I have tried many brands. There is a quality bran called “Ethel M” but they don’t have a good distribution system, so I can’t get hold of it. I really like Lindt, I was eating it long before they got a good Distribution system here in the US.
@mycya4me iirc, Ethel M is a Las Vegas brand. One of my mom’s first trips to Vegas, she toured the factory and I remember seeing their shops in the airport
@mycya4me , Ethel M is actually owned by Mars and is manufactured in Las Vegas. They are available online and I know they have a few stores in Vegas. I’ve been to the one at California Hotel.
@Kyeh Yes, sadly it is so! But it means more for ME! I also had a Awesome Chocolate torte in Williamsburg, Va (yes downtown in the Colonial capital) called “Death by Chocolate” the chef/ Owner of the Trellis created it. 7 layers, each different chocolate. OMG it was good/ rich & a"few" calories. But sadly the Trellis is no longer! But he has written several books, One is called “Death by Chocolate” with many other Chocolate delights too!
Russell Stover is a childhood favorite. I remember my grandma getting a box for gifts and allowing each grandchild their choice of piece. If I got to pick first, I got the nut cluster cause it looked bigger.
Locally, there is a shop in Dallas. Dude, sweet chocolate. Their flavors lean to the eclectic side. Using ingredients such as mushrooms and blue cheese. I know that sounds awful but it’s really pretty amazing.
Also local and currently popular in Mediterranean candy and nut shops. Dubai chocolate bars. It has all the social media influencers raving.
@phendrick I always stop in at elegant truffle when I’m in San Diego. They make all their truffles, caramel, cakes, etc. The best caramel I’ve ever had in my life.
And I love supporting small businesses.
See’s is what I grew up on, and still think is the best amongst medium sized producers. In the PNW, we have several small craft bean-to-bar producers which make exquisite products, but will always turn to See’s for great truffles without the hefty price tag of Godiva.
Russell Stover and Whitman’s are pretty meh in my opinion.
Sounds dorky, but Sears used to sell imported White Chocolate, and I haven’t been able to find any like it since they stopped selling it.
Lindt comes close, but not quite as good.
@Tadlem43 the sears candy counter! my mom found a recipe calling for white chocolate and she bought a block for it. We were each allowed a tiny sliver to taste she thought it was expensive.
Other times, for trips to the big city. If we were good, we were allowed to select 1/4 pound of anything from the candy counter we wanted. Such a treat!
A few years back I discovered the delicious chocolates at Nuts dot com, my favorite were chocolate covered caramel, and then I became diabetic. But, my first thought was… “The BEST chocolates ALWAYS COME FROM THE HEART”!
Not much of a chocolate person, at least when it is eating chocolate for chocolate’s sake. Reeses has done some magic by mixing it with peanut butter though…
I’ve got a couple for you choco-holics & especially if you happen to be anywhere near the upper-great plains (though both do ship nationwide…) In my current hometown of Fargo, ND, there’s Carol Widman’s Candy Shop (GOTTA have “The Chippers”!! carolwidmanscandy.com) which is the daughter (I believe) of the original Widman’s Candy Shop in Crookston, MN. It’s so much fun to go into these places and see the probably 100 or so different candies being made (white, milk or dark chocolate, depending on your taste) The second option I’ll offer up is from my old hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, in a company that started producing super high quality chocolate bars that are FANTASTIC. That’s Sted Foods (formerly Terroir Chocolate stedfoods.com) and they are kicking butt in the international chocolate competitions! Their “Caramel Crack” bar I swear must have real crack in it because it’s SOOOOOOO dang good, but check out all their offerings, because they’re all great!
@tohar1 I haven’t thought of that the shop in Fargo in ages! My first job out of college, I worked with a lady from Fargo. Every holiday, her dad would send her a box of Chippers and she would share with us.
ALDIs carries really good European chocolate! It’s a German base company. Bargain prices.
From my childhood there was an incredible local shop called Dan’s Candy that still makes super good chocolates but I moved away.
For a Cheap fix, I like the Little Debbie “Fudge Round” & the Edwards Chocolate Pie (frozen)!
they are easy to come by that 90+% of the finer Chocolates. They will do.
@f00l they announced yesterday that the downtown Dallas N-M store was closing. The end of an era. Some hipster will probably turn the building into overpriced loft apartments
@f00l I just had time to look at their site and yelp reviews popped up. Apparently they are the wholesaler for the fancy chocolates you see in the Hallmark stores. Nice to know that the middleman can be cut out.
For fancy boxes, Godiva hands down. There’s a heft and richness about them that has beaten every chocolatier I’ve been to, even local and international artisan ones (that don’t specialize in a single type of treat).
For mass manufacturers, Ferrer Rocher and Lindt come close in terms of robustness and decadence (respectively); FR candies tend to use a sugar wafer to keep their shape while L just has rich (and easy to melt) chocolate.
Läderach in Switzerland. They actually have several stores spread around the U.S. Though I haven’t been to any so I don’t know how they compare to the Swiss stores.
