We had a nice time in Daytona, even if it was hot and humid. Heck, we were there in June, so we weren’t surprised, lol. One of the things we did on one of the hotter days was taking a tour of Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory. We have done the Hammonds Candies tour here in Colorado and figured it would be similar. Surprisingly it was quite different. However, I did find it interesting that both companies started in the 1920’s.
They started out in 1925 and have definitely expanded the amount of items they sell today. It was a pretty busy day when we got there, but they were moving people along. Even though we were early for our tour, there was another group behind us. It moved pretty fast, and the tour isn’t that long really.
We had a great tour guide named Candace. She was very nice, and cracked a few jokes as she explained some of the history of the Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory, as well as how it got its name. She also shared some of their most popular items purchased. The only one I can remember is the Honey Bee, but I think the potato chip was also a high seller.
The tour is actually along a long hall with huge windows where you can see different parts of the kitchen and different items being made. It was really interesting, and we actually saw the owner dipping pretzel rods. That is him on the left in the picture below, behind those amazing chocolate dipped apples!
I really liked the area where they were actually moving the chocolate along a conveyor belt getting ready to be packaged. The reason I love it is because of the huge banner of Lucy and Ethel when they were working at Kramer’s Candy Kitchen for the day. One of the best episodes ever, Anyway, I won’t go off on an I love Lucy post, but it definitely caught my interest. 
The other thing that caught our attention was that they make chocolate covered bacon. Yes, you read that right. Crazy huh? Well at the end of the tour we were able to sample a couple of items and of course that was on both of our lists. It was ok, but I really enjoyed the mint fudge I bought after the tour. It was so creamy and good. I wish I had brought home more, but probably good I didn’t. lol. We could have gone crazy shopping in the store, as they had so many incredible products.
Everyone at Angell and Phelps was so nice, and answered any questions we had. Gene actually asked them if they had any 90% cacao beans he could try. Candace was more than happy to let us try some, even though she thought we were crazy to try that instead of another sample. lol. Let’s just say, it was interesting, but I was ready for the extra sample she offered us afterwards, lol. It was quite bitter, but was cool to have tried it in the raw, before it is make into chocolate.
Here is a link to their website with more information. However, here is some basic information. The tour times are Monday – Saturday at 10, 11, 1, 2, 3, 4 with no tours on Sunday. Regular store hours are Monday – Saturday 9:30-6 and Sunday 12-5. Parking is on street in front of the store and was plentiful. If you are in Daytona, make sure to add the Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory
