We came here twice during our stay in Santa Fe. The chocolates are so thoughtful, interesting, and delicious. You can sample any drinking chocolate, even without getting a flight. We definitely preferred to European style with almond milk, but I think that we would like the more traditional ones if they were made with milk. We also really liked the brownies, though the Aztec brownie + ice cream gave me an intense caffeine overload--my fault! Our first time here we each got an ice cream, both with fudge and whipped cream. As I said, while the Aztec was delicious, it really was too much for me, but I still ate the whole thing! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my husband's mint chocolate chip--the peppermint flavor was real--it tasted like they soaked the milk with peppermint leaves to make it, and it was so refreshing! We liked the chocolate truffles and bon bons so much that we ended up buying them as gifts. Our favorite flavors were the sage/goat cheese, peanut butter bar, Aztec round, bourbon pecan, and lavender. Finally, the service was outstanding. The servers were so kind, patient, and helpful. Our first trip the server took the time to write each flavor on our box of chocolates so that we would know what was what. The second server listened as we decided which treats were for which friends, and he wrote their names on each box before wrapping them. So very kind! read more

The chocolates here are excellent -- high quality, rich, and clearly crafted with care. We purchased a wide variety and every piece was enjoyable, with most leaning toward deeper, darker chocolate profiles rather than overly sweet flavors. The quality of the product definitely stands out. Unfortunately, the service did not match the standard of the chocolates. When we asked about the different varieties and flavor differences to help decide what to purchase, the response felt dismissive and unwelcoming. For a specialty chocolate shop, customers should be able to expect knowledgeable and engaging guidance, especially when navigating a premium selection. Instead, it felt as though our questions were an inconvenience rather than an opportunity to share expertise and enhance the experience. The lack of warmth and customer engagement significantly took away from what should have been a memorable experience. read more

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Yummy chocolates, and you get to sample their hot chocolate. A bit pricey at $4, but they are artisan. My 3 stars have less to do with the food and more to do with the service. There were two girls working the counter, and their affect was dry, mildly unfriendly, and as if you were a slight nuisance. The older people (who seemed like managers or owners) were far more personable. It feels bad spending $50 on chocolate when the people who are supposed to be helping you can't be bothered. read more

I mean what's not to like. It's a fancy little chocolate shop. I like the samples of the elixirs but the whole drink is too rich for me. The chocolates were very tasty. The chocolate is very flavorful so even the milk chocolate is full of flavor. Im typically more of a dark chocolate fan but I found myself also liking their milk chocolate. read more

Pretty awesome - if a bit spendy - chocolates. Really loved the modern Mexican hot chocolate and some of the individual chocolates we got. read more

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Holy Moly! I would come here every day if I lived in Santa Fe. This place is fabulous. The extremely nice and thoughtful woman serving us let us sample several elixirs before we ordered. We settled on chocolate-chili ice cream and two American elixirs. Both were incredible. I went back the next day for the frozen hot chocolate, which was equally outstanding. The place is small, but there is a nice indoor seating area as well as an outdoor patio. I'm going to go back tomorrow. I am a chocolate snob and I'm totally blown away by this place. read more

I make stopping at chocolaterie's a part of every trip and I must say this is one of the best little shops I've been to!!! Absolutely delicious hot chocolate and a full selection of chocolates to choose from! Quaint seating and pleasant atmosphere but be aware this place can get busy quickly! Extremely friendly and helpful staff! This is a place you won't want to miss and one I would highly recommend and look forward to returning to! read more

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Kakawa Chocolate House has high quality and a variety of chocolate. I'm a chocolate fan and everything I ordered was delicious. I visited chocolate house twice the first time was to try a couple of chili dark covered chocolates, hot chocolate flight and lavender chocolate brownie. The first visit service was excellent (male employee and blond female employee) provided great service. Then the second time I visited i purchased chocolate elixirs a couple of bags , boxes of individual gourmet chocolates for myself and my friends and family to take home to CA. The employee (brunette young lady with tattoos) was rude and impatient and gave me an attitude when I inquired on certain items. I'm not an expert she should know the store product since she is employed with the store . I took a star off for that. The store is small but nice and there are so many wonderful choices to choose from (ice cream, hot chocolate, gourmet chocolate, brownies) just to name a few. Everything is made with quality ingredients (no artificial fillers or sweeteners). Prices are reasonable for the quality of ingredients and I feel worth it . Would I return when in Santa Fe ? Yes ... read more

