We're in love with Beard Papa, so much so that Mike's Pastry is jealous. We were already inclined to love Beard Papa when we saw his benevolent eyes and puff of gray hair. He's grandfatherly, comforting, and altogether harmless.

That is, until you eat the cream puffs he's pushing at Faneuil Hall. Then you'll be hooked, and it's awfully tough to break a Beard Papa habit.

Once you order at the stall, the Beard Papa employee fills the warm puff with cold vanilla filling on the spot so you get the maximum hot-puff, cold-filling contrast. While it's best to enjoy your Beard Papa Puff while the pastry shell is still warm and crisp, a more mature Beard Papa Puff will still taste good. The puff doesn't get too chewy if you stash a box of cream puffs in the fridge for later consumption.

Other filling flavors, such as chocolate and strawberry, are available, but the old-school vanilla is the way to go if you are new to the Beard Papa experience.

A sign at the Faneuil Hall Beard Papa proclaims that the cream puffs are healthier than bagels. That's a dubious statement because the decadent cream is far too sweet. Furthermore, unless your doctor has prohibited you from eating sugar, it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to stop with one of their cream puffs. In a burst of sugar and a flash of bright yellow, you might find yourself sitting with an empty box.

Image of cream puffs waiting to be eaten at the Faneuil Hall Beard Papa by Caroline Roberts.