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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Clark BarName: Clark Bar
I finally tracked down a Clark bar (they aren’t that easy to find on the West Coast). Clark bars were originally manufactured by the Clark company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting in 1917 (WWI) but were bought a few years back by Necco. I remember when I lived in Pittsburgh one of the best things about it was the huge, lit Clark sign on the factory. What I also liked about the Clark company is that they made one of my favorite gums,Teaberry. The Clark bar is very similar to the Butterfinger and the current 5th Avenue bar. (All of these bars have changed hands over the years, Butterfinger was originally made by Curtis and 5th Avenue was byLudens .) It’s possible Clark was the original peanut butter honeycomb bar, but even if it wasn’t it was one of the few to survive to the present day. The center of a Clark bar is honeycomb peanut butter crisp covered in a chocolate-like substance (I don’t know if it was ever covered in real chocolate). Given the choice when it came to peanut crisp bars, I usually opted for the Zagnut, which is a coconut covered peanut crisp bar (now made by Hershey’s). So my recollection of the real Clark bars is a bit dim. But what I can tell you about the one I tried is that it’s very dense. It’s not crispy like a Butterfinger and it lacks the complex toasted flavors of the 5th Avenue. (Look at the photos on the head to head review to see the difference in the centers.) However, the fake chocolate is much better than most, it’s sweet and smooth without being waxy. The crisp ends up becoming rather chewy and finally gives up a little more molasses flavor, but still doesn’t have the pop that 5th Avenue gives me. (Related nostalgia - Clark wrappers, Clark bar memories, Clark sign on Flickr, two more shots of the same old sign, story about classic sign on North Side.) Rating - 5 out of 10 POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:03 pm
5-Pleasant •
Necco •
Peanuts •
Chocolate •
Mockolate •
United States •
Candy •
Review •
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Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.
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COPYRIGHT NOTICEAll content (text and photos unless otherwise credited) is copyright 2005-2009 by Cybele MayPlease do not use my photos without prior permission directly from me, they represent what I ate in preparation for these reviews and are not to be used for other purposes. Design by Hop Studios & powered by Expression Engine
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SUPERB
YUMMY 
TASTY 
WORTH IT 
TEMPTING 
PLEASANT 
BENIGN 
UNAPPEALING 
APPALLING 
INEDIBLE 
If they haven’t changed the recipe since the Pittsburgh days…it went from D. L. Clark to Leaf to Necco…Clark used to refer to the center as a peanut butter “taffy” when showing how they made the bar on local TV, which would explain the difference in texture compared to the other bars and the chewiness.
Hey Matt! That makes perfect sense. Also, I noticed it got more flavorful as I finished it than when I started. Odd, but it still doesn’t knock 5th Ave off my top spot.
It just doesn’t feel like Pittsburgh anymore without the Clark bar thought.
Cybele,
Tim Richardson’s “Sweets: a history of candy” (aka “A history of Temptation”—much the better title, don’t you think?) says that Clark bars are the first “combination” candy bar. (funny the things one remembers from a book). Amazon has cheap remainder copies in stock now!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZ99RO/qid=1134028430/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-3580035-0251915?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
I live in Pittsburgh, the candy bars are still easy to find but I believe they got rid of the sign a few years ago when the factory changed hands…
Clark Bars are virtually impossible to find in any
of the major stores in his area.
Help!!
Bill - I’m afraid I’m not sure which chains sell Clark bars currently. I’ve found them at Long’s Drugs and RiteAid from time to time.
You also might want to try Cost Plus World Market (there might be one in your area).
There’s always the internet, but you usually have to order by the box.
Does anybody remeber the commercial with the talking ostrich asking for a Clark bar?
The hospital I work for sells all three (the Clark bar, 5th Avenue, and Butterfinger) in the gift shop! They are all three readily available here in Indiana.
