MetaChat - I want

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07 November 2007

I want a Clark Bar. I was reading Steve Almond's Candyfreak (a great book by a nice guy who gave me lots of free candy when I met him) and he describes going to the Necco factory and watching Clark's get made, which set off the craving. I searched a bunch of stores in the area, but none have them. They have 5th Avenue bars which are close, but not the same. Drag.

post by: jonmc at: 19:35 | 31 comments

To the Chicago abyss!

posted by klangklangston 07 November | 19:40

The kids brought home some Necco Wafers in their Halloween candy. They didn't like them, so I got them. I always thought it was amazing that the pink ones tasted like Pepto-Bismol, and wondered if it was intentional. When I was a kid, Clark bars were my absolute favorite. Haven't had one in 20 years or so. I thought they discontinued them.

posted by DarkForest 07 November | 20:17

I live about a block from the Clark Bar. You can buy them there, and Amberbock on draft for $1.50.

posted by sciurus 07 November | 20:43

I live a few blocks from the old Clark candy factory which is now an office building but since they used to be made here they sell them in most stores.

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by octothorpe 07 November | 21:05

Candy Freak was a great book. It far exceeded my expectations. Very few writers can make you laugh out loud with such sincerity.

posted by Miko 07 November | 23:01

He was a nice guy, too. And a genuine junk food junkie*. When I met him, I brought a Nestle S'Mores bar and shot the shit with him. Recognizing a kindred soul he loaded us down with Five Star Bars, Twin Bings, Goo Goo Supremes and Valomilks.

*(although he was totally unaware of the universe of Japanese candy and his interest seemed piqued when I described it to him)

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:10

"S'Mores bar... Five Star Bars, Twin Bings, Goo Goo Supremes and Valomilks". I am totally unaware of this universe.

posted by arse_hat 07 November | 23:19

Regional candy bars, arse_hat. Buy the book, I guarantee a sugar jones. and lots of gutbusting laughs.

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:21

I used to eat Clark bars by the tons. I think they still sell them around here. This was one of my dad's favorite candy bars. He would always buy them for us.

I also love Sugar Babies. Sugar Babies and the Sugar Daddy. I need Sugar Babies!

posted by LoriFLA 07 November | 23:25

The corner store here in Astoria carries Sugar Babies. But not Clarks. Thay also carry the new Reese's Whipps bars, which are really good.

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:27

Reese's Whipps? Holy moly, what are these? Whipped peanut butter filling perhaps?

My new favorite candy bar is Take 5.

Dear son the eldest said to me the other day: "I don't like Butterfingers." I said, What kind of human are you? That's crazy talk! :)

posted by LoriFLA 07 November | 23:32

I don't like pretzels, so the Take 5 is out. I go on kicks with my bars: I was really into Reese's FastBreak for a while, now I'm digging on 3 Musketeers Mint which are sublime.

(Popular Culture-of which snack food is a part-is one of the few subjects on which I can claim expertise. I'm also fascinated by how products mutate and subdivide and what that says about us. It helps that I do have a sweet tooth (and a salt and fat tooth too) and enjoy snacking, so I can talk about it from experience and with a feection rather than with distance).

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:35

I went on a tour of the Necco factory when I was a kid. My Mom had this wacky idea that we weren't learning enough in school so we went on all these field trips with some of the neighborhood kids. I must have been six or seven so I can't remember a damned thing, but she claims it was fun.

posted by jessamyn 07 November | 23:35

Well, if you stop by again, Jess, grab me up some Clarks, OK?

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:37

Necco wafers are another family favorite. My all time favorite is Snickers. Snickers and a little bag of plain Lays potato chips is heaven. Also Milk Duds and popcorn. I like to pour Milk Duds into the popcorn. It's a great combo. I also love Heath and Skor. Milky Way doesn't do it for me. I need the nuts.

We bought a ton of Halloween candy for the kids: Hot Tamales, Skittles, Butterfingers, Reese's cups. Husband bought a bag of Payday. I said that I didn't think a lot of kids like Payday, and he said he did. That's why he bought them, and proceeded to eat a ton of Payday's.

