Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Clark Bar

Name: Clark Bar
Brand: Necco (used to be made by Clark)
Place Purchased:  Marcel’s at the Farmer’s Market
Price: $.89
Size: 1.75 ounces
Calories per ounce: 137
Type: Chocolate/ Peanut Butter

image

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 (All of these bars have changed hands over the years, Butterfinger was originally made by Curtis and 5th Avenue was by Ludens.) 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

Clark Bar - Get Real Milk Chocolate & All NaturalUPDATE April 21, 2010: Necco has updated the Clark Bar, it’s now bigger and has a real chocolate coating. They’re also available in dark chocolate. Check out the new reviews as well as a full head-to-head comparison of Butterfinger, 5th Avenue and Clark Bar.

Related Candies

  1. Head to Head: Clark, Butterfinger & 5th Avenue
  2. Clark Bar (Get Real - Milk & Dark)
  3. Hershey’s Website Inaccuracies
  4. Chick-o-Stick
  5. Head-to-Head: Butterfinger vs. 5th Avenue

POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:03 am Tracker Pixel for Entry     CandyReviewNeccoChocolateMockolatePeanuts5-PleasantUnited States

Comments
  1. 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.

    Comment by Matt on 12/07/05 at 12:16 pm #
  2. Cybele's avatar

    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.

    Comment by Cybele on 12/07/05 at 2:50 pm #
  3. 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

    Comment by desertwind on 12/08/05 at 12:00 am #
  4. 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…

    Comment by zac on 12/11/05 at 6:33 pm #
  5. Clark Bars are virtually impossible to find in any
    of the major stores in his area.
    Help!!

    Comment by bill kenney on 5/08/06 at 9:12 am #
  6. Cybele's avatar

    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.

    Comment by Cybele on 5/10/06 at 7:02 am #
  7. Does anybody remeber the commercial with the talking ostrich asking for a Clark bar?

    Comment by Morris on 9/29/06 at 4:36 pm #
  8. 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.

    Comment by markz on 5/21/07 at 9:18 am #
  9. 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

    Comment by Herb McFarland on 8/20/07 at 1:04 pm #
  10. i,m not have,n any luck finding clark bar in me area help akron/ canton

    Comment by john on 9/17/07 at 2:24 pm #
  11. 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?

    Comment by Michelle on 9/20/07 at 12:10 pm #
  12. 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

    Comment by Herb McFarland on 11/14/07 at 12:43 pm #
  13. 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

    Comment by Mary on 1/19/08 at 1:11 pm #
  14. 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.

    Comment by Fran on 2/06/08 at 6:43 pm #
  15. 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!

    Comment by Roger on 4/17/08 at 8:55 am #
  16. 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.

    Comment by Kinnakeet on 6/04/08 at 3:56 am #
  17. Where can i fan clark bars in the New York
    City area

    Comment by Erwin Johnson on 6/05/08 at 6:11 am #
  18. Cybele's avatar

    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.

    Comment by Cybele on 6/05/08 at 6:19 am #
  19. 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 wink

    Comment by Missy on 6/30/08 at 4:53 pm #
  20. 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.

    Comment by Missy on 6/30/08 at 5:11 pm #
  21. 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

    Comment by Roger on 6/30/08 at 5:58 pm #
  22. 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

    Comment by Roger on 6/30/08 at 7:00 pm #
  23. 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.

    Comment by Joy Harvey on 7/28/08 at 4:16 pm #
  24. 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,,,

    Comment by donna on 11/19/08 at 7:37 am #
  25. 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 ...

    Comment by rick on 11/21/08 at 4:02 pm #
  26. 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.

    Comment by tempo on 11/22/08 at 11:22 am #
  27. 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.

    Comment by Roger on 11/22/08 at 4:29 pm #
  28. 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!

    Comment by tempo on 11/23/08 at 6:48 am #
  29. 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

    Comment by Roger on 11/23/08 at 4:46 pm #
  30. 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 ++

    Comment by Julie on 1/24/09 at 6:53 pm #
  31. 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

    Comment by Robert Wilson on 1/31/09 at 5:34 pm #
  32. Where can I purchase clark bars in my area?

