Tastykake is more than a yummy snack; it's a
Philadelphia tradition. The Tasty Baking Company was started in
1914 with the intent of producing small, fresh, pre-wrapped
cakes which could be bought at your local
grocer. Marketed as "the cake that made
Mother stop baking", Tastykakes were loved by busy
women, who were able to provide their families with a
delicious fatty snack without having to
bake it themselves. Since then, the company has branched out into
cupcakes,
donuts, and other assorted
lunchtime desserts, but the basic
recipes of the original "kakes" have gone largely unchanged, as have the
hometown spirit and friendly
image of the company.
Tastykake is attempting to become a national outfit while maintaining its independence and hometown charm. So far, the company has managed to expand without being bought up by a bigger name, although they are experiencing some small financial growing pains. Hopefully, in 20 years, all of you will be able to enjoy the little taste of Philadelphia which I have with all of my lunches. Sometimes those Chocolate Cupcakes seem like the only constant in my life, and I'm sure other area residents feel the same way. Perfect for snacking after a hoagie or cheesesteak. :)