Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop: A piece of San Francisco sweetness in Chicago
Leaving the heart in San Francisco is one thing, but being able to get a piece of it anytime is another thing. Even though it was founded in the Bay Area, Chicago’s branch of Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop is the Midwest’s answer to the world famous chocolatier.
As the story goes, Domingo Ghirardelli opened his first candy store in San Francisco in 1852. Since then, the business has dominated the globe with its scrumptious Square chocolate bars available in 14 stores across the country and online. Ghirardelli made such an impression in the city that they named a section of town after him. There are shops located in California, Nevada and Florida, but surprisingly, only two Ghirardelli shops reside in the Midwest: one in Wisconsin and the other in Chicago.
Walking into the store on the bustling Michigan Avenue, customers are immediately given a free piece of chocolate. The sample only whets the palate for more sweetness, so luckily the shop sells an array of chocolates both for consumption and baking. The store sells fudge and caramel toppings, chocolate chips for baking, cocoa powder, specialty gifts, brownie mix, their renowned Squares and Intense Dark Chocolate and seasonal items. Purchase varieties like milk chocolate on its own, milk chocolate with caramel or peanut butter filling and white chocolate in bars or squares.
HelloChicago Tip: If you can’t wait to tear open a package of sweets, a soda fountain is on hand to make decadent sundaes, banana splits, coffee drinks and hot chocolate on the spot. Relish the treats either inside at the café or take it outside for some street watching, but be sure to ignore the Hershey’s shop across the street because that would seriously be sweet tooth overload.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
