Devour Houston

While my heart belongs to The Chocolate Bar, I would be remiss if I did not mention Candylicious.  This close sister (in proximity and mission) is another heaven for those who like to devour the sweet pleasures of life.  While the focus is not necessarily chocolate (although they do carry chocolate items, too), it is other candies such as gummy bears, Pez candies, jelly beans, candy cigarettes (remember those!), and giant lollipops that take center stage.  And, this is mentioning but just a few tantalizing options.

Every Hour IS Happy Hour at The Chocolate Bar.  That is their motto: “Where Every Hour is Happy Hour.”  I could not agree more.  Heaven = Chocolate. Is there anything grander, more fulfilling, more satisfying, more decadent than an entire store/dessert bar dedicated to Chocolate?  Nope.

Upon entering The Chocolate Bar, you see walls of chocolate essentials (why, yes they are essentials).  Items like Chocolate pizza, chocolate bricks, and….hello…Texas Frito Brittle, tantalize my chocolate fantasies. 

But, that’s not all.  Oh no!  The Chocolate Bar offers many chocolate ice creams.  Yes, creaming frozen chocolate confections designed to be savored with a spoon.  And, then….and then….there are the cakes, the cookies, and the cheesecakes.  Chocolate = Heaven.

With choices like those…where to begin?  What to sample?  I MADE myself — contained myself — stopping at 3 decadent, delicious, dangerous desserts. 

First, the Junkyard Cake.  Scrumptious.  Ahhhhhh….SEVEN different chocolate bars are folded into Bavarian Cream.  I mean, did I say Scrumptious!  The seven corners of heaven include:  Butterfingers, Kit Kat, Twix, Baby Ruth, Nestle’s Crunch, Milky Way, and Mars.  Very sweet filling in a semi-sweet, moist chocolate crust.  A nice contrast between the super sweet and the semi sweet.  A little of this cake goes a long way — so it is excellent to share — or save for later (if you can resist digging in again 5 minutes later). 

Next up: The Toll House Pie.  I go into this tasting with a bias….I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.  And, did you know the Chocolate Chip Cookie was invented in Massachusetts at the Toll House Inn, why of course.   Anyway, I love me some good old Toll House Pie.  And, this one did NOT disappoint.  A cookie made into a pie.  BRILLIANT.   It was moist.  Not too sweet.  Oooey.  Gooey.  Melty Chocolate (served warm with chocolate sauce and chocolate chips).  Velvety.  The pie filling coated my mouth with the delicious, luscious goodness.  

 
Rounding out my Chocolate Trifecta…Aunt Etta’s Cake.   What a perfect simple chocolate cake.  No bells.  No whistles.  Nothing that got in the way of enjoying this rich, decadent, delectable, delightful, pleasurable chocolate cake.   This confection is not overly-sweet, but yet still very rich.  Layers upon layers of chocolate cake with creamy, chocolate-y frosting.  This simple dessert really can satisfy your most intense chocolate craving.  Simplistic perfection.

Well, needless to say, I have indeed been to The Chocolate Bar before, and I will definitely be going back.  It is one of my favorite places.  As a matter of fact, I send visitors to Houston there.  It is a fabulous spot in our fantastic city.  Every hour truly is Happy Hour at The Chocolate Bar.

The Chocolate Bar
(two locations)
1835 W. Alabama (the original)     OR   2521 University Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77098                           Houston, Texas 77005
713-520-8599                                       713-520-8888
www.theoriginalchocolatebar.com

To set the tone:  Moon Tower Inn’s website address is “damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com.”  Any questions?  Already off to a great start!  From the descriptions I had read, I was expecting a little more Harley Davidson, but instead got a lot more Grateful Dead.  The eatery looks like it was transplanted from South Austin — but conveniently located on the East Side of OUR Downtown. 

Super cool fun atmosphere.  The entire place is outside — order at the outdoor counter.  There are tables outside under a cover and a large grassy area with picnic tables, fire pit, and horseshoe pits.

Moon Tower Inn serves hot dogs, and only hot dogs (well, and potato chips).  And, really, they are not hot dogs at all, but sausages.  Very unique sausages — you won’t find any beef here.   All hot dogs are served on a pretzel bun.  Fairly soft, but hearty and thick enough to stand up to these really big sausages.  While the buns didn’t necessarily taste like a soft pretzel, I thought they were very yummy!  Also, Moon Tower Inn offered 4 different condiments — 2 mustards (honey and spicy), a mayo, and black pepper ketchup.  We went with the ketchup and it was super tasty.  As it states – it was ketchup with black pepper, and very peppery – but a really nice balance of the two.   All dogs $6.

First up, “Piggie Smalls” — Wild boar with cranberry.  I did not taste the cranberry, but the dog was really delicious.  Closest to traditional sausage.  Crunchy outside.  Plump.  Good pork flavor. 

In summary, cool, fun, very casual, laid back, friendly spot.  Only open late afternoon to late night (not lunch).  Credit cards accepted.   I plan to go back, sip on a Blond Bombshell and nibble on a Piggie Smalls.