Best Sweet Shop
The Chocolate Iguana
500 N. Fourth Ave.
7125 E. Tanque Verde Road
READERS' PICK: Simply put, this is a confection junkie's
opium den. Whatever your habit--imported black licorice, melt-in-your
mouth truffles, chewy taffy, crunchy toffee, sticky caramel, tangy
gumdrops, nutty nougat or chocolate-covered anything--the
Chocolate Iguana's selection will satisfy any addict's
craving. Row upon row of glass jars, arranged ceiling-high, display
the Iguana's decadent delights in all their confectionery splendor;
it's enough to make you swoon. Thankfully, a quick-fix sugar infusion
can be had for as little as the coinage scrounged from your couch
cushions. You can even (gasp!) mix your poisons: Order something
large from the Iguana's huge selection of coffee drinks, buy $3
worth of candy-coated espresso beans, ask for a slice of super-rich
chocolate-truffle cheesecake, and then sit down to a supremely
nerve-jangling caffeine/sugar speedball. You'll be up for weeks.
We dare you. (For wimps, the Iguana also offers a wide selection
of pastries, sandwiches, salads and other sugar-challenged items.)
READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: See's Candies, 5736 E.
Broadway; and The Tucson Mall.
A REAL SCREAM: There's so much that could be said about
Ilsa's Konditorei & Bakery, 3355 N. Dodge Blvd., but
here's the real thing of it: tea and cookies, just tea and cookies.
Perfect. But if you've really got to go and make things complicated,
wedding cakes. Wow.
