In case you are not au fait with the importance of popcorn in Chicago, it’s a pretty big deal. And the reason is Garrett Popcorn, a family-owned institution who came up with the original “Chicago Mix” combining cheese-coated popcorn with caramel-coated popcorn.
Don’t be aghast! It’s actually so delicious that I made a beeline to their HQ in Chicago to find out all about the story behind the legend.
Pink striped awnings for Breast Cancer Awareness month
In 1949 Garrett first opened their doors in Chicago selling their unique air-popped popcorn. It was a hit immediately and today they still only produce seven different flavours, all made fresh in each store throughout the day.
I popped (see what I did there?) down into the basement kitchen of the flagship store off Michigan Avenue and had a look around.
The smell was ridiculously divine! Brown sugar and butter was simmering in a huge pan on the stove then poured into this mixer of air-popped corn.
The making of caramel corn
But it’s the cheese coated popcorn they’re most famous for. Especially when you mix it into a bag with the caramel corn and eat them at the same time. Sooo good!
Garrett’s secret recipe of hot cheese is mixed into these pots of popcorn. Each batch is made and sold on the same day.
Then when the mixing is complete, it’s time to cool it down by flinging it around and breaking it up so you don’t end up with a bag of clumps.
Note the ‘Taste Every Batch’ sign. Yes please!
The cashew caramel popcorn comes out piping hot and is cooled here before going into a large bin for sending up to the shop.
Popcorn is not bagged down here in the kitchen but poured into giant bins in the shop and bagged only when sold.
Bins of fresh flavoured popcorn hide under the glass counter top
The bin of cheesy delight!
And at various times of the year they add festive flavours. It was November when I visited so I came out of the store with a tin of pumpkin spiced caramel popcorn and another of their famous Garrett mix: cheese and caramel. I’m saving that one up for a special occasion!