    Comment by Paul E Fortin Sr on 7/12/09 at 4:23 pm #
  33. 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.

    Comment by Julia Fields on 7/12/09 at 5:09 pm #
  34. 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 smile  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!

    Comment by ilene on 7/14/09 at 5:48 am #
  35. Since moving to Florida in ‘99 have had a difficult time find the candy that is my namesake. FYI, there was a Clark Barr person before DL Clark made his concoction. I recently found Clark Bars being sold at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Daytona Beach. I don’t know if it’s on a national basis but it was certainly fun to see.

    Comment by Clark Barr on 12/06/09 at 7:17 am #
  36. Clark,

    Wow, we were just at our local Cracker Barrel Restaurant last weekend.  Didn’t think to look there for Clark Bars!  They have a huge selection of nostalgia items in their “General Store” layout.  It would be very logical to have Clark Bars, too.  I’ll have to give them a call and ask if they do.  Thanks for the tip!

    Roger

    Comment by Roger on 12/06/09 at 4:39 pm #
  37. If all you guys in the USA are having trouble finding Clark Bars I have no hope here in Australia.  The taste will have to remain a childhood memory.  Great to read all your stories though.

    Comment by Robert Wilson on 12/06/09 at 11:14 pm #
  38. I know I posted this over 2.5 years ago, but just wanted to reiterate…

    My office is about 50 feet away from the hospital gift shop.  I was just in there and they still sell all three (5th Avenue, Butterfinger, and Clark Bar).  Maybe tomorrow I will do a taste test!  smile

    Comment by MarkZ on 12/07/09 at 8:45 am #
  39. I grew up in pittsburgh also and there are a lot of us in the atlanta area who have missed the bb bats the clark bars etc. etc. I guess i need to give cracker barrel a try or walgreens.  thanks for the tip ...I can still taste the clark bars.

    Comment by Ralph on 12/16/09 at 12:26 pm #
  40. Cybele's avatar

    Ralph - I saw them at the Cost Plus World Market the other day. They might have them at the one near you. (They were $1.19, which is a bit expensive.)

    Comment by Cybele on 12/16/09 at 12:32 pm #
  41. You can order Clark Bars from the NECCO Website
    Just an FYI they are coming out with a dark chocolate version

    Comment by Sue on 12/17/09 at 5:14 am #
  42. I too remember eating Clark bars as a kid so anytime I see them, I buy them.  Actually purchased my last bag of miniatures at Big Lots of all places.  I must disagree with some of you about the taste, texture, etc.  Unless you got ahold of some old stale ones, they taste just like I remember and don’t stick in my teeth like a butterfinger.  I must admit, in my 44 years on the planet, I have never tasted a fifth avenue.  Might have to give those a try.  Anyway, I came across this blog while doing a search for the recipe for clark bars. My grandma used to make them and I would love to make my own, when I can’t find them in stores.

    Comment by Deb on 12/30/09 at 8:20 am #
  43. You can buy online Clark’s Bars, BB-Bats, Kits, Slap Stix’s, banana splits and other old fashioned candy from http://www.oldtimecandy.com

    Also you can buy assorted packages of small Clark’s Bar,banana splits and Necco wafers at Walgreen’s Drug Store.

    Comment by Julia on 12/30/09 at 11:34 am #
  44. Here is what I know about the Clark Bar. I watched a program on Investigators, or 48 Hours, or one of those shows.
    The owner of the Clark Bar company, not called CLARK by the way, was murdered about 15 years ago and the business was after, run by family who sold out. When that happened, the Clark Bar ceased to exist. It was my favorite candy bar.

    Comment by Jim on 3/07/10 at 6:18 am #
  45. With joy in my heart I type this knowing I am not alone in my search for a Clark Bar.  It was only recently after viewing the Food Network that I discovered I had never tasted a Clark Bar.  Thus, without hesitation, I ran out to the local drug store only to be disppointed when the clerk informed me that they did not carry Clark Bars “but would a Zero Bar be okay?” I think not.  Six months have passed and I have still not found a Clark Bar.  I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to raise awareness on this issue.  I now have hope that someday I will walk into a store and see a display of Clark Bars.  Afterall, the Clark Bar is a part of our history and should be preserved.

    Comment by Lee Lee on 4/08/10 at 2:19 pm #
  46. writting sister twin bed chats just now and we kept our halloween bags…of candy to last in the 1950’s…but we both loved our Clark bars. we were born in Greensburg, PA. but both have lived around the country, just now I am in NH. have a great candy fall. beckie.

    Comment by Rebekah Keeney on 9/21/10 at 12:56 pm #
  47. I remember my Mother bringing home miniature Clark bars from the five n dime. They sold them in bullk. She would bring them home in that white paper bag. They were delightful.  My brother and I was just talking about this and then I came across this blog. We are in WV and you can find Clark Bars here.

    Comment by Christie on 10/20/10 at 5:10 am #
  48. where in lexington ky can you find a clarke bar

    Comment by Dennis Scanlan on 4/28/11 at 6:17 pm #
  49. I just found an old hatchet multi tool in my mom’s estate. It reads - Clark Bars are Great. Anyone remember this promotion? Oh I remember the nickle candy machine and the Clark Bars we ate from there…yum.

    Comment by Kathy McKay on 8/25/11 at 5:24 pm #
  50. I found clark bars at in the Delta concourse at the Orlando airport at one of the snack counters there and also at the one stop/right fuel on Michigan Av in Kissimme, Fl.  He always has them

    Comment by Paul E Fortin Sr on 8/25/11 at 7:09 pm #
  51. My Mom worked at Clark’s in the late 40’s and early 50’s. She left our world in November, 2010. Reading this thread brought tears and smiles. She loved her work at Clark’s, and never minded those early winter morning walks across the bridge to the North Side. BRRRR! Oh, the work ethic of the Greatest Generation. Would enjoy talking with Herb McFarland to see if he knew her. Her name was Florence K.—tall, thin, lovely, and a bit shy. She was in the department’s bowling league. Friends she often spoke of include Marge K. and Ethel. Roger, sorry about your Dad. Betcha he knew Mom!  Would be wonderful to hear from anyone who knew these fine people. Have a great day…

    Comment by Dolly on 9/03/11 at 1:14 pm #
  52. Hi Dolly!  Yes, I’d bet my Dad knew or knew of your Mom.  I remember meeting a lot of nice people over the years my Dad worked there and he’d take me into the plant.  Sadly, I’m sure no one I remember from there is around any more.  Time marches on.  Since my last comment about Pgh, my wife and I visited Pgh last summer just a year ago after a 10 year absence.  We stayed at a very nice motel at Route 8 and the Turnpike in Allison Park.  I was surprised how nice the North Hills area is and I had so much fun driving the twisty, hilly roads again!  We took daily walks in North Park watching them dredge the lake.  My old homestead (Ohio Township) hardly resembles what I knew as a child but Pgh still seemed like home.  Looking forward to visiting again.  But I’m grateful for the GPS the way the busy highways have changed, especially getting from the North Side to the South Side across The Point bridges, lol!  Really enjoyed going through The USS Requin submarine and the Carnegie Science Center again, though I still remember and miss the old Buhl Planetarium.

    Regards,

    Roger

    Comment by Roger on 9/03/11 at 10:31 pm #
  53. Finally found Clark Bars at the Orlando Airport in the Delta Concourse.  Also at the one stop convenience store on Michigan Ave in Kissimmee, Fl They have them all the time.

    Comment by Paul E Fortin Sr on 9/05/11 at 7:58 am #
  54. clark bars are available at all cracker barrel restaurants

    Comment by alan on 9/05/11 at 9:53 am #
  55. My father in law grew up on clark bars, and love’s them now, just as much as much as he loved them back then. Unfortunately,he is unable to purchase them close to where we live, nor does he have a computer.So, I looked them up on line. j4ui, I’m not a computer nut either.So f’n what.Just kdng!
    Any thing you can inform me abt thts unique,e-mail me .

    Comment by LuAnne Kaplan on 10/30/11 at 4:29 pm #
  56. Where can I locate them in the Twin Cities, Minnesnowda…

    Comment by Red on 1/01/12 at 4:59 pm #
  57. Hi - does anyone know where David L. Clark lived in Pittsburgh?

