This is the end…my only friend…the end. The Doors’ words could not be more applicable to this post as it is the final chapter in the Florida food saga on Mastication Monologues. I’ll be finishing with a sweet flourish in the form of Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream in Delray Beach, Florida.
My parents and I had taken many constitutionals up and down Delray Beach’s ever popular Atlantic Avenue, but Kilwin’s always seemed to be doing a booming business no matter what time of the day. In fact, I could liken it almost to a Willy Wonka-esque level of excitement as lines perpetually streamed out the door. I had never heard of this company before, but I vowed to see what all of the hubbub was.
I wasn’t that hungry after a very messy lunch, so it was a perfect time to check out the mysterious candy and ice cream shop. As we moved through the clumps of old timers and kids wacked out on sugar, we finally stepped foot in this hallowed institution of addictive foodstuffs.
Everywhere we turned there were decadent delights in every shade of caramel yellow, coco-butter brown, and devilishly dark chocolate. Kilwin’s provides the public with handmade caramel-coated apples and a few varieties of popcorn.
I personally came for some of the brown stuff, ze chocolate. While I was tempted to sample their ice cream, none of the flavors really grabbed me by the taste buds.
What was on display in the cases as we filed past the line for the ice cream left me slipping on my own slobber. I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.
After looking about, the pecan turtle krispie was my date for the night ($5.50).
She was all gussied up with pecans, dark chocolate drizzles, and a caramel dress over a Rice Krispie body that just wouldn’t quit. After I paid for it, we sat down on a bench outside to soak up the atmosphere our home away from home for a week had to offer. As I took a longing glance towards my companion in my hand, I knew that we were meant to be when I subsequently took that first bite.
While you would think that a dessert item like this would be diabetes-inducingly sweet, it was quite balanced.
The crunchy pecans provided a buttery richness to the bittersweet dark chocolate and sticky caramel. People were watching with a mix of curiosity and possible disgust as I shoveled this over-the-top snack into my food hole. No regrets whatsoever. It was a delicious end to a wonderful vacation.
So if you’re looking for a sweet local piece of Delray Beach, Florida that will stick in your mind and possibly your teeth forever, roll on down to Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream.