Sweet Vegan Bakes — Restaurant in Chicago

Thanks for replying once more and still missing the point. Before placing the order, the website displayed a disclaimer stating the cake would be ready within a few hours.

I personally went through the entire ordering process and double-checked before my prior review. No such disclaimers appeared in the header, footer, product page, checkout, or confirmation email. The seven-day notice and no-refund policy were simply not visible in those places.

“Please note, your order will be ready on: Tomorrow at 11:00 AM.” There was no mention of a required seven-day notice or a no-refund policy at that stage. What impression does that give to the customer?

On my third visit to your website, I noticed changes had been made—yet you continue to place blame on my friend. If your site was already accurate, why the updates and no apology?

I didn’t screenshot the entire site initially because I didn’t think you would change it, but I do have some images that show how it looked before. Additionally, your vague use of “rush fees” adds confusion. While I appreciate the removal of the misleading “Same Day Cakes” note after my review, the term “rush fees” remains unclear and undefined.

Your website still presents conflicting messages. For example, during checkout, the system displays a pickup/delivery time that suggests availability—misleading customers.

Regarding your claim that the cake had a clear disclaimer: that’s false. The disclaimer was not visible before placing the order.

“He ignored the BIG BOLD PRINT, telling customers not to order unless they are ordering 7 business days in advance and that if they bypass that warning there will be NO RFUNDS, hoping that he would get that cake for you.”

It was buried somewhere on your menu in a way that can easily be missed by simply scrolling down—and that’s the point you keep missing, especially when located in the middle-end.

After reading your second response, I went back and saw that you added the refund policy toward the end of the ordering process—but not before the order is officially placed. That disclaimer wasn’t there before. I know this because I checked thoroughly before making my original post. We both know it, and that’s likely why you didn’t mention it when we first spoke or in your first response to me—because it didn’t exist at the time. Had it been there you would have proudly rub it in like you did with the disclaimer in the menu, being the only thing you kept mentioning.

You also stated, “Now we do have some cakes that are available same day, however the cake he ordered is NOT EVEN ON THAT Page!” Yet when asked, you only offered cupcakes. That should have been my decision. My friend called trying to clarify, and when I heard how discouraged he sounded, I called myself.

Rather than acknowledge the misleading layout and policies, you defended them. Misleading business practices that take people’s money without delivering what was promised is just as wrong. And no—just because someone agrees to a purchase doesn’t mean you can take their money without delivering a fair and honest service. That’s not transparent business—it’s exploitation.

The order was placed because I specifically wanted to try your bakery. Knowing you had same-day cakes were available—even if not that particular one—I would have been happy with any option. But I wasn’t given that choice.

Your comment about “ BIG BOLD PRINT” is inaccurate. As I said before, it’s easy to miss that information, especially with your overwhelming menu and poor layout. He simply never saw it because it was not placed prominently. Your decision to quietly remove the “Same Day Cakes” note only proves this.

Most disappointing is how you’ve chosen to criticize my friend, who remained respectful throughout. That says more about your professionalism than his.

Lastly, you said: “If you click the button, the system will accept payment, hence the reason the warning exists.” If you can't fulfill the order, don't accept the payment. It's unacceptable to knowingly take money without delivering—and then...

Thanks for reply and disregarding everything I said, when I reached out was for a reason, The way I see it you left him no choice. Again, I mentioned that warning should be something you should put under every cake because you guys have a lot of items in your menu. In his words “I’m actually surprised the order went through if they don’t accept last minute orders.” Why do you guys accept last minute orders and promote something different in your page that you accept “rush fees” and don’t specify the time limit for those rush fees. They way you guys worded your disclaimer it implies that you guys do accept late orders which includes last minute orders especially if you guys are willing to accept payment for last minute orders.

Then this company also expects you to go out of your way and go to different version of their website so you as the consumer can then read “Same Day Cakes are Available Same Day on a First Come First Serve Basis All Same Day Cakes (based on supply) will incur a $25 convenience fee THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!”

You shouldn’t expect your client to go to a different website with no direct link and through every row of your overwhelming menu to find this policy. That if you find it also leaves room for interpretation. If your policy leaves space for interpretation and is easy to miss due to the overwhelming items in your menu your return policy is not conspicuous. When clicking the link to the Water Tower website you don’t find it in the header or footer, there is no policy found on the link of the item of interest that you would like to purchase, not found during checkout, nor found in the order of confirmation.