I worked at the Clark Bar Factory the last 2 summers 1952-53 prior to graduating from West View
High in 54. My mom worked there, did the payroll for GOOabout 15 years. Mom was a widow for 9 years,then married in ‘50. He also worked at Clark’s. I lived on Juniata Street, about a 20 minute walk to where the stadiums are now located.
Hey, how amout Isaly’s Ice Cream Sandwich.
They were great. Or THE DIPS at West View Park.
I lived on Bellevue Road, on top of the hill
in back of Park.
Herb McFarland
“The DIP
i,m not have,n any luck finding clark bar in me area help akron/ canton
I have a very old clark candy bar promotional item that I’m trying to find out what year it came out. It’s a little boy squeeky toy - he’s holding a clark bar in one hand and pointing at it with the other. anyone know of a site where I could find out?
fOLLOW UP TO #9 ENTRY
SORRY ABOUT THE TYPO ERRORS, BUT PARKINSONS
PLAYS A LOT WITH MY HAND & THE MOUSE.
“THE DIPS” WAS THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE IN WEST
VIEW PARK. IT WAS AT THE BOTTTOM OF THE HILL, I LIVED ON BELLEVUE ROAD. I WOULD FALL ASLEEP TO THE MUSIC PLAYED ON THE LOUD SPEAKERS,AS THE
SCREAMING FGOING DOWN THE FIRST DIP.
CLARKS ALSO MADE ZAGNUT BARS& SOME LITTLE
SQUARE CHEWY THINK, ITS COLOR WAS 4 SQUARES, 1 BLACK,1 WHITE 1 PINK 1 WHITE.CAN’T RECALL THE
NAME RIGHT NOW.
FOR MORRIS #7 ..
THE LINE AT HE END OF THE AD WAS BY A GIRAFFE TOO,
AS WELL AS BY AN OSTRICH ...I’D DO ANYTHING FOR
A CLARK BAR
I remember when Cartoon Network played the clark bar commercials too. The phrase was “I want a clark bar.” It was giraffes, elephants, and ostriches.
Mary
We live in the Clark Estate, Mercer, Pa. It was a summer home and of course, now converted to a year around home. We have a few memorabilia things left here, after Bobby Clark lived here.
Cybele, been threatening to Google Clark Bar and see what comes up. Glad you posted this story! Hope your blog is still active on this subject. As a native Pittsburgher, it brings back memories (Yes, Herb, Isalys! Also, good memories!BTW, I grew up not far from West View, in Ohio Twp.). My dad worked for Clark’s from ‘39 to his death in ‘71 in management, in various capacities. I made many a trip through their factory as a kid. Great memories. The Clark Bar of today is slightly different. The Butterfinger-like center is a change. Originally, it had a “center” within the Butterfinger-like portion. Not sure what it was, maybe a caramel like substance. And, of course, they were a lot bigger bars then. I have pretty vivid memories of watching the candy machines turning out Clark Bars. How times change. Yes, Clark’s Teaberry was a popular gum. Again, how times change and not necessarily for the better!
I was born in Pittsburgh, grew up in Beaver before moving to NYS. I, too, remember Isaly’s and of course the Clark Bar sign. I think the pink/white/black candies alluded to above may be Black Jacks, a licorice/anise-flavored chew that was very popular alongside the B-B-B-Bats and candy dots at our local store. This thread brought back memories… I can easily recall candy bars (and even Cracker Jack) for a nickel, stuff like Gold Nugget gum (came in a cloth sack like “real” gold nuggets) and Callard and Bowser brand butterscotch with tablets you had to break in half to eat. Best butterscotch ever, now gone for good.
Bonomo Turkish Taffy was also great. And remember when Nestles Krunch actually was crispy-crunchy? I understand that when the Nestles factory closed in Fulton, NY, that was the end of the proper crisped rice; the stuff they use now is too weak to make for a good crunch.
Odd, whenever I have Clark bars now (if I can find them) the interior just does not seem like I remember. Is it possible that corn syrup has supplanted white sugar in part? That would account for the change.
