brought us a six-pack of goodness from cupcake jones. great stuff - i especially liked the german chocolate cake one with the coconut frosting

    (5)

  • Anita C.

    cupcakes! how can you say no? after indulging in voodoo donuts, there was no way i could have a regular sized cupcake, but i went with the mini cupcake. special of the day: spiced pear cupcake. oh my god! sooo good. i took a few pictures too and the staff was very friendly. i even emailed my photos to them. mmmm soo creamy...

    (4)

  • bridget n.

    i used to go here often. the past 3, yes 3 times i went in, my cupcakes were barely brewing over the top of the baking paper. tastes the same, still delicious BUT i refuse to spend almost 4 freakin dollars on ONE cupcake that lasts 1 and a half bites. totally not worth it. if you want to feel ripped off though, this is your place.

    (1)

  • Justin C.

    Join KINK FM community and they should send you a $10 gift certificate on your birthday.

    (4)

  • Amy c.

    This is a really cute and fun place- they take your picture and give you a candle in your cupcake for your birthday! The girls who work there are fabulous.

    (4)

  • Michael John W.

    Having moved to Portland in August from Worcester, home of the perfect 10 Bean Counter Red Velvet or Tuxedo cupcakes, I began my search, in earnest mind you, for the bombest cupcake this side of the continent. Entering St. Cupcake after a short walk through the seemingly omnipresent rain, having found a spot merely a block away within the busy downtown NW business quadrant, and to my surprise having to pay for parking on a Sunday due to some silly municipal government decision or another, I was enlightened by the atmosphere. The counter-lass would greet me with a smile. As is my practice, only this time verbally as she met the level assessment, I determine if she is a professional or student, then discern what she is or does. Square-framed glasses tell me she appreciates sharp order, separation, and classification as opposed to the harmony-circumspect style of round frames, and these square frames had blots of copper and black, indicative of a preference for and understanding of complexity. She's a student without a name, as I'd neglected to ask, I guesstimate psychology and communications double-major. The reality: education and theatre arts. I was for the most part wrong, she is cute, life, somehow, goes on. To the product review mobile Robin! I ordered the cupcake containing "Mexican" and "Chocolate" in the title at her recommendation the other words therein forgotten; a dark-chocolate cake with the perfect level of moistness, the blossom on top effectively chewy with a slight crunch around the edges (the blossom quality; I think muffin-top is passe given that it is now used to describe that unattractive excess body-fat phenomenon and is used for a different species of dessert altogether; is the same on all their cupcakes, with the cake mutually well done), topped with milk-chocolate mousse and espresso powder. Now, the filling is where this cupcake goes wrong for me, as it has a spiced chocolate filling, which while made proper I don't care for, as the spice reminds me of spiced apple cider; remove the spice from either and a grin turns to a smile. The Mexican Chocolate Cupcake - 9, as it is still bomb and upon the first bite, if done well, mind the frosting on the tip of your nose as it first made me feel quite foolish,almost apprehensive, but then entertained so it was alright, it's okay guys, I'm cool now. Their Red Velvet Cupcake - 10. The cream cheese frosting is legit and also fills the center, with the cake and blossom a godsend, making it one of my favorite adjectives: god-like. The next choice was the "What's Up Doc?", think Warner Brothers, think Elmer Fudd, you're getting there... Which I've yet to try as it is in the fridge, understanding the necessity of chilling cream-cheese frosting for full effect. If I remember that will go up later, or email me and be all like, "yo, where is that review mehn?" And I'll be all like, "word". So, the interior design is bright, the employees happy and knowledgeable and in no way rushing, the grounds exceedingly clean with nearly full transparency so I've no worry of cat-sized sewer rats and roaches like aliens from Starship Troopers lurking behind closed doors, just ill cupcakes and baked goodness. Check them out, then try St. Cupcake maybe a baker's dozen blocks away, and come to terms with your preferences.

    (5)

  • Kim L.

    Ah, but I wanted to love you more. I love the innovative sounding cupcakes, I'm just not a fan of their frostings. Too much butter cream that seems too much like a big dollop of butter. I guess I am bigger fan of lighter frostings or cream cheese frosting and always will be. That is why I love Saint Cupcake more: their vaniila cupcake with vanilla creamcheese frosting is the bomb!

    (2)

  • Ryan L.

    the cupcakes look so promising , and the shop definitely looks like the bakers are intensely interested in making delicious cupcakes, but they fall short in many ways. the cake is dry and flavorless. the fillings are generally too rich for the rest of the cupcake - they're just not balanced well (i've had three, so i feel comfortable making an unfair blanket statement like this). the frosting is definitely super rich and buttery, but again lacks flavor. i really only enjoyed its texture...maybe i'm stingy, but i'm not excited about paying $3.25 for a texture alone. one star for frosting texture one star for particularly inventive decorations

    (2)

  • Colleen P.

    I sampled some mini cupcakes at Hotel Vintage on Thursday night, checked out their menu and decided to hit the bakery on Friday. Cupcake Jones was far superior to Cupcake Royale in Seattle. I saw some complaints about dry cake, but it seemed ridiculously moist compared to what C.R. offers. My cake had some kahlua or irish cream frosting on it...can't remember but I thought it was delicious. $3.25 is a lot to spend on a cupcake but given that it was stuffed with cream and had a ton of frosting, I felt it was reasonable. My only complaint is the size of the shop and there's no seating. I'll have to check out the competition (Saint Cupcake?) next time I'm there, but Portland folks should be happy to have such a wide selection of fantastic bakeries in town!

    (4)

  • Jay W.

    I have tried Cupcake Jones twice now. Beside the issue of the price, I found both cupcakes to taste terrible, especially The Belmont. The cake was inedible and the frosting and filling were way too sweet and of an odd texture. I will stick to their neighbor Ben and Jerry's from now on.

    (1)

  • Stephanie W.

    Not as good as I had hoped. I had the mini-mint and mini-velvet, and neither were memorable. Cake was moist enough, but the frosting wasn't fresh. It had the 'I've-been-sitting-all-day' feeling. I think they're a bit overpriced for what you get, $1.50 for mini and $3.something for full size.

    (3)

  • Melissa P.

    Be still my heart. Ok, I ate a shit load of cupcakes in the past few weeks. I ate crappy ones, rad ones, big ones, little ones. And always, always compared them to the awesomeness of the first place on my list, Cupcake Jones. Lisa is the owner and she personally took us in the baking area to sample some of the best sellers. Unlike so many other places, the large cupcakes are filled. Depending on the flavor, you bite in and get frosting/icing/ganache on the top and the middle. On 'The Pearl' the vanilla cupcake, they handmake the white chocolate marble that goes on top. And they have a candied rose petal adornment that tastes like a Alma-Tadema painting. The Peter's Chocolate Mint has a Andes mint garnish and minty chocolate ganache that makes you want to eat your heart out. That was a favorite of the hombre. Every one that we tried was rich, delicious and again rich. I think if I eat too many of these I would pass out. And it was indeed hard for me to eat additional lesser cupcakes later that day. They have 3 different wedding packages with different pricing.. from a DIY option to the works were they deliver, set up and decorate the whole cake shebang. Their flavors change monthly and they have different daily options as well. I am really looking forward to these being the tasty delights at the partay.

    (5)

  • Tiffany G.

    Everytime I go to a new city and I hear they have cupcakes, I am always game to check it out. I stumbled upon this place on a walk through the Pearl district and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly, happy storefront. I bought 3 mini cupcakes (knowing I should have gone for the normal filled cupcakes), but.... Well, they were OK, frosting was good actually and the presentation was pretty cute too, the cake was a little dry, so at that point, they would be a 3-3nhalf stars for me, BUT, the next day on Friday, I ventured in again with my boyfriend who wanted to try them and I wasn't interested in buying on UNTIL the happy, friendly salesgirl told me that on FRIDAYS only (as a special treat), the mini cupcakes are FILLED. Well, that sold me, so I selected 4, packaged them nicely for my treck home, even put them in my ice chest to keep cool for my eating pleasure after my 10 hour drive home. I unpacked the car, poured myself a cool beverage, anticipated my yummy cupcake, only to find that, much to my chagrin, there was NO filling in my mini cupcake like I was promised. The cake was not moist. I think I got Thursday's cupcakes or was just flat out lied to because I looked like a cupcake novice. Boo, I had to throw the half bitten bits away. I so wanted to like you Cupcake Jones! Update: I received an apology from the owner who attributes the filling debacle to a change in bakers. She encouraged me to try some other flavors that may be moister. After her sincere note, I am going to give it a go next time I am in Portland.

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    Local, good quality and variety. Not a huge cupcake fan but every so often I stop in. People complain about the cost but it is an occasional visit the prices are fine by me

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    So the place is very nice inside the ladys there were very nice. I have to say though 3.50 for a normal size cupcake is way to much for the type of cupcake I got. I got the Vanilla bean and it was kind of hard crust and not very much flavor. I'm not saying it was that bad but c'mon 3.50 in this economy. Would not recommend.

    (2)

  • Anthony S.

    it was aight. I bought two normal sized cupcakes and they weren't soft in the middle. I think cupcakes are supposed to be soft. Atmos and the folks there are nice for sure. And for the price of one, $3.50? I'm glad I only got two pieces.

    (2)

  • VOID V.

    Cupcake Jones makes great cupcakes. In my opinion, the best in Portland. They don't have seating, and they do have very little standing room. They have delicious cupcakes with extremely creamy and light whipped frosting that has just the right amount of sweetness. The staff is always very patient and pleasant all despite the crowds yearning to place an order. A comparison with St. Cupcake, the other Portland cupcake joint, is unavoidable. St. Cupcake has plenty of seating room. They serve tiny boxes of milk and have a stool for children (don't you, the adult, get near it) to view the confections. A little too precious for my taste. Self-awareness crosses from a burden to a flaw right there. St. Cupcake has a thicker sugary frosting that approaches the sugar-hardened variety found on festive cakes at your local grocery. I've always found the staff at St. Cupcake to be impatient, and one particular fellow, apparently a part-time drummer in a hard-rock band, to be hard-of-hearing as he always, without fail, asks me to "please speak-up". I don't find the staff to be particularly pleasant. Not that they need to be. I'm not there to make friends, but I am there to place my order without feeling subtly hurried. If you're trying to decide where to get the best local cupcake, I'd vote for Cupcake Jones. If you just want a cupcake at a place with seating, parking, and viewing stools for your kids, go to St. Cupcake, although I'd still advise one to try and stay secular.

    (4)

  • D. N.

    Cupcake Jones is a stellar example of what to do right if you want to open a cupcake shop. The people who run this small but heavenly bakery are so nice to see once a week. Yes, that's how often my family goes to Cupcake Jones and we keep their monthly rotating menu on our fridge. The cupcakes are AMAZING and the garnishes are made with such detail and care. I have been comparing cupcakes from cities all over and I do believe that the red velvet here is the best in the country! The ingredients are top notch and fresh so they are worth every penny! This is a must for visitors as well as us, addicted Portlanders!

    (5)

  • Christine M.

    I was in Portland visiting a friend who had a work commitment during the day, so I spent a few hours wandering around the Pearl, popping in and out of cute shops. I thought I had my fill (and maybe had hit a max for cute things) when Cupcake Jones showed up on my radar. Oh man, cute things AND cupcakes. I was sold. The store itself is quite small, but it's cute. There is a baking/work space behind the counter, with the daily offerings on display to salivate over as you stand there. The staff was friendly and efficient. I ended up with four mini cupcakes, all good...but think it might be a better deal to stick with the larger sizes (those have filling too, if that appeals to you). I love the cupcake trend and was very grateful for this little gem on my walk. I'd certainly go back if I were in the area. A worthwhile, and tasty, stop in the Pearl.

    (3)

  • Tepa P.

    Lived in Portland for a few years, and moved to Vegas. Tried cupcakes all over town and nothing beats Cupcake Jones. I dream of their coconut cupcake every day! I have yet to find another cupcake that has the delicious filling inside! Miss you guys!

    (5)

  • Marina P.

    I'm surprised that the rating is only 3.5 stars because this place hands-down is the best cupcake shop in Portland. The service is always great and the cupcakes are just delightful. Some flavors change daily which makes it fun to come back to even everyday. I never liked cupcakes, but Cupcake Jones showed me an entirely new light.

    (5)

  • Gabriel W.

