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Move Over Hershey - Harrisburg's Got Chocolate!

7/12/2014

 

When Harrisburg and Hershey fight for chocolate dominance, we all win!

A trio of homemade ice cream
Three flavors of homemade ice cream - including chocolate! - at 231 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
It's the job of a travel blogger to shine a light on the unsung and overlooked gems of the world and it's a job I take seriously - especially when it comes to chocolate. Really, what kind of person would I be if I didn't dedicate myself entirely to the cause? And in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the plight of chocolate is most grave indeed. Overshadowed by the cocoa scented air of their sister city, Hersey, it almost felt that the chocolate desserts of Harrisburg NEEDED me there to tell their story. One delicious mouthful at a time. 

Of course, I have nothing against Hersey per se - in fact, it's quite the opposite. And if one day I am duty bound to tour a chocolate factory, soak in a chocolate spa, and drink chocolate cocktails, I'm sure I'll muster my strength and rise to the occasion.  But there's only so much heroism that can fit into a weekend escape and I was proud to dedicate my Herculean efforts to Harrisburg.

Chocolate Biscotti, The Midtown Scholar 

Chocolate biscotti and latte
Sometimes the simplest chocolate is the best.
Benches and books at the Midtown Scholar
The Midtown Scholar is a beautiful bookstore.
Save up to $500 when you book your flight +hotel!
It's an unacceptable bias that chocolate has to be soft and gooey to be delicious. Case in point: the chocolate biscotti at the Midtown Scholar, Harrisburg's premier independent bookstore. Crisp and crunchy, this dark chocolate and walnut biscotti cookie is perfect dunked in a vanilla latte (in a real pottery mug, naturally). Add a new book and you have the ideal way to spend a rainy weekend morning.

Homemade donuts with chocolate sauce (oh, and homemade chocolate ice cream too) at Home 231

Homemade desserts - pie, donuts, icecream, at Room 231
In one meal, we had cherry pie, homemade donuts with dipping sauces, and a trio of homemade ice cream. No shame!
Home 231 is the perfect place for lunch. They have great lemonade, homemade soups, and creative sandwiches and salads. And it's also the kind of place where you might just order three desserts. But if you have more self restraint than me and are only going to order just one, make it the signature homemade donuts, served with a trio of sauces. The chocolate sauce is so decadent and rich that you'd be forgiven if you shunned the berry and vanilla flavors. They have a rotating selection of ice creams - inquire if the chocolate peanut butter is available.

The Chocolate Soufflé at Char's

Chocolate souffle Char's Harrisburg
Rich chocolate souffle....
Chocolate souffle Char's Harrisburg
.... with tons of chocolate sauce. Yum!
Looking to go all out chocolate crazy?  The chocolate soufflé atChar's At Tracy Mansion is one of the finest darn chocolate desserts in the state of Pennsylvania. The incredibly warm, melty, indulgent chocolate cake and sauce, combined with berries and creme anglais, is enough to send you straight into a chocolate coma - in a good way!

Think chocolate is just for dessert? Think again!

Chocolate peanut butter pancakes Dodge City
The chocolate peanut butter pancakes
Breakfast Dodge City
And some more traditional fare
Don't believe the propaganda that chocolate is just for desserts. It's a mighty fine food at any time of day, but especially breakfast. At Dodge City, a wild west inspired diner, you can get a great classic breakfast of bacon and eggs, but the pancakes really shine. Order them with chocolate chips or - even better - chopped up Reese Peanut Butter Cups. They look like regular pancakes on the top, but when you turn them over they reveal their sweet chocolaty nature. 

Doing comprehensive chocolate research isn't a task for the faint of heart but I was proud to rise to the occasion and do my best for the Harrisburg chocolate community! 

Have you ever been called upon to investigate the secret chocolate culture of a city? What's the best chocolate experience you've ever had while traveling?

​
If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
Australian Sweet Treats to Savor 
Debating with Dickens: Harrisburg for Literature Lovers
Community and Courage: The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum 



My visit to Harrisburg was facilitated in part by the local tourism board. This did not influence my opinions and all writing remains my own.
Doreen Pendgracs link
9/12/2014 01:04:28 am

You're absolutely right! Chocolate research definitely isn't for the faint at heart! It truly can be gruelling work.

That chocolate souffle truly looks decadent. Thx for 'sharing.'

Vanessa
11/12/2014 01:10:43 am

The souffle was so over the top, so delicious, but it was just the right size so you didn't get toooooo overwhelmed!

Katja of Skimbaco link
12/12/2014 12:37:34 am

YUM, what a heaven for chocoholic!!

Vanessa
12/12/2014 03:02:13 am

It sure was! I feel I am compelled to go back for a follow up report!

Lisa Goodmurphy link
12/12/2014 01:29:24 am

Oh my, I think I might spend the rest of the morning daydreaming about peanut butter cup pancakes! I had no idea that Harrisburg was such a great destination for chocolate lovers - I will keep it in mind for future weekend trips!

Vanessa
12/12/2014 03:04:10 am

They were so, so good! I think I might try to make my own batch at home one of these days!

Tamara link
12/12/2014 02:47:46 am

These look delicious! We will be in Hershey/ Harrisburg in a couple of weeks and I look forward to trying some of these.

Vanessa
12/12/2014 03:04:44 am

Hurrah! I can't wait to hear about your trip - be sure to let me know if you discover new chocolate destinations!

Eric Stoen link
12/12/2014 07:26:45 am

I should totally do this in my own town! We don't have any chocolate rivalries going on, but I'm always up for exploring, eating chocolate and writing it up!

As for my best chocolate experience traveling...two years ago I won Conde Nast Traveler's Photo of the Year contest. The magazine sent us on a $25K trip to Italy, including an afternoon of chocolate making and tasting at Amadei, outside of Pisa. Amazing! As a result we're now addicted to Amadei - we just got another box in the mail yesterday!

Vanessa
12/12/2014 09:06:31 am

Go Eric! What an incredible experience! Now I have an extra special reason to hone my photography skills - you never know where they'll take you! I have never done a proper European chocolate tour but I do have a high affection for Florentines (those lacy chocolate flats studded with caramel and sometimes nuts/dried fruit) and I always try to pick some up in Belgium

Paula link
12/12/2014 08:38:34 am

I have never tried Hershey or anything like this, but I am putting it out there right now - I am up for any of these

Vanessa
12/12/2014 09:07:14 am

See, what is travel if not a willingness to be open to new things. And if those things be chocolate, well, so be it.

Bex link
12/12/2014 08:45:46 am

Yum! And what a great win with Conde Nast! Being from the UK, I love Cadbury's - especially Galaxy (except that's made my Mars). I am partial to Reeses Peanut Butter cups too. And Spain has the best thick hot chocolate to dip bread into!

Vanessa
12/12/2014 09:08:33 am

Ummmmmm chocolate dipping. I love dipping churros into warm melted chocolate. My favourite chocolate in the UK is Smarties. They are identical to Canadian Smarties except the British ones have orange chocolate inside the orange candies!

Francesca M link
13/12/2014 07:33:50 am

My inner chocoholic is completely envious right now!! Looks deliciousssss

Vanessa
13/12/2014 07:51:41 am

Ha ha ha - I know what you mean! It was a difficult post to edit! Tons of cravings..... must go back soon :-)

Cristina Luisa link
13/12/2014 03:40:43 pm

Nom nom noms... My mouth literally began to water as I read this post. I need to visit Pennsylvania STAT to try that chocolate souffle!

Vanessa
14/12/2014 02:30:50 am

You DO!! Chocolate is always a great reason to travel.


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