Garrett Popcorn Shops

I am not a huge fan of popcorn so I cannot write much about Garrett’s but according to my best friend, the popcorn was great but definitely not worth the long wait wrapped around the corner of the building.

I love this popcorn and crave it! I always get the Garrett’s mix which is cheese and caramel. I actually prefer the cheese over the caramel, but the sweet mixed in is pleasantly good. My first time hearing about that combo I was reluctant to give it a try but am glad I did. Every time I go to Chicago I bring back bags (plural). Good stuff if you’re a gourmet popcorn fan. :-)

I stopped by Garrett’s last Mon. morning after taking the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s boat tour. As a popcorn addict and someone keen to try Chicago-​specific foods, I knew I had to pick up a bag of the Garrett Mix (AKA Chicago mix) before leaving the city. I had a bit of trouble finding this store, since the pin on Unilocal is across the street, but a local pointed me in the right direction so I could get my cheesy-​caramel mix on.
Upon entering, the store was fairly empty, as I’d expect for a Mon. morning., so I didn’t have to wait in line, which was nice. Before purchasing, I was able to try a sample from the many sample cups on the counter, and I was favorably impressed. I ordered a small bag ($ 5.15), which was more than enough to sustain my snacking that day and the next. I’d had Chicago mix popcorn from another flavored popcorn vendor in Pittsburgh and had enjoyed it, but Garrett’s takes it to the next level. Something about the combination of the sweetness of the caramel corn and the non-​overwhelming saltiness of the cheese corn just works, and keeps you coming back for more.
I can definitely see why Garrett’s made Oprah’s original list of favorite things, propelling it to national fame and distinguishing it as a unique Chicago food. As others have mentioned, I’d recommend eating this popcorn within 24 hrs. – sooner is better, since even less than 24 hrs. later, the cheese corn starts to go stale. If you can’t make it downtown, keep in mind that there’s a stand in O’Hare, so you can pick some up between flights. Needless to say, I’m glad that I tried this unique Chicago treat, and I’ll be sure to pick up more next time I’m in town!

Having tasted Garrett’s popcorn last Xmas I knew I had to head to their store while in Chicago. They’re famous for their «Garrett mix» which is big kernels of cheddar cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn «you will be amazed how good it is. $ 5.95 for a small bag ! They have other flavors too

Chicago mix. Just get it, you’ll love it.

Came to Garrett Popcorn Shop during a visit to Chicago. I was intrigued by the fact that a lot of people on Michigan Ave were holding Garrett bags and eating popcorn. I sampled their Cheesecorn, Caramel and Butter popcorns, and boy! were they delicious! The butter tastes even better than movie theatre popcorn. I would highly recommend trying their popcorn whenever you get a chance while in Chicago!

This place smells orgasmic. Literally. But really, the popcorn is phenomenal here! They gave us samples to try them and there was not one that I didn’t like. Joey attended us and he provided excellent service. We ended up buying bags of Caramel Cashew as well as the Cheese popcorn. Both of them are amazing. I went around 2pm and there was absolutely no line.

I tried Garrett for the sake of it because Chicago is known for their Chicago Mix (Caramel and Cheddar). I bought some as souvenirs to give out to friends and family because I didn’t see anything else I was very fond of to bring back home. I definitely recommend getting it in a tin can so they don’t become stale, but it’s an extra $ 10 for the tin, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. Does tin really cost that much? Supposedly, the shelf life of the popcorn is up to 24 hours in the regular bag and up to 10 days in the tin can. I made sure to buy the popcorns right before my flight back to New York and my neighbor told me the cheddar all became stale that same night I came home. So maybe shelf life is less than 8 hours in the bag. I bought the tins for my other friends because I won’t see them until a few days later after I came home. I really hope the ones in the tin cans are okay. You get more value for the bag because you get more popcorn and it’s way cheaper, but I guess the tin is supposed to last longer.