    Cupcake jones offers a transcendental cupcake experience. Their kindness and warm smiles bring faith to humanity and hope to those seeking a wicked cupcake fix. It is difficult for me to talk about cupcake jones with words, because any attempt would limit the endless love pouring from the hearts of those employed by this fine establishment. Cupcake jones: a bit of heaven on your hand.

    (5)

  • Jerry G.

    Pretty impressive, the cupcake was moist and the mix with peanut butter and chocolate really tasted like I was bitting into a reeces peanut butter cup. Good stuff!

    (5)

  • Amanda B.

    Lemoncello cupcakes. The reason I'd go back in a heartbeat! I got a 4 pack. Red Velvet, Lemoncello, PB&J and Chocolate Peanut butter. They were all pretty good.

    (4)

  • Peg C.

    Every time my hubby and I take a road trip to Portland, we make time to stop by Cupcake Jones. We've tried cupcakes in Washington, Oregon, California, New York, and Vancouver, BC, and hands down, Cupcake Jones has the freshest, moistest, and tastiest cupcakes of any cupcake place we've tried. They have amazing flavors and beautiful attention to detail. My hubby highly recommends the Peanut Butter N Jelly and the rootbeer float (available only during the summer). I would give the bakery 5 stars but I deducted one star since I tried the vegan vanilla cupcake and it was too sugary and too vanilla-y with a slightly funny taste. I couldn't finish it. Hopefully in time the amazing bakers will come up with a better vegan recipe. If anyone can do it, it's Cupcake Jones.

    (4)

  • Luda F.

    My friend lost a bet and had to buy me a bunch of cupcakes. I ordered the same morning, she had it ready for me in 30 min. Everybody (my coworkers) LOVED them. The selection, taste and quality were superb. Definitely will be coming back.

    (5)

  • Nathaniel B.

    These cupcakes are out of this world. Soft, moist, and with filling in the center. They have special cupcakes on different days of the week. And so many different kinds to choose from. The staff are beautiful, helpful, and pleasant. They look like they really enjoy what they do.

    (5)

  • Angeli L.

    Such cheerful, courteous and pretty girls to help you choose from the delicious descriptions and adorable little and big cups of cake and frosting. The pic I posted of the 'What's Up Doc' carrot cake was delicious. The little candied carrot on top - genius!

    (5)

  • Celina H.

    Oooooo you are tasty and sweet! Drove by this place and my friends and i decided to try it out for Halloween last year. They've got a great selection of cupcakes and each day is a different cupcake special. The reasons I didn't give this place 5 stars was because it wasn't a cafe/a place to sit down and enjoy your cupcake, parking can be tricky, this shop is very boutique so they can be pricey but overall still worth a visit and definitely more than once a year. It's a great place for a sweet treat on any day and or occasion! They also offer mini cupcakes too! p.s. I enjoyed this place a little more than St. Cupcake.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Hands down the best cupcakes I have ever had! We used Cupcake Jones for our wedding this past July at Edgefield. They did a wonderful job setting up the cupcakes at the venue and making them look nice. We provided the stands, but they did all the set-up. They even worked with Le Cookie Monkey to pick up our 6 inch round cutting cake and deliver and set that up as well. All the guests loved them and we had very little left overs! Whenever we are in Portland we stop by and get some for the road trip back to Seattle.

    (5)

  • Kal C.

    The red velvet is where it's AT, people. I feel like most of the others are pretty dry in comparison. No one likes it dry. Everyone likes it moist. I also thought the chocolate with whipped peanut butter frosting and chocolate/peanut butter filling was delectable. It would've been awesome if it had an entire Reese's cup on top. The frosting was light and airy. Perfect amount of frosting v. cake. The frosting was super rich on the red velvet cupcake, so I assume it had 8 bajillion calories. I was having a stressful day, so I had CJ for lunch. Cupcake Jones, that is. Two whole cupcakes. AND I took one home. Don't tell. One of them had a piece of fresh strawberry on it, so at least I got my fruit.

    (4)

  • Grace L.

    Cupcake Jones is the BEST. We went with them for our wedding dessert, and oh my goodness did they deliver! The cupcakes were all gone far before we even got to the cake cutting- you can't blame people when they are that good! Besides having great customer service, really, they could be awful, and no one would care, because the cupcakes are so dang good, but they are wonderful, so it's like the cherry on top to that business! We had a great experience with them picking out flavors and getting everything organized for the wedding, they make everything very low stress and very easy to manage. I highly suggest the 'we-do-it-all' package, they arranged everything very prettily, and then no one had to worry about it! If you go wit them, always buy way more than you think you will need, they will fly off the tables!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    OMG..... The best cupcakes ever! I have not had a flavor I didn't like they are amazing like the staff and owners!

    (5)

  • Tariq S.

    Love love the cupcakes. More like addicted to the PBnJ. I get a dozen a week!!

    (5)

  • Evelyn S.

    For all you Cupcake Lovers, even the Vegans, this is the place to go! Cupcake Jones has had the best Cupcakes since they opened their doors, and now they are offering Vegan Cupcakes too! Last night I was afforded a real treat, an opportunity to try the new Vegan cupcakes, and I must say, that there is absolutely no reason everyone, even the most serious canivores among you, won't love the Vanilla cupcakes, they are fabulous! The Chocolate and Red Velvet were great too, but the Vanilla was simply out of this world. great! The staff are always super friendly. The owners are super too! Cupcake Jones supports non-profits, in fact every week they support at least one local non-profit with proceeds of the days sales. They also do great cupcake catering for events and weddings.

    (5)

  • A G.

    I just had one of their cakes and I'm in orbit. These aren't ordinary cupcakes; these are cakes in a cup. You've been warned.

    (5)

  • Ron T.

    They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Who ever said that must have been raised in a bubble. Ugh. Check Cupcake Jones out! Not that it cures grumpiness and bad vibes. It also satisfies your craving for some red velvet cupcakes topped with sugared rose petals. Florals and Reds are not your thing? There are specials every day besides the classic Vanilla Pearl, Peanut Butter and Chocolate. The only thing that I don't like much about this store is there is no chairs. It is too quaint and oftentimes very packed and busy. I don't want to think I have to risk my life finding a bench at Syringe Park. I mean North Park Blocks. While the park is nice when dry and there's sun. I don't like walking two blocks just to sit down and appreciate my cupcake. Get messy. Bring out the inner child in you. Cupcake Jones fits the bill for it.

    (4)

  • Ashley G.

    I'm totally disappointed with the changes in the vegan cupcakes at Cupcake Jones. My girlfriend and I were all excited to go get some custom-made vegan cupcakes the other day. We always loved to get the vegan vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate ganache inside... I idled out front while she ran inside to get them. Just after she paid, the girl told her "oh I don't know if you know that our vegan cupcakes are now all gluten free." Blast! My girlfriend came out with the two cupcakes with a dismayed look on her face and reported the change. We shared the first one... it was dry, crumbly, and tasteless. Did they use a corn batter? We couldn't figure it out. Their vegan cupcakes used to be so soft and moist! People, this is a CRIME against cupcakes! We didn't finish our first cupcake and ended up giving away our second to a homeless man begging at the freeway off-ramp when we stopped at the light on our way home. Newsflash: Not all vegans are gluten free. There are already 2 exclusively gluten free vegan boutiquey bakeries in town, one is just down the street. If you can't do gluten free well, don't do it just to get on the bandwagon. I swear I'm about to give up on cupcakes in this town. Stepping off my anti-gluten free soapbox now. No more Cupcake Jones for me unless they switch things back.

    (2)

  • Connie C.

    The window cupcake sirens are hard to resist. Look at my creamy perfectly swirled hat, my sexy buttery body, and don't forget my heart of pastry cream. I was able to resist this place just fine because of the poor reviews, but then I had Saint Cupcake & I knew there had to be better. I finally caved and gave this place a try. I went with The Pearl and my bff went with the chocolate one. The lady behind the counter filled/frosted ours fresh because they were about to close. She frosted a couple of mini bites for herself. Can't hate a place that even being around cupcakes all day, the employees still want one at the end of the day. There's a photo wall of adorable dogs, plenty of packaging options, cupcake jones merchandise, cross sections of the available cupcakes in the chilled display, and a giant cupcake jar for tips. I knew I'd have more variety with the mini's, but I'm a sucker for filling. I'm not sure how I feel about there not being the normal cupcake size. It's either mini or muffin. I normally wouldn't complain about something being mini or oversized, but I always root for the classic. The heavy duty cupcake wrapper kind of got in the way of my smashing the cupcake into my face routine, but it's still a nice touch. The vanilla was buttery and had a nice crumb. The "pearl" is made with gumpaste & I regretted putting it in my mouth. The pastry cream did it for me though. It was bavarian cream (pastry cream lightened with whipped cream) & it was the perfect cool contrast to my otherwise too large of a piece of cake. My bff's chocolate cupcake was moist, but reminded us of a Costco chocolate muffin (not necessary a bad thing but not high-end). The truffle filling was awesome though. Maybe I should've gotten mini's for a proper comparison to Saint Cupcake. Since the filling made both the cupcakes we had better, I'm not sure I even want to risk it. Despite all my seemingly critical comments, I would definitely crave this place. I will stick with the jumbo ones though. See? Now you have an excuse to overindulge! (See pics for details.)

    (3)

  • Micah A.

    One of the main flaws of cupcake factories is the idea that a cupcake of any shape or size is worth anywhere near $3.00. It is not. Cupcakes are glorified muffins, except they're smaller and more likely to exacerbate your diabetes. Cupcake Jones charges $3.25 for their jumbo (read: regular size) cupcakes. I'm not marking them down for that because all cupcakes cost about that amount, but that's insanity. Muffins at Starbucks cost half that. That's right cupcake companies: You got pastry slapped by Starbucks. Be ashamed. The glorified muffins here are not bad. They're limited on flavors, but those they do offer are exactly the types of cupcake flavors I like. Apparently they switch their flavors up every day, but Thursday was Bailey's Cake, Thin Mint, and S'Mores, to go along with their standard chocolate. They also do something unique to make theirs more innovative - as far as I can tell, every cupcake has a filling inside. That's a thing. Also, the store is the size of my closet. Cupcake companies need to hold back on their pricing shenanigans before I'd break my bank for them, but as a thing to do on a trip to Portland, this place was okay.

    (4)

  • Alison P.

    Cupcake Jones catered my wedding and the owner Lisa went above and beyond the call of duty to make my dream display come true. Even when I went diva and wanted only two flavors and this flower topper and my own wrappers and on and on, she gave me advice and then made it happen. The whole set-up and execution was very professional but I felt like it was a good friend on my side and not just a caterer. That is the personal touch you get with this gem of a business, that lacks in some of the competitors I checked out along the way. And now let's talk about the product. Not only are the cupcakes made with love, they are so darn delicious they are moan worthy. I could pop half a dozen minis in my mouth like bonbons, gimme red velvet then carrot cake all night long and I'm one happy girl. Can I get a Mmm Mmmmmm........

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    I had the carrot cake and the apple crumble versions. Very good. For those who say that they frosting is too buttery. Try letting it cool a little. The kitchen/store is warm and that why the frosting came come off as being buttery.

    (5)

  • Annaliza S.

    I love a good cupcake. I love a cupcake that isn't overpowered with sweetness or frosting. Cupcake Jones flourishes! The cupcakes are totally balanced and super good. I really like how they didn't have a huge list of the types of cupcakes they had. It was simple, straight forward and awesome. I had the red velvet cupcake and it was awesome! It was literally so freaking good. It wasn't super sweet, and the frosting was perfect. It was one of the most well balanced tasting cupcakes I have had in Portland. They even had cupcakes for my puppy and that's always an added plus! The pricing was a bit much, but in some ways it was worth it. Small place, don't really have a place to sit and enjoy your cupcake, Staff was amazing though, and it was cool how you could see them making the cupcakes!

    (4)

  • Katherine P.

    Wanted to send my big sis some cupcakes for her birthday even tho I live in Los Angeles. Heard she didn't have any cake for her birthday (and was heading into work!), which I wouldn't stand for. I needed to send some cheer even if I could only be there in spirit. So happy that Cupcake Jones got her six mini cupcakes delivered same day to the absolute surprise of the birthday girl--complete with candle, card and ribbon! Love it! (A little bummed about the $10 same day fee, but I guess that's what happens when you don't plan ahead?)

