Parrot Confectionery Store

I was soooo underwhelmed with my last visit, which was also my first visit in a very long time. The milk shake was ridiculously small and had a funny aftertaste that hung around for quite a while after I finished it. The older blonde gal behind the counter was so rude and abrasive towards another customer that it actually made me feel uncomfortable.

An absolute classic in every definition of the term. The Parrott lived up to expectations. The chili was excellent the milkshakes are fantastic and the candy oh my goodness the candy is delicious. This place is the real deal a complete throw back in place and time. We are very glad we went out of our way to pay this place a visit you should pay it a visit as well.

Some of my earliest memories growing up in Helena were sitting in a booth at The Parrott with my parents and grandparents, eating chili and chocolate. As a fifth generation Helenan, I imagined my great and great great grandparents sitting in the same booths. Several years ago I moved away to New England. This year, when it came time send a special holiday gift to my colleagues at a Harvard teaching hospital, the decision was easy — Parrott chocolates! Just one hiccup — when I placed the order online I forgot to update my shipping address from Providence, Rhode Island to Cambridge, Mass. Just two days before Christmas, the chocolates were sitting in Rhode Island with no chance of making it in time for Christmas. I called Brian Ackerman, the owner, and he didn’t even pause. At 420 PM, he replaced the order without charge and shipped it to arrive in Cambridge the following morning by 10 AM. I now know why The Parrott has been a landmark that has served generation after generation in Helena… the chocolate is outstanding, but the customer service is the secret to success! The Parrott is one of Helena’s greatest ambassadors to the world, and I will support them just as generations of my family and others have before. Merry Christmas to Helena and Merry Christmas to the Parrott!

We came here for a snack of ice cream before we went out to dinner. I am glad that they gave me a small spoon to enjoy the ice cream. The ice cream and toppings were delicious. I also had a cherry phosfate to go with my ice cream. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a sweet treat. Also for sale are a variety of homemade chocolates and goodies.

It’s so cute inside, and their Malts are amazing. Its definitely one of the older businesses in Helena.
Their candies are kind of expensive, but that’s what I would expect from a place who makes all of their own chocolates on site.
Loved it and will definitely be a regular.

The Parrot is another main staple venue I visit when I’m in Helena. The Parrot has been around for a long time and I was introduced to this shop when I was in college. My favorite are the box chocolates and the grape phosphate with a lemon scoop.
I just discovered their various Turkish delights; mango and raspberry are quite good. I also tried the honeycomb (dark chocolate, of course).
I enjoy walking into the Parrot because the décor and atmosphere is very friendly and nostalgic. They have a soda fountain bar and the booths are a little small but still cozy. The people there are friendly and always have a smile behind the counter.
If you have never been to the Parrot, I suggest you head over to the Last Chance Gulch, take a walk and you can’t miss the Parrot. They used to always them their front window and it’s just a walk back in time with a modern touch (but you can’t tell).

For those that love homemade …
Lots and lots of homemade candy, chocolates, peanut brittle etc. Lines out the door good in the middle of the day. Very popular with locals it appeared from those waiting with me. It’s not cheap that is for sure but high quality.

I’ve been a Parrot customer since the 50’s. It’s a Montana treasure! Don’t miss the chili. The chocolates are all hand-​dipped, a real rarity in this day and age.

It’s pretty good, but the prices are crazy. For 6 pieces of small chocolates and a very small bag of gummy worms, it was almost $ 15. On the flip-​side, the chocolate is really good.

Really cute confectionery store with a juke box and diner style interior. The workers were nice and gave my nieces a sample. The candy is very expensive though. A box of caramel corn cost $ 30. It’s nice to treat yourself once in a while, but if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll definitely break more than your teeth here.

