A candy bar shaped like a potato has been rolling off the same line since 1918. It contains zero potato. That’s somehow the best part.
Inside is a light, cocoa-flavored marshmallow center. Outside is dark chocolate with a sprinkle of coconut flakes. It looks like a tiny spud fresh from an Idaho field.
What gets me is the building. The factory dates to 1909, and much of its early 1900s equipment still works today. You can buy the candy right where it’s made.
Those old machines have been turning out chocolate potatoes for over a century, and they’re clearly not done yet.
The Potato That Isn’t A Potato Has A Century Of Fans
Since 1918, the Idaho Candy Company has been making the Idaho Spud bar. That’s one of the longest continuous runs for any candy bar in the United States.
The shape is the joke, and it lands every time. Each bar looks like a small, lumpy potato, a sweet salute to Idaho’s most famous crop.
Here’s what’s actually inside. A light, cocoa-flavored marshmallow center sits under a dark chocolate coating. Coconut flakes get sprinkled on top, giving it that dusty, just-dug look.
No real potato ever enters the recipe. Kids find that hilarious, and honestly, so do most grown-ups.
The Spud is still the company’s best-selling bar. The wrapper proudly calls it “The Candy Bar That Makes Idaho Famous.” That’s a bold claim, but a century of sales makes a strong case.
It’s also gluten-free, which is handy news for some snackers. Just skip it if coconut isn’t your friend.
Plan to grab more than one. One for the drive, one for a photo, and one to prove to a friend back home that the potato candy is real. Trust me, they won’t believe you otherwise.
The Same Brick Building Has Been Busy Since 1909
T.O. Smith, a journeyman candy maker, started the company in 1901. Just eight years later, the factory went up at its current downtown Boise spot.
That 1909 building was a big deal back then. It was considered state-of-the-art and was the first building in Idaho with skylights.
It also had a dedicated “welfare room” for workers. Today we’d just call that a break room. Back then, it was pretty progressive.
The building still matters on paper too. It sits inside the South Eighth Street Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Plenty of old brick buildings become lofts or offices. This one stuck with the plan and kept making candy.
That kind of loyalty is rare. Most businesses move a few times in a decade, let alone a century.
Take a moment outside before heading in. Look up at the structure that has held more than a hundred years of sugar, chocolate, and marshmallow. It’s a fun reminder that some places don’t need a makeover to stay relevant.
They just need to keep doing what they do best, one sweet batch at a time.
Old Machines Are Still Doing The Heavy Lifting
Plenty of today’s candy gets made by shiny robots. At the Idaho Candy Company, much of the original equipment from the early 1900s is still in use.
Think about that for a second. These machines were cranking out sweets before most of your grandparents were born. They’re still on the job.
That’s part of why the Spud tastes like a throwback. The process hasn’t been swapped out for something faster and fancier.
Right now, production tours aren’t offered. That might feel like a bummer, but there’s good news on the horizon.
The new owners have shared plans to bring factory tours back. They want visitors to see the historic machinery and the candy-making process up close.
That’s a big reason 2027 could be a great year to visit. If tours return, you’d get a peek at gear that’s been working for over a century.
Until then, the retail store gives you a taste of the story. You’ll still be standing in the same building where the magic happens. Keep an eye on the company’s updates before your trip so you know what’s open when you arrive.
Free Samples And A Little Museum Wait Inside
Good news for the indecisive. The factory’s retail store offers free samples, so you can test a few treats before you commit.
Everything on the shelves comes fresh from the factory in the back. You’re buying candy steps away from where it was made.
The shop also has a candy history display. It shares bits of the company’s long story, which is the perfect thing to read while you decide between toffee and a Spud.
Keep your expectations right, though. It’s a small factory store, not a giant candy warehouse with neon lights.
The charm here is the history and the homemade lineup. Over a dozen products fill the space, all made by the company itself.
Bring a shopping bag if you’re buying gifts. Idaho candy makes a fun present for anyone who hasn’t seen a chocolate potato before.
