Cakes By Karen — Restaurant in Aurora

To begin this review, I would like to start with the fact that I have been a patron of this business for multiple years now. I initially went to the Northglenn location, was happy with that location, and then ended up moving closer to the Aurora location so I started going there for my cake needs. After this year’s terrible customer service, I will sadly not be returning.

For a loved one’s birthday this year, I decided to order a cake for the party. Approximately a month prior to when I would need to pick up the cake, I called the store to place the order. The loved one that I was getting the cake for happens to live with me so one Saturday when they were out of the house for a short bit, I thought it would be a good time to give Cakes by Karen a call as I was trying to keep it a surprise from them. My phone call was answered by Val, who curtly said they were busy and asked to take a name and number to call me back. Being a Saturday, I was very understanding but also knew my loved one would probably be back home by the time Val returned my call and I wouldn’t be able to answer at that time. So, I responded in kind and told Val that I would need to call back in the next couple of days. Val once again responded curtly to give her my name and phone number and she would call me back when she wasn’t busy. Trying to give her the Cliff’s Notes version quickly the first time because I knew she was busy, I paused, reflected on the fact that she didn’t hear what I had said, and proceeded more slowly to explain to her why I would need to call back instead. After the second explanation, agitated from her rudeness and realizing that in the time wasted to explain the situation to her twice, I could have just placed the order, (since it wasn’t that extensive of a cake order), I just said, “Thanks, goodbye” and hung up.

Not understanding why that interaction was so difficult, the thought of finding another cake location seemed to be a decent idea. I remembered being very surprised at the overall cost and additional fees the last time I picked up a cake at the Aurora location of Cakes by Karen anyway and it’s Denver so hey, why not? Fast forward to a short time later on that same Saturday, after the cake recipient had arrived back home, my phone started ringing. Guess who? So, after explaining that I will call back and the reasoning why… twice, along with NOT giving my name and phone number, somehow Val still gives me a call back when she isn’t busy. And, of course, I couldn’t answer. I’m very thankful the birthday person wasn’t around my phone to see “Cakes by Karen” calling. That definitely finalized my decision of finding another cake place.

A friend suggested the Gateaux Bakery on Speer, (they also have a Petite bakery location in Aurora), and wow oh wow, what a gem of a bakery! I called my order in with no issues and picked it up on the scheduled day, easy peasy. Everyone in our birthday party along with the restaurant staff literally “ooh’ed & ahh’ed” over how beautiful the cake was! And, it was equally delicious! If you are looking for an amazing cake, or any other tasty bakery goodies, I would highly suggest Gateaux Bakery! Great quality and amazing customer service!

For fun, I looked back to see what I paid for the last cake I picked up at the Aurora Cakes by Karen. In 2022, I paid $105.98 after tax for a 10” round with chocolate cake and peanut butter buttercream icing. No additional frills, no extensive top décor outside of a “Happy Birthday” message. Absolutely delicious but wow at that price! For comparison, the 10” round cake (German Chocolate) at Gateaux Bakery that I purchased this year was $55. No hidden charges, add-ons, or attitudes at Gateaux. And, the cake looked much more elegant and professional than the ones done at Cakes by Karen. At least I found my new bakery...

What a difference a year makes... I should start off by saying if you asked me about my experience last year I was extremely pleased. I came to this location for my son's 1st bday. I'm very indecisive and had a few ideas and they were very helpful and I got exactly what I wanted. This year I had no doubts about going back. Until I walked in the other day. One of the same ladies from last year was there and had another family she was with. I had no problems waiting. When I first walked in based off the way she was speaking to them I knew something was off. She spoke to them like they were deaf or dumb. I. Told. You. We. Are. Sold. Out. Then to me, how can I help you? I said I had a picture I'd like her to see for my son's cake. She asked the size, I said I don't know I had a picture. I'm thinking small, a superhero cake. She asks, a 6 in smash cake? Again I said I'm not sure I'd like to show her my picture. But I'd like such and such on it. She says do you know how small a 6 in cake is? And gave me a look like i was dumb as well. Then says Hold on lemme help these people. She then proceeded to half listen and half attempt to help both of us. And kept asking me how big, how many people. I said I don't know I have a picture. She said Well we need to know that. All the while being rude to the family by ignoring them while asking me Qs instead of just helping them who were there 1st. So I said you know what nevermind I only came back bc you guys were so helpful last year but really nevermind. And I walked out. I thought before posting this but I feel someone should know about how unpleasant and unprofessional this lady was. Maybe it was a bad day, who knows, but to be honest it's you're job to have customer service, and be courteous. And with all the other choices out there for places to go to I will not spend my time money at this location ever again. I have used the location in Northglenn several times and had a far better experience. Now they are too far so I will go elsewhere I'm sorry to say. I hope that nobody else has this experience and I feel terrible for the family that was before me, I believe they were foreign and even if there was a language barrier did not deserve that treatment, nor to be spoken to they way they were. In my opinion it all would have gone better if she gave them her full attention, then taken the time to actually listen to me. As was done the year prior with her other cake baker. The lady last year was far better at handling someone indecisive like me, and so helpful I bought more than I should have but was more than happy to. As I said, I'm surprised, and disappointed at the difference between last year and this. If this was my first time it would have been 1...

I can’t believe this crackhead looking lady is suppose to “cater” cakes, she ruined my excitement, I went there for a baby gender reveal cake, and immediately as I walked in she didn’t smile just looked at me with attitude, I ignored that at first. When I told her I wanted a cake for my gender reveal she mocked my excitement like a child! Pure child, how is she even allowed to work here? She has the big mole in her face, completely rude, when I gave her the envelope that had the gender inside, she literally threw it on the counter, that’s when I couldn’t even help myself but to ask her, do you have attitude with me? And she said no no changed her tone, grown lady acting like this and ruining people’s experience, if you want a cake to be done by a crackhead with all kinds of scabs and needle marks on her arm, plus attitude, go there, but if not, find somewhere else! I told her to give me back my gender reveal envelope, maybe she isn’t used to people speaking up but she was not going to treat my husband and I this way, whoever owns this and hopefully not her! Needs to get rid of her, what a moment to remember, I don’t even know how she stays in business or even works there with a attitude like hers, crazy lady! I wonder how many other people’s special moment she ruins. I’m actually happy we decided not to do our cake here, don’t want no drug addict looking lady doing my baby’s cake! Crazy lady with a big mole on her face and she knows it too, insane in the head complete waste of time!...