I LOVE the Parrot! I found out I was allergic to dairy when I was 13, so most of my dairy-​filled-​confection memories are from back then, but there are plenty of non-​dairy goodies to enjoy now!
I grew up with the Parrot, when I was a kid my Mom and I would stop by (my Mom and Dad’s office was just a block away), and get caramel corn, and a few candies. My sister would take me there sometimes for ice cream or a milk shake. I loved the milkshakes, I’d always get double chocolate. You can’t beat the old-​fashioned style, and the homemade ice cream sauces… TO DIE FOR! I also loved all of the chocolate candies, with a passion. I miss those goodies, but, as I said, there are still options!
Nowadays, one of my favorite things there is the Chili. For my birthday, we got it for takeout and I had a half gallon of chili for everyone :). I like to get the Chili, put a lot of vinegar in it, and get a root beer soda (They make their sodas the old fashioned way, which I love, I’m not usually a soda drinker). On the way out, I like to get some wafer candies (they are dairy free), or the mixed roasted nuts… and a treat for my husband, of course.
The service is maybe not something to write home about, but it’s not a 5 star dining experience, it is an old fashioned candy shop/​soda fountain! I’ve always gotten served, and it’s always been pretty quick too.
I will also note that the new owners seem to be great. I wrote to ask if there was dairy in something I like to order, and they wrote back within an hour (And it was almost 11 at night!) with the full ingredient list for the item I was asking about. Very friendly, and always able to answer my allergy related questions, which is really cool for me.
Overall A+, one of my favorite spots.

Soda fountains are really fun, and this one is no exception. I sidled up to the counter and had a cherry phosphate, which is a drink with a wonderful sour aftertaste-​try it to believe. The couple next to me were having some great looking chocolate sodas, which I’m looking forward to trying next time. What I like about this place is that they keep portion sizes small instead of the gut-​load of ice cream you usually get. The Parrot also offers chili and tamales.
My phosphate only cost $ 1.50 or so, and since you need to spend $ 5 to use a card, I decided to sample the chocolates. The little coffee creams were my favorite, and I liked the Parrots, which had nuts.

«I love rock-​n-​roll, so put another dime in the juke box baby»
– Joan Jett
The heart of the shop is a fabulous juke box that actually plays old 45s. Not only does it work, but it sounds great, and the play list includes The Beatles. Did I just die and go to juke box heaven?
Sit at a stool and have a milkshake at the old fashioned ice cream bar. We shared a chocolate milkshakes: one shake two straws, and enjoyed the music and décor. As you can imagine, a shop named «The Parrot» is covered with the beautiful feathered creatures. Our milkshake was on the small side, but it tasted good.
The cashier was a friendly whippersnapper who cheerfully rang up one family after another. I saw kids whose parents allowed them to pick out a few pieces of candy, and then away from the Parrot they flew.
Definitely a fun date spot.

I don’t understand the fascination with this place– went there once for lunch, sat down, waitress gave me a menu– I’m ready to order, but some buddies of hers walked in– they chatted, and then she proceeds to take their order and serve them, visiting with them and ignoring me– I walked out. Also, the chocolate is fair to poor– maybe that’s a matter of taste, but I’ve met others who feel the same.
My folks went there and had some soup– was definitely out of a can– you’d expect something homemade from a place like this.

Ehhh… eh? Okay, I guess… overpriced ice cream treats… go to the Big Dipper down the street instead…

This review is for the chili only. I have recently had the chili from this place. I have heard numerous raves about how good it is.
I am sorry but it tastes like a white mans version of Menudo, which is crap. It should really be called soup as it is the consistency of that and not chili. Don’t waste your time if you like a thick chili with lots of meat.

Great family owned Helena staple! Amazing candies (the caramels, turltes (they call them parrots), & haystacks are my favorites) and the milk shakes, fountain drinks and chili are also great as well!

An olde timey soda shoppe with an olde timey jukebox… come on people… this is the stuff dreams are made of (mine at least).
And sure, it might not be the best ice cream or chocolate I’ve had in my entire life, but it’s pretty great and but the staff are friendly and, if you allow it, the Parrot can transport you back to a simpler time… where allowance money was spent on candy and your feet still dangled from the stools. That makes this place worth its weight in gold and i shall return whenever I’m in town.

Classic throwback place. Chocolates not the best though.

Every time I come home to Montana, I have to go to the Parrot. Homemade ice cream is just better. There’s always a special flavor. Pumpkin is my favorite. The only problem is that the portions are pretty small for the specialty ice cream dishes. I love the old-​time drinks like the phosphates.
Their candies are homemade and okay. I’m not the biggest fan of their chocolates. What I do love are the pecan logs. The nougat in those rolls is so delicious that I always ask them for the least pecan-​y ones.
I think their chili is really good, not too spicy, pretty meaty, and filling. I do find it ridiculous that shredded cheddar cheese is only available in the summer time.