Frankly what I miss is being able to buy gum that actually contained sugar. Juicy Fruit, Doublemint etc. all now have that yucky “off” aftertaste of fake sweetener. Used to love Teaberry gum, as well as Clove. I just don’t like the taste of aspartame and I know I’m not alone.
So many treats of yore are endangered… even Breyer’s Ice Cream has turned crappy, with thickeners added to destroy its previously perfect mouthfeel.
BTW even Kennywood has gone to the dark side, having been sold to a foreign concern. Didn’t see that one coming.
Oh well. Snack on, people.
Where can i fan clark bars in the New York
City area
Erwin - I think your best bet in NYC is Economy Candy on the Lower East Side. Dylan’s Candy Bar also carries most regional bars.
Kinnakeet - I was very excited to find Israeli Juicyfruit gum that’s still made with sugar!
Roger - according to old advertising of the Clark bar, the center was a bit of peanut butter, which I’m guessing would be a little soupy from being surrounded by the candy part.
Herb McFarland: That 4 colored candy bar is called the Sky Bar - one of my favorites and almost impossible to find, even in the ‘Burgh. I see it now and then in a vending machine and start diggin’ for change - lol
Ahh… now I remember what Herb’s talking about - it’s a square layered thing, chewy and I think sugar-coated. Kinnakeet might be correct about the name - Black Jacks. So, not the Sky Bar - sorry.
Yep - so much has changed in the ‘Burgh, some for the good (Primanti’s expended to like 3 or 4 more locations around the area) and some for the not-so-good. I’m not as upset over Kennywood being sold as I was when it happened. Went there a few weeks ago and nothing’s changed. In fact, there were a few improvements. Time will tell how long that will last, however. I still can’t handle what they did to the Haunted Hideaway a few years back (was still original owner then). They took a historic landmark ride and screwed it all up. Oh well, I guess some like it, I sure don’t. Well, we may not have the Clark sign or Three Rivers Stadium anymore, but last time I was in town (last summer) the Heinz bottle was still all lit up. Once that’s gone too it won’t be the same to me either. Can’t stop progress.
Cybele, you’re right about the center. I remember now, it WAS peanut butter. I remember my dad (who for a time was in Clark’s Purchasing, I think maybe the Director) saying they got peanuts from Virginia plantations (I recall the name of Birdsong Industries) and ground them with large granite rollers to make the peanut butter for the center. They separated the peanut “heart” from the peanut, that’s the little pointed nub when you separate the peanut pieces, and discarded it. He said it would turn rancid if used in the peanut butter. Since we lived in the country amidst the trees, he built a fairly good sized bird feeder and during the winters, he’d bring home large sacks of the peanut hearts for the birds. Happy birds, they were! Those were the days, my friend, as the song goes. Thanks, Cybele, and others, for bringing back the memories. A simpler time, it was…
BTW, Kinnakeet, you’re right on the Aspartame. It’s garbage. Even the medical profession is waking up now to the problems it causes. Best to stay away from it. Just because the government approves it, doesn’t mean it’s ok. They’ve made mistakes many times before.
Missy, after nearly 20 years away, I visited Pgh for a week in July of 2000. It was very different. Not at all like I remembered. Many familiar sights were gone. Visited the Science Center and the submarine, which were neat, but I really missed the old Planetarium. The old area where my high school was in Ben Avon was totally different (it’s gone now, replaced by houses). The little valley where I grew up was full of freeway. Very sad. Being a “techie” I used Google Earth and looked at those areas a couple of months ago, there are even more changes. As the saying goes, “you can’t go back home”. How true.
Blessings to all.