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*VEGAN/DAIRY FREE & GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS AVAILABLE HERE* This is hands down the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life and since I loveeee spices, I was beyond excited to see a chili hot chocolate drink.I heard about the chocolate house from the EATER website and after reading about it, I knew I had to try it. Kakawa has three locations in Santa Fe. This is their original location where everything started. It's a small place but filled with lot of energy and chocolate everywhere - I was teleported to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory in a second as soon as I entered haha! What sets them apart is their hot chocolates inspired by history, from Pre-Columbian flavors to European inspired and modern flavors. If you are a history buff, chocolate and spice lover then this place is for you!!!! When we walked in, there was already a long line to try the hot chocolates and buy chocolates. We waited around 10 minutes and when we reached the counter, the owner was incredibly kind, explained us each flavor and offered us 3 - 4 samples. They have around 18 flavors, but only 4-5 are available for sampling at a time. (Tip- each of their locations will showcase different flavors so don't forget to visit them all). I really loved the Jefferson nutmeg flavor, the chili hot chocolate, and also the American and French lavender flavors. You can order a flight to try multiple flavors or just get one drink in small or large size. You can also mix flavors in any ratio you want. I chose 40% chili hot chocolate and 60% American Kakawa, and it was perfect (not too spicy or sweet). all these are available that are very competitive pricing. The hot chocolate first sip was very rich and smooth, almost like a chocolate ganache. You can get it with whipped cream or without. I would recommend the whipped cream, especially with the chili flavor, since it balances the spice well. They also sell chocolates, ice creams, and desserts, but they are famous for their hot chocolates. I did try some of their chocolates too and really liked the no sugar added chili, coffee chocolates. I really loved my visit here and brought back alot of hot chocolate powders and chocolates to Kansas City. They ship within the US but you have to call them directly, since they don't have a formal online ordering website. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Santa Fe. read more

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Came here to say for a chocolate treat. American - Sweet and traditional hot chocolate. Marie - sweet dark chocolate w a hint of orange Zapoteca - was unsweetened and kinda horrible. But added sugar really improved it Chili - starts w chocolate notes. Ends with a chili flavor. It isn't spicy. But def chilli We also had to indulge in truffles - Passion fruit was really nice and a bit tart from passion fruit - French dark chocolate was smooth and definitely dark w just enough sweetness - Goat cheese was the odd one. Wasn't sure what to expect. Creamy and a bit salty. Was pretty good. - Raspberry was a nice fruity delight Very cool spot worth a visit. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolate flight! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

We stopped by Kakawa when we were visiting Santa Fe for the day. It was a cold, windy day, and the chocolate house was warm and cozy inside, which made it the ideal stop. It was busy with a line out the door, but there are plenty of employees helping the next guest, so the line moves quickly. The staff is knowledgeable and generous with samples, which really helps since there are so many options. You can also add whipped cream to any drink for $1. After sampling the Rose Almond and Golden, we ordered a hot chocolate flight (4 flavors for $16). Most of the drinks are made with almond milk, so only two options are nut-free. Our flight included American, Golden, Chile, and Zapoteca (the latter two being Meso-American and nut-free). Personally, I found the nut-free, water-based hot chocolates to taste more spiced and very watered down. But that's true to traditional Mexican-style chocolate. I prefer a rich French-style chocolate chaud, so my favorite was the American, which was very silky and like the contemporary style most people are accustomed to. The Golden was also good, almost like a rich chai thanks to the ginger and turmeric spices. Personally, I wouldn't order it again, but if the weather were warmer, I'd absolutely come back for the ice cream!! The double chocolate looked so decadent!! We didn't try the eating chocolates, but there's a large selection of truffles and they also sell their drinking chocolates to make hot chocolate at home. The space has indoor and outdoor seating, bathrooms, and plenty of parking. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Flight ($16) - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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A charming little chocolate shop with amazing sweet treats that taste like they're made with the freshest ingredients. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the service is fast without ever making you feel rushed. The Aztec Chocolate Chili ice cream was so good--rich, creamy, and with just the right kick of spice. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Aztec Chocolate Chili ice cream with organic whip cream. First the ice cream is sweet followed by a mild chili kick at the end. - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Highly rated chocolatier. Lots of flavor combos that can be a little overwhelming especially when it's busy but staff was helpful. Two of them were pretty similar and probably should have ventured out some more. Dark chocolate was rich and tasted like chocolate should be (ie not mass produced American chocolate). Didn't try the drinks/hot chocolate but lots of others seemed to have it. It is specialty chocolate so be prepared to spend a little monies. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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AAAMMAAZZZINNGGG HOT CHOCOLATE DRINK! They let you sample a hot chocolate drink before you commit. It's not too thick yet has yummy chocolate flavor. The service was great as the girls in the front were super sweet & helped guide us to show what was most popular. We ordered the Kakawa hot chocolate as the place is named after it. The individual chocolates were super good too, not too heavy where you could eat a couple. There's a decent amount of seating within the shop & a bathroom as well, the seats are leather & pretty well maintained by staff. read more