    Thx.

    Comment by Debbie on 4/18/12 at 6:39 am #
  58. My son brought a Clark bar home the other day, from of all places, Fry’s Electronics…..who would have thunk it…lol….it sure was good!! Brought me back to my childhood in Ohio.  Haven’t been able to find them out here for years…

    Comment by Nancy on 7/01/12 at 10:48 pm #
  59. Nancy and others, don’t know how far reaching they are across the country but if you have a Cracker Barrel restaurant anywhere within your driving distance, they have Clark Bars and many such candies in their restaurant gift shops plus lots of other nostalgic items.

    Comment by Roger on 7/04/12 at 10:41 am #
  60. Happy to say that I found the Clark Bar Mini’s at Bed, Bath & Beyond here in Largo, Fl.(20% off with coupon). The regular size bars are sold in Michaels, (40 or 50% off with coupon) the national chain. I also found the regular size bars at The Coffee Mill in Largo. I’ve introduced them to my younger co-workers and they love them as well.

    Comment by FRED MARTINEZ on 7/22/12 at 3:51 pm #
  61. I have heard that one person was responsible for the idea of putting ingredients together for the center of the Clark bar which was then surrounded by the outside coating.  It has been told in our family that it was a distant relative of the Borings or Hess’s from W. Penn.  Don’t now if it is true but that has been passed down through the years.  I am 76 and still tell the story.

    Comment by Ada Barnes on 7/22/12 at 7:58 pm #
  62. I have been looking for clark bars for month. Istarted to think they did not sell thm anymore,but would not give up. And finally someone told me to try Cracker Barrel,well low and behold on my way home from church yerterday 10-4-12,Ifound them at Cracker Barrels. Off of Progress Ave.
                          THANK YOU. YOU MADE MY DAY

    Comment by virginia ogden on 11/05/12 at 1:08 pm #
  63. I now live in Portland but one of my earliest memories is in the 1st grade when Sister Mary Claver chased me around the classroom to get the last of my Clark Bar which I’d been gnawing on piece by piece throughout the day.  One of my better friends Mike Byrne worked at Clark’s in the 50’s.

    Comment by Dan maher on 11/16/12 at 3:52 pm #
  64. I remember Isalys in Bridgeville pa we wood go there for ice cream and my mom wood get chipped ham for my lunch for schoolGoing there was a big deal when I was a kid from Carnegie pa originallyFunny how we went from Clark bars to all the great things Pittsburgh had to offerwen we were kids lol

    Comment by Keith on 7/25/13 at 3:40 pm #
  65. CLARK BARS CAN BE FOUND AT “THE DOLLAR TREE ” STORES IN LEXINGTON, KY.

    Comment by Daisy on 7/27/13 at 12:44 am #
  66. Could someone tell if Clark bars are available anywhere around lake Cumberland Kentucky?

    Comment by Standard Millsap on 8/04/13 at 5:20 pm #
  67. Clark bar still preferred over Butterfinger. I bought a few at the Navy Lodge on Coronado Island.  Remember them when I was young back in Illinois. Hard to find, but they are out there!

    Comment by James on 9/05/13 at 2:24 pm #
  68. Growing up in Evanston Ill back in the 40 - 60 I remember Clark Bar company on Lions st. Used to go and play around tracks and watch trains by factory and occasionally get a free Clark Bar from watchman or workers. When Roasting peanuts the smell was wonderful. Does anyone remember this plant? Bill

    Comment by Bill B on 10/01/13 at 3:18 pm #
  69. Still get an occasional Clark Bar at our local Cracker Barrel restaurant to enjoy and extras to share with friends and family.  Along with the Clark Bar they get a nostalgic history lesson of Pittsburgh, of course!

    Roger
    Southern Colorado

    Comment by Roger on 2/04/14 at 8:01 pm #
  70. I can’t believe that so far I have not read anything that mentions the best part of a Clark bar. The old Clark bars had a chewy nuget center running through the center. I think it was made from molasses, not sure. When I was a kid I used to like to eat all around the center chewy part and then eat the chewy part last by itself. The Clark bars they make nowdays does not have the chewy center any more.That was the best part. Also, on another note, the old Mary Janes had a dab of real peanut butter in the center, but not any more. Clark bars and Mary Janes can be found at Cracker Barrel restaurant stores.

    Comment by R W on 8/11/14 at 11:01 pm #
  71. My favorite of the three mentioned was Fifth Avenue…loved those almonds on top. Hershey got their claws on the brand and removed the almonds, so I went to Clark and loved it, especially when NECCO offered a dark chocolate version. But I miss Fifth Avenue.

    Comment by maurice cory on 9/12/14 at 2:38 pm #
  72. In Los Angeles, you can find a Clark Bar in Big Kid Collectables in Sherman Oaks.  Anyone remember Chuckles, the sugar-coated jelly candy?  They have those too!

    Comment by Jeff on 6/15/15 at 2:27 pm #
  73. Just ran across a treasure trove of vintage candy boxes (empty, alas). There is a box for Clark’s Winkers “Taste the Caramel Difference”. I can find No information regarding this bar. What can you share?

    Comment by Karen Schatko on 6/26/15 at 7:04 pm #
  74. Just ran across a treasure trove of vintage candy boxes - all empty, alas. One of the boxes is for Clark’s Winker bars “Taste the Caramel Difference”. There is a photo of a man on the box. I can find no information regarding this bar - what can you tell me?

    Comment by Karen Schatko on 6/26/15 at 7:06 pm #
  75. Karen,
    Here are a couple of links for the “Winker” bar:
    - https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19471015&id=ypEyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UGoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3083,3640939&hl=en
    - https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19480303&id=2XxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4162,658361&hl=en
    - First entry, 4th line item: “Label, In Part” -
    https://ceb.nlm.nih.gov/fdanj/bitstream/123456789/86563/4/FFNJ10572.pdf

    Comment by Dolly on 6/27/15 at 5:46 am #
  76. Thanks, Dolly! You had much better luck than I did - odd, that there doesn’t seem to be much advertising about a Winker bar. They must not have been too popular!!

    Comment by Karen Schatko on 6/27/15 at 11:38 pm #
  77. As I mentioned on the Get Real clark Bar on this blog, I bought (yesterday) at Universal Studios a Clark bar (somewhat melted a bit) and enjoyed it..I wonder, like Necco’s flagship candies, the wafers, did they go back to original “chocolate”?:) (PS I have ALWAYS liked the sound of the name, Clark bar.)

    Comment by SteveCarras on 11/02/15 at 8:23 am #
  78. I’ve been lucky enough to find Clark Bar Mini’s at a new chain of stores called 5 BELOW. I would describe the stores as upscale Dollar Stores with a wide verity of items that sell for five dollars or less. The candies come in a Bright Orange box with the words CLARK MINIS & a picture of the delicious crunchy morsels that are inside. There are 10 bite size pieces inside each box & they only cost $1.00. Same great taste as the old Clark Bars we used to get in the Good Old Days!
    They bring back some Delicious Memory’s…

    Comment by FRED MARTINEZ on 11/23/15 at 3:37 pm #
  79. Where can we buy Clark Bars in West Phoenix?

    Comment by Katherine Shone on 6/30/16 at 1:55 pm #
  80. Hello
    This is an update from my previous post on 11/23/15
    The stores that I mentioned in my post “5 Below” now carry Clark Bars in the regular size as well as the Mini’s. Either way, they are just as delicious!

    Comment by FRED MARTINEZ on 6/30/16 at 2:48 pm #
  81. Katherine Shone, if you have a Cracker Barrel restaurant in your city, they should carry them and several other “old fashioned” candy bars.  Ours in Pueblo, CO carries them and once in a while I think I’ve seen them carry the Clark Zagnut bar.  I never like them because I can’t stand coconut, but that’s just me!  Glad to see you here on the “Clark Bar Family” blog!

    Roger (Pgh native transplanted long ago to Southern CO)

    Comment by Roger Brown on 6/30/16 at 9:16 pm #
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