Sarris Candies: Home of the Best Chocolate in Pennsylvania

While I don't dare pretend to be the supreme authority on chocolate, I do admit to being a severe chocoholic. I know what I like and I know what is pleasing to the palate. I've tried all the name brands advertised on television. I've tried the brands local to the places I've lived. I can tell you that milk chocolate is my preference and there is no better place to get it than Sarris Candies.

Sarris Candies is a long-standing establishment in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. The business was started by Frank Sarris who began making chocolate in the basement of his home before moving to the factory's current location. It has become a landmark that attracts local residents as well as travelers from afar. Even the rich and famous stop by when they are in town, as shown by the photos displayed on the walls. Sarris Candies thrives year round, but is especially busy during holidays such as Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas when people flock there to buy candy for their loved ones and a special treat for themselves as well. During these high-sales holidays it is not unusual to find an officer directing traffic and a line of customers on the sidewalk waiting to enter. To die-hard Sarris fans, the wait and the crowd pose only minor inconveniences.

Visiting Sarris Candies - "The Sarris Experience" as I like to call it - is two delicious adventures in one. The first stop is the candy store. Your senses are awakened as soon as you walk through the door. The smell of the chocolate and the anticipation of the creamy confections make your mouth water. You become mesmerized at the quantity of candy filling shelves and displays. There is every kind of chocolate you can think of to satisfy your sugar craving - milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate. Chocolate covered fruit, nuts, creams, popcorn and pretzels. Novelty chocolates, seasonal chocolates. Sugar free chocolates. There are gummies, jelly beans, nuts and buttermints among the non-chocolate offerings. They even have stuffed animals and other personal gifts if you need to shop for a special present to add to your candy purchase. The grand display, however, is the castle made of chocolate. Several feet long, almost as many tall and often decorated to reflect the season, it is a candy lover's dream.

But the candy store is only half the fun of "The Sarris Experience". Right next door is Sarris' ice cream shoppe, complete with an "old-tyme" atmosphere. Brass accents, vinyl covered chairs and large mirrors adorn the seating area. The red and white decor is crisp and clean. Again, the Sarris family has all bases covered by offering a variety of ice cream flavors (made on site, of course), homemade toppings and creative menu selections including sundaes, sodas and milkshakes. My personal favorite, simple though it may be, is a sundae made of vanilla ice cream topped with melted milk chocolate. Not hot fudge, just pure milk chocolate. To me, it is absolutely heavenly.

A trip to Sarris Candies is truly a fun time and a must for candy and ice cream fanatics living in or traveling to southwestern Pennsylvania. But don't fret if you aren't able to go there in person. The Sarris family has other ways of bringing their candy closer to you. Many grocery stores and drug stores in the region carry a variety of the most popular sellers. Their chocolate is also sold through fundraisers at local schools and organizations. And thanks to modern technology, these sweet candies can be bought on the web. Simply search for Sarris Candies to be directed to their site.

As evidence that I am not alone in believing that Sarris Candies has the best chocolate in Pennsylvania, possibly even the world, I can show you the receipts of purchases I made for friends who have moved away from the Pittsburgh area and have asked me to deliver Sarris chocolate to them on my next visit. Ok. I don't really still have the receipts, but I did make purchases and deliveries for friends in northeastern Pennsylvania on several occasions. And for special gatherings, my husband's uncle likes to order their 2 ½ foot long box of assorted chocolates to be delivered to his home near New York City.

So take my word for it if you don't mind missing out on a wonderfully tasteful experience that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. However, your taste buds will be so much happier if you go after "The Sarris Experience" for yourself. I promise you will not be disappointed.