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The Caramel Crisp & Cafe has been a staple of downtown Oshkosh since 1933. Originally, they only sold popcorn from a tiny shop right on Main Street and stayed in that location for 75 years. Today, the cafe is located in the Shops at City Center on Pearl Ave, but sells much more than just their famous caramel corn.

When you walk into the doors of Caramel Crisp & Cafe, you are instantly bombarded with an array of nostril pleasing aroma. Besides caramel corn, their cookies are probably the first thing you will want to notice. They are known to be the best cookies in town. Their cookie case is stuffed with all types of different flavored cookies, including flavors that are not usually found anywhere else. Some of my favorites include the Cake Batter Cookie, S’mores Cookie and of course, Peanut Butter Monster Cookie (I’m a sucker for anything Peanut Butter flavored).

They also serve a plethora of food and beverages, including breakfast, and baked goods. Their cafe menu has several feel good foods that you can happily sink your teeth into, from Old-Fashioned  warm sandwiches to Deli-style salads and soups. Sandwich types include shredded beef, shredded chicken, BBQ pork, buffalo chicken and Sloppy Joe’s. On my visit, I tried the shredded chicken sandwich. This sandwich really is everything you love about your mother’s homemade sandwiches, with hefty chunks of chicken smothered in a rich gravy on top of a wheat bun.

For coffee, they serve Door County and Black Pearl brand and offer the daily flavors that are brewing right on their website. Their cafe other drinks include cafe latte, cafe mocha, chai tea, hot chocolate, cappuccinno and frappuccino, hot tea, smoothies, shakes or malts and rootbeer floats.

Their seating area has a classic cafe look to it, with rounded wooden tables sitting in front of the shops front window. The atmosphere is extremely cozy and welcoming, where you can order an drink and quietly work or study, or grab lunch with a group of friends.

Another interesting facet of Caramel Crisp & Cafe is their Gift Shop. It is attached to the cafe, located towards the back of the shop. Their gift shop is huge, filled with little gems you most likely would not find anywhere else.

It’s defintely worth making a stop next time you are in Oshkosh.