SFist Holiday Gift Guide: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
This is the second post in our Holiday Gift Guide spotlighting your Bay Area chocolate-buying options
Founded in 1852 in San Francisco, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a well-known San Francisco institution and is also known worldwide, in the company of other prominent local names like Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Lucasfilms, and Alcatraz.
Yeah, it's available everywhere. And that's one of the problems with Ghirardelli -- the quality of the overall product suffers. I would stress that this is mostly due to third-party vendors keeping the merchandise in less-than-optimal storage conditions and the like, but also the vast amount of products that Ghirardelli manufactures doesn't help.
That being said: while its scope and variety can be weaknesses, Ghirardelli's vast catalogue of products is also a great strength. If you like candy, you will find something from Ghirardelli to your taste. And we here in the Bay Area can go to the mother ship -- Ghirardelli Square -- which is a delightful place full of just-below-Wonkan levels of cocoa-related wonderment.
Another strength of Ghirardelli's variety -- not only something for everyone, but something in every price range. Collectable, seasonal tins (candy filled, of course) can be found from less than $10, though more expensive such products are also available. If bigger is better, many chocolate freaks should love the 10-pound chocolate bar ($40). Ghirardelli's signature chocolate squares -- the very things where quality is sometimes compromised on the mass market -- are fresher when purchased here at the Ghirardelli Square location, and are cheap (less than $1) and available in TON of flavors (side note: not wanting to commit blasphemy to true chocolate purists, but mad props to the genius who thought of the White Chocolate with Vanilla Bean flavor). There are also novelty chocolates in different shapes, grab bags, and more. Treats abound for the one doing the shopping, as samples abound and a soda fountain/ice cream parlor are on site.
So don't judge Ghirardelli by the stuff you find near the check-out counter of the supermarket -- judge it by what you find at its best-known location. A good place to find affordable candy that, if not quite up to See's quality, is a good stretch above average and a San Francisco-grown brand to boot.
Ghirardelli Square is at 900 North Point in San Francisco and is open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily.