Headline: Cinnabon Brings “Ooey-Gooey” to Birmingham’s Bullring, but Is It Worth the Calories?Headline: Cinnabon Brings “Ooey-Gooey” to Birmingham’s Bullring, but Is It Worth the Calories? Introduction: – Intrigued by the American chain’s expansion and American serving techniques, the reviewer ordered a cinnamon roll-flavored Chillata and a standard Cinnabon to sample the hype. The Venue: – Cinnabon is located at a kiosk in the Bullring shopping center, near the posh Rolex store. – The menu offers a variety of cinnamon roll variations, including the signature “Ooey-Gooey” roll. The Chillata: – The 16oz Chillata is a milkshake-like drink that contains pieces of pastry and a pronounced cinnamon flavor. – Despite its enjoyability, the calorie count is alarming at 1,231 calories. The Cinnabon: – Served with an excessive amount of cream cheese frosting, the Cinnabon has a thick, heavy dough and a slippery icing. – Opinions among office colleagues were mixed, with some liking it and others disliking the slippery texture. Calorie Overload: – The reviewer emphasizes the high calorie content of both the Chillata and the Cinnabon, cautioning against consuming them together. Verdict: – While the Chillata was enjoyable, the reviewer found the Cinnabon to be disappointing. – The thick dough, excessive frosting, and unappealing color of the icing left much to be desired. Recommendation: – For those seeking a satisfying dessert experience at the Bullring, the reviewer suggests Medicine at Selfridges as a better alternative.
“Big?” the waiter asked when I ordered a cinnamon roll-flavoured Chillata (£3.99) from Cinnabon. Not only is this an American chain, but they’ve also given it American serving techniques. I said yes, reader, because as a person I’m out of control.
We were at the Bullring and the 15-minute queue had given me time to decide what I already knew: that I was going to review a standard Cinnabon (£3.59) to see what all the fuss was about at the venue named after its signature baked good. Nothing else would help.
The ‘Ooey-Gooey’ cinnamon roll joins the Caramel Pecanbons, Lotus Biscoff Bons and Chocobons on the menu at the kiosk, just outside the posh Rolex store on the ‘Debenhams’ side of the shopping centre. I know, it’s the M&S side, but old habits die hard.
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You know what else is going to die hard? My flipping veins, the way I consumed calories today. More on that later.
My buddy Zainab and I walked back to the office with our Tiffany Blue boxes, mine with a heavy roll and Zainab’s with a ‘Minibon’ version of the Chocobon. Take a shot of liquid lard for every time I say ‘bon’ in this story and you still wouldn’t have consumed as many calories as I did.
A mini Chocobon and a Cinnabon at, eh, Cinnabon(Image: Kirsty Bosley)
I drank my Chillata on the go. It’s very cinnamony, sweet and creamy, a big milkshake but mixed with little bits of pastry. This is not cinnamon roll flavor, it’s got the real stuff in it and it’s going to chop your straw to pieces.
If you can get past the textured feel of ‘bits’ you’ll enjoy it. I did, mindlessly sucking it up like Noo-Noo from Teletubbies.
When I got back to the office I didn’t know if I could handle the Cinnabon. I felt sick, to be honest.
I looked at the calorie count on the drink. The 16oz cup? That’s 1,231 calories according to the menu. That’s more than two Big Macs! Wild.
I had to try the Cinnabon (because: journalism), so I pulled it out from the inside and rolled it out into a long “gooey” (heavy) strip that I shared around the office. The cream cheese frosting was indeed both slimy and gooey, and honestly, I hated it.
The dough was thick and heavy, slippery with the set icing that began to stiffen as it cooled. Reviews from colleagues were mixed, most liked it, although everyone commented on the slippery texture, which no one seemed to particularly like.
Even if I hadn’t consumed 1,231 calories in one drink, I don’t think I would have liked the chewy dough of the 889 calorie sandwich. I also wouldn’t have been as disgusted by that cream cheese flavor. The color of the icing, that yellow, melted cheddar look? I can’t even think of it.
If you go? Don’t get both the cinnamon roll drink and the Cinnabon. It’s just too much, not just in calories (that’s your business), but I can’t imagine anyone could stomach it.
For me, the wait for a really, really good place to eat at the Bullring continues. Next time I want cake? It’ll be Medicine at Selfridges!