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Having come to Santa Fe for the first for a day trip on my birthday, I had to visit Kakawa as both a famous spot + potential tourist trap. I spoke w a friend who lived in ABQ for many years prior to my trip and she recommended coming here as well. I am here to say I do think it's worth a visit even if it is pricy :) One thing I really must commend them for is their awareness of allergies. My friend who came w me has a severe peanut allergy (EpiPen required!!) and staff asked all patrons before getting their order what their allergies were. After my friend discussed her peanut allergy, they were very firm with what contained peanuts as well as what could be contaminated with peanuts / other nuts. American hot chocolate 4.5/5, my friend got this. No peanuts! She really enjoyed it but knocked off 1/2 a star for the price compared to the size Mayan hot chocolate 4/5, I got this and really enjoyed it. This is BITTER and SPICY !! Reminds me of a traditional Mexican chocolate from home and was so unique ! Knocked off a star both for the price as well as the spice overpowering many of the nuances in this otherwise umami drink read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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The truffles are really yummy! Each one different than the others, and better than the next. the salted caramel won here! The hot chocolate variety is to die for. The best is the frozen hot chocolate! The staff is super helpful and friendly and helpful! The ice creams are good but we will be going for the frozen hot chocolate every time! read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - A sampling of the truffles! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Superb chocolates. Superb melt in your mouth brownie. Ahhhhmazing elixirs -- they're free to try! My chief complaint is there isn't anywhere near the space this place needs based on their popularity. Go there, and be prepared to drink your coffee standing up. read more

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A delightful little gem of a chocolate shop in Santa Fe! The Mexican hot chocolate was delicious, and they had a variety of other fantastic flavors that they let you sample. The chocolates are also outstanding - don't skip the passion fruit dark chocolate. It was really special. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Such a great & fun activity to do if you're in Sante Fe. I was looking forward to this chocolate tasting and it didn't disappoint. My favorites were the American & Jeffersonian as they were on the sweeter side. The Zapoteca one was good too but definitely more of a dark chocolate, with no sweetness. Now the one that threw me for a loop, was the spice rose almond. Let me just say, you definitely taste the spice, and it's no joke. I felt like it lingered in my throat. I was definitely glad to have had bought some of their chocolate and cookie on the side to balance out the spice flavor. Additionally, their service was great! They were very catering. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Fro-Ho-Cho was amazing. Our favorite chocolate was the Bourbon chocolate. The experience would have been so much better had the employees been more welcoming. When we walked in the door, I called out a cheerful hello to the two ladies behind the counter and they didn't say anything. They were busy talking to each other. Going into a chocolate shop like this could be a really fun experience if the people behind the counter made it more fun . This is the thing that disappointed me the most about this stop. read more

Long line and limited seating, but the line moved quickly, and the staff were very helpful. We secured a corner table, and I ordered the chile hot chocolate (with whipped cream, of course) and a single truffle (apricot and chile covered in dark chocolate). My friend ordered a cup of the mint chocolate chip ice cream (no tasting possible - the scoops come pre-packaged). Of the three items, my favorite was the truffle. Everything was over-priced but delicious. Save up for a special treat with special company, or consider shopping here for gourmet gifts ahead of the holidays. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Apricot chile truffle - fantastic! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Interesting array of chocolate truffles and sipping chocolates to try. I'm a milk chocolate girl, and this is definitely more of a Dark chocolate establishment, but I did find a truffle that suited me. The location is great, and has some seating for you to enjoy while you drink your chocolate. read more

