Frequently Asked Questions

The number one answer is quality. We like to be sure that our products arrive in a similar state that they were shipped, and cooler packs and dry ice don’t always get the job done properly. We decided it was best to give ourselves a little break and stay local in the summer. Other answers include, but are not limited to: squirrels, staff family vacations, ants, condensation, and next day shipping costs. We are open for business 362 days of the year and you can always place a pickup order 🙂

Most of our candies are often made-to-order and prepared in small batches, we ask that you expect 1-3 days in processing time depending on your options, and time in transit is typically 1-4 days depending on your distance from Chicago. Packages are shipped Monday-Thursday, to minimize time in transit and Sunday lags. For more specific information, please get in touch with us on our Contact Us page.

We’re so sorry about that! We’re a small-batch shop and everything is packed by hand, so mistakes sometimes happen. If you received the wrong item or something is missing, please email us at
orders@thefudgepotchicago.com
with your name, shipping address, order number, and a photo if possible. We’ll make it right as quickly as we can.

Once your order is packed and ready to ship, you’ll automatically receive a tracking number by email. Tracking info is sent to the email address you used when placing the order. We typically generate the label (and tracking number) 1–3 days after you order — longer during peak seasons or if you’ve requested that we delay shipment.

If you haven’t received tracking after a few days, check your spam folder or reach out to us at orders@thefudgepotchicago.com and we’ll be happy to help.

Currently, we only ship within the continental United States. If you’re interested in international shipping, please contact about preparing an order for shipping that you can pick up at our store and bring to your preferred package delivery service.

Yes! We offer bulk shipping for business gifts, holiday orders, and special occasions — whether it’s 10 boxes or 200. We pack everything by hand in our Chicago shop and ship with care. You can download our address template and learn more on our Bulk Shipping Orders page.

Yes — we offer local delivery through
Grubhub
for customers in the Chicago area within Grubhub’s delivery range. You can browse our limited delivery menu and place an order directly through our Grubhub page.

Well, as much as we love a good challenge, we’re not yet equipped to launch sweets into space. When candy rockets become a thing, you can bet we’ll be first in line to send some fudge to the moon. Until then, we’re happy to ship it anywhere in the US during our shipping season.

We can’t guarantee exact delivery dates due to carrier variability, but we’ll do our best to ship your order so it arrives close to your requested date. If you need a very specific window, give us a heads-up in your order notes.

We strongly encourage placing advance orders for major holidays and bulk orders, especially when shipping them. No order is ever too early and we’re always happy to delay production and/or shipment until we get closer to your target date. Please visit our special order page for more information.

Ok wait we actually tried this one time at Taste of Chicago when we had Beggar’s Pizza at the booth next door. We won’t say that it’s not necessarily a good idea, but we’re not going to encourage you to try it. It’s certainly possible if you’re feeling adventurous, the combo of savory pizza and sweet chocolate is best described as “memorable”.

Yes! Well, probably. We have over 1,000 different chocolate shapes we can make. If you don’t see it on display, ask and we might have that stegosaurus riding a tricycle. If we don’t have it, we may be able to find a poly carbonate mold we can work with. We also work with Tomric Systems to make custom molds in quantities of 100+.

We’re a small-batch, hands-on operation, so most custom orders need a little personal attention. If you’re looking for something specific — like a custom chocolate mold, special flavors, or allergen-friendly options — please reach out through our Contact Us page and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

Chocolate can be fickle, and there is no shortage of people that will debate the issue of storage. We recommend room temperature, out of the sunlight and out of the refrigerator for all of our products. Sure you can put them in the fridge for that chilly taste, but then you won’t have that creamy texture that we all love in a chocolate bar, and the condensation of a refrigerator will ruin your candy.

All of our products are made on site and on similar equipment. If you are very sensitive to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or soy, exercise caution. We try to be careful to not cross-contaminate our candies, but sometimes different products are made on the same equipment, and that seemingly safe dark chocolate raisin cluster will brush past a milk chocolate almond bark. Please email us for more information.

This is a tough one for us. We recommend that you eat strawberries the same day that they are dipped. You can get away with keeping them overnight, but strawberries are one of the candies that we really encourage you to purchase fresh, whether from us or anyone else.

All of our candy may contain dairy or milk products. Any person with a dairy allergy should NOT consume any of our products.

Yes! We do offer some gluten-free treats, but we do make items containing gluten in the same facility, so there’s always a risk of cross-contamination. If you’re highly sensitive, please contact us first, and we’ll provide specific details.

At this time, we do not offer sugar-free products. However, we’re constantly working on new recipes and may add more options in the future. Be sure to check back or contact us for updates!

Yes, we offer several nut-free chocolates, but please note that our candies are made in a facility where nuts are used. If you have a severe nut allergy, we recommend contacting us first to ensure the candy you’re interested in is safe for you.

Right here, on site since 1963. A mere 15 feet away from where we display our products and sell them.

It’s tough to pick just one, but our classic fudge is always a crowd-pleaser! People also go wild for our chocolate-covered strawberries and caramel treats. By far though, our best seller and customer favorite is our English Butter Toffee.

Yes! Our store is fully wheelchair accessible. We welcome everyone to come enjoy our handmade candies and friendly atmosphere.

Not on-site. Because we make our own products and sell them in the same location, our space is limited. There are a number of other neighborhood businesses to explore as well as parks and the lakefront in walking distance.

Alas, no drinks here. Have you been in Old Town lately, though? There are several great coffee shops and cafes within a block of our store.

While we don’t offer formal tours, we’re happy to show you around our little candy workshop and answer any questions that you might have. We make different products daily while we’re open, usually in the mornings and early afternoons. What you is when you’re here is where most of the magic happens though, just up on our two stainless steel tables. Unfortunately as of 2020, we no longer offer tours of the chocolate mines in the back room.

Absolutely. Most items available online can also be pre-ordered for in-store pickup. You can shop at our Local Pickup Page, or if you’re looking for something not listed online, give us a call or stop by — we often have more in-store than what’s listed online.

As much as we love our furry friends, unfortunately, we can’t offer taste tests for pets. But hey, if your dog has a sweet tooth for chocolate, maybe just stick to a belly rub instead. (Side note: chocolate is harmful to dogs, so let’s keep the candy to humans only, please!). You’re welcome to stop in with your pet, but please be respectful and mindful of others around you while visiting our small store.

It’s a valid question, really. While we can’t promise a complete transformation, we can tell you that indulging in a little too much might lead to a sugar rush and a few chocolate crumbs on your shirt. But don’t worry, we’re pretty sure you’ll stay human.

Absolutely! Candy doesn’t judge, and we’re all about spreading joy at any time of day, as long as it’s during our business hours.