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    We went for "The Pearl" cupcake which was in their words "all vanilla." It was white velvet vanilla cake with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with vanilla bean butter cream icing and a handmade white chocolate pearl on the top! It was delicious. We really think the icing often makes the cupcake and this icing was incredible but the actual cake was really good too. It was fast, easy, and I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick desert or cupcake. If you are a tourist... as we were, please go here over Voodoo Doughnuts (see my other review) if you want to be in an awesome area of town and eat something truly delicious without wasting an hour or more of your day. Halfway through the line at Voodoo I told asked my wife if we could leave and go back to Cupcake Jones -She said no, we had waited too long to leave ): - My wife and I love cupcakes and are intrigued by the recent popularity of "cup cakeries." We like to pop in to see how each one is different and try a cupcake or two to see the variety and what each does good and bad. We live in NC and do not have one locally yet so when we travel it is a fun thing we have begun to do. We randomly stopped by Cupcake Jones and popped in to look around. The place is really clean, cute, and modern. We liked how they had examples of each cupcake in the windows when you walk by with descriptions of each.

    (5)

  • Lawrence M.

    Love this tiny spot. The cupcakes are phenomenal. Friendly staff. A must stop, if you have kids...of even if you don't.

    (4)

  • Rachael S.

    I've yet to find an amazing cupcake in the Portland Metro area. And I'm very disappointed. We tried Cupcake Jones after an uninspired trip to St. Cupcake. And it was just OK. First Thursday, why eat real food when you can eat cake, right? Naw. I had a mini cause I wasn't feeling any flavor enough to have a whole one. My guy had a big one, I think it was raspberry lemon or something like that. Good sized cupcake, bigger than St. C. Tiny little shop, no where to sit and enjoy. So we kind of just ate and left. Over and done, wham bam thank you ma'am. Another night, we showed up like 5 minutes after closing, the girls were in there boxing up day olds to send who knows where, and they just ignored us. I was kinda bummed about that. It was my birthday and I wanted cake... I had a little chocolate cupcake, no filling in the little guys. It was tasty, the cake was soft and fluffy, not too chewy, not overcooked as is the danger with tiny cupcakes. So they get points there. The shop was cute, they have pictures of rescue animals on the wall which I dig. All in all, a decent place to get a quick fix, but not an earth shattering cupcake experience.

    (3)

  • B. C.

    The prices are too expensive for the quality of product that you're getting. I got the coconut cabana cupcake. The frosting was delicious but the cake was too dry, to the point where it was not holding together and it tasted old.

    (1)

  • Travis S.

    Not impressed.

    (2)

  • Misty S.

    I love fancy cupcakes. The selection changes on a day to day basis so you might want to check their website if you're wanting something specific. It's always fun to see what new flavors they've got going on. The PB&J cupcake was pretty spectacular.

    (4)

  • Cassandra C.

    Pretty darn good cupcakes! Definitely worth checking out!

    (3)

  • The J.

    I came here today (on my birthday), and was greeted by two delightful cupcakers who made me feel at home and were open to answering any cupcakey questions I had. The display counter here is really smart in that it's a split open version of the jumbo cupcakes so you can see what the filling looks like. I had the German Chocolate Cupcake and it was delicious. If you like German Chocolate Cake-- or dark chocolate and pecans-- get it! I also got the daily special marion berry cupcake (but I haven't tried it yet). When they asked me what I was up to for the day, I mentioned that it was my birthday and I got a generous little birthday treat. When I have a cupcake need-- I'll remember that, and be back. :)

    (4)

  • Jen K.

    I always thought I got my sweet tooth from my father, but it turns out that my mother may also play a hand in my love of sweet treats. Lately when we've had day trips into town, she is dragging (not really) me into chocolate shops and bakeries. Yay, mom! When I'm with the kids, I prefer Saint Cupcake because they have a larger selection (10-12 varieties a day) and have a cute little cafe so you can dine in. For more adventurous choices, I've got to tip my hat to Kir at Sugar Cube cart at the Mississippi Marketplace. But if I'm in the Pearl, then Cupcake Jones is a lovely place to stop. While I enjoy the mini cupcakes, you really should try the jumbo with the ganache center. They have a small selection with a couple daily standards and a few rotating daily specials. Here's the menu so you can make sure your favorite flavor is available when you visit: cupcakejones.net/menu.ht… The people here were absolutely wonderful and were so enthusiastic that I wish I could give the place more of a rave. This is a very small store with just a bench inside, so the intention is for you to grab your cupcakes and go. I salute Cupcake Jones for having individual containers of icing on sale for $1. Pretty funny because I have a kid that always eats the icing and never the cake, so that would be perfect for him. I wonder where he gets it?

    (3)

  • Joyce L.

    Love the selection of cupcakes but it is a hit and miss sometimes. I bought a couple mini cupcakes over the weekend and it was on the drier side. However, the last few times the cupcakes were good. I wish the location was just a tad bit bigger. The staff is super friendly though.

    (4)

  • True N.

    Must try there red velvet with sugar rose pedals it's like a party in my mouth!

    (5)

  • Doug B.

    OMG.....Like Grandmas cake on crack!!!!! The Pearl is so good. The strawberry Rhubarb the frosting shots, and so many more. The staff is friendly and they give back to the community each month! A great place!!!!!

    (5)

  • Cynthia G.

    The frosting doesn't overpower the flavor of the cupcakes and filling unlike other places The PB & J cupcake is really tasty. Moist vanilla cake filled with fresh strawberry jam topped with whipped peanut butter frosting and sprinkled with chopped peanuts. The red velvet is also quite good and is filled with vanilla bean custard and topped with just enough cream cheese frosting. If you can't decide, pick up the mini cupcake sampler pack. They also offer daily flavors. Bonus: they're right next to Ben & Jerry's (no need to half step it when going on the carb fest).

    (4)

  • Mel B.

    I want to give this place more stars. I really do, but I just can't put it on the same level as the other cupcakeries I've been to. The flavors are interesting, but not too exotic. On this particular trip, I sampled 4 flavors, and while the red velvet was probably the best, the peanut butter and jelly ranked a close second. The cream cheese frosting is delicious and the red velvet cake was moist and perfect. The other cakes, however, were not. They were a bit dry and crumbled when I bit into them. The buttercream frosting on the other cupcakes wasn't too sweet, which was a nice treat. The filling in the cupcakes was a nice change as well. But nothing can cover up the dry cake. Sorry. The staff was amazingly friendly, and that should get them many repeat customers. Me, I'm on a mission to lose this cupcake top (that's muffin top for the rest of you) so I won't be back for a while.

    (3)

  • Nancy M.

    I typically don't like cupcakes, but have had to make an exception for Cupcake Jones. The carrot cake is amazing, as is German chocolate cake, coconut, and in the Spring? How can you pass up on a Samoa? Oh my! Did I mention I don't normally like cupcakes? Add in the pleasant staff and it makes it a pleasure to do business. Love that they donate to a variety of charities as well. What's not to love about Cupcake Jones? They rock!

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    So, I gave Cupcake Jones another try, and this time happened to be a happy ending! Like I said in my previous review, I only went back because it was my doggie's birthday (haha, I know), and I wanted to get her a doggie cupcake. The employees were still cheerful and knowledgeable. I order two doggie cupcakes and just decided to try another cupcake. What the heck, give me the cookie dough cupcake! Guess what? It's UH-MAZING! I seriously can't wait to try it again. The only blegh thing about the cupcake was the icing. I just don't like whipped tasting-ish icing, and although it wasn't whipped, it tasted like it. However, it was still awesome. Oh, yea, my dog also loved her cupcakes so I guess she will be going back too! Mad props, Cupcake Jones!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Cupcake Jones is so overrated, expensive, and disappointing that it makes me want to cry. Although they have more interesting and creative flavours than their competitor, Saint Cupcake, the quality of Cupcake Jones cupcakes is way inferior. Where to begin? The concept of filled cupcakes, while wonderful in theory, is horrible in practice. Imagine a really rich cake, filled with really thick cream, topped with really heavy frosting... yeah, pretty gross right? Not to mention the fact that both the filling and the frosting is so buttery that both are almost flavorless! How bizarre! I've given Cupcake Jones their fair share of chances and have tried a lot of cupcakes here (The Pearl, the Downtown Brown, Smores, White Chocolate Chai, etc...) -- every single one is far too heavy and far too rich to be enjoyable. I might as well be eating pure butter, yurgh. I will say one thing however -- there's only one cupcake of theirs that manages to pull off being stuffed with heavy cream and topped with rich frosting. It's the Velvet Painting. The red velvet cake is far superior to Saint Cupcake's. And that frosting with the sugared rose petal... perfection. I was going to give this place two stars, but I thought that their red velvet cupcake deserved a star to itself.

    (3)

  • Jeena L.

    I'm really torn to give them 4 stars instead of 5. Here's the reasons going against them: -Lady at the counter wasn't very inviting or friendly. Even asking for their samples made me feel bad for even getting a taste test -Super tiny shop! Thank goodness it wasn't crowded around the time we had gone inside However what I liked about Cupcake Jones was the fact that they did have samples to try in tiny jars! Ive never had cream or chocolate velvet flavors before but I went with the most popular (that's what the lady recommended) red velvet cupcake. Hands down, I think this is the best red velvet cupcake I've had and I've had MANY from afar! This was quite moist and the filling on the inside made the cupcake very flavorful and savory. They are quite expensive. $3.25 a pop!

    (4)

  • Alyssa A.

    Cupcakes have to be one of my favorite desserts and Cupcake Jones doesn't disappoint. I love the cute, hole-in-the-wall location sandwiched next to Ben and Jerry's in the Pearl. The fun part about this cupcake joint is the variation and limited selection. They offer a different selection of flavors on a daily basis. There are a few that are standards, such as the Pearl, the Downtown brown cupcake and the Velvet and then the rest of the menu rotates. Large cupcakes cost over $3 and the minis are $1.50. All the jumbo cupcakes are filled with some kind of a ganache or pastry cream. I will say that there has been a time or two when I was surprised by the dry texture of the cupcakes. They're not always that way but every once in awhile they seem to be less moist than I like. Not sure why this is...

    (3)

  • Melanie R.

    I love this cupcake place! The peanut butter and jelly cupcake is my favorite. Whenever I'm in the store I pick up two doggie cupcakes for my pups and they love them.

    (5)

  • Michael V.

    The first time I visited Cupcake Jones I came with my sister and didn't order anything. I simply laughed at how ridiculously small the store was. The maximum capacity is probably five people, including the two working behind the counter! "Wheel chair accessible"? Yeah, but only one at a time! You almost feel like you're violating someone else's space, since you're literally standing shoulder to shoulder. Came here yesterday--soaking wet, cold, and grudgingly. I have always been a fan of Saint Cupcake, so coming to Cupcake Jones was like routing for the UCLA Bruins to win the quarterfinals against the Portland Pilots...Or like going to your mother in-law's house. I however was completely shocked at how well my visit went. The young lady at the counter was friendly, patient, and helpful. She asked me where my jacket was, since it was pouring outside. The small space was indeed small, but larger than I had remembered. Maybe it was because there was only one other person in the bakery at the time. I unwillingly handed over $3.25 and bought the best damn red velvet (velvet painting) cupcake I have ever tasted. When compared to my beloved StCC, CCJones' red velvet was a little bit bigger, more moist, and had a sweeter cream cheese frosting. The cupcake top was a bit crispy and had a vanilla bean filling that was a nice addition to the overall taste. I however could care less about the candied rose petal, as I like StCC's sprinkles better. Alas, I can no longer hate CCJones. ( I STILL HATE THE BRUINS THOUGH!!!! D:) Next time I have to try their peanut butter 'n jelly. The gingerbread cookie also sounds delicious! Velvet paintings are made daily? Now I don't have to wait for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday to roll around. You are going to make me FAT Cupcake Jones...and POOR. ):

    (4)

  • Rick S.