@cinoclav they have one in Frisco Texas and it is pricey for basically chocolate bark. I picked up a couple of slivers to try to dissect so I could go home and duplicate them. Less than 1/4 pound was $17. But it was delicious!
I have tried many brands. There is a quality bran called “Ethel M” but they don’t have a good distribution system, so I can’t get hold of it. I really like Lindt, I was eating it long before they got a good Distribution system here in the US.
@mycya4me iirc, Ethel M is a Las Vegas brand. One of my mom’s first trips to Vegas, she toured the factory and I remember seeing their shops in the airport
@ironcheftoni @mycya4me, I’ll be in Vegas this weekend. I’ll look for them.
@mycya4me , Ethel M is actually owned by Mars and is manufactured in Las Vegas. They are available online and I know they have a few stores in Vegas. I’ve been to the one at California Hotel.
@widgrchr That is good to Know. I was never really fond of Godiva. Yes I know it is good, but not my thing!
/showme cats with very good Chocolate!
@mycya4me Luckily they don’t seem very interested in it in real life, because it’s not good for them.
@Kyeh Yes, sadly it is so! But it means more for ME! I also had a Awesome Chocolate torte in Williamsburg, Va (yes downtown in the Colonial capital) called “Death by Chocolate” the chef/ Owner of the Trellis created it. 7 layers, each different chocolate. OMG it was good/ rich & a"few" calories. But sadly the Trellis is no longer! But he has written several books, One is called “Death by Chocolate” with many other Chocolate delights too!
POPSOCKETS! SPROCKETS! DAVY CROCKETT! AWESOME!
Russell Stover is a childhood favorite. I remember my grandma getting a box for gifts and allowing each grandchild their choice of piece. If I got to pick first, I got the nut cluster cause it looked bigger.
Locally, there is a shop in Dallas. Dude, sweet chocolate. Their flavors lean to the eclectic side. Using ingredients such as mushrooms and blue cheese. I know that sounds awful but it’s really pretty amazing.
Also local and currently popular in Mediterranean candy and nut shops. Dubai chocolate bars. It has all the social media influencers raving.
@ironcheftoni They have an outlet down in Corsicana. Well worth the drive.
Head to the back and look for sales on the ‘nonperfect’ stuff.
Best is local, but certainly not the cheapest.
@phendrick I always stop in at elegant truffle when I’m in San Diego. They make all their truffles, caramel, cakes, etc. The best caramel I’ve ever had in my life.
And I love supporting small businesses.
@phendrick I guess, if “local” is Belgium.
Godiva, especially the Gourmet line. And don’t forget to add a few Truffles for that extra special reward later.
See’s is what I grew up on, and still think is the best amongst medium sized producers. In the PNW, we have several small craft bean-to-bar producers which make exquisite products, but will always turn to See’s for great truffles without the hefty price tag of Godiva.
Russell Stover and Whitman’s are pretty meh in my opinion.
Galaxy chocolate in England is one of my favorites. It’s similar to Dove but better.
Verkade (Dutch)
Reese’s, but not the peanut butter or pieces variety
@mythereal, why not?
Anthony-Thomas Chocolates (local manufacturer in Central Ohio). They have a great slogan:
“Our Chocolates Are So Good, We Eat All We Can & Only Sell What’s Left”
Sounds dorky, but Sears used to sell imported White Chocolate, and I haven’t been able to find any like it since they stopped selling it.
Lindt comes close, but not quite as good.
@Tadlem43 the sears candy counter!
my mom found a recipe calling for white chocolate and she bought a block for it. We were each allowed a tiny sliver to taste she thought it was expensive.
Other times, for trips to the big city. If we were good, we were allowed to select 1/4 pound of anything from the candy counter we wanted. Such a treat!
@ironcheftoni Yep. I miss their candy counter.
If you ever find a white chocolate that compares, let me know!!
A few years back I discovered the delicious chocolates at Nuts dot com, my favorite were chocolate covered caramel, and then I became diabetic.
But, my first thought was… “The BEST chocolates ALWAYS COME FROM THE HEART”! 
See’s chocolates
See’s is my favorite, with Lindt running a close second.
Godiva.
Deez Nutz
@somf69
Romolo’s in Erie, PA. Best! Chocolate mint or chocolate coconut are The BEST.
@Lotsmorefun Im in Erie as we speak visiting relatives! Romolo sponge candy being eaten. Yummm
@catthegreat @Lotsmorefun Sponge candy but not the cheap knockoff junk!
/showme an astronomic pile of Godiva Chocolates
@mediocrebot TBF, that’s more gargantuan than astronomic.
See’s truffles!
Not much of a chocolate person, at least when it is eating chocolate for chocolate’s sake. Reeses has done some magic by mixing it with peanut butter though…
@babysealclub can’t go wrong with a Reese’s. But not when they are stale and the peanut butter is crumbly.
