🍫 Today on Tasties: South Bend Chocolate Company – A Sweet Voyage
It all begins with an idea.
Hey there, Tasties crew! Today’s post is extra special to me, because we’re talking about a place that holds a nostalgic little corner of my heart—and maybe the origin story of my chocoholism: South Bend Chocolate Company.
🚌 Where It All Began (For Me, Anyway)
My very first school field trip—yep, ever—was to South Bend Chocolate Co. I still remember walking wide-eyed through those chocolate-scented halls, learning how candy was made, and getting my tiny hands on as many samples as I could. Let’s be honest: that’s probably the moment my love affair with chocolate truly began.
And years later, full-circle moment—I had the pleasure of meeting the man behind the magic himself, Mark Tarner, for a job interview right out of college. Talk about fascinating. Sitting across from him, I got a glimpse into the heart of the dream—straight from the visionary who turned a modest chocolate venture into a Midwest confectionery empire.
🍬 A Legacy Built on Passion (and Cocoa)
Founded in 1991, South Bend Chocolate Co. started under a Notre Dame license and quickly evolved into a regional powerhouse, producing more than 500 chocolate treats from truffles to turtles, malt balls to espresso beans. Now they’ve got stores across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, a 60,000 sq. ft. factory, and even a Chocolate Museum filled with ancient Mayan relics and cocoa history.
Seriously, the museum includes a 1,300-year-old Mayan chocolate pot. Who else is doing that?
☕️ The Downtown Café Vibe
If you’re in South Bend, make time for their flagship café downtown. Whether you’re a student on a study break, a traveler passing through, or a die-hard foodie like me, you’ll feel right at home. Go for the legendary hot chocolate, stay for the truffles, and leave with a sugar high and zero regrets.
Their café isn't just a coffee stop—it’s an experience. Cozy seating, old-school candy shop charm, and shelves stacked with everything from caramel corn to handmade fudge.
🦕 Chocolate, Dinosaurs, and Big Dreams
But it doesn’t stop at chocolate. Mark Tarner is a man of many interests, including paleontology (yep), which is why the new factory campus on Lincolnway West includes the Indiana Dinosaur Museum. It’s a one-stop shop for chocolate tours, science, snacks, and small-town wonder.
💬 Final Thoughts from a Lifelong Fan
Meeting Mr. Tarner and hearing about the South Bend Chocolate Co. dream straight from him made a lasting impression on me. This company isn’t just about sweets—it’s about story, community, and turning humble beginnings into something magical.
So if you haven’t been yet, go. Take the tour, eat the chocolate, embrace the sugar rush. And if you have been—go again. Some places are worth revisiting.
Stay curious, stay sweet—and maybe keep some emergency truffles in your bag (I won’t judge).