    Bottom Line - I expected dense, moist and overall enjoyable-in-my-mouth cupcakes, but they were disappointingly dry, crumbly and left A LOT to be desired. I would not go out of my way to come back and cannot recommend this place to others. It was my birthday and a friend of mine gave me a gift certificate to come here because I love good cupcakes!!! So I came here and got 3 cupcakes with my certificate: what's up doc? (moist carrot cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand made candied carrot) - The cake itself was the most moist of the three cupcakes I got; however, on its own it was still on the dry side. If not for the frosting, this cake would have gotten a D in my book. The frosting was good. chocolate chip cookie (fluffy brown sugar chocolate chip cake filled with chocolate chip cookie dough, topped with vanilla bean buttercream and a homemade chocolate chip cookie) - This was the most dry of the three cupcakes I got. Even the frosting did not save this cupcake. We actually took a few bites of this and didn't finish it.... it went into the trash. black forest (devil's food cake filled and iced with Amarena cherries and fresh whipped cream, topped with a fresh grated dark chocolate) - Again, the cake itself was pretty dry. Like the chocolate chip cookie, the frosting wasn't enough to save the dryness of this cupcake. The frosting overall was good, but they really need to work on tweaking their cake recipes so that they are more dense and MORE MOIST... I feel that using boxed cake mixes would have yielded much better results. On the positive side, the staff is wonderful!

    (2)

  • Jennifer W.

    If you can't take a lot of cake and icing, this place is not for you. If that's your thing, then step on in. That said, the cupcakes here are larger than your standard grocery bought or homemade cupcakes. The reason why they're so big is that they also have filling in it, which is a good thing too because the cake is a little dry. The cupcake holds well, but is quite rigid. Either way, each cupcake comes out perfect, cute, and dressed true to their names.

    (4)

  • Liz T.

    i'm a cupcake snob. Good presentation, large sized cupcakes have good fillings. I was unimpressed with the flavor selections and the frosting. The only thing work going back for would be the velvet painting. All other cakes were unmemorable and a bit on the dry side. But they get an extra star for good presentation, and convenient take out containers.

    (3)

  • Ophelia Y.

    I give Cupcake Jones four stars for their Red Velvet cupcake. Typically I prefer Saint Cupcake cupcakes over Cupcake Jones, but the Red Velvet at Cupcake Jones is more chocolatey and moist. Velvet Painting FTW! Update: I tried Downtown Cupcake Brown and The Pearl, and they are both really dry cupcakes. The frosting is delicious, the cupcake, not so much.

    (4)

  • LaQueanya H.

    We mainly visit here when we want to get doggy cupcakes for our puppies! The human cupcakes are just ok kind of dry, but my Pugs really do love the doggy cupcakes! Lol! I do love what they do for the community in giving back!

    (3)

  • Maria C.

    Perfection. Every time I go to Portland I head to Cupcake Jones.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I like how everything is freshly baked throughout the day (up until closing at, according to the dude behind the counter, "Eh, ya know, 8-ish." :) I love the layout of the cupcakery! It's small, quaint, and hip with cool colors that just make me want a cupcake. I ordered the peanut butter and jelly one. It was all right. A little too sweet on the frosting. The cake part was moist and delightful, though I can't give this place higher than a 3 since by the time I was done with 3/4 of it I was feeling a bit grossed out from the taste. Too much of something is not a good thing. If I'm ever to return to Portland I'll have to split a Cupcake Jones cupcake with someone next time since it's far too sweet for me alone.

    (3)

  • Travis P.

    It's always an indulgence to get a treat from Cupcake Jones. I've experimented with plenty of their cupcake flavors ... some I like, some I LOVE (I mean, they can't ALL be my favorite), but I always come back to the red velvet. Amazing. Not only are their cakes off-the-hook good, but I'm constantly amazed at the level of support Cupcake Jones provides to the community. From their benefit-day Tuesdays (a portion of sales each Tuesday goes to a deserving non-profit) to donations for all sorts of amazing charitable events, the crew here really knows what it means to give back. Kinda makes you feel not so guilty about the decadence of the amazing cupcake(s) you just ate!

    (5)

  • Chereta M.

    After having Saint Cupcakes, nothing compares...and I'm from Los Angeles, so I"m gonna fly back to Portland for the food and cupcakes. After our walking tour, we bought some cupcakes I tried: Choco Chip Choco w/ganache Carrot. None of them were good....they had very little flavor and we ended up just throwing them away, sadly. After having Saint cupcakes, It just didn't measure up for me. THat's just my opinion...Saint's was a lot better.

    (1)

  • Kilee W.

    Amazing cupcakes piped and garnished right before your eyes. Fresh and moist. The icing is creamy and not too sweet. Try the Lemon, Choc PB, or Coconut, you will not be disappointed!!!

    (5)

  • Valerie W.

    I'd have to agree with some of the other posts on here. I've stopped by Cupcake Jones on many occasions when in the area and the last couple years I've been sadly disappointed in the taste. My latest adventure brought me out to try the cookie dough cupcake. All I can remember is that it was super dry! The chocolate cupcake....dry! Dry cupcakes at Cupcake Jones seem to be the consensus. For the price....I'd much rather make my own.

    (2)

  • MirMack M.

    Best cupcakes in town and owners who care about the community. Conveniently located at a street car stop!

    (5)

  • Stephanie E.

    Bought 2 full dozen of these assorted behemoth baked gems (at a whopping $76 - that's my fault, I'm clearly an idiot) for an event last night, and I've gotta say, after all the hype, and a CUPCAKE CARE GUIDE from the shop, I was pretty disappointed. They're adorable, seriously if all you're going for is a cupcake that makes you drool just to look at, grab one, park it in your peripheral, and you're set. If you don't have milk on hand to wash down a mouthful, you're in trouble. I tried bites of the chocolate, red velvet, strawberry lemonade, and rocky road cupcakes, and each and every one, if not slathered in its own frosting, was like swallowing a horse pill. Flavor, for the most part, good, but the frosting's way too ... fatty. Oily? Whatever it is, my co-worker claimed she didn't need chap stick if she ate these cupcakes all the time. I'm not really a cake person, so I don't have a go-to cupcake shop, but we got another co-worker gluten-free cupcakes from New Cascadia Traditional and they kick the pants of these little fellas.

    (3)

  • Tonya J.

    I ordered three dozen cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. I ordered two vegan (Velvet Painting and a Chocolate) and one regular (Hot Buttered Rum). They were mini cupcakes. The cupcakes were tasty enough. Normally, I don't care for vegan food, but I was having an event and wanted to make sure the vegans could eat too. The staff was pleasant enough. Folks kind of stared at me when I walked in. I guess they don't get many folks of color. But that's the Pear District, in general. It's why I loathe the area. The cupcakes were okay to me. I paid about $70 bucks for the cupcakes. It seems like the cupcakes would have been handed to me some pretty packing for that much. But the cupcakes were in cheap plastic containers and a cheap convenience store type bag. I felt like I walked out of a Safeway, instead of a gourmet cupcake place. The lady stated they didn't have big enough bags for the cupcakes, which I thought was odd. All in all, my experience at Cupcake Jones was okay. I felt like something was missing, though.

    (3)

  • Kris H.

    I luv luv luv the s'mores cupcake. Great frosting. Very light taste and subtle flavors. Just enough sweetness to go well with a cup of milk. At the same time, I'm NOT crazy about the carrot (cup)cake. The cream cheese frosting was insanely sweet and the cake was a bit on the dry side. BUT, I heart Cupcake Jones, regardless.

    (5)

  • Theresa H.

    I've been here twice in 2 weeks. It's delicious and the guy who has waited on me both times is a peach. Love him. The cupcakes have been delicious and moist without tasting like a total gut bomb. Love the red velvet. Will be back often for sure.

    (4)

  • Karen M.

    The pearl cupcake is like an expensive twinkie. The buttercream frosting had a very slightly off taste to it, sort of a cross between refrigerator taste and butter that was a wee bit past its prime. My dog scarfed his doggie cake. But he's a dog and has been observed noshing on a rotting deer leg. I hope my cupcake doesn't sit in my stomach for 10 years like a real twinkie. Has anyone ever used the cupcake defense to explain an horrific crime?

    (2)

  • Theresa N.

    So good. So delicious. I can't stand how good they are. German chocolate cake. Delicious. The frosting is fantastic. The folks that work there are really sweet. They have dog posters of dogs that are waiting for good homes... plus they have doogie cup cakes. (yeah... my dog still wanted mine.. the piggy...) Anyway.... they are sooooo much nicer and tastier than that grouch that sells them around the corner. :) Yummy! I felt Kade review was lame. Just like a twinkie.

    (5)

  • Jana C.

    My friend and I walked here after going to visit her husband's office in the Pearl to come sample and buy some special treats. So they're pretty special alright....different flavors on different days. Pretty swell, yes? But then.. I had tried St Cupcake by the 405 before this junior competitor entered the ring,and I must confess, i prefer the other better. But CJ still holds its own, and there is a decent enough of a selection to choose from--mini or regular. About $3.5 per, and it's definitely a true treat. Rich and moist.

    (4)

  • A K.

    To be honest, we don't like the cupcakes here. Why go here when Saint Cupcake is soooo close. However, we do come and occasionally pick up a dog cupcake for our lab/rhodie mix, which she seems to enjoy. Then again, she does eat her own poop sometimes so I guess she doesn't have the most discerning palate. But we'll still come when we're around with the pup so she can have a little treat.

    (2)

  • Formicas F.

    I wasn't impressed with this place. They were rather curt/ rude to me (wasn't sure if it was because my two little kids were crying and the stroller blocked their doorway?) but still... not the friendliest. As for the cupcakes, I have had the best of the best in NYC and these just don't stand up. They didn't have 3 of their 6 choices iced when I stopped in around 3 in the afternoon (on a weekday). I can't understand why they wouldn't be ready for business mid day. The cakes were a bit dry on the small ones. None of the larger /stuffed ones were iced so I couldn't try them. I would imagine their must be a better option in town. Presentation is delightful but taste is what really matters.

    (2)

  • Helen F.

    This was the first cupcakery I went to...the beginning of my cupcakery tour... This is a cute little place in Portland. The cupcakes are just so beautiful in the windows. I got the red velvet cupcake. The cake was moist and good cream cheese frosting. What won me over is the vanilla bean filling inside! Yummy goodness! Having gone to numerous cupcakeries in various cities since then, this is still one of the top red velvet cupcakes in my book. :)

    (5)

  • Kristine N.

    The BEST cupcakes ever! The owners are the nicest people you will ever meet. The jumbo cupcakes are filled and are all made with natural ingredients. They give back a lot to the community too, which makes them even more wonderful! Please do yourself a favor and try their Velvet Painting and What's Up Doc? cupcakes. You won't regret it! They also have Happy Hour on Fridays where you can get 6 jumbo cupcakes for the price of 5!

    (5)

  • Mari T.

    After becoming a gourmet cupcake junkie and being thrilled to find 2 establishments that specialized in them, I had to have repeated tastings to figure out which one I liked better. Cupcake Jones came out on top! They have wonderfully delicious cupcakes that are filled with flavors that perfectly complement the cake they are wrapped in. Their frostings are not heavy and they taste fresh and natural. The garnishes are homemade and really yummy - I especially love the sugared rose petals! Their Red Velvet filled with vanilla cream is to die for! The mini cupcakes are very small, but really tasty. Being in close proximity to Powell's certainly doesn't hurt :)

    (4)

  • Marisa S.

    I wanted to love these cupcakes. They look scrumptious and are so beautiful. Unfortunately, the taste is not there. I got the Pearl, a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. The frosting tasted like pure butter and the cupcake was dry. The Downtown, a chocolate one, was not better. I also got the blueberry one, it was ok, still a little dry. The only one that I didn't throw half in the garbage was the mini red velvet. Maybe it was better because it was so small. I guess some of the other reviewers are right, these taste like they are a little stale.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    This is my favorite cupcake place. I bought them for the rehearsal dinner at my wedding 2.5 years ago. They were such a hit! I especially like their red velvet cake one. They even have some mini cupcakes to get that are pretty darn cute.

    (5)

  • Sandra C.

    The Red Velvet here is the best you'll ever have. Their large cupcakes do have frosting inside so the biggest complaint I hear is "they're too sweet." If you don't want a layered middle then opt for the bite-size cupcakes. Prices are a bit high but they ingredients they use and the programs they fund are absolutely worth the extra buck.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    I really truly want to give Cupcake Jones a better rating. I've been there many times, and the cakes are always very dry. They just don't taste same-day-fresh. There's some inconsistency with quality of flavors.... for instance, the German Chocolate is pretty good: moist, flavorful and chocolate-y. But the Marionberry White Chocolate I had yesterday was awful. It just tasted like a big pile of sugar, including the frosting. They need to add some lemon zest or better marionberry jam to bring some tartness and balance of flavors to that cupcake. The frosting had no fruity flavor at all. That cupcake tasted no different than a Hostess cupcake. At four times the price. I like the shop, the mini versions, the fact that they donate to homeless shelter and staff are friendly and blah blah blah... but when I rate, I rate on the product. And I just don't see that it's worth the price. But I hope it improves...the world could use more great cupcakes!