I'm done with candy bars for the year. I ate my allotment on Halloween.

jonmc, if I see some Clarks I'll buy some for you.

posted by LoriFLA 07 November | 23:49

I don't like butterfingers either.

posted by gaspode 07 November | 23:52

oh and the 3 musketeers mint are phenomenal.

posted by gaspode 07 November | 23:55

I like the occasional Butterfinger*, but they tend to stay stuck between your teeth for days. Also, I had some 'Strawberry Milkshake' flavored Whoppers recently that were delicious.

Also, about 5 years ago there was an article about some fossil that was claimed to be the index finger of the Buddha. I kept hoping somebody would post it to MeFi so I could comment 'Nobody better lay a finger on my Buddhafinger!' but no such luck.)

posted by jonmc 07 November | 23:56

Husband bought a bag of Payday. I said that I didn't think a lot of kids like Payday, and he said he did. That's why he bought them

That's how we ended up with a bag of Almond Joys. Screw the kids - those things are for me.

And the Take 5 may be the pinnacle of candy bar technology.

posted by bmarkey 07 November | 23:56

Canadian here - unfortunately I've never had a Clark bar. But this post reminded me that I saw *mint* M&Ms at the grocery store today! I'll definitely be trying those. I'm thinking they can't go too wrong by combining M&Ms and mint. Yum.

One of the things we usually do when on vacation in the US is visit the candy aisle. There's always new things to try - I'll have to keep an eye out for a Clark bar.

posted by nelvana 08 November | 01:30

Actually, I found the mint M&M's to be remarkably vile. It's the sort of imitation mint that reminds me of cheap mouthwash. My advice is to steer clear. Sorry to harsh your candy buzz.

posted by bmarkey 08 November | 01:38

Did you try Economy Candy, Mr. McNally?

posted by brujita 08 November | 04:07

Candy bars are very confusing here. It's good thing I don't like them, or else I'd be moaning all the time about it.

posted by chuckdarwin 08 November | 04:39

A giant bag of M&M once accompanied me on a cross country road trip.

In my long sordid life with candy, there's been room for most of those mentioned above, plus:
Atomic Fireballs
Nestle Crunch
Peanut M&Ms
Hershey's with Almonds
Those Alpine Thin Mints (or whatever they're called)

Seconding:
Payday
Butterfinger
Almond Joy

The SO likes Milky Way Dark and Peppermint Patty, but I never cared much for either.

posted by DarkForest 08 November | 07:12

Did you try Economy Candy, Mr. McNally?

Nah, maybe tommorrow. Today I'm home sick.

posted by jonmc 08 November | 07:53

I didn't know they were bought out in 1999. Growing up in Pittsburgh Clark Bars were the candy of choice, and their factory on the North Side was visible with a big sign. There, when you got a Clark bar it was fresh and chewy on the inside, instead of crunchy like it was every where else, or like your Halloween candy would become after a few weeks.

posted by StickyCarpet 08 November | 08:38

Best served with a bottle of Wink.

posted by StickyCarpet 08 November | 08:43

U-No bars are my nemesis. It's good that you don't see them too often.

posted by danf 08 November | 13:21

In the 7-8 years I've lived in BC, I've noticed more and more of the U.S. candy bars making their way up here. Still no Paydays (I'm with Mr LoriFLA), I miss them. They're the most awesome combo of sweet and salty.

posted by deborah 08 November | 14:16

Oh yeah, I love Payday bars.

My real downfall are Reese's Cups, though. SO GOOD.

posted by BoringPostcards 08 November | 14:28

Thanks for the warning, bmarkey. I'll probably try them anyhow but will make sure it's a little bag, with low expectations. The last time I was in Seattle, I bought some Spearmint Altoids but was disappointed when they tasted like bad toothpaste. I guess mint can go either way ..

posted by nelvana 08 November | 21:57

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