Favorite Local Chocolate/Candy Shop?

Submitted by tashabunn t3_yw8wl2 in newjersey

My husband, our friend, and I are doing a blind taste test for milk chocolate covered caramels this weekend to see which one is the best.

My favorite chocolate shop is Old Monmouth in Freehold. I want to see if it holds up in a blind challenge.

We’re getting chocolate from 8 different shops in Monmouth/Ocean County. Some of these we haven’t tried before. •• Caramel Shop (Ocean)
•• Criterion (Eatontown) •• Jean Louise (Spring Lake) •• Old Monmouth (Freehold) •• River Street (Asbury) •• Sweet! (Belmar)
•• Third Ave (Spring Lake)
•• Van Holten (Brick)

What are your favorite chocolate shops? (Doesn’t have to be Monmouth/Ocean)

Sorry for formatting; I’m on my phone.

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Comments

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AlysonRoad t1_iwiq4is wrote

The Fudge Shop in Flemington or Holsten’s in Bloomfield.

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shtarker53 t1_iwmisei wrote

The Chocolate Bar, Quinby Street, Westfield.

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whoareyou776 t1_iwieoye wrote

Enjou Chocolat of Morristown is pretty good imo

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dwerb t1_iwir28p wrote

Susie’s Sweet Shoppe in Middletown is really quite good! They’re chocolate covered strawberries are a real winner.

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gnitsuj t1_iwiuft4 wrote

I don’t have anything to add here, just a funny story about candy stores. When I was in high school around ‘04-‘05, I worked at Bourbon Street Candy Company in Menlo Mall. It’s been gone a while, but if you’ve been going to Menlo since the early 2000’s you might remember it..downstairs near where Victoria’s Secret still is. Anyway, one day the phone rings and a young lady asks, “hi, is this Bourbon Street? What do I have to do to dance for you guys?” Perplexed, I asked her “dance?” She confirmed with “yeah.” After thinking about it for a few seconds, I realized she meant to call Bourbon St. the gentlemen’s club on route 9 in Sayreville - which is also ironic because I grew up there and my mind should have gone there first when she said Bourbon Street/dance. I often wonder what happened to her, if she ever got the interview/audition she was after.

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tashabunn OP t1_iwiztur wrote

I hope she was able to dance for them haha

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newnewjerseygirl t1_iwi8lux wrote

My husband and I did something similar about a year ago. For science. 😁 I remember Bromilows was good and there was one in Garfield that was pretty decent. Genevieve’s, I think.

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Frez0 t1_iwjhiof wrote

Seconding Genevieve’s. I have had chocolates from them my entire life and always enjoy them.

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Bamaji1 t1_iwia7vk wrote

Third ave in spring lake is amazing! The owner of many years recently sold the store to his long time apprentice, and I can personally tell you as a customer of over a decade that it is just as good under the new owner.

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MrTomatoMan t1_iwj3g6o wrote

Do they still only hire 14 year old girls? I’ve been kinda grossed out by them ever since a male family friend tried to get a job there years ago and was told they only hire girls. I’ll stick to Jean Louise.

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tashabunn OP t1_iwjdq11 wrote

I’ve only ever seen young girls working there whenever I go

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Tullamore1108 t1_iwivgqe wrote

Carol's Creative Chocolatez in Somerville, my friend. Her stuff is incredible.

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TinNJ t1_iwjlrgl wrote

Absolutely! That is some top notch chocolate.

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bubonis t1_iwiiqre wrote

Thomas Sweet in New Brunswick.

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jarrettbrown t1_iwimv20 wrote

My sister is married to a nephew of the owners. I'm a little biased about their chocolate covered pretzels, but man, are they the best.

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PawneeGoddess20 t1_iwjbb3h wrote

I used to work right near there and always dropped a basket of pretzels to the front desk crew at my daughter’s daycare during the holidays. They loved them so much haha.

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ptowndavid t1_iwimowg wrote

Krause’s in Paterson.

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sweetbitter_1005 t1_iwiozog wrote

OMG what a fun idea! Not in Monmouth, but if you end up in Bergen County, my favorite homemade candy shop is Meyer's House of Sweets in Wyckoff. Their sea salt caramels are SO GOOD!