    (3)

  • Alice R.

    Good GOD! The cupcakes here are insane!!!! Do not bother with mini cupcakes. Puh-SHHA! Give me the damn filling with all the pretty, pretties on top, please! Oh and very cool they have biodegradable containers for their cupcakes to go. To go where? Straight to my mouth, yo!

    (5)

  • Kitty A.

    Best cupcakes I've had. Peters chocolate mint = nom nom nom

    (5)

  • Brenda P.

    We got married in September of 2011 and worked with Lisa and her team through the year leading up to that. Lisa (and everyone in the shop) was great to work with. This might have been the easiest part of our wedding. We went; we tasted; we ordered; they arrived. We had extra fun with our tasting box - opening up the voting to our friends at a summer barbecue and tasting more cupcakes than I can even remember. Was a GREAT way to make the decision, actually. What I had assumed we'd order (the more exotic and fanciful flavors) were transitioned to the more traditional options to please the masses. And, of course, the Velvet Painting was the favorite (we chose it as our vegan option, but it was still the #1 favorite of the omnivores too). I'm really appreciative of the patience Lisa showed as I was always in my "wedding-checklist" mode. She was great in letting me know when to expect certain things to happen and then they just magically did. No worries. No stresses. Just deliciousness. I'm also grateful for the flexibility in allowing us to use our own (DIY) cupcake stands. The setup was amazing and everything was beautiful. And, yes, our guests loved the cupcakes!

    (5)

  • Kitt J.

    Thank non-existent god this place is so expensive, or I would be the fattest fatass ever to fatten an ass. Seriously, these are some of the best cupcakes I've had in my life. Every morsel from this lovely little shop is a handcrafted jewel. The proprietress makes everything by hand, including decorative flourishes like graham crackers and candied rose petals. This makes me want to spend a few minutes contemplating life before I eat them, and it justifies the prices, too. That still doesn't mean I can afford them very often, which makes my tummy cry, but is probably for the best. My figure thanks you for it!

    (5)

  • Jim A.

    I've been on a diet for a little while now (lost 17.5lbs thank you very much), and I am pretty good at saying no to places like this. Well, I saw a family eating cupcakes outside, and I about lost control. I almost punched their daughter and stole her cupcake because it looked so damn tasty! I was able to maintain my self control, and went inside to order a cupcake of my own. Boy am I happy I did. This was one fine cupcake. The center vanilla bean filling was a wonderful surprise! I could have done with little or none of the frosting though. It was the typical butter cream frosting. The kinda that coats your mouth is a layer of film... uck... I hate that. My GF had a chocolate mint cupcake. It had an Andies Mint on it. It looked really good. She's lucky she had a cold and took a bite before I could sucker punch in her in the gut and steal it from her. The best part was their juice bottles. I got myself a sweet blue dinosaur. RAD! Even if you hate cupcakes (and if you do hate cupcakes please never talk to me ever again) go here and order some juice. You NEED to own one of these bottles.

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    A far better Jones than the travesty that was the latest movie starring the Doctor of the same surname; our visit to Cupcake Jones was a midday dessert compromise between the gelato faction, the donut faction and the cupcake faction along the lines of "my girlfriend wanted a cat and I didn't so we compromised and got a cat." A hole in the wall hidden next to a Ben & Jerry's, with no seating, less customer floor space than Voodoo Doughnuts, no shortage of customers, and only six flavor choices (three fixed, three rotating) on any given day, they have chosen to do one thing and focus on doing it well. Slightly pricey at $3.25 for a normal sized "jumbo" and $1.50 for a "mini" (two bites maximum), the expectations for the cupcakes were set high. After taking a minute or two to deliberate with the line building, between our group we tried: - Downtown Cupcake Brown: a mostly standard double chocolate cupcake with sour cream (!), which managed to please even a party member who "dislikes cupcakes" - Peter's Chocolate Mint: take the former, subtract sour cream and add mint; to my unsophisticated taste, on par with Trophy, the (mostly) undisputed leader in Seattle. I will make every effort to try both a pumpkin-based and a red velvet-based cupcake on subsequent trips to Portland even though it will be like playing a lottery (a delicious cake lottery) and for the sake of my cholesterol hopefully not both in the same visit.

    (4)

  • Tony T.

    Just recently had a chance to sit down with Lisa Watson, owner of Cupcake Jones, and talk about her business for my web site and blog readers. Tried some of the tasties and they certainly are good! Lisa puts a lot of work into the Portland business and it certainly shows. Everything (and I do mean, EVERYTHING) is made by scratch, the business is as Green as it gets and they donate all cupcakes left over to a local homeless shelter. Cool beans!

    (5)

  • T M.

    Seriously THE BEST cupcakes! They are moist and flavorful and I dream of the German Chocolate!! I recently hosted a surprise party for my husband and Cupcake Jones delivered 7 dozen mini cupcakes - Downtown Cupcake Brown (my husbands fave!!), German Chocolate (my fave!!), and Lemoncello (these went first, so I guess they were the guest fave!!) First of all I went there for a tasting - I purchased four flavors, ate them ALL and loved every minute of it. The service is outstanding!! The people that work there are very friendly and very service-oriented. I asked a lot of questions and they were all answered with patience and enthusiasm. I ordered the cupcakes and they were delivered exactly as promised - time and place. No delays, no confusion - just right on time as they said they would. That alone makes me want to recommend them and order from them over and over again. It's very rare that people actually do what they say they are going to do. The main thing though is quality. I hesitated to order mini-cupcakes because every one I've ever had before was a little dry and lacking flavor. Not these - these minis are FANTASTIC. (I was surprised by other review that said they were dry. This was NOT my experience at all!!!) They are larger than the average - very reasonably priced - and the cake part is very moist and the frosting is AMAZING!! Plus there is always a little something extra special on top. It's like giving a gift to each one of your guests. Luckily we had leftovers, and have been enjoying them all weekend. The flavor and the moistness does not suffer the next day or two. Still really, really good!! Anyway, I would recommend Cupcake Jones to anyone who asks. It's a great idea for a party, a corporate event, or just a fun little gift for a friend. And, have you seen the regular size cupcakes. They are all filled and are the most decandent, delicious dessert ever. YUMMY!!!!

    (5)

  • Kimberly D.

    Delicious! Loved the red velvet with cream cheese frosting!

    (5)

  • Shawn A.

    To die for...all the cupcakes are good but the pb&j, strawberry rhubarb, and red velvet are a fat kids dream I *heart* you Cupcake Jones

    (5)

  • Bronwyn E.

    Cupcake Jones is the place to go for a cupcake fix. They recently celebrated their fourth birthday by giving their loyal customers an amazing party. The Party was completely catered with an amazing variety of delicious cheeses, fruit, veggies, and other treats. They also celebrated the evening by letting us try their new Vegan cupcakes. The vanilla was heavenly, and the Red Velvet was great too. The next time I'm in the Pearl District, I will be buying a cupcake here. I'm a fan of the coconut and you can sample the cakes before committing to buying. Great place to grab a treat or for catering a party. I give them two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • G.L. T.

    One reviewer said too much frosting and too little cake - I agree! They look fabulous, but they are 75% frosting and 25% cake. We got the Pearl and the German Chocolate. We both agreed that neither of the frostings were particularly memorable. Then I accidentally dropped the Pearl on the floor... it landed frosting down... we picked it up, there was just a tiny bit of frosting left... much better than 2-3 inches of frosting! What little cake there was did have good flavor, however, they were dry. And I'm not talking a little dry, I'm talking wicked dry! I wouldn't go back for more.

    (1)

  • Chris L.

    The name Cupcake Jones is the perfect name for a Pam Grier early 70's blaxploitation film character. This "baddest one-chick hit squad that ever hit town" would be smooth, sexy and one bad ass bitch. The same can't quite be said for the Pearl's Cupcake Jones. This cute little purveyor of all things cupcakes is certainly good, but certainly isn't the baddest cupcake squad that ever hit our town. While Pam's characters were all cake with very little frosting, Cupcake Jones' tends to be more frosting then cake.

    (3)

  • Milla M.

    My husband and I decided to go here after they had frosting samples at a chocolate festival and hearing such great things about them. When we first walked in, I was very shocked at how tiny the space was. I was expecting a couple of tables so we could sit down to enjoy our cupcakes and some milk. What I found was that there was only enough room for a couple of people to stand and order. I was also surprised to find out that they only serve certain flavors on certain days. While I can understand how this would make it easier for them, I think it kind of sucks since some people are only able to get out and do something on spacific days of the week. I ordered the downtown chocolate brown or something like that, DH got the Pearl, and my 5yr old got the a mini chocolate. When we got home and ate them, we were actually surprised at how disapointing they were. First their is SOOOO much frosting on the inside and on top that you cant even taste the cake. Frosting wasn't bad, but WAY to much. When I tried the cake alone, it was kind of dry and bland. The cake hardly tasted like chocolate at all. DH said his wasn't bad, but did lack some flavor and had to much frosting. Even my son didn't like it. What 5 year old doesn't like cupcakes?? All in all I was very disapointed that I spent almost $10 on 2 cupcakes and a bite sized one that were not even very good.

    (1)

  • Carrie S.

    I score lots of points at work for buying these as thank yous for my co-workers. They smell amazing and walking into this place makes me hate my gluten allergy. Always super friendly and they package up everything just right so it survives my commute to LO.

    (4)

  • Erin K.

    Being the sweet lover that I am, they pretty much earned at least 2 stars from me just for serving cupcakes. The Pros: -Super friendly, helpful, patient service -CUPCAKES! Super adorable cupcakes! -Frosting shots ($1 for a shot glass full of frosting...genius!) Cons: -No seating (I guess I was expecting at least 1 little table) -Lame tea selection (all they had was Tazo: 2 black varieties and 1 -chamomile...they could do better) But the biggest downside is that the cupcakes aren't amazing. I tried the Chocolate dipped strawberry and it was way too light and fluffy for my taste (I like a cupcake with substance), as was the frosting which had the consistency of whipped cream, not buttercream. Don't get me wrong, they are not BAD, just not as amazing as you would expect from a place that makes only 1 thing.

    (3)

  • Shira M.

    Best cupcake and fresh edible cookie dough I've ever had. Ask for the frosting shots . Every cupcake is amazing .

    (5)

  • E.B. G.

    My previous review for Cupcake Jones was a 4. Unfortunately, I'm just not comfortable with leaving it at a 4. They're a 3 star tops. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the last three trips were total flops. Cakes were very dry, frosting was just mediocre, either tooth hurting sweet, or barely sweet at all. We'll be trying another establishment the next time we need a cupcake fix.

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    I've tried 4 different cupcakes here: S'mores, PB Cup, Apple Strudel and Red Velvet. Hands down my favorite is the Red Velvet. Don't waste your time (or calorie intake) on any others. It was probably one of the best Red Velvet Cupcakes I've ever had. The cream cheese frosting was divine. Melted in my mouth. I'd say the cupcakes were a bit on the pricey side. But for a special occasion or treat, it's great! Plus I feel good supporting this local business.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    We had just walked out of our spot for dinner and passed by this on the way to the car. When I spied the diminutive little cuppycakes, I told Sir that we simply HAD to stop there. and I usually get my way with such things=) I got a teensy blueberry cupcake, which only had enough room on top of it for One Blueberry (not including the One in the cake itself), and it was splendid- sweet, tart, and the frosting even stood out. Well played. Sir got the red velvet, and he said it was great too, not dry or overly oily like red velvet can be. The person at the counter was super nice too- You know that lady at the donut shop sometimes who gives you an evil eye for spending .65 on your one donut and for making her make change from your 75 cents? None of that here, As little as we bought, we still felt well-treated and got a fully legit smile when we handed over our cash money. We'll be back here after our next traipse around the Pearl. Tasty, a cheap stop, and no guilt for having eaten a Whole Cupcake. Just enough splurge to please.

    (4)

  • Leah H.