Families will enjoy the quick stop too. Kids get to sample, learn something, and leave holding a candy bar shaped like a vegetable. That’s a field trip win.
Give yourself about half an hour to browse and read. Then head out with a sweeter afternoon ahead.
Huckleberry Fans Get Their Own Shiny Treat
Huckleberries are practically a celebrity in the Northwest. The Idaho Candy Company gave them a candy of their own in 2012.
It’s called the Huckleberry Gem bar. Inside sits a huckleberry-flavored marshmallow, and the whole thing is enrobed in milk chocolate.
Compared to bars from the 1920s, the Gem is the new kid. Still, more than a decade in, it has earned its spot on the shelf.
The flavor fits the state perfectly. Idaho has plenty of huckleberry love, and this bar turns that into something you can toss in a backpack.
It’s a smart pick for travelers. You get a taste of the region without hauling fragile jam jars through the airport.
Pair it with a Spud for a fun contrast. One goes cocoa and coconut, while the other goes fruity and bright.
Gift-givers, take note. A Huckleberry Gem feels extra Idaho, making it a clever little souvenir for friends who like berry flavors.
Grab a few if you see them. They tend to disappear fast once someone at home discovers you brought back huckleberry candy.
The Toffee Has Been Crunching Along Since 1925
Crunch lovers, your candy is here. Owyhee Butter Toffee has been made since 1925, nearly as long as the Spud.
It comes in a few styles. You can choose original chunk style, bite-sized pieces, or chocolate-covered toffee.
The name nods to the Owyhee region of southwest Idaho. That local touch makes it a fitting souvenir.
The shelves don’t stop there. The company also makes peanut brittle, chocolate peanut clusters, lemon drops, and other bulk candies.
That variety is handy if your group has different tastes. One person grabs toffee, another chooses brittle, and nobody leaves grumpy.
Bulk candies are also great for sharing. Bags work nicely for road trips, office treats, or holiday gift tins.
Ask about factory seconds while you’re shopping. These are candies that didn’t pass the looks test but still come from the same kitchen.
Not every option may be available every day. Even so, it’s worth asking at the counter. A slightly wonky toffee tastes just as good as a perfect one, and your sweet tooth won’t care one bit.
College Rivals Even Got Their Own Candy
Sports fans, this one’s for you. The Idaho Candy Company has teamed up with two big state schools.
In 2022, the company partnered with the University of Idaho to create the Vandal Bar. Then in 2024, it worked with Boise State University to make Bronco Bites.
That’s a clever move. Fans of either school can now show their colors with chocolate instead of foam fingers.
It also proves the company isn’t stuck in the past. Over its long life, it has produced more than 50 different candy bars.
Some came and went, while others stuck around for a century. These newer treats show the creativity is still going strong.
Planning a game-day party? A tray of school-themed candy feels way more fun than plain chips.
These also make thoughtful gifts for graduates. A sweet nod to their alma mater is hard to beat.
Just be careful about which one you bring to a mixed crowd. School pride runs deep in Idaho. You might need both to keep the peace, and honestly, that just means more candy.
Plan Your Stop Around These Hours And A Fresh Chapter
Timing matters here, so set an alarm. The Idaho Candy Company sits at 412 S 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, right in downtown Boise.
The store opens early at 7:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and closes at 4 p.m. On Fridays, it closes at 2 p.m.
Most Saturdays now have hours too, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays and major holidays are closed, so plan around those.
Those early mornings are great for travelers. You can grab candy before a long drive out of Idaho.
The business also has a new chapter underway. The Wagers family ran it from 1984 until 2025, when the Sturdivant family took over.
The new owners extended Saturday hours and hope to bring back factory tours. That makes a 2027 visit extra tempting.
One more fun fact before you go. Employee Violet Brewer started working here at 13 in 1913 and stayed for 82 years.
That’s the kind of loyalty this place inspires. Stop in, grab a Spud, and become part of a story still going strong.