Big Top Candy Shop is Austin's very own sideshow of sweets -a veritable cavalcade of confection located right in the heart of the world-famous South Congress shopping district. Founded in 2007 by Brandon Hodge, Big Top has quickly risen to fame as one of the premier destinations in Texas to satiate that nagging sweet tooth. Customers crossing the threshold into the shop find themselves transported back in time 100 years, surrounded by flapping sideshow banners and historical artifacts of circus days gone by. The barker-like calls of busy soda jerks beckon from within, where they serve up a dizzying array of malts, shakes, floats, ice cream cones, and egg creams, along with enough flavor combinations of homemade syrups to literally make millions of sodas in whatever variations thirsty customers can dream up! Always offering 12 flavors of Texas' favorite Blue Bell ice cream, Big Top's fountain features antique equipment older than any customer, and a team of professional soda jerks with hundreds of hours of soda fountain experience -seasoned soda sommeliers! Each drink is made-to-order to the customer's specifications, and for those who know how to ask, such off-menu favorites such as Big Top's Wasabit-Vanilla Milkshake or Fresh Cucumber Soda -both featured on shows on the Travel Channel and Food Network -are theirs for the asking!

Once the hypnotizing effects of the full-service soda fountain are shaken off, customers can witness the staggering array of candy stuffed within Big Top's walls. From every nook and cranny pour classic confections and sugary delights unlike any store before it. Entire walls of candy beckon, with such classics as Cherry Mash, Abba Zabba, and Valomilks competing for space alongside delicious pralines, delicious novelty candies, and shelves stuffed with sugary treats. Over 300 bulks bins overflow with such favorites as gummi bears in innumerable variations, licorice twists out-the-wazoo, and saltwater taffy in every conceivable flavor. The premium chocolate case offers over 4 dozen high-quality, Texas-made truffles, rich chocolate barks, and bizarre twists on old favorites. Chocolate-covered bacon is the store's best-selling item and in high-demand, often selling out long before closing time. A why shouldn't it? The two savory strips of smoked bacon, generously covered in rich dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt, is a mouth-watering flavor combination that must be experienced to be believed!

Hours are "Open 'til we Close!" (which is generally 11am-dusk)

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