@babysealclub @ironcheftoni Too sweet for my taste - I prefer my own home made version:
See’s or Godiva
See’s Candy has good stuff.
Ferrero
But local would be Elegant Truffle in San Diego. I stop in whenever I visit, which is a few times a year.
See’s is my favorite
It’s whatever one looks like my wife would enjoy eating the most. That’s obviously the best box of chocolates.
@shoelessjoek My wife doesn’t like chocolate (I know, right?
). So my (premium dark) chocolate stash is all for me (except when our adult kids visit).
See’s Candies!
My wife assures me that See’s are the best.
And also, she’s not eating candy this year…
I’ve got a couple for you choco-holics & especially if you happen to be anywhere near the upper-great plains (though both do ship nationwide…) In my current hometown of Fargo, ND, there’s Carol Widman’s Candy Shop (GOTTA have “The Chippers”!! carolwidmanscandy.com) which is the daughter (I believe) of the original Widman’s Candy Shop in Crookston, MN. It’s so much fun to go into these places and see the probably 100 or so different candies being made (white, milk or dark chocolate, depending on your taste) The second option I’ll offer up is from my old hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, in a company that started producing super high quality chocolate bars that are FANTASTIC. That’s Sted Foods (formerly Terroir Chocolate stedfoods.com) and they are kicking butt in the international chocolate competitions! Their “Caramel Crack” bar I swear must have real crack in it because it’s SOOOOOOO dang good, but check out all their offerings, because they’re all great!
@tohar1 I haven’t thought of that the shop in Fargo in ages! My first job out of college, I worked with a lady from Fargo. Every holiday, her dad would send her a box of Chippers and she would share with us.
@ironcheftoni Respect The Chippers!!
ALDIs carries really good European chocolate! It’s a German base company. Bargain prices.
From my childhood there was an incredible local shop called Dan’s Candy that still makes super good chocolates but I moved away.
@doxeelady caution – most of Aldi chocolate has hazelnut, so not good for wide use among allergy people. Even their plain milk chocolate has hazelnut.
For a Cheap fix, I like the Little Debbie “Fudge Round” & the Edwards Chocolate Pie (frozen)!
they are easy to come by that 90+% of the finer Chocolates. They will do.
See’s Candies!
Whatever’s in the candy drawer in my kitchen.
Just call these people and order up some bags of “seconds”
Amazing chocolate truffles. Amazing other chocolates also.
Used to be in Fort Worth and were carried by N-M right along with Godiva, until high end retail development ate their location.
Still amazing.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENVZn9mSosMF7AANA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
The Sweet Shoppe
Mt Vernon, Texas.
@f00l
@f00l
https://sweet-shop-usa.myshopify.com/
Sweetshopusa.com
@f00l wow! I’m from east Texas and never heard of this place. And Mt Vernon is my midway stop on my way to see my mom. I’ll have to check it out.
N-M I think has a deal with Kate Wieser chocolates now. Very fancy
www.kateweiserchocolate.com
@ironcheftoni
I haven’t stepped inside Neimans or for that matter inside a mall for so many years that I can’t remember when the last time was
Oh well
Yes the sweet shop is well worth a stop
And they ship to consumers although maybe not at the height of summer I forget what they do about that.
@f00l they announced yesterday that the downtown Dallas N-M store was closing. The end of an era. Some hipster will probably turn the building into overpriced loft apartments
@ironcheftoni
Wow. Sad news but inevitable I guess. When I was growing up we always went to the Fortnights.
Long long time ago.
@ironcheftoni
They have bags of “seconds” for cheap. Not quite quite a pretty bit taste just a good.
Mail order or in factory store.
@f00l I just had time to look at their site and yelp reviews popped up. Apparently they are the wholesaler for the fancy chocolates you see in the Hallmark stores. Nice to know that the middleman can be cut out.
@ironcheftoni
Just dont visit the factory store when you’re hungry or you’ll wind up with a car full.
Ethel M chocolates!
Chocolate Fetish in Asheville wins.
Redstone candy from PA.
For fancy boxes, Godiva hands down. There’s a heft and richness about them that has beaten every chocolatier I’ve been to, even local and international artisan ones (that don’t specialize in a single type of treat).
For mass manufacturers, Ferrer Rocher and Lindt come close in terms of robustness and decadence (respectively); FR candies tend to use a sugar wafer to keep their shape while L just has rich (and easy to melt) chocolate.
Läderach in Switzerland. They actually have several stores spread around the U.S. Though I haven’t been to any so I don’t know how they compare to the Swiss stores.
@cinoclav they have one in Frisco Texas and it is pricey for basically chocolate bark. I picked up a couple of slivers to try to dissect so I could go home and duplicate them. Less than 1/4 pound was $17. But it was delicious!
@ironcheftoni Shockingly cheaper in Switzerland. And nothing is cheap there.
Crown Candy Kitchen in St. Louis, MO is legendary. Their heavenly hash is to die for. Pricey but worth it.