Cake Pops Top San Diego's Worst Food Trends List

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Cute as they are, and popular as they are in some regions cake pops get a definite thumbs down as a food trend in Southern California, according to a survey conducted by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Surveying members of a local “foodie” group, called the Superdiners, the newspaper found that a high percentage of respondents put cake pops, and the prevalence of “burger joints” at the top of the a list of “Worst Food  Trends of 2011.”

One survey respondent, a pastry chef, showed her distaste for cake pops and explained why she feels that way.

"I am not a fan of the cake pops. Cake suffers when you smash it like a piece of Wonder Bread, poke it with a stick, and coat it with a heavy sugar icing. Visual appeal is important — they look cute all bunched together in a bouquet — but taste is more important, I think,” she said.

Another survey respondent showed impatience with the 2011 burger boom.

"I love hamburgers as much as the next person, but enough already. Please put the kibosh on opening burger joints. Maybe a chicken-fried steak joint instead? You can have it your way in a potato bun with sausage gravy. That’s all American too, right?"

The closing of so many restaurants in this tough economy also was near top of the worst trend list.

 “It’s never fun to see good kitchen and service staff out of work and good chefs on the sidelines,” wrote another respondent tp the Union-Tribune’s informal survey. 

Comfort food, molecular cooking, and using savory items with sweet treats — such as salami flavored marshmallows and cheese and bacon cupcakes — made the list also.