Krema Nut Company

Located at 1000 West Goodale Boulevard, Krema Nut is not exactly a dream storefront location...forget about pedestrian traffic--they're lucky if you glance their way as you're speeding towards or away from the city. If you've never ventured inside this tiny nut and candy shop, however, it's your loss; For just inside lies an authentic kid-in-a-candystore (literally) experience.
In addition to their homemade nut butters and expansive collection of candies, snack mixes, toppings, sugar-free candies and, of course, nuts, Krema Nut Company houses an unassuming cafe serving up all the nut-related, decadent treats-masked-as-lunch-options you dreamed of as a child. I'm talking peanut butter and jelly milkshakes, people.

From the collection of sandwiches, all Krema Nut Butter based, and all under $5, I ordered 'The Kicker', Made with hot raspberry preserves and hot & spicy peanut butter slathered between two thick slices of Great Harvest bread (I had my choice of white or wheat, but figuring I would have my share of simple carbohydrates on this trip, I chose the latter: very conservative for someone about to down a dairy concoction fortified with peanut butter and delicious, sugary strawberry jelly.) The hot & spicy peanut butter was...well...mind-blowing. Topped with sweet and spicy raspberry preserves it was almost, ALMOST, overwhelming.

The hot and spicy peanut butter is available by the jar, thank heavens.

My dining companions ordered the 'Classic Old Timer' and the 'PB-Nana'. I feel I should have stated this sooner, but feared it might dissuade you from patronizing this fine establishment: These are NOT your typical PB&Js, with just enough Jiff peanut butter and Smucker's grape to satisfy an awkward 6th grader, made (with love) by a mother who still insists on packing a brown paper lunch--don't forget the Snack Pack!

These sandwiches are burly.

The 'PB-Nana' came on perfectly toasted white bread with a generous portion of your choice of smooth or crunchy peanut butter, honey, and what seemed like halves of banana which were described as 'slices'. Half this sandwich would satisfy an Iron-Man competitor, I'm sure of it.
The 'Classic Old Timer' seemed slightly more delicate: a traditional (though amply portioned) PB&J made with strawberry preserves and topped with slices of fresh strawberries. With other sandwich toppings including homemade cashew butter, chunky apple fruit spread, and honey nut cream cheese, I will be sure to return to sample more. Half-sies?

And then came the aforementioned Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake. Prepared, by the by, with vanilla ice cream made on premises. The also make, obviously, peanut butter ice cream, as well as buckeye, chocolate and strawberry. This milkshake was delicious and I would go back to order it alone; in fact, it might be preferable to attempting to tackle one of these hefty sandwiches simultaneously. For those less gastrically adventurous (or gluttonous) they also offer white and chocolate milk, water and other soft drinks.

Take your kids, your husband...shop for gifts...whatever excuse you need (that is unless you have a nut allergy; do not step within 500 yards of this place.) I highly recommend stepping off the beaten path to support this local gem and expand your Peanut Butter and Jelly consciousness.