Grade: B
Tammie Coe Cakes in downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row is a haven of cupcakes and other equally unhealthy treats. If the copious servings of sugar and fat don’t make your heart skip a beat, the delicious taste will.
Cupcakes and wedding cakes are Tammie Coe’s specialty, but this tiny shop facing the arts district’s galleries also doubles as a deli and cafe, serving sandwiches, coffee and tea that are as good as the sweets.
The 10-minute walk from ASU’s Downtown campus is refreshing; Roosevelt Row becomes livelier and less dirty practically every time I see it. On your way there, try stopping at Conspire to see the local art or at Cade to play some old-school video games.
In Tammie Coe’s case, the destination is just as good as the journey. Its interior is a tiny room barely big enough for the counter displaying its artfully designed cakes and cupcakes. Outside seating is available but not substantial; take-out seems to be the most popular option.
I had heard good things about the Reuben sandwich, and it exceeded my expectations. Rather than a giant heap of pastrami, the meat was reasonably sized, which made the Thousand Island dressing stand out. The bread — marble rye — was the best part. It had a stronger flavor than most breads and was the perfect complement to the sandwich. The Reuben wasn’t as huge as some restaurants’ sandwiches, but it was as filling as I could handle. All of its tastes came together to make an excellent dish.
The iced chai latte is another highlight at Tammie Coe. It has an unusually strong, spicy flavor that tastes like pumpkin, and it’s sweeter than others I’ve had. At $3.25 for a small and $4 for a large, it’s expensive, but it’s worth a try.
I finished with Tammie Coe’s signature cupcake — the Ooey Gooey. It had a rich, chocolate cake base with more frosting — light brown with red sprinkles — than I’ve ever had before. The first bite is shockingly rich, and after a full Reuben sandwich, I had to share the cupcake with a friend. This is a 10 out of 10 on the sugar scale.
The 30-minute period after eating at Tammie Coe can be characterized by what I call the Lo-Lo’s Syndrome, prevalent among the guiltiest of culinary pleasures. After lunch my eyelids felt heavy, as did my stomach. Like Thanksgiving dinner, a lunch at Tammie Coe is best followed by a nap.
Tammie Coe is open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. (It’s closed on Sundays.) It’s an exhausting, delicious experience that is a must-try for anyone who isn’t on a diet.
Contact the reporter at john.l.fitzpatrick@asu.edu