    Presentation of these cupcakes is always on point. And a cookie hat topping a cookie dough filled cupcake - simply precious. The novelty of the filling is enjoyable. Strip those off and you have a pretty OK cupcake. It is neither the moistest or driest cupcake I've eaten. Damn, why is it always so tough to write the three-star reviews? There is simply too much frosting for my tastes. It is fun that all of the cupcakes come with filling but then kind of sad that the mini cupcakes don't. I've had filled cupcakes that are smaller then golf balls. So if filling is their thing...they should probably just go all out and do the damn thing. "Cupcake points" with me for having rotating daily specials and Friday "happy hour." CJ is alright. It would satisfy me if I were jonesin' for a cupcake.

    (3)

  • Denise S.

    My daughter and I shared the vanilla perl cupcake. It really tasted like vanilla. The cupcake was stuffed with vanilla bean pastry cream. Yum. These are in the style of light & airy cupcake and frosting. The cupcake was pretty to boot which made me happy eating it. Worth the $3.25.

    (4)

  • Samantha T.

    Of course the best cupcakes I ever tasted. I always have to stop by here everytime I visit Portland and take some home back to Texas. I order a dozen of minis to have a variety of different flavors. So far my favorite is the peanut butter & jelly, red velvet and pearl. This place is a must stop if you have a sweet tooth...

    (5)

  • Christine H.

    Fancy cupcakes make everything better! I buy them for all my employees b-days... Just their appearance alone makes the office a better place...not to mention the aroma of these little sugar gems. I'd take a half dozen of these over flowers any day of the week ;)

    (4)

  • Shay F.

    I love this place because they have mini cupcakes! Perfect treats that are guilt-free. Well...I don't know how guilt free it is when I decided to get three of them! LoL. I got the vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet one. The vanilla one was meh, but the chocolate and red velvet one was mmmmmtastic! I should get the regular sized one next time! LoL. By the way, my roommate really liked the lemon one.

    (4)

  • Joey Y.

    Overpriced cupcakes. They gave me a sample of the Red Velvet cupcake but I couldn't really taste the difference between theirs and other brands. BUT, after years of eating spicy, hot Korean/Asian food, my taste buds are not the best at judging taste. So... yeah. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, I can't just wrap my minds around paying $5 for a cupcake. For goodness sakes, they are just cupcakes with absolutely no nutritional values. I could get a footlong Subway sandwich for that amount that will satisfy real hunger. Ignore my last rant; I'm just hungry right now.

    (3)

  • Erin D.

    I had my daughter's 3rd birthday party at Cupcake Jones and it was fabulous!! Lisa, Shannon and their crew had everything ready and were beyond helpful with every little detail.

    (5)

  • Brandi W.

    I have been here a couple times now and my impression is that this is a cool place that takes your boring basic cupcake and elevates it to a new level. I have had a lemon cupcake that was incredible, so far my favorite flavor. The cake was moist and the lemon flavored frosting mouth puckeringly wonderfulicious. The chocolate frosting they use on their everyday 'Downtown Cupcake Brown' is soooooo decadently tasty that really I could just buy a dozen of those little frosting shots they sell and feel no remorse about the lack of cake. I had a pumpkin cheesecake one today. I thought it would be a heavy frosting, more like a cream cheese style. Instead I was surprised to bite into it and discover the frosting was light and intensely flavorful. Not as light as a whipped cream, but certainly lighter and much less sweet than a buttercream. Awesome! My only complaint is that their cupcakes, with the exception of the lemon, are a bit on the dry side. Since I consider a cupcake as a frosting delivery device, that doesn't bother me a bit. I also do wish they would put more filling in their cupcakes, usually you barely get a dab. If they just did that, I think it would be worth 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Red velvet and vanilla cupcakes were delicious. The cookie dough and carrot were meh. Okay, let me expand: jumbo cupcakes ($3.50 each) were baked perfectly with a little crunchy/chewy top with a creamy filling. The mini cupcakes ($1.50) did not have the crunchy/chewy top nor creamy filling, and therefore were "meh". The flavor was good, but it's the texture that makes it special. If I were to return to Cupcake Jones, I'd get the jumbo Red Velvet cupcake, which were not that jumbo.

    (4)

  • Caroline L.

    Just about gasped with happiness to see a cupcake shop while strolling around Pearl district. However, after my first bite, was a bit disappointed. Very cute/creative to-go container for the cupcake, and the filling inside the Pearl cupcake was yummy. However, the actual cake itself was a bit dry and I don't really like buttercream very much. Was a bit disappointed after paying $3.25 for the cupcake. The mini cupcakes are a cute idea and they have samples of their daily flavors. Much prefer Magnolias (NY) and Sprinkes (LA).

    (2)

  • Erin M.

    Two years later, I've returned to Cupcake Jones to find that their cupcakes aren't up to par. I don't know if it was low standards then, or deteriorating quality, but these cupcakes are not all that. They are nothing but crumbs, and this is after trying them 2 separate times a few weeks apart. The flavor is also lacking. Next time, I'll get my treat from Ben and Jerry's right next door.

    (2)

  • Nancy B.

    Not much more that I can add. Very friendly staff. When we mentioned that we were from Seattle and had visited the cupcake shops "up North" they were very interested to hear the differences. It happened to be a holiday in June day - pumpkin pie, chi, and gingerbread flavors were featured. Loved the dozen mini box! With a quart of milk it made for the perfect evening long snack as we plotted out our next day of touristy things to do! They are also on Twitter and if I was in the area I would be afraid to follow :-) The website is tempting enough!

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    My first big cupcake experience and it has become a family favorite. Any big event in our house now demands cupcakes from here. Birthdays just wouldn't be the same without these wonderful yummy delights. We get the small ones for the classroom party and then the big ones instead of cake for the family party. Love you guys!

    (5)

  • sarah y.

    the cupcakes here are good, but a bit dry for my taste. the flavors are unique and change quite often, but i especially like "the pearl" -- name very fitting to the store's locale. it's also nice that they have doggie cupcakes that are banana flavored... my beagle loves them :) the customer service is always great though, they're extremely friendly and often invite my dog under the counter so he can enjoy his treat immediately!

    (3)

  • Ling H.

    Most places I go to have good Red Velvets and this place is no exception, but borderline 3.5-4 stars. Their Velvet Painting is a red velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand candied rose petal. The cream cheese wasn't overly sweet and balanced the dense, moist red velvet perfectly. YUM. I also tried the Pearl, a white velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream, topped with vanilla bean buttercream icing and a hand made white chocolate pearl. I expected a little bit more from this one, but the cake was a little too dense. Not too sweet, which is good and the white chocolate pearl was shaped like a pearl and was equivalent to chewing on a softened lemon head. Interesting. We came here before dinner and came back after for another cupcake. This time instead, we all got the jumbo pastry cream-filled red velvets and the girl at the counter was nice enough to give me another candied rose petal because the bf ate it before I could even try it. Thank you Cupcake Jones for your wonderful service!

    (4)

  • David M.

    For the prices and the hype (having Yelp stickers posted on the exterior window) I don't think the cupcakes were the best.

    (3)

  • Maureen H.

    First off, the employee that greeted me when I walked in was extremely friendly and helpful. He seemed genuinely excited about selling cupcakes and talked to me for a minute about their new-ish vegan selections. Plus one star for great service and vegan options. I got a cupcake 6 pack plus a mini vegan chocolate cupcake because I was starving but the cupcakes were for dessert. For my six pack I chose: vegan vanilla, vegan red velvet, strawberry shortcake, blueberries n cream, and two peanut butter cup (several are Monday only selections). The mini chocolate was good, but I hated the vegan vanilla. I threw it away. A cupcake. I threw away a cupcake. Not typical. The cupcake was hard and dry, and the vanilla taste was too overpowering. All the other cupcakes got good reviews from those that ate them. My friends particularly liked the vegan red velvet and the strawberry shortcake. The blueberry and the peanut butter got thumbs up but they were less enthusiastic about them. I would probably go back to grab cupcakes for another special occasion. I love cupcakes and this place does an alright job. Plus, they have several delicious sounding flavors that weren't available on the day I went. But which day to choose...

    (4)

  • Coral C.

    The frosting was delicous and the filling was a nice surprise, but the actual cake portion of the cupcake tasted a bit like dog food. SO GROSS. For a place that only sells cupcakes, I would expect the cake part to be the best out of everything. Disappointed for sure, but I would go back for the frosting....mmm, frosting.

    (2)

  • Emily G.

    I love Cupcake Jones. Yes, their cupcakes are fantastic, but that's not the reason I'd recommend them for your wedding/party/friday night hangout. I recommend Cupcake Jones because of the way they run their business. My partner and I came in for a tasting and were welcomed into the back where Mia (yes, I still remember her name 8 months later) gave us a bunch of samples and worked with us to figure out flavors we'd like. Then Lisa, the co-owner, came back to hang out with us. Turns out we were getting married at the same place she and her husband did! We chatted away and she gave us her cell phone number in case we had questions about the venue or the cupcakes. A couple weeks before the wedding, Lisa spent about half an hour with me on the phone finalizing the order, running the numbers on how many cupcakes we should order for my big eating, jewish, family, and answered every single question patiently and thoroughly. The day of the wedding, Lisa and her husband, Peter, delivered our cupcakes themselves and set them up for us. They told me how beautiful I looked in my dress, hung out for a few minutes making sure everything was set up well, then snuck out the back. Everything was perfect and our guests loved the minis because they got to try a bunch of flavors. One word of caution, if you have a family who likes to eat, order one more dozen minis than recommended. Leftover cupcakes would have been awesome. Since the wedding, I've seen Lisa around town and she always remembers my name and makes sure to say hi. I'm not just a huge fan of the Cupcake Jones product, I'm a HUGE fan of the way they run their business. Use them. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Zy X.

    This place is cupcake heaven!!! I normally don't like frosting, because it's just too sweet for me. I usually scrap off the frosting from cakes and cupcakes. However, this isn't the case when it comes to a cupcake from Cupcake Jones. I've tried many flavors, but my favorites are the red velvet and peanut butter/chocolate ones. My favorite thing about Cupcake Jones' cupcakes is that it has a center filling! YUM! I appreciate that they offer mini-size to help me fulfill my craving for sweets, but not to affect my caloric intake dramatically. The regular size cupcakes are reasonable enough to share between two people.

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    I gave this place a second chance, I have to appreciate how big their cupcakes are compared to Saint Cupcake. I also like how they are filled.

    (4)

  • Sherri C.

    I bought 5, yes 5, different flavored cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. Although they are larger than the standard size, and pretty to look at, the cakes are dry and crumbly and totally lacking in flavor. The frosting is on the thick side and also lacking in flavor. I wish I could say better things about them because the store is small and cute, and the people friendly -- but at least there are enough people in Portland who (I think) will continue to support the business. It looked pretty popular during the time we were there.

    (2)

  • Addie N.

    I am giving Cupcake Jones a 3 instead of a 2 because of their Red Velvet cupcake. My boyfriend and I ordered half a dozen cupcakes for a dinner party dessert and the consensus was the only one worth the salt was the red velvet cupcake. Staff was very nice and friendly, and made suggestions on which one to order.

    (3)

  • Lillian G.

    I wanted to like this cupcake shop - honest! They seemed like a quaint little place, but they have too much going against them for me to be any sort of a fan. The shop is TINY with zero seating and barely any room to order. The cupcakes are more expensive than other shops in town and it is only for pomp and circumstance, rather than taste. They offer truly beautiful cakes, but the ones I tired were way too sweet and with unsavory fillings. The staff was friendly enough, but a bit cookie cutter (to pardon the expression). The counter folks seemed a bit tired and didn't really seem jazzed about selling cupcakes. I know how it is to work in retail, but it's cupcakes! I'm going to stick with my first love, Saint Cupcake. Sorry Cupcake Jones, you're just not up to snuff.

    (1)

  • Tiffany T.

    Got to Powells early to meet a friend and instead of getting lost in the stacks decided to walk down a few blocks for a predinner snack. I tried 1 of their quarter sized red velvet with cream cheese frosting cupcakes. The frosting was a dreamy creamy creation. The cake didn't taste of chocolate to me and was fine but unmemorable, perhaps too subtle in that tiny size? The store was cute. And the fact that they do dog treat cupcakes adorable! A nice little shop if your downtown.

    (4)

  • Natalie W.

