Garrett's Popcorn Shop
 

so the caption under the Chicago forum readsI've lived here all my life and I don't believe I've heard of Garrett's.

Can someone fill me in?
--

Extremely popular chain that primarily sells fresh caramel popcorn. Several locations downtown. Demand is so high that, on some days, the line extends out the front door.

Thanks. Have you been?

Curious if it is uniquely Chicago some how.

I know - I originally heard about it a few years back from some tourist friends. Then again, isn't that how we sometimes wind up learning about our city? (i.e. taking people around)

Their website says:
I don't know if it's any better than any other premium popcorn shop elsewhere, but it's a fun thing to do when you're walking around downtown.

Garretts was also at Washington/Clark for many many years. I am not particularly impressed with their regular popcorn, nor John's, nor Nuts on Clark. But I do like Nuts on Clark's carmel corn in small doses.

Why people take cannisters home to their families and friends, I can never understand.

Garrett's is certainly worth a try. I've been into the location at State & Jackson quite a few times. It's popular with both tourists and the office snack/treat crowd. There can be lines (10+ or so) but they ebb and flow. When a line builds up they work hard to knock it down in my experience.

I believe the location on N. Michigan is similar, though maybe a bit more touristy.

I like getting a small bag of the mixed. It's tasty and probably really bad for me.

I find Garrett's to be particularly good when gotten for other people. It seems to make outstanding nice to meet you / peace offering / social lubrication. Junk food without the guilt for the recipient (it's a gift.. they don't have a choice but to eat it).

You can get nice tins of the stuff if you want things a packaged a bit nicer.

I've been to chicago many times and I never heard of this popcorn place untill oprah gave it away on her show!
-howie

Well, to be honest.. I mean.. it is just popcorn. Maybe just me but it's not the first thing that comes to mind with this city and I don't crave it. You probably can't go wrong with any of the other spots mentioned in this thread.

That said, it's a fun treat too. But not serious food. :p

Right!

For that, you've got to go Vienna all-beef, relish (my Papa called it "pickalilly"), chopped onion, chopped tomato, yellow mustard, a pickle spear, hot pepper, a little celery salt, and a steamed S. Rosen's, poppy-seed bun.

Now I'm homesick. :eek:

I've been going to Garrett's for years anytime I'm in downtown Chicago...I think it's great stuff. The mix bag of carmel, cheese and regular is my usual. The store is a little quirky though. They limit the number of people in the store during sometimes of the day and won't let the line go on the street. My last trip I was told the store is full and come back in 45 minutes. Also, no cell phones on while you're in line. I was shocked that they actually enforced this (or at least they did a few months ago). The prices are a bit steep, but it's worth it.

I've been going there since one of my first visits to Chicago, introduced by one of my local friends; usually the Loop, but sometimes the Michigan Ave location (the MI Ave location lines do get outrageously long during the holiday shopping season and I've never quite felt it was worth THAT wait). I do like their caramel corn better than most that I've had (other than homemade), especially when it's still warm although it's still pretty good after it cools down. Can't say that it's something I'd endure the lines or cost to buy for someone to ship it to them, though.

That Michicagn Ave location is almost always busy. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. If people want to buy their popcorn, I'd suggest going to one of the other locations. Why wait 30-40 minutes when you can wait 5 minutes at another location?

Exactly. I pretty much only hit that location if I'm happening by and there are only 3-4 people in line, and I'm in the mood for warm caramel corn (read: not that often :D )

Wow, I'm stunned. Willie. (And ElmhurstNick, what DO you like? ;) ) And folks, it's not the popcorn at Garrett's, it's the Mix (cheesecorn and caramel corn mixed) that is indescribable! That, still warm, and a Diet Coke and one can be happy! :)

marvnmar27 mentions this as well.

To clarify, it is cheesecorn and caramel corn cooked separately but put together in the same bag or is the cheese and caramel mixed with fresh popcorn in the same batch to produce the end product?

It is made separately and mixed. However, you wouldn't mix in regular popcorn unless you were trying to save on fat and calories. :) You do that by having Diet Coke! :D

I like Garrett's, but it is definately overpriced.

I usually grab a bag of caramel corn and cashews.

Coming into this conversation late, but I couldn't agree more. The Chicago Mix is my fave and I NEVER go to the store on Michigan Ave. There are enough other locations that you sometimes don't even have to wait in line.

GG

I'm also a late arrival to this conversation, but...Garrett's definitely isn't just a place frequented by tourists. I never really knew about it until I worked at State & Huron, which was just a few blocks from their Michigan Ave. store. My department fell in love with it, and we'd regularly place bets where the loser had to buy the entire department a big bag of caramel popcorn. (I've never been a fan of the caramel/cheese mix.)

I can remember one time when I realized that the bag disappeared prematurely (though I didn't realize it until a week or two later), so I said to one of my co-workers, "Who polished off the Garrett's?" and he replied, "No one. I filed it under C in the [xxx] cabinets because I couldn't stop eating it." I opened up the filing cabinet, and, sure enough, there it was in the Cs. That was when I discovered that stale Garrett's caramel corn is also terrific (in a very different way). Mmmm...

btw - here in atlanta - a PAULS POPCORN has opened saying they have chicago style popcorn

its quite tasty

im going to chicago for the first time and will have to try Garrett's!

Here in Indianapolis, we have a place called Just Pop In and they make a "Chicago Mix" that is outstanding. It has a slightly healthier taste than Garrett's but it's really, really good. Once my braces come off, it's the first thing I'll snack on!

: )
GG

Normally, a "healthy" taste and "really, really good" don't go together. :)

Hey! Yeah, I know, which is why I was surprised. If you've ever had Garrett's, you know how greasy it is- the grease kind of oozes out of the cheesy popcorn when you chew it. Which, of course, is kind of a part of the deliciousness of it. But the Just Pop In version has less grease, so hence my "healthy" comment. I doubt it actually IS healthy- I've seen them throw full sticks of butter in the vat. LOL

BTW, ILuvParis, we loved our experience with you so much, we joined AC ourselves!

: )
GG

^ I'm sure AA appreciates it too! :)

I used to study in the Starbucks on Michigan Ave next to Garrett's -- I was always amazed how long people would wait in line in February to buy popcorn...

Chicago style=imitation. In my experience if it ain't coming out of Chicago directly it's crap! :p

Have you applied for a job with the local Chamber of Commerce? You ought to! :)

Just don't use your credit card.

http://cbs2chicago.com/consumer/garr....2.629595.html

Garrett Popcorn Shop on Mag Mile to close
 

Garrett Popcorn Shop's flagship on Michigan Avenue is closing to make way for condos.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...0,732818.story

Shouldn't be hard as I understand vacancy rates are inching up on Michigan Ave. but then can Garrett's make effective use of a 20,000 sq ft space ?;)

But, I can't immediately think of anything that would meet their needs. Smallish, with a street-level presence on N. Michigan. There are some places south of the bridge, but that's not really where they need to be.

I also found it interesting that they're opening a branch in Manhattan - wonder how that will pan out.

It certainly would come in handy in the winter and summer. I find inside lines a little more comfortable than standing outside. :)

Agreed. Some of the BEST popcorn around. I recommend the location on Randolph betweeen State and Dearborn - they make it fresh there and you get a little more generous pour there.