The Cocoa Bean Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Hammond

A few months back we attended a birthday party for one of my preschooler's friends. She had a Frozen themed cake and it was absolutely beautiful. However, many beautiful cakes, while attractive, don't actually taste very good. They cut the cake and passed out pieces to both the children and parents. I took a polite bite and ended up finishing the entire slice. It was fantastic! I inquired where they had purchased the cake and learned it was from the Cocoa Bean Bakery, I made a note in my phone should I have need of a cake in the future.

A few weeks later, while planning my teenager's high school graduation party, I contacted Cocoa Bean to discuss dessert options. My teenager wasn't interested in a regular cake, so the young lady at the bakery suggested a dessert selection made up of mini cheesecakes, eclairs, fruit tarts, cream puffs, and chocolate dipped strawberries. Every single item was, without exception, attractive and delicious. It was another hit.

Two weeks after graduation, we had yet another event, our preschooler's birthday party. Once again, I turned to Cocoa Bean Bakery and, once again, they knocked it out of the park. They made an incredible two tier planet cake for my spaced obsessed munchkin. I wasn't interested in using fondant, and they still a manged to make an incredibly smooth buttercream icing finish. The kids couldn't wait to eat it and the parents admired the craftsmanship. I sent photos of the party to out-of-state friends and family and they all commented on how fantastic the cake was. It really was a stand-out.

I can't recommend Cocoa Bean Bakery enough and won't hesitate to use them again for all our future special events...

The culinary delights that grace the shelves of this esteemed bakery are nothing short of a symphony for the senses. The cakes, masterpieces in their own right, boast a richness and flavor profile that is unparalleled, evoking a gastronomic experience akin to the finest patisseries in Paris. It is imperative for the uninitiated to inquire about the availability of sliced cakes – an indulgence that will indubitably leave an indelible mark upon one's palate.

The pastries are a testament to the baker's prowess, marrying texture and taste in a harmonious union that is epitomized by the croissants – a triumph of buttery decadence and flaky perfection. The cookies, substantial in size yet modestly priced, are a delightful ode to classic baking.

However, amidst this plethora of culinary riches, there lies room for refinement in the realm of customer experience. The introduction of price tags upon the trays or, alternatively, the erection of a signage akin to that employed by quintessential donut establishments, would greatly serve the budget-conscious gourmand. Such a thoughtful gesture would facilitate a seamless transaction, allowing patrons to fully immerse themselves in the sensory delights that await, unencumbered by pecuniary concerns.

In conclusion, this humble food critic implores you to heed this missive and partake in the heavenly offerings of this unparalleled bakery, whilst also considering the aforementioned suggestion for the betterment of the...

EDIT: Owner did call back to apologize for yelling at me over the phone. Still, just wanted to leave this up to warn any future customers...

I am not one to leave a negative review, especially for a local business. But the owner, Anthony, just spoke to me on the phone in a way I have never been spoken to in my life. I talked to him in early may and he confirmed he could do my cake, but to call the week of my wedding. I even filled out an online order form (which said I would get an email back confirming the cost.) When I called the week of my wedding, an employee told me he could no longer do the cake, despite us having several conversations beforehand. He also told me to email him the order and he would get back to me via email for a final price quote. I had never gotten the quote back, so I called. After cutting me off every sentence, I asked him to please let me finish what I was saying. He said "let me walk outside" and proceeded to YELL at me for 5 minutes about how he is so busy with cake season, how he has had to pause his cake work to talk to me, etc. I ended the phone call in tears because of the sheer disrespect from the owner. He will NOT be getting my business, and I will make sure to tell this story to those getting married in the area. I am shocked at the unprofessionalism, disrespect and just downright rudeness from...