Roger
Colorado
Cybele and all, just Googled “Clark Candy Company” for the heck of it and found something I hadn’t seen before. Here’s the link:
http://www.victoryseeds.com/candystore/clarks.html
The Victory Seeds Company has a decent history of the D. L. Clark Co., and the Clark Chewing Gum Company. Turns out, the Clark Gum Co., is still operating and on the Victory sight, you can still buy Clark’s Teaberry Gum! Wonder of wonders! And they say it has no artificial sweeteners, NO ASPARTAME. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (yes, you dated yourself if you remembered that phrase)!
Roger
In 1967, I was pregnant with my 3rd child and all I craved and ate by the dozen, Was Clark Bars. Here it is 2008 and I have great grand children and again I’m craving Clark Bars. My husband has scoured our town, but to no avail, he can’t find me a Clark Bar. WHY! Why are they so hard to find anymore? They are so good.
i see i am not the only one that can’t find a clark bar,,,,i live in south jersey/philly area,,,i looked everywhere,,,if someone can direct me ,i would so appreciate it,,,such a good and popular candy bar and it is so hard to find,,,
i just purchased some today at the nbc studio store in rockafeller plaza in nyc , i had been on the the hunt for the past couple months since i saw a segment on the food network unwrapped about the making of the clark bar hope this helps enjoy ...
I grew up in Vandergrift, just outside of Pittsburgh (although no one has ever heard of it) in th 60s. The clark bar was always my favorite. I cannot find a Clark bar anywhere here. A friend just found them for me online at The Vermont Country Store. I cannot wait till they arrive! I’m somewhat sad to hear they are not the same, but still anxious to try one.
tempo, as a Pittsburgh native, I remember Vandergrift! In fact, a month or so ago I was browsing the Post Gazette site to keep up occasionally on Pittsburgh news and there was a mention of Vandergrift. I grew up in the North Hills. Glad you found the Vermont Country Store link to order the Clark Bar. Yes, they aren’t quite the same, but the memory and thoughts are there. Hope you enjoy them.
Roger, So good to hear from someone from my old neck of the woods! I have lived in Fl. for the past 27 years. Have only been back to the Pitts. area once, about 10 years ago. I can’t wait for the clark bars to get here. I will have to check out the Post Gazette site… seems like something I would be interested in. Thanks!
Tempo, don’t forget the KDKA TV website, too. Always good for local Pittsburgh news and some video news clips. I think one or both sites have links to Pittsburgh blogs, too. I’ve lived in Colorado for the last 38 years, last time in Pittsburgh was about 8 years ago. It’s changed a bunch, but it’s still Pittsburgh!
Regards,
Roger
Clark’s Candy bar can be bought in a assorted mix bag called Old fashioned candy at Walgreens Drug if in your area, you get Necco wafers and banana splits + Clark’s bar. Bags are 2 for $3.00. candies are smaller. Internet Web site for ordering Old Time Candy in Ohio is http://www.oldtimecandy.com They have a large selection of candy from the 50-60s like BB Bats, Kits, Slap Stix ++
I grew up in Mansfield Ohio between 1946 and 1957. I came to Australia in August 1957 with my family as a 12 year old. One of the fondest childhood memories is the taste of Clark Bars. My sister and I crave for them. Sometimes people go to the USA and I ask them to bring me back some Clark Bars but they find difficulty in finding them. They are not available in Australia at all. Happy to hear from people who can give information about how to get them over here. Regards Robert
Where can I purchase clark bars in my area?
You can order big Clark Bars online @ http://www.oldtimecandy.com or buy at Walgreen’s Drug Stores in small sizes in bags. They are named old fashioned candy at Walgreen’s.
This is such a fun blog…recently my daughter and I watched 5th Ave and Clark bars being made on FoodNetwork and we wanted to try them. We found the 5th Ave bar right away and loved it but realized it was similar to the butterfinger (which I don’t care for). We have been on a quest to find the Clark bar for a blind taste test
My husband’s friend is a distributor for convenience stores and he couldn’t get it. In my searching online I came across your blog. We’ll still try to find a Clark bar to satisfy curiosity but thanks for your very descriptive details!
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