Delicious treats!! Got the sampler and frozen hot chocolate. The cashier was helpful in picking out a selection. All were delicious and unexpected in taste. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Hot chocolate sampler - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Best brownie I've ever had. Aztec chocolate pecan Carmel, fresh. Yes! Whatever you get, top it with hot fudge. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Brownie sundae - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Best vanilla ice cream I have ever had. Sadly, am not crazy about their chocolates. They are very expensive. read more

unequivocally a do not miss place when you come to visit Santa Fe! I love the tiny hot chocolates and their chocolate selection is incredible too! There's always a line but the service is quick and kind. Super charming little spot. If it's a sunny day, go sit outside on the side of the building under the trees! read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - light.chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Incredibly great truffles and chocolate in general. The staff was beyond friendly. They encouraged us to sample their frozen hot chocolate. It was wonderful. Definitely will go back and recommend. read more

We stopped by both locations of Kakawa on our road trip, both are amazing, this one has a cute outdoor seating area as well as indoor. We tried the chili caramels this time and the Jeffersonian drinking chocolate, all excellent read more

So glad we made this stop! This place is small but charming, with a few tables spread across the two areas. The cases of chocolate are beautiful, each piece looks like a little piece of art. It's the kind of place where you can tell everything is made with care. After perusing the menu and the cases, we went for the drinking chocolate flight, which includes 4 small cups of your choice of elixir. My husband chose the two Mesoamerican options (Chili and Mayan Full Spice), both water-based and packed with spice and heat. I went with the Jeffersonian and the American, which are the contemporary milk-based varieties. They were smooth, rich, and delightful. They were close in flavor, but I believe the Jeffersonian had nutmeg. On the side, my husband tried the chocolate-covered chili and I got the horchata truffle, which was rich and creamy. The spice flavor was wonderful. We loved everything we tasted, and ended up leaving with a bag of the Mayan Full Spice to bring home. Jennifer helped us during our visit, and she was absolutely wonderful! Friendly and knowledgeable, she made the whole experience even more enjoyable. She had a great sense of humor, especially when she realized just how much spice my husband was about to take on. The atmosphere itself is warm, welcoming, and feels so perfect when sitting and lingering over our elixir flight for a bit. I suggest you definitely try the flight, that way you can try different ranges of flavors and not be too overwhelmed by the richness. If you love spiced things and a bit of heat, the Mesoamerican elixirs are for you. If you prefer something milder and creamier, go for the contemporary options. Don't pass on the individual chocolates as well, there are lots of choices! read more

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Delicious! Wonderful service, even when an indecisive crowd created a rush. If you're looking for a mid-afternoon treat, this place has a little something for everyone. GF/dairy free options. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolate elixirs and mint ice cream - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Absolutely THE BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE I've ever had! Ever have a sip of hot chocolate and can't stop saying "Mmmmmm", "Wooowwww", and " Mm Mm Mm"? I tasted the most luxe Chai Hot Chocolate in my life. There's something about that combination that even 3 days later is still on my heart. I WILL be placing an order and sharing this place with friends and family. The service was amazing! We got to taste a few samples of the hot chocolate - Americana, Picante, and Chai Spiced, hear current customer reviews, and browse the store for sweet chocolates and ice cream. This location amongst the three is cute & quaint, full of love and kindness! Go visit and you'll never want to leave! read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Assorted Chocolate Box - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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The chocolate here is amazing. Confectionary bliss at a price, which is to be expected in Santa Fe when they have such heavenly sweets. The downside is that they are crazy crowded in a small shop no matter the day or time of week. It's to be expected as the store is super small and cramped. They do have a satellite location a few miles away. It doesn't have the selection that this place does, but if you hate crowds the way I do it's worth the trade off, but even so this place is special enough it's worth dealing with the craziness here for a few minutes just to snag a few of the treats. read more

This place is divine! As a true chocolate aficionado, Kakawa Chocolate House may truly be heaven on earth! I stopped in during a visit to Santa Fe on advice from a friend I am so glad I did. Kakawa is set not too far from Canyon Road in a sweet little adobe shop with some interior seating and a cute exterior courtyard. The staff was super friendly and helpful, offering samples of their drinking chocolates. It was a hot day so I settled on a frozen hot chocolate (delicious) while I pursued the amazing cases of exquisite looking chocolates. I settled on an Aztec brownie which was rich and fudgey with a hint of chili, and an assortment of truffles and chocolates. I tried the goat cheese truffle which was creamy and smooth, and brought the rest with me. They will be lucky if they make it on the plane home with me. When I come back to Santa Fe, this will be my first delicious stop! read more

