The first and only cinnamon roll restaurant in Fresno, Cinnamonster has flourished since opening last year. The tasty cinnamon rolls have initiated a frenzy among fans of the dessert and keep customers coming back for more.

Cinnamonster is a small breakfast shop located on the corner of Willow and Nees. The bright and clean interior gives the restaurant a relaxing atmosphere. The living room set-up and bookcase create an at-home experience.

The tasty cinnamon rolls lay in a clear, heated display case which caught my eye as I made my way to the register to order. The rolls are baked on site and always served fresh and hot.

The food options are listed on two black chalkboards. There is a wide range of options from gourmet monster cinnamon rolls, private labeled roasted coffee and espresso beverages, premium ice creams and a full range of soda pop and juices. The prices were quite reasonable, from $3-4 dollars for food and $2-5 for drinks.

I ordered a caramel and pecan Monster roll ($4.03). The roll came on a white plate with hot cream cheese drizzled all over it and streaming down the sides.

The cinnamon roll was so large that I had to use a fork and knife to carve into it. Given to me right out of the oven, the hot, gooey sugar and cinnamon slathered on the spiral dessert melted in my mouth. However, the sugar and cinnamon gave the roll a crunchy texture.

If the roll is too large, then an option to order is the Mini Monster ($2) which is a small version of the Monster cinnamon roll. Prices may vary depending on added ingredients such as raisins, pecans or caramel. The popular drinks are typical breakfast beverages such as lattes and mochas. A typical large latte costs $4 plus tax and a large Mocha is $4.31 plus tax.

For more information, call Cinnamonster at (559) 323-5504. For more restaurant reviews, visit the March 12 article, The Ripe Tomato delights high-end appetites.