I love food and I love trying new foods when I travel. There were a lot of new tastes and good Southern cookin’ during my trip to Nashville, but even I was surprised by something that thus far had not been on my radar. It made me say, “What a cluster!” That’s right, I discovered the Goo Goo Cluster.

Never heard of them? Apparently they’re a thing. Such a big thing that Nashville’s mayor helped out with the ribbon cutting for the Goo Goo Shop, which opened just two weeks before my visit. Upon stepping inside the store, an employee saw my confusion and said, “You look like someone who doesn’t know Goo Goo.” You got that right, pal!

The guy explained that Goo Goo Clusters are a round candy bar invented in 1912, claiming to be the first combo candy bar. They apparently were the first that didn’t consist of just one ingredient. Previously, candy bars were solid pieces of chocolate, caramel, or taffy. The sweet, enthusiastic employee had piqued my interest, but really got me hooked when he said Goo Goo Clusters are made of peanuts, caramel, marshmallow nougat, and milk chocolate. I like most of those things. A lot.

I don’t care too much for chocolate (yes, I’m one of those people, gasp!), and if I do eat it, I prefer dark. But I’ve never been known to pass up a sample, so I took up the young chap on his offer to try a cluster. When I started munching I thought something tasted familiar, almost… meaty. I looked at the sign and discovered I was right…

BACON. I knew it. You can’t disguise bacon in an attempt to hide it from me!! I’m almost embarrassed to admit the following because I love meat, especially bacon, and I think you readers will judge me, but I have to say it. (whooo, deep breath) I didn’t love the bacon version; I prefer the caramel version without bacon. I can almost hear the cries now, “BOOOOO ON YOUUUUUU, BACON HATER!!” I don’t know what it was, but this particular bacon product merely registered as a “meh” on my radar. But I can vouch for the fact that other Goo Goo Cluster flavors are pretty darn delicious.

Anyway, here’s a Fun Friday video for you. I got to watch an employee make the special giant-sized Premium Goo Goo Clusters. This shop is the only place in the world you can watch such a thing. So without further ado, I bring you the making of Goo Goo Clusters!