Tip Top Meats

This hidden gem is a local favorite in Carlsbad. Tip Top Meats is located at 6118 Paseo Del Norte, right across from the outlet mall, and open daily from 7:00am-8:00pm. Its distinct blue awnings set it apart from other restaurants/markets.

For most patrons it’s an ideal breakfast spot, but they also offer a large assortment of European desserts that Cal State Long Beach student Carli Garsow describes as “out of this world.”

Napoleon
Photo taken by: Britta Garsow

The owner of Tip Top meats, John Haedrich, is from Germany and spent many years in Berlin working as a butcher. This experience is what makes the food at Tip Top meats so authentic, including the desserts.

Almond Cake
Photo taken by: Britta Garsow

 

They offer a variety of pasties including black forest, carrot, and dark chocolate cake slices that are priced at $3.49. Plain, red velvet and turtle cheesecakes also priced at $3.39. One of their most popular menu items is the apple strudel that is only $2.49. They also make Italian pastries daily including Napoleons and cannolis. There is such a variety that you never know what sweets they will be serving up that day. Tip Top’s desserts are also very appealing to the eye, decorated as if straight from a small family-owned bakery in Italy.

Carrot Cake
Photo taken by: Britta Garsow

Website: www.tiptopmeats.com

Carlsbad Chocolate Bar

The Carlsbad Chocolate Bar is located in the heart of downtown Carlsbad at 2998 State St. They are open Mon.-Thurs. from 9am-9pm, Fri. and Sat. 9am-10pm, and Sundays from 10am-9pm.

They offer a large assortment of truffles and treats. Unlike other places, they use white, milk, and dark chocolate in their desserts so there is something for everyone’s palate. The chocolates range from 75 cents to $3.95.

Top left: Dark chocolate peanut butter cup
Top Right: Dark chocolate mint truffle
Bottom: Daily assortment of chocolates
Photo taken by: Britta Garsow

Aside from the chocolates they also serve cakes, pastries, and cookies. Since its walking distance from some of Carlsbad’s most popular restaurants, it’s an ideal place to stop for dessert.   

 If you’re looking for a quick pick me up they also offer a variety of coffee drinks and tea. They’re coffee beans are roasted locally by the La Costa Roasting Company, to make up their own special blend. Employee Linda says “we have a lot of people come in here for the coffee, since we offer options for everyone’s wants and needs.”

The Carlsbad Chocolate bar also sells wine by the bottle.

Website: www.carlsbadchocolatebar.com

Elizabethan Desserts

Elizabethan Desserts is a hidden treasure found inside Sunshine Gardens, at 155 Quail Garden Dr. in Encinitas CA. I know what you’re thinking, what kind of dessert place is located inside of a business that sells plants and flowers? Well don’t let the location fool you. Elizabethan has some of the most eye appealing, scrumptious desserts I have ever tasted.

           
The pricing on their cupcakes range form $1.75 for a mini, to $4.25 for a jumbo. The cupcakes having interesting flavors, and attention-grabbing names to go along with them. One example: Colin’s Peanut Butter Wag, which is chocolate cake, with peanut butter buttercream, hand dipped in milk chocolate, drizzled with white chocolate and peanuts. There’s also the “Mustachio” pictured below.

The Mustachio: White chocolate pistachio cake, with pistachio buttercream, and a chocolate mustache
Photo taken by: Britta Garsow

They also have a range of pies from Strawberry rhubarb to Mississippi mud. They are priced from $20-28 for a whole 9in pie, or $5.95 for an individual version.

           
The thing that sets Elizabethan apart from other bakeries is that they go all out for holidays. For this past Easter they featured cake pops that looked like little chicks. As well as cupcakes adorned with chicks and bunnies, grazing on grass-like piping, all made out of frosting.

Elizabethan also offers an assortment of bars, cookies, whoppie pies, and scones. Their hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 9am-6pm.

Peanut Butter Caramel S'mores Bar: graham cracker crust with peanut butter, chocolate, caramel, and a marshmallow topping
Photo take by: Britta Garsow

Website: http://www.elizabethandesserts.com/