    Commitment cupcakes. It's not a place you can visit all time. If you just want a sugar fling, go somewhere else. There are mini cupcakes and jumbo cupcakes, and they come in all sorts of varieties (that change regularly). The jumbo cupcakes have both frosting *and* filling, which means they're the optimal choice for a hearty sugar fix. But the jumbo cupcakes are, in fact, a lot of cupcake (and for a Pearl-district price). A commitment, sure. But definitely a tasty one.

    (4)

  • Katherine C.

    Great cupcakes. These are much larger than Saint cupcakes and they don't sacrifice any flavor. Plus, they are filled which is always a treat. I'm a big fan of the Red Velvet, Chocolate chocolate and Carrot Cake.

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    We found this adorable cupcakery while driving around the Pearl District (for the SF folks, it's comparable to our SOMA). The owners, Peter and Lisa, are as nice as can be and seem like they genuinely love what they do. Yes, they're pricey, but consider how much love they put into their product/business: they make almost everything by hand (including marshmallows, graham crackers, jams, etc.), they candy everything by hand, they recycle everything, they use mass transit for deliveries, they donate leftovers to the homeless, etc. I'd be more than willing to pay more for tasty, great quality cupcakes while supporting a unique cupcakery that's enthusiastic about helping the community. AND they have dog-friendly cupcakes! Can't help but love them. But anyway, I had a pearl (white cake, vanilla cream frosting, topped w/ a white chocolate pearl), a velvet painting (red velvet cocoa cake w/ cream cheese frosting), and a champagne&roses (white cake w/ champagne butter cream frosting). ALL YUM. I wanted to try a peppermint hot chocolate cupcake but my friends ate it while I was in the shower. Assholes.

    (5)

  • Annie E.

    Plus: good cupckaes Con: only 6 to choose from Cupcakes Jones always has 3 flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet. Then every day they switch with 3 other flavors. Problem for me is that I live in Washougal and they are in downtown Porltand so I only get the weekend flavors. Maybe i'll have to talk the hubby (who works downtown) to get me some sometime! I do find the cupcakes a bit dry but I think that's how they are meaning to make them. I do love cupcakes and not so much the frosting so I usually toss most of mine to the hubby. I do think its hilarious they have 'frosting shots' but I guess some people really, really, really like frosting. I'm just not one of them. Definitely worth a trip :) Because really, who doesn't like cupcakes that they don't have to bake!

    (3)

  • Shirley W.

    Portland can't compare to the cupcake places in CA such as Sprinkles and Kara's cupcakes but Cupcake Jones is as good as it gets around here. I had the mexican hot chocolate and the red velvet cupcakes. They were filled with something that resembled like pudding and gave a nice contrast to the frosting and the cake. In the mexican hot chocolate, the filling was more cinnamon-y and it was injected in chocolate cake. The red velvet had a vanilla filling. I thought the frosting on the mexican hot chocolate was more oily tasting, leaving an unpleasant film coating my mouth. But the cream cheese frosting on the red velvet was really good. Both the cakes were very crumbly and I had to use the filling and frosting to hold it together. Overall, I would get the red velvet cupcake again but I'll probably veer away from the others.

    (3)

  • D L.

    Eh, it was ok. Maybe it was because we went late in the day, but the mini cupcakes were really dry. Maybe the regular ones are better.

    (3)

  • Tani S.

    Really good..can't quite understand the negative reviews for Cupcake Jones revolving around dry cupcakes, we had the opposite experience. We picked up four cupcakes and they were delightful! They were moist and inventive from the neopolitan, to the lemon, to the pink rose petal one, and chocolate one. I loved the surpise in the middle of the jumbo cupcakes with a yummy filling. I also loved the fact that these cupcakes had balance, not overly sweet. The price seemed fair as well given that the cupcakes were really big, fresh, and interesting...!

    (5)

  • Don B.

    MMMMMMMM..... that pumpkin chocolate-chip cupcake rocked my world today. Yum!

    (5)

  • Al D.

    Total rip off. The mini cupcakes were dry and the frosting was disgusting. Big disappointment.

    (1)

  • Olivia T.

    An affair is always bad to have... Especially when it's a cupcake affair... I hope Saint Cupcake won't find out that this past weekend... I had a one night stand with Cupcake Jones... We had a hot passionate Red Velvet with creamy filling sexy time.. I can't really explain what's going on... I didn't remember how did it happened... It was all blurry.. All I remember was the sensations... Hopefully this is just a one night stand... I just can't have two lovers... Maybe I can have one lover and one mistress.. Well, That's just plain wrong...

    (4)

  • Jaime Patricio M.

    Reading these reviews.... ouch.... I would hate to see if Cupcake Jones wasn't doing a great job. One comment said $3 was too much. This is what high quality cupcakes cost and in particular if this is the bulk of your business I do not think the principals of Cupcakes Jones are living large. Also good ingredients cost more than say something like hydrogenating oils... mmmm hydrogenating oils! Nahhh.... I take butter and better ingredients for my ideal cupcake. Go to any other city and $3 is cheap go to New York and you will pay $5-6 or more. I ordered their large Pearl cupcakes; it was fresh and exactly what I wanted and needed. There is a small white chocolate pearl on top and while I enjoyed that I completely enjoyed the frosting with a little tunnel of butter cream in the center. When I go back to Portland I will come back and bring some back home. Great job Lisa and Peter.

    (5)

  • April B.

    Strolling through the Pearl and just had to have a cupcake ...or 4... -Downtown Cupcake Brown -German Chocolate (x2) -Chocolate Pretzel Cupcake I wouldn't call these top notch. My husband and both though they were slightly dry - perhaps because we bought them at the end of the day. The filing in the Downtown and Pretzel cupcakes was odd - a chocolate ganachey thing I am sure wasn't needed - not much flavor going on. My husband said his German chocolate cupcakes had too much filling and not enough cake. I do give them bonus points for making doggy cupcakes, one of which my beagle devoured. Decent cupcakes but room for improvement.

    (3)

  • Heather D.

    Great stop on a birthday celebration tour of the Pearl! Mini cupcakes and Fullsize cupcakes, icing shots and doggie cupcakes. Open late for a bakery 8pm-ish. Super friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Kenny P.

    I like Cupcake Jones a lot... It's a little bit pricey. You can't just eat this like everyday. Not everybody is willing to spend $3.50 on a single cupcakes. Having said that, the taste is really good though. I have tried so many cupcakes (sprinkles, pinkabella, saints, and hundred mores) and I think jones is in my top 10 list of best cupcakes. They should promote it better though. For example: last thanksgiving, I was urging my friend to buy Jones cupcakes. However, the other cupcakes place has a better deal like buy one get one free (they are not crappy cupcakes store, just as fancy as jones). I asked Cupcakes Jones in the website is there any special deal for holiday or something, unfortunately jones cupcakes is pretty stiff in having deals. At the end, 10 of us (yes.. 10...) went to other cupcakes stores and get lots of them. All of my friends have been returning to that cupcakes store for gazillion times now. I know Cupcake Jones is a very good quality place for cupcakes. However, once in a while, I think they need to just make a special deals for its customers. After all, nothing wrong in pampering and giving a special treatment for your loyal customers. That's the only turn down. If you are in P-Town, after finished dinner and want a piece of sweetness, i suggest this place. Red velvet is the heaven :)

    (4)

  • Lizzie V.

    I am so nervous to write this review because the Yelp event is happening tomorrow and Cupcake Jones will be there and I feel like I'd be ungrateful to give them a bad review, but you people count on my integrity so I am going to give it to you. It's a little place. It fits two guys in wheelchairs and an extra body. That was the actual case when I came to get cupcakes. I split the full sized strawberry chocolate and the German chocolate with my husband. They are really cute, and have some fun stuff in the middle, but I feel like the fun stuff in the middle is used to cover up the dryness of the cake. Both were dry...very dry. If these cupcakes were amazing I would feel totally fine about spending $3.25 on a cupcake for a treat every now and then, but they weren't amazing. They were totally unamazing.

    (2)

  • Janet R.

    OM NOM NOM!!! These cupcakes were even better than Kara's Cupcakes in San Francisco. They had mini cupcakes in case you wanted to sample more than one, and they even had doggy cupcakes! THAT alone adds another star!! I had a banana split cupcake, some chocolate with chocolate something, and another chocolate with cherries. SOO yummy. I will definately come back, but next time, Ill bring my puppy!

    (5)

  • liz l.

    This is my third favorite cupcake spot. I don't like the shop, I have a hard time maneuvering my jogging stroller in the door, it is tiny. I need to the jogging stroller so that I can burn off the cupcakes... Anyway the best thing, for me, is that they have a red velvet. The tiny cupcakes are better, in my opinion, here than the regular sized ones. The chocolate raspberry (it has a cuter name than this, I think) was OK. My son devoured the downtown chocolate brown, so 2 year old approved, so much so that I didn't even get a bite. If I needed a red velvet, I'd make my way over here, maybe I'd drive.

    (3)

  • Sasha R.

    I tried it on a Monday for an event that I needed cupcakes for, and they were open. So instead of going to Saint Cupcake, I came here. The cupcakes were good, just not the amazing loveliness that I'm used to from Saint C's. Also, the whole gimmick here is that they put some fun stuff in the center of the cupcake, like a frosting filling etc... but I guess I'm a little more old fashioned and simply like a good honest cupcake like the ones I should be making at home. However, the STAFF was AMAZING!! Triple awesome, in every way, and totally hooked me up with a huge order that I needed right away, without being upset at me for not ordering ahead. For that they get a third star I would otherwise not have given.

    (3)

  • Annette V.

    I LOVE cake. And although cupcakes are considered "mini-cakes" by some...I'm inclined to disagree and say that you can never compare a cupcake to cake....it's just wrong. With that being said, I've always thought cupcakes to be the inferior species, and it takes a lot for me to love a cupcake enough to go back for another. Cupcake Jones isn't perfection, but they do produce a pretty darn tasty red velvet ("velvet painting") that keeps me coming back when I'm in the neighborhood. The filling is definitely different from the frosting, and the cupcakes are nicely balanced just the way I like them; moist interior with a crunchy top that I haven't figured out how to do in my own oven at home. Pretty spendy if you're going for more than 1 cupcake but ugh, so good.

    (4)

  • Shannon F.

    Let me start by saying that I'm a lover of all things baked and gooey...give me a good brownie and I'm in. For the last few years I've loved cupcakes, I don't feel nearly as guilty making cupcakes and then just eating one, or two or ten...because they're little and cute and can't possibly have as many calories as a full piece of cake could right? But anyway...I was pleasantly surprised with Cupcake Jones unlike some other cupcake shops in Portland they had some interesting flavors and went outside the box a bit which is half the fun with cupcakes (the other half is decorating them). I tried the tired and true chocolate because making a good chocolate cupcake is always a must but then a few of their fun flavors as well...the oatmeal cookie was quite good, I really liked how they had cookie dough inside of it! My only complaint would be that for their size the cupcakes were a bit pricey. I don't mind paying that much for a cupcake but I just with it had been bit more substantial.

    (4)

  • Kent M.

    Easily the best cupcakes in town and lovingly owned by a fantastic, civic-minded couple. Located right on the streetcar too. I highly recommend these folks and their delicious desserts.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    In some cases, time changes nothing, but in the case of Cupcake Jones, time has made all the difference. Since first reviewed Cupcake Jones and my mediocre experience there, my little cupcake shop has turned itself into quite the force on the Portland cupcake scene. Now, cupcakes are cakey and not oily, the frosting is delicious and inventive, and the prices match the value you get in each delectable little bite. If you need a reliably fabulous and interesting cupcake - try Cupcake Jones. They have a limited, rotating selection but I've yet to meet a (current) cupcake there that I didn't like.

    (5)

  • rc c.

    The clinical symptoms of addiction include extreme measures to seek out the substance, often ignoring important roles or risking significant relationships. If I had any addictions, it would be to cupcake jones....and probably waffle window, but that's another story. I love that everyday they have 3 different cupcakes, and that they change every month. My absolute favorite so far has been the pumpkin cheesecake, which came out in Nov. But velvet painting is a close second, which is available this month...try it and see if you don't find your self in cupcake seeking behaviors.

    (5)

  • Janet T.

