Sweet of the Week: Pretty Much Anything at Dylan's Candy Bar

Willy Wonka basically signed a lease on Michigan Avenue downtown with the opening of Dylan's Candy Bar, the first Chicago location of this freakishly popular New York City-based candy wonderland. Revered for its never-ending array of candies in every shape, size, and color, Dylan's is the most whimsical, sweetest thing to hit Chicago in probably forever. Being the sweet tooth I am, this was the opening I was fervently waiting for. It's like the mother ship calling me home. But I was not prepared for the overwhelming miscellany of confections that lay within. Upon entry into this confectionary juggernaut, I could practically feel my teeth rotting into cavities just by breathing the air. It hurts so good. Here's a primer on some of my favorite sweets at Dylan's Candy Bar: 

 

Dylan's Candy Bar
Dylan's Candy Bar in all its glory



Any and all varieties of candy are well represented here. For instance, there's a large assortment of different fudges on hand, including a delicious pink Champagne fudge, which tastes like a glass of rose in candy bar form. Some other solid chocolate options are the miniature chocolate squares flavored with the likes of brownie batter, cookie dough, red velvet cake, and s'mores. My favorite of the bunch was s'mores, which was surprisingly subdued, sporting just a tinge of nutty graham cracker and marshmallow flavor amidst the silky-smooth cocoa. Gummy-lovers will be thrilled to know there's an enormous display area towards the middle of the store, filled with familiar gummies (sour peaches, gummy bears, etc.) and the less familiar (gummy chicken legs, for instance). It's an adventure in and of itself to sample the eye candy for yourself, roving around the vibrant centerpiece all starry-eyed with delight and indecision. Towards the rear of the store is a separate little shop cordoned off by windows that is entirely devoted to nostalgia candies, like Charleston Chews and Necco wafers. I have and always will be a fiend for strawberry-flavored Charleston Chews, preferably the kind as long as my shin. 

The only thing this place is missing is a chocolate waterfall and a band of nefarious children. But I am happy to take their place. 

- Matt Kirouac

 

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