La Maison de Bonbon

Outside Paris Chocolatiers and Amsterdam’s (Puccini Bonboni!), THE BEST chocolate is right here at La Maison de Bonbon in Forest Park, IL. No need to book a flight and plan a holiday if it’s only delicious chocolate you’re craving, for this place has decadent chocolate in the bag! They’ve been around since 1921, and it’s hard to believe no one I knew was aware of their existence until now. For everyone who knows me and loves chocolate, you now know what you’ll be getting from me as a holiday gift. Seriously, for $ 15.99/lb. for chocolate almonds, $ 23.99/lb. for French cremes, $ 26.99/lb. for assorted chocolates, one not need to break the bank to eat chocolate, and this is fine chocolate. Some of the best I’ve ever had!

I think we’ve lived near this charming little place for a couple of years without ever knowing it was there. On a whim we went in one day and discovered a lovely little chocolate shoppe. The chocolates are perfect (try the french cremes) and they have a nice selection of other treats (licorices) and gifts. Anytime I’m hanging out on Madison, I try to make a stop here.

While sipping on an excellent Bloody Mary on the outdoor patio at Shanahans I spied upon this hidden house of cremes and chocolates. For a taste treat get a small 16 pc box. From the salted dark chocolate caramels to the champagne truffles you aren’t going to go wrong. They also have some salt water taffy, hard candies and wine. All are neatly presented. Go ahead — take the box and sit out on the patio and have a glass of red or Stella and let those creamy treats melt in your mouth (not in your hand). Imagine you are in the Big Easy.

I finally stopped by after passing it several times and I was very surprised by the quality of its chocolates. I was not sure if it was the owner who was there but she was very friendly and very generous with the samples. I loved the chocolate covered peanut butter with caramel candies and tried a couple of truffles. This place is my go to place to buy chocolates and gifts to families and friends. I cannot wait to go back and try some more.

An obscure, even tiny storefront that you might easily walk by without seeing, but wonderful selection of delicious chocolates. I remember getting some chocolate covered pretzel rods the likes I hadn’t tried before and they were wonderful.
If you are in the area, worth the trip to check them out. Forest Park has more than just bars and restaurants ;)

A tiny little shop, easy to miss. The chocolate’s excellent (some of the truffles appear to be the ones supplied to Candyality downtown); selection is somewhat limited simply due to the size of the shop. In addition to chocolate, they have some German chocolate bars, Fralinger’s salt water taffy (from the Jersey shore; lovely stuff); exotically flavored caramels by AvenueSweets and hard candies from Herman the German (imported all-​natural candies in various fruit flavors; delicious). The turtle equivalents are beautifully executed and very fresh; the chocolate covered cherries are a cut above the usual, too. The creams are overly sweet to my taste, but tastes differ. The couverture is very smooth. Recommended.

Perfect place to pick up the perfect treat for a special occasion or in my case, just every day life! The owner is fantastic and very friendly. I always recommend this place as a must when visiting or making a day trip to Forest Park!

Excellent! Amazing, I love chocolate and this is the place. Their french Crème are amazing.

Not sure what to say but I think this is an awesome part of Forest Park. The owner is charming, friendly, and remembers me when I come in. A great place to get special gifts for people you love!

This place is heaven for chocolate lovers! It’s a cute little shop filled with truffles and other chocolate products. The owner is very friendly and helpful and often give samples. During the holidays, she also gives us a gift with our purchase.

A cute tiny chocolate shoppe. The shopkeep is very nice, though if you are indecisive you can feel pressured since it’s such a small room. But don’t stress, it’s chocolate.
Next time I have to check if their dark chocolate is vegan.

I can’t believe I’m just now finding out about this place. But now that I have, let me just say… chocolate heaven. I called on a day when they were closed — but the shop owner had forwarded the line to her cell phone and indicated she’d meet me at the shop if I wanted to come in. I’ll be honest, I initially took that as a really bad sign — just wasn’t sure how good they could be if they were that (what I assumed to be) desperate for business. Nevertheless, an hour later I walked into the shop (you’ll notice I use the word ‘shop’ versus ‘store’ — this place is TINY so it just seems fitting) and it was at that point that I knew my relationship with downtown Forest Park would never be the same. Bought a bunch of truffles so intricately designed you almost hate to eat them… until you do, at which point you decide that, work of art or not, they just taste too sinfully delicious to not devour them. Since it was my first time in, she gave me a free sample of their signature French cremes… something I’ve since found myself dreaming about. So good in fact, that I asked for four to take home and the shop owner, bless her chocolate-​covered heart, gave me all four at no charge! This place is pretty much one of the best hidden gems ever. I can’t wait to go back.

What a lovely little (and I mean little!) shop! At about 8 – 10 feet wide and not much longer, this chocolate-lover’s heaven holds about three customers comfortably, but A LOT of chocolate!
Emphasis is on European-​style and Europe-​sourced chocolates and candies, with a fine assortment of truffles. Some other unexpected items as well — dessert wine, popcorn, gourmet nuts and some coffee beans. The owner was there on both of my visits and was quite helpful and friendly… and yes, gave me wonderful samples on my way out! A very nice touch… and I definitely ate them before I made it back to my car.
Reasonable prices and a good selection. Wish there were more single-​serving snacks on hand, like chocolate covered pretzel rods or big peanut butter cups — things you would go in for and get just one. Most items are sold by the pound. That said, you can buy a single truffle and there are some smaller items, and the owner would accommodate you if you wanted something little. But it has more of a classy candy-​gift-​store feel than a chocolate candy snack shop.
Once you find it, tucked into Shanahan’s storefront, you’ll wonder how you passed it so many times before. And how you managed without it.

I haven’t been to the store, but a friend gave us a box of light and dark chocolate French cremes from here — supposedly their specialty. They’re kind of a cross between fudge and truffle filling — like dense truffle filling, I guess. They are GREAT!

So amazing.
We wandered in after the bar next door. The woman plied us with samples of chocolates, could not have been friendlier, and we left buying some delicious chocolates. They were the house specialty, she said. Can’t remember what they were, but ask! I want to buy more. They were incredible, and I am so chocolate-​picky. Hot damn — this is the kind of place that I hope stays around forever!