If that is the case, you guys have shady business practices. You claim that you offered a refund I asked him multiple times and said you guys didn’t have that conversation. When he called me he sounded really sad that you guys stole $185, If you did return the money for the delivery service that wasn’t provided either, it was a surprise to him. So then I read your reply to my comment and asked him again multiple times and said that you guys didn’t have that conversation. Maybe he would’ve been less upset knowing you guys took $ 120-$130 dollars rather than just stealing $185. It seems that either you were and thought that you mentioned it and were going it to do it but forgot to actually mention, it happens.

Based on his reaction when he first reached out about this issue and when I mentioned what you said and the fact that he went to his bank and there was no sort of refund found when you mentioned, I believe he is being honest. We are not the type of people to leave negative reviews or try ruining people, we are just extremely disappointed with your business practice. Although I didn’t make the purchase for the cake, it was meant for me, the whole situation left me disappointed and unsatisfied.

If you cannot deliver and refuse to give people their money back for a service that you didn’t even bother doing, not everyone has another set of $120-185 to try getting the cake elsewhere.

A bit after I called, he checked on his account there was no sort of refund just a pending fee, $185. Perhaps it was reflected later or it will appear later because you added it later. But you are being disingenuous It’s not the customers fault like you are blaming my friend, like I said it should be a warning when clicking the cake, under the cake, or before confirming purchase not randomly in your page. With an overwhelming number of items on the menu you expect people to read everything. If I just scroll down to the item that catches your attention, what you would see it was I have shown in the image I shared and what I highlighted.

I didn’t know people were expected to go up the page and read everything you guys have in your menu. There is also the concept of implied warranty, and like I said usually return policy refers when the product was actually delivered, not that you can keep people’s money without...

If you’re vegan, stop what you’re doing now and check this place out! If you’re not vegan, stop what you’re doing now and check this place out! No, seriously, stop reading and go!

I started following Sweet Vegan Bakes on Instagram and added it to the list of vegan places to check out one day. I now know that day didn’t come soon enough.

The first time I stopped in, I was in the city with my Mom & we had passed it on the way home from a mediocre dinner somewhere. We were full from dinner, but I had been curious for so long, so we stopped in and grabbed a couple of cupcakes for later.

Chef Cheryl was working and her personality was immediately infectious. She was absolutely fabulous! Chef Cheryl was so helpful explaining all of the goodness that was before us in that bakery case. One sounded better than the next. We did a vanilla, a peach cobbler and a red velvet. While we were so full, we decided to sneak “just one bite” in the car - next thing we knew, they were gone!

Let me tell you, these cupcakes are the best cupcakes ever - vegan or not. I’m not usually a frosting gal (I’ve always gotten rid of it), but this frosting was next level goodness! Oh my! I’ve been vegan for a while and have learned to enjoy some treats - but have also had my share of, “meh, I’ll pass” cakes. Not here. The flavor, the texture, the frosting. Perfection. My mom who isn’t vegan enjoyed them just as much as I did. There was no telling it was vegan. It was just the best cupcake - period. What is this magic?!?

I recently got back there to pick up some treats and really wanted to try the savory menu. Once again Chef Cheryl was in. Can I tell you - I’d show up just to be in the presence of her spirit - regardless of the food quality. I asked for recommendations for my dinner and she helped me out. I tried the chipotle “chicken” wrap and mac n cheese - it was late at night, so Chef Cheryl was so kind and gave me some extra Mac and cheese. I also grabbed some chocolate truffles they had for Valentine’s Day and two cupcakes - one vanilla and one coconut. Chef Cheryl also suggested some strawberry lemonade, which was perfect. It was late, so I decided to take it to go.

Should I admit this? I told myself I’d try just one bite in the car before driving 1+ hours home. But after the one bite, I couldn’t stop. That wrap - the flavor was next level goodness. Seriously- the wrap was so fresh and the homemade “chicken” and chipotle sauce were addicting! And then the Mac n cheese - I mean, showstopper. Soooo good and just like the comfort food you want, but with less guilt. Where have you been my whole life?

The meal was too good to even try to put words to. The ONLY thing that would have been better was not me spilling my strawberry lemonade all over my car. But that was on me (literally and figuratively) and, at least it left my car smelling great.

Late that night I had some of the sweet treats and they were just as magical as the first time I tried them. These are the best bakery desserts around in the Chi. While I’m well over an hour away, this will be my go to bakery for any special orders, treats needed, etc.

Seriously - if you’re not vegan, give this place a try. You’ll see how good plant based food can be. If you are vegan, get here…stat. I’ll gladly drive well over an hour for this deliciousness. Also, if you follow them on Instagram, you’ll hear about Chef Cheryl’s amazing philosophy on food and her cooking. There’s a place for those things “impossible” and “Beyond”, but this is all the real deal when you want real food. Incredible real food made with a big heart. The combination at this local gem leaves your belly, heart...