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realspongeworthy t1_iwkwh4r wrote

Ever try The Chocolate Box in Hawthorne? Also very good, or at least was when I lived in GR.

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jarrettbrown t1_iwimork wrote

I hate to say and maybe it's because I'm a little bias, while a little on the expensive side, River Street Sweets is fantastic. It has a few things, like shakes, that the others' don't have. The Prailnes are fantastic and it's in a really good area if you wanna get lunch while you're there.

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fauxshaux t1_iwiy2nx wrote

Conrad’s in Westwood!

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Summoarpleaz t1_iwictou wrote

I always like Thomas sweets (new brunswick but full disclosure I just eat chocolate indiscriminately lol).

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ScorpionX-123 t1_iwiu9kv wrote

try Sweet Revenge in Point Pleasant Beach

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imnotlibel t1_iwiwb42 wrote

Nutty over Sweets in Sparta!

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doors43 t1_iwjeeaj wrote

I just posted that! Their chocolate is unreal.

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imnotlibel t1_iwn9rke wrote

Agreed! The owner is a real chit-chatter tho. I always plan to spend an extra 10 minutes or so in there lol

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dedewhale t1_iwislbl wrote

The Chocolate Bar in Little Silver.

Note: was never a fan of Criterion in Eatontown.

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PawneeGoddess20 t1_iwjb48x wrote

Check out Thomas sweet in New Brunswick on the Rutgers college avenue campus

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LuckyLadTom t1_iwjbb0u wrote

Used to be Nagels candy barn in Wayne on rt.23 until she had to retire… and unfortunately her kids didn’t want to continue the business.

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buddy0813 t1_iwji40b wrote

Sweet Expressions in Denville!

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nynequbes t1_iwjmt4u wrote

Conrad’s in Westwood

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Ckc1972 t1_iwjra44 wrote

Lepore's in Hoboken

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arageclinic t1_iwkr9rl wrote

Aunt Charlottes in Merchantville- over 100 years old and still in the original building, it’s beautiful. All candies are made by hand on premises, current and and old fashioned candies. On Halloween they give out large candied apples. They’re the best!

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Rusty_Ferberger t1_iwie9or wrote

We drive past Criterion occasionally and it is such a strange building located in a weird place. I have always wondered if it is any good. Let us know what you think. Thanks!

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tashabunn OP t1_iwikx3a wrote

I thought the location was strange too!

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Agent_Washington t1_iwipjvh wrote

I forget the name of the place but it's on the main street of Asbury park

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ac91 t1_iwj39eh wrote

Stutz in Beach Haven

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doors43 t1_iwjea5v wrote

Nutty Over Sweets in Sparta

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toenailchewing t1_iwjjfmj wrote

On line Josh Chocolate in West Orange

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icancook2 t1_iwjr209 wrote

LOVE Josh Chocolate - his individually wrapped caramels are SO GOOD.

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deezee1980 t1_iwjkzlq wrote

The nonpareils, both milk and dark, at Planet Candy on the boardwalk at Seaside Heights.

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HotDogWalter t1_iwk2dwj wrote

You already have it, van holten in brick

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VR6Bomber t1_iwk35jo wrote

3rd Ave chocolate shop spring lake

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phunaholic t1_iwl3bpa wrote

Chocolate Carousel in Eatontown

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Gullible-Alarm-8871 t1_iwl611w wrote

In NJ van Holten, otherwise, Bomboy's in Havre de Grace MD (this time of year I send for it for gifts)

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beanzd t1_iwl6cjv wrote

Giambi’s in Clementon 😍

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electric_kite t1_iwlplyn wrote

Both shops in Spring Lake are great! I used to work there and always got great items from them. They’re always incredibly friendly, especially 3rd Ave.

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bros402 t1_iwlq7u9 wrote

Suzi's Sweet Shoppe in Middletown is the best

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rafterous t1_ixf3jea wrote

The Chocolate Shoppe in Long Valley (Morris county). Great caramels, liquor filled chocolates and their peanut butter cups are awesome.

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robotbike2 t1_iwj9xev wrote

They might be a franchise, but still are really good. Kilwins in Cliffside Park.

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punicearana t1_iwjh2zp wrote

Dayton Chocolates in Clifton (Styertowne Plaza)

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