Chicago may be known for its famous hot dogs and Chicago-style pizza, but at heart it’s a city known for its choices in delectable chocolate. You could probably easily find candy shops scattered throughout town – there are many – but here is a focus on five of the very best ways to get your chocolate fix.
Chicago Chocolate Outlet
4010 South Morgan
Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Definitely providing some of the best chocolate in the city, the Chicago Chocolate Outlet is great not only in taste and selection, but the atmosphere of the shop/cafe. It’s a nice place to run into on a chilly day, relax by the fireplace and sip their delicious hot cocoa. In the warmer months, ice cream is available.
A wide selection of chocolates may be purchased by the pound or in a gift-wrapped box. Free samples are available on the counters, ranging in variety from chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, to just plain chocolate of different styles.
This place also makes a great date spot because of the coziness and other menu choices, such as soups and sandwiches. But, of course, the main focus is on the chocolate.
Website
Blommer Chocolate Retail Outlet Store
600 W. Kinzie St.
Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Blommer is quite known around its area for making the entire street smell of delicious chocolate, enticing and leading in new customers. An extensive selection awaits, where you can choose from varieties of candy (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate) to buy in bulk, or even a selection of non-chocolate candies already bagged up and ready to go.
The hundreds of options to choose from definitely do not make up the best chocolate in the world, but it’s on par with or better than many delicious European imports. The prices are also much better, about $2 a pound – which, when it comes to gourmet chocolate, is a bargain.
Bon Bon
5410 North Clark
Hours vary
First of all, this place is very expensive. Second of all – it’s beyond worth it. This isn’t a place to come to if you’re looking for sales and cheap chocolates, or if you don’t have a lot to spend. This is a place to come to if you want beautifully carved, hand-made chocolates that are worth every dime.
Bon Bon is run by a mother and daughter team, and they make everything themselves in what amounts to literally the highest quality chocolate. They are also unique, using different ingredients and spices (such as rose petals and chai tea) and carving out each chocolate piece into interestingly gorgeous designs like Buddha and King Tut. Everything is also natural, with only earthen minerals used and absolutely no preservatives – which also means you shouldn’t buy more than you’ll be able to consume within a couple of weeks. Of course, that won’t be hard to do with the outrageously mouth-watering taste of these chocolates.
Website
Fannie May
343 North Michigan Avenue
Fannie May, one of the famously original chocolate companies of Chicago, had closed all its shop locations down a few years ago. However, they have since been re-opened, much to the delight of those who just want chocolate without all its fancy entailings. Fannie May offers no-hassle, simply satisfying candy and ice cream – with, of course, plenty of free samples to try out.
This is a great place to come to if you want great-tasting chocolates without the expensive price. At around $0.50 a piece, some may still consider it to be high-priced, but it’s nothing when you compare it to many other gourmet chocolate shops around.
Chicago Chocolate Tours
230 S. Clark Street, Suite 119
For true chocolate lovers who just don’t know where to begin (or end) perhaps the Chicago Chocolate Tour is for you! At $40 per person, you will be taken on a walk throughout a specified route of quite a few different chocolate shops, get to try out many free samples (and ice cream in the summer!), and then walk some more to burn off any accumulated calories and learn about the history of different chocolate companies. It all equals out for a unique and interesting Chicago experience.
You can join in a public tour, or make it a private one if you have a lot of people to attend. It’s great for groups of birthday parties, bachelorette parties, etc. Whether public or private, however, advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.
Details on what different tours and routes entail are listed on the website.