OMG, we got here in time before the surge of people. Then, I wished I got more for my colleagues. Oh well, I think we got enough and better not to go too crazy. Well, I wished we ate this when the popcorn was fresh. Now, 2 days later and the cheese and butter popcorn tastes a bit stale. Anyways, we will be coming back later next month so will be sure to eat it fresh.

I don’t remember which one of these I went to but I am assuming they are all the same. The cheesy popcorn was really good. I did not particularly enjoy the pecan or the smokey cheese flavors (so nice of them to let me sample the different flavors). I cannot eat too much of the cheese popcorn at one time because the taste is so strong but I definitely enjoy it. A Chicago must try!

*Must eat right away it it will become stale!*
So many people including us were buying popcorn as souvenirs but sadly when we got home hours later the popcorn was not good anymore (the cheddar popcorn) except for the caramel which was okay but I still wouldn’t. We got the Chicago mix. But The Chicago Mix at Costco is better imo.
It’s because Garrett doesn’t use preservatives so you have to eat it immediately– even says so on the bag. So in their defense– they do tell you… Only to find out after you buy 6 bags.
The cheddar popcorn is very buttery and cheesy (you will get the cheese fingers!).
It’s something to try definitely. :)

I’ve always felt that Garrett’s is sooo over-​rated. Half the time the service is served with a side of attitude and your cheese popcorn is stale. What irks me most about most locations is the lackadaisical attitude the employees have. Perhaps it due to knowing people are standing in line for their product, many times over 30 minutes long. However, no F’s are given. I witnessed 3 employees just standing and chatting with each other not working at all while tons of customers are waiting. Get better employees.
If you have to go to a Garretts, go to the one on Randolph, at least you wont have to wait as long.

It’s nice that a new location has opened up to take the pressure off of the other downtown locations. No line, open until 8pm, next to my office building, no complaints.

Everyone I know told me I had to try Garrett’s before leaving Chi-​town. I honestly ONLY went here because it was recommended to me, but I don’t care for popcorn so I didn’t have much of an expectation.
I order the a small mix for two people. It was WAY too much for us. We ate about ¹⁄₃ of the bag and sadly threw out the rest. I think it’s overrated and pricey, but it’s a Chicago tradition, so I won’t knock it to hard.
Wouldn’t come back here because it just doesn’t appeal to my food choices. However, I did but a few tins for some friends back home. Hypocrite much? Oops!

Popcorn is my favorite snack in the world, and Garrett’s is logically my favorite place to get said snack. There are a number of choices of popcorn — from sweet, to salty, to spicy — and they are all fresh, super crunchy, and packed with flavor. When I went to Chicago, I got two bags and had zero regrets! Though I really enjoyed the sample of the spicy cheese (a winter special, I believe), i stuck to my guns and got a carmel/​cheese mix for home, and a plain cheese for the road.
The employees are friendly and quick to serve you, which I really appreciate, since they deal with tourists all day and must resist drooling into the popcorn during their shift. Everyone seemed generally happy to work there or be a customer there, and I didn’t feel like just another customer. The manager was super patient as I tried nearly every sample, fiddled for my money, and requested a larger bag to carry my purchases and personal belongings.
Love you, Garrett! Thanks for making popcorn fiends like me so happy!

Great location and the best popcorn in Chicago. Get the Garrett’s mix and asked them to mixed it with some spicy cheese popcorn.

I came here looking to try Chicago Kernel, to get a taste of a Garrett’s competitor at this same address that got good Unilocal.Alas, Garrett’s is locking up the city by taking this location too. Not that I mind, since I love the «Garrett’s Mix» (you know, the Cheese mixed with caramel). That’s the new name for Chicago Mix; since they got sued for a trademark issue by a shop in… Gasp, Minnesota?!? (Talk about carpet baggers not even moving to the city!)
I do wish they didn’t have monopoly pricing (hence 4 of 5 stars). This new location is spotless and not busy on a winter Monday holiday. But I’m sure the hordes will come in the summer, when tourists and locals alike pack Millennium Park, down the block. But good for those tourists to get a real taste of Chicago! Now off with you to go get a hot dog with radioactive-​looking green relish.