Mike's Candy Shop

2110 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY - (716) 826-6515

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 3/5/2009 9:54:00 AM

Where did the Charlie Chaplin log come from? You can find it in just about every chocolate store in Buffalo, yet nobody we spoke with has a clue about where or how it originated. Sold as a candy log about the shape of a loaf of biscotti before it's been sliced, Charlie Chaplins wrap chocolate, coconut, and cashews around a soft marshmallow filling (like Rocky Road spiked with coconut).

At Mike's in Buffalo, another chocolate store we discovered through the maddeningly tempting writings of Jane and Michael Stern (in the 2002 edition of Roadfood), the marshmallow is homemade, with a texture poised between solid and flowing. The spectacular marshmallow filling is key to this Charlie Chaplin, resulting in a much lighter effect in the mouth than the appearance and weight of the loaf would suggest. Make no mistake, this is very sweet (and sticky and messy) candy, but the combination of good ingredients makes this more than just kids' stuff.

Sponge candy, another Buffalo favorite, is at its best here. We've always had mixed feelings about sponge candy. While the flavors agree with us, the candy often leaves chewy bits stuck to the teeth. At Mike's, however, the sponge part of the candy truly does melt away on the tongue, leaving only the sweet taste of pure, homemade molasses-touched dark chocolate.

Mike's is a neighborhood chocolate store, located in a Polish section of Buffalo. When you enter, the candy cases are to your right, and you'll probably see large trays of freshly-made chocolates cooling on racks to the left. The chocolate scent is fairly intoxicating.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"The filling almost looks like some sort of creme-oid, but it is in fact the most delicious homemade marshmallow."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Chocolate covered marshmallows. The difference between freshly-made marshmallows and those you buy in bags at the grocery store is like that between champagne and grape juice."
Michael Stern

"A cross-section of sponge candy can only hint at the ethereal weightlessness of the spun sugar within."
Michael Stern

"Stolen Haven (aka stolen heaven) is marshmallow cream, milk chocolate and a blanket of chopped walnuts."
Michael Stern

"Soft, homemade marshmallow wrapped in dark chocolate, coconut, and cashews. A Buffalo treat!"
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The candy cases are filled with beautiful homemade chocolates. The Chaplins are the wrapped-in-plastic logs. "
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Sponge candy, homemade of course, is another Buffalo favorite. It can be seen here on the lower shelf in both milk and dark chocolate varieties."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"You're likely to encounter trays of freshly made chocolates cooling in the shop, like these trays of orange meltaways."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"These glossy dark chocolate soon-to-be nonpareils were just made. "
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Different parts of the country have their own version of chocolate-robed spun sugar. Buffalo's sponge candy is our favorite."
Michael Stern

"Mike's is a small, unassuming neighborhood candy store that happens to make superb traditional chocolate-based candy."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"At the left: milk chocolate-covered marshmallows. Right: dark chocolate sponge candy."
Michael Stern

"Amen!"
Michael Stern