Getting There
Recently we stopped by Burdick’s Chocolate on Main Street in Walpole. I always thought the center of Walpole was on Route 12 and had never seen a chocolate store so I had no clue where Main Street was. Turns out it’s really easy to get to. If you’re coming from the south, after Ocean State Job Lot and Walgreens there’s a sign about a half a mile up the road that says Walpole 1 mile. Turn left and continue on that road. You’ll see a large white building in front of you that looks like a country store that says Restaurant, Chocolate, and Confections. There’s parking in front.
The Shopping Experience
Use the door furthest from the post office to enter the chocolate shop and café. The door closest to the post office is the restaurant, but if you find yourself in the restaurant, there’s a door that connects the two so it’s no big deal.
I entered the cozy shop and was greeted by beautiful slices of chocolate mousse cake. Even though it was a Tuesday afternoon, there were quite a few people there. People were ordering hot chocolates with fresh whipped cream and those yummy looking slices of dessert that caught my eye.
Earlier I had looked online at their chocolate flavors, which they have a large selection of, and decided on a bunch of flavors to try. When I wandered over to the chocolate selection, I noticed that some of the ones I was looking forward to trying weren’t there like a coffee flavored chocolate. However, my main reason for coming was there: the beautiful mice I’d see online with the delicious descriptions. I chose a couple to try. With my mind made up, I was ready to pay, but there was still no one at the counter.
Two ladies in front of me were also ready to pay for their chocolates but didn’t know what to do since there was no one at the counter. I looked around and realized the two ladies serving the customers of the café were the only people working there. I suggested we stand in line at the café side. The ladies working were busy and more people had entered to buy pastries and drinks. There was some confusion by the customers over who was first: those waiting to purchase chocolates or those wanting to buy pastries and drinks. It was easily resolved and one of the workers went to the chocolate counter to select the chocolates from the case for me.
The chocolate bunny wasn’t there but the lemon ganache chocolate penguin was, so I got one of those. I also got a dark chocolate mouse that had an orange ganache center. After seeing how each mouse was $3.50, I decided to just get one more chocolate. I was looking forward to the salted caramel, but they didn’t have them. So I got the caramel trio for $2.75, which I thought was even better because I got three flavors to sample!
I would’ve liked to have tried the tropical mousse cake but since it was on the café side and I had already been waiting I decided not to get it. Maybe another time.
The Chocolates
I was excited to get home and try the famous Burdick Chocolates. I cut each in half and shared with my husband.
The mouse and penguin had a hard chocolate shell and a thick and creamy ganache center. The texture was wonderful and the chocolate flavor was really nice. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much of the flavoring in either of the ganaches. I got a hint of the orange with the mouse, which tasted good, but none of the lemon with the penguin.
My favorite was the caramel trio. I loved the caramel flavor in both the milk and dark chocolate caramels. The apricot in the white chocolate was pleasantly surprising; I hadn’t expected to taste it. The caramel flavor was perfect!
After trying all three my husband and I both agreed they were on the pricey side, but good.
Tips to Make to Ensure a Great Experience:
Give yourself time to indulge and enjoy
Go with an open mind to try the many varieties of chocolate they have that day
If you’re buying chocolate from the case, stand in the café line if no one is at the counter to help
While You Are in the Area Visit…
If you’re in the Walpole area it’s a great place to stop. If you want to make a day trip bring some friends and visit the Walpole Mountain View Winery for their unique wine made from cold hardy grape vines and enjoy a tasting of six wines for a fee. People enjoy the amazing views, the relaxing tasting experience, friendly staff, and of course the light and delicious wines. After your wine tasting, take a meander over to Boggy Meadow Farms and try their creamy cheeses (swiss, jack, and even a fiddlehead tomme). People really enjoy their cheese and visiting is stepping into history; the land has been in the same family since the 1600s and the farm house is from the 1700s. Wow! Bring cash for Boggy Meadow as I understand the shop is a farm stand where you can also see cheese being made.
Both places are worth a stop.
Let us know what you think!