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We are fans. Our assortment was, green chile truffle, pomegrante truffle, goat cheese & sage truffle, french truffle, passion fruit truffle, bourbon pecan caramel, italian biscuit truffle, NM state cookie truffle, and a milk chocolate caramel. And the drinking chocolate, the vanilla chocolate was delicious! Favorites of ours were the caramels, and the french truffle. read more

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In a word, divine. The drinking elixirs are delicious and thick enough to savor. The mint chocolate chip ice cream is unreal. I've never had mint ice cream that tastes like fresh mint leaves before! Kakawa's chocolate is art. The employees are kind and helpful. A must-stop if you visit Santa Fe! read more

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The hot chocolate is amazing and they want to make sure you get the chocolate you actually like so expect to spend a few minutes trying a few of their options. I appreciate their attention to quality over quantity. I loved how they separated out traditional chocolate from new/European style versions. Their homemade whip cream was crazy good! I bought a lot of chocolates to go (to take back home). The pistachio chocolate bar was so gooooood! read more

Kakawa Chocolate House - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Discovered these amazing chocolate exlixirs several years ago while on a trip to Santa Fe. Have ordered them since and gave for Christmas present this past year. Wanted to order Chili today, but my only choice for delivery was priority mail that was $5 more then the cost of the bag of chili. Guess my last cup of chocolate chili will be the one left in the bag. read more

Kakawa Chocolate House. If I could pin this as my top review, I would. Santa Fe, you have something truly special with this chocolatier. I was completely blown away by this establishment, the ice cream, chocolate elixers, and the service. I love when a location has a signature item (New Mexico's chiles), and Santa Fe also has Kakawa Chocolate House. When you first enter the historic adobe space with the turquoise trim, you're greeted with a breeze of chocolate and a line of anticipatory customers. If you're new to this space, you might be a little overwhelmed by just good senses and vibes: smiling faces, a sweet aroma, and a charming space. This place is guaranteed to make you happier than you were before you entered. A chocolate elixir is like a hot cocoa, but I love how the team here has researched its history and tries to concoct the kind of cocoa and chocolate they would have served throughout history from the ancient Aztecs, to Marie Antoinette, to Thomas Jefferson. I want to call out our server Ishi, who was nothing but patient, considerate, and informative to my family and questions. Her attentiveness and answers made me want to do all my Christmas shopping here and I ended up buying more truffles and mole and goodies. If she is any indication, Kakawa hires wonderful people who go above and beyond. If Kakawa is reading this, Ishi deserves that Christmas bonus! Now for the main event: I don't care how cold it is, you have to try the Aztec Chile Chocolate Ice Cream with Whipped cream. I love ice cream, but I've never had such a wholly unique, fresh-tasting ice cream that has such complexity. It tastes rich without tasting artificial; bittersweet, but perfectly balanced between the two flavors. The whipped cream is as fluffy as a cloud, but my favorite sensation was the chile. I love that it dovetails with New Mexico, and also gets a nice bite and warmth not on first bite, but such a peppery sensation on the aftertaste. You get the real sense that this is a business that cares about the product and the customer experience. You can taste it. This is a must visit location when you're in Santa Fe, New Mexico; dare I say this is the best chocolate ice cream I've ever had. I can't wait to give my truffle gifts and make that mole. Kakawa has a fanatic who'll be preaching their praises to anyone with ears! Food: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Experience: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Good for: everyone! Save room for dessert. Recommends: Aztec Chile Chocolate with whipped cream. Notes: Why not walk over after a day at the Plaza, Museums, and Basilicas. read more

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First time visiting, the day before Valentine's Day. I braved the shop, it was busy! The staff held their cool and were so pleasant even when they were slammed. A beautiful shop with hand written signs. A few tables and chairs to enjoy some sipping chocolate, ice cream, or some cafe drinks. The two boxes of chocolates and truffles I purchased did not disappoint. Exceptional chocolate costs a higher price and these are def worth it. read more

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Small but well curated selection. Delicious and fairly priced for the quality. Recommend the rose almond (with morita chili!) elixir and goat cheese and sage truffles. My only "complaint" is that I wish they opened maybe an hour earlier! read more