    A weekend trip brought me to Cupcake Jones in the Pearl District (comprable to Belltown in Seattle) This is probably the best cupcake that I've ever tasted! These cute little cupcakes packed in a mouth full of tantalizing flavors. There are several different flavors to choose from...and my ultimate favorite was the Velvet Painting which consists of red velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing and a hand candied rose petal! YUM! These cupcakes are a bit pricey at $3.25 a pop, but definitely worth checking out at least once.

    (5)

  • Mr. C.

    I love red velvet cake. Always have since my grandma used to make it when I was but a wee lad in Kansas. These cupcakes are made in front of your eyes and are extremely delish!

    (5)

  • Javier J.

    After drinking at two brewpubs and stumbling back in time before my parking meter expired, the cupcakes came across my eye... My goodness, they looked delicious from the window! And to boot they had a second even smaller cupcake sitting next to the slightly larger than normal size cupcake. Now as someone who is beyond buzzed at 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday, this could be a strange sight to see and one that would make one question their sanity. WHY IS THERE A SMALLER CUPCAKE NEXT TO THE BIGGER ONE!?! These are not the things a drunk man should bare witness. I began to sweat. I looked around to see if there was any cameras.. Clearly this sort of thing is some sort of hidden camera show type of gag. Sure enough, those cupcakes were there mocking me. The smaller one even meaner than the larger one. I mean, isn't that the way it always is. The smaller of the group always the one that packs the bigger punch? Well clearly I wasn't going to take this verbal abuse. No sir! Not from a pint sized cupcake that looked delicious. I'll show you one thing or another, ting s'more cupcake! And that's what I did. I walked in there, slapped down the $1.50 for a small cupcake and bit that mofo showing him who's boss. Well, I'm sure that cupcake just went straight for my ass. So I dunno who came out the real winner in the end. But I have to say, it was a very delicious cupcake. Very cute looking. From what I was told between mocking the cupcake back with every bite was that they have both weekly and monthly rotating cupcakes. Holy shit, I thought, I wonder what sort of mocking tones those other cupcakes to come would be. I can only wonder what they'll be... perhaps you'll have to carry on this battle against insulting pastries while I'm not in Portland to go on and eat these little bastards! Delicious cupcakes. A pretty decent price for such high class tasty treats! Awesome all around.

    (4)

  • Jenny C.

    The cupcakes here are so adorable, baby bunnies and puppies might send each other cards of them. But like the umpteenth email forward from your grandma with the subject "FW:FW:FW:RE: Awww", Cupcake Jones is probably not something you want all the time. Every so often though it's a nice departure from the mundane baked goods of grocery stores and undoubtedly more welcome than the hard candies prevalent in any grandmother's home. Owned by Oregon natives, it's a swell little place, worthy of 3.5 stars on the Yelp Scale and perfect to run into for a quick sweet tooth fix. Grab a sample from the case before you decide what jumbo or mini cupcake to take on your way or put together a dozen to share with friends. The patient staff behind the counter in the open kitchen behind pleasantly engages you in conversation on the specials of the day that are intermixed with the regulars. The general recipe appears to be rich frosting atop dryish cake. The oh so chocolaty Downtown Cupcake Brown is my favorite by far, but defiantly not the best I've ever had. Still, it's a sincere effort overall, even down to the doggie cupcakes for your pup. Maybe you can get one of those, take a photo, and send it off to Nana, subject line "mmmm & awwww".

    (3)

  • Cat P.

    Stopped by here on the way back from dinner and were immediately welcomed by the very friendly and helpful staff. Their selection was incredibly appealing and ultimately went with the Pearl and Lemoncello. Despite it being near 8, the cupcake was still fresh and moist, and the freshly inserted lemon curd, so tart and creamy. The frosting was smooth and lacked the overly fatty/sugary taste so many cupcake places pile ontop of their product. Have yet to try the Pearl, but looking forward to it.

    (5)

  • Danielle K.

    Uuuugghhhh...Come in happy...leave with a stomach ache. My friend was REALLY irritating me today, because she kept on going off about how much she looooooved Cupcake Jones and how it was just so much better than the Saint. This, firstly, was a put-off. However, seeing this is NOT a review about how she pissed me off, this shouldn't even go into play. I will say, though, that there is pretty much no end to my sweet tooth. I like all things chocolatey, sugary, and basically bad-for-you. So Cupcake Jones should be like love at first sight, right? Well, I'm not sure how they did it, but they actually made something TOO rich for me. I know! I know! It seemed IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, even the small bite-sized version of the Vanilla Pearl proved to be too much. They weren't kidding when they called the frosting buttercream. It literally tasted like I was eating a spoonful of butter. Yikes! For the larger cupcake, I decided to try the peanut butter and jelly combo, which looked a lot more delicious than it sounds. And while the frosting on that one proved to be much more tasty, the filling was just a distraction from pretty dry cake. Which, to be honest, I noticed in the bite-sized version, but hoped wouldn't render true for another sampling. My friend was appalled when I told her how I felt, and continued to diss on Saint Cupcake. The truth is, though, Saint Cupcake is simpler, lighter, moister, tastier, and cheaper! At $3.25 for a regular cupcake, it bes' be good. The two things this place really does have going for it though, are their menu innovation and the owner. The menu changes frequently, and they have seasonal cupcakes (well, sort of seasonal...the ideas are seasonal, but I doubt the ingredients are), which cater to those who like novelties in their desserts. And the owner, well, he came over and just chatted us up like we were regulars. And the convo lasted a solid ten minutes. He was very nice, which makes the doling out of two stars seem almost mean to me, but the fact of the matter is, that while the cupcakes are cute and the names delightful, there really isn't the awesomeness behind them that I thought they would. I left feeling like there was a rock in my stomach...not a nice feeling. So, I'm sorry CJ. I hope you guys do well with business from people like my friend who swears by you. You really do seem nice! But I just can't handle it. :(

    (2)

  • M O.

    Im obsessed with this place. The vegan selection is phenomenal! I only wish they could squeeze a little bit of the amazing filling in the mini cupcakes!!! Please consider it!!!!!

    (5)

  • Evelyn L.

    Mini cupcakes are so cute - box of 12 for $16. Got 2 boxes for a halloween party and they were finished quickly by 5 men. Friendly service. The downside is it's hard to find street parking.

    (4)

  • Lee S.

    They've got a bench out front so you can have a "sit-down meal" of cupcakes. The only trouble is that when you get up to get a second round, someone is definitely going to grab the bench. Suggestions?

    (4)

  • Sharon W.

    I usually laugh at the people who complain about dry cupcakes, but these were really pretty bad. I ended up going to Ben & Jerry's next door because the minis here didn't satisfy my sweet tooth, or any other flavor craving. Janet R., I live in San Francisco and work nearby one of the KaraVan's normal routes. Cupcake Jones is no Kara's Cupcakes :(

    (2)

  • Wolf L.

    We were bumbling around in the Pearl District, my lady and me, on a beautiful summer day. We saw Cupcake Jones from across the street. Girlfriend is a cupcake wizard. Seriously, she creates the most beautimus, delectatasty cupcakes ever. She's an artist with that buttercream frosting, I'm tellin' ya. We decided to wander over and check out the goods. Girlfriend was rolling up her sleeves. She's a bit competitive when it comes to cupcakes. The place is tiny, but what little space they have is packed with beautiful cupcakes. Girlfriend cast her very critical eye on the bakery case. Silence. That was a good sign. If she saw any defects or cupcake shoddiness, she would have been quite vocal about it. We ordered two cupcakes. I got a red velvet and the lady got a vanilla. Quite tasty. I noticed right away that they were similar in texture to girlfriend's cakes--a little more dense than most and not too, too sweet. I could seriously eat half a dozen in a nanosecond. They're that good. "That's a good cupcake, eh?" I prodded Girlfriend. She nodded in agreement. That's all you're getting from her Cupcake Jones, but that's a pretty solid endorsement. Tons of tasty beer AND great cupcakes? Portland, you stole my heart.

    (4)

  • Shanna J.

    My new downtown Portland food addiction, located within a couple blocks of my office. Have made several visits and brought along co-workers each time - everyone loves this place. Presentation is amazing - they are as much art as food. The big ones are loaded - unless you have a pretty hardy sweet-tooth, good idea to split with a friend or loved one. The minis are perfect - get a couple. Heaven for $3.75 or $1.50 is a pretty awesome value.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Good cupcake!! nom nom!! great atmosphere I felt welcome as soon as I walked in the door, a must try!!

    (3)

  • Sean G.

    This place has been reviewed to death, so I will be quick. Pros: Good flavors, nice people, larger cupcakes. Con: Dry, dry, dry cupcakes. Unfortunately, since I have enjoyed the super-moist cupcakes at Saint Cupcake, it makes it hard to think I'll walk back here. Which is too bad, the people were real nice and the shop is a cool tiny place.

    (3)

  • Sam W.

    Cupcake Jones is home to my favorite cupcakes. Even so, I'm only giving it four stars. The counter area is small and often gets crowded. If you don't know what you want when you get there, grab a menu and go back outside to look at window while reading the descriptions. I usually don't like frosting, but whatever they make them from here is delicious. Try them out. I like the chocolate ones best.

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    Got two mini cupcakes - red velvet and downtown chocolate brown. Their cupcakes are overpriced compared to what I'm used to ($1.50 for mini cupcakes) and they tasted okay but nothing that I would go out of my way to buy again. The customer service was excellent and I liked the dog-friendly mini cupcakes they sold. But once again, $1.50 for a mini cupcake, let alone one for my dog, is not something I'm down for.

    (2)

  • Leisa H.

    Far be it from me to turn down a free cupcake, but if I'm offered another from Cupcake Jones (as I was today), I would graciously, though with the hint of a twisted look on my face, turn it down. I'm certainly no health freak, but I'm not gonna blow the calories on something that tastes "meh" at best. I've not been in to the shop itself, so I can't drop any knowledge about that (and from other reviews, the shop & staff seem to be perfectly pleasant) - so we'll call this a pure product review. Today I had a chocolate cake/chocolate frosting variety. It looked gorgeous - gargantuan and delicate at the same time. The paper cup so thick and sturdy, that I was certain it must be holding something extraordinarily precious. The first lick at the frosting was promising. At the second lick, the uber-sweetness kicked in. So I decided to plunge in to the cake part to try and offset the frosting. Disappointment. My first thought - "Wait, did I pick up a vegan cupcake?" (no hard feelings, vegans). It was dry and not particularly flavorful. I will say, though, the cake part did work to offset the belly-ache inducing frosting - because it had no hint of sweetness. I'd tried Cupcake Jones on one other (catered) occasion - I had bites of about 3 or 4 different cupcakes...none of them tasty enough to persuade a second bite. The chocolatey-chocolate cupcake from today is still sitting on my desk, two bites gone. We'll see if the afternoon munchies can bring me back to it - but at this point, I'm thinking I'll go hungry.

    (2)

  • Lisa K.

    Best cupcakes and service in town. The variety makes my pastry-buying decision a real brain teaser. If that weren't enough, this business supports the community in several ways.

    (5)

  • Andy W.

    We were looking for something fast and sweet to munch on last night, and walking past Ben & Jerry's on 10th and Davis, I thought, "What about Jones?" My mind began to wander... "What about Jones?!!" screams Belloq at the Nazi stooges on board Captain Katanga's tramp steamer, while Indiana figures out a way to swim to the German U-Boat, prompting the orchestra in my head to perform a rousing rendition of Indy's march. (Dun-ta-dun-taaaaa! Dun-ta-daaa! Dun-ta-dun-TAAAAA! Dun-ta-daa daa DAAH!) Back to reality, I was fully prepared for a mind-blowing cupcake experience. They have a modest space, a refreshing contrast with other places in the Pearl District, and very attractive cupcakes. Their selection is a bit limited, though, with only six flavors to choose from at any time. But the proof is in the pudding, and sadly these cupcakes are heavy and dry, not made up for by the small amount of filling poking down through the top. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I've had a lot of better cupcakes at a lot of other places. My mind wanders again... "Shut your eyes, Marion! Don't look at it, no matter what happens!" Oh, Jones, you disappoint me. You outran a huge, tumbling ball of stone, dodged poison darts and Nazi bullets alike, killed a guy twice your size with an airplane propeller, commandeered a truck at 50 mph after scooting underneath it using only your whip to hang on, and then your big climactic feat is ... closing your eyes? What a letdown. And don't even get me started on that Crystal Skull nonsense. Lame, Jones. Lame.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 8:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes

Cupcake Jones

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