Dinner Treats

I never really thought about what an industry supplying candy to restaurants must be. Every time I go to a place that doesn't require me to return a tray I get a candy with my bill. The thing about this situation is when you get this treat you never really think about it. I mean there you are with your stomach full of mashed potatoes and some kind of chicken dish with a really nice cream sauce and someone hands you a candy. The last thing you're going to do is think about the treat.

Well I decided to give it a little thought. I've decided that these treats need a little scrutiny, and maybe see if they're worth tipping over. So let's take a look at how I would tip if all I got were the treat at the end of the meal.

Campino

For some reason I love the way this candy looks. It, to me, is one of the best looking candies out on the market today. Taste wise it's kind of like a cream cycle, which now that I think about it I haven't had for years. I wonder if they still make them. This is the kind of treat that you have to imagine the people responsible for buying candies in restaurants actually gave a little thought into.

Tip: 14%

Cherry Thing

You know why I like this candy; well it probably isn't the taste because it kind of taste like cherry bath products more than a fun cherry candy. But I like it because it has big pictures of what flavour it is on the package. Hey I'm a busy man and I don't have time reading packages after my big lunch break I have people to meet and stuff.

Tip: 5%

Trebor Chocolate Mint

I have a horrible confession to make, I on occasion have been known to buy some of these. I see them in the grocery store and my mouth starts to water. I can't explain it but I just have a thing for chocolate and mint and these might be the main cause of my addiction. I'm a weak man.

Tip: 13%

Dare Mint

This is what I generally expect to find on my table when I finish a meal. A simple mint, in this case brought to me by the nice people at Dare. The other thing about this particular mint I received it that it was very seriously not fresh at all. It was a chewy on the outside and a little crunchy on the inside. As far as the flavour goes it wasn't really that minty and had I eaten a really garlic filled meal it probably wouldn't have cut it at all.

Tip: 8%

Trebor "Glitter"

When I see this treat I expect it to be all shinny and fun like a disco. I mean what else would you expect from a candy called Glitter? This minty treat goes a little up the sinuses, well maybe a little more than a little bit, but if you've eaten something really garlic filled then that can't be too bad. Having said that if it's a cold day you might want to skip it because the minute you step outside after eating it you'll know the meaning of the word cold.

Tip: 11%

Trebor "Glitter Red"

As you can tell from above we have two kinds of Glitter to enjoy, best of all I believe I revived them at different establishments. Let us see how the red compares to its clear counterpart. I really can't taste anything, it's a little disturbing, but after a little chewing I can kind of taste something that either taste like cherry or maybe cough medicine. I really have to say things treat needs some flavour.

Tip: 2%

Lollypops

My first idea was to try and eat both of these lollypops at the same time, but I realised that was pretty silly. So I've decided instead that I'll suck on each one for a little while and discuss.

Red - If you go out to eat with me and lollypops are handed out I may be polite and let you pick first, but there's a good chance I'll just grab at the red one. Is red my favourite, no, but chances are it wont be something I don't like.

Yellow - This is always a fearful candy for me. I'm never sure if it's lemon (which I like) or banana (which I can't stand) today... Banana yuck.

I generally find that most places that give out lollypops are also the places that make you stand on your chair and sing silly songs on your birthday. They're a good treat if your age demographic is large. Adults will eat them and kids love them too. Personally I find a lack in creativity but then again I am a candy snob.

Tip: 8%

MacTavish's

Nothing says tradition like the name MacTavish. It sounds so old country in Scotland. If your meal is really garlic like then really this candy will do nothing for you at all, since it's not minty. I've reviewed these before and I still had the same problem. With the toffee type flavour I just wanted to crunch it to bits every time. It's virtually impossible to suck it all the way down to nothing.

Tip: 12%

Mike Mint

Now Mike didn't make these mints, they weren't made at the restaurant called mikes either. This is a clever little way for restaurants, mostly chains, to advertise. The thing that boggles my mind is that most people don't really save their mints; they either eat them on the spot or just skip it. If you're in the restaurant already paying for your meal than advertising really isn't worth it. Although here it is, on a "popular" web site a big shinny advertisement for Mikes restaurant Do you think they had this planned from the start? Oh by the way, the mint was ok, nothing special but it did the trick.

Tip: 12% but 6% might have to go to the restaurant

Fresh Mint

The name of this mint brings up an interesting point. It's funny how we associate fresh and mint together. I've tasted many a fruit and vegetable that had not a trace of mint but still tasted fresh. I've also taste a few mints that aren't really that fresh tasting either. I have no opinion just a comment. Oh the Fresh Mint, it's not bad, not great either.

Tip: 8%

Dare Orange

I like the idea of sometimes not getting something that's minty as a candy after a meal. Sure I don't really know the point, particularly after desert but who am I to complain about treats after treats. Some people may really hate this sweet, after al it doesn't really taste like orange at all. I however love it because although it lacks in the real citrus flavour it more than makes up for it in its similarity to tang. So if you really like the greatest powdered drink mix in the world, or if you're just an astronaut, than this is the after dinner treat for you.

Tip: 9%

Ovation

This is the cream of the crop, not that I really understand that expression at all. But this little treat is something you'll get from only nice places; chances are your local burger joint doesn't throw one of these on the table after your sloppy cheeseburger and fries.

Tip: 15%

Striped Mints

This is pretty much basic as basic gets. Nothing spectacular about these and you'll find them pretty much everywhere. Is this a bad thing? Well that all depends how you feel. If you're at some crazy exotic restaurant that has all kinds of strange food something at the end of the meal that matches might be a little more up your alley. Also if you're at a posh restaurant with napkins made of cloth you might want something different as well. However if you just ordered grill cheese and tomato soup and your soft drink comes in the can with a glass of ice these little minty treats will do just fine.

Tip: 7.5%

Striped Mints Round

Does shape really make any difference? I think it can, a mint can not only be a great way to freshen up ones breath but it can be a great fidget toy in ones mouth. Like Kojac and his lollypop a candy can provide a great amount of entertainment on that long bus ride home. These little round balls of fun are great fun for that; although I have to be honest the mint flavour is a little lacking so your breath will only get a little fresher.

Tip: 9%