Hungry Hound

March 3, 2006 - This Sunday's Oscars will inspire more than a few parties. When you think of movies, ABC7's Hungry Hound thinks popcorn.

Walk in to any movie theater these days, and you're more likely to find stale popcorn that's topped with "butter flavoring." True popcorn aficionados have a few options this year. From standard corn topped with butter, cheese or caramel to a few uniquely-flavored options ranging from savory to sweet.

Since 1949, the smells of hot buttered popcorn, caramel corn and cheese corn have wafted from the various Garrett Popcorn Shops in the city... luring in hungry patrons from all walks of life.

"It's a comfort food. We make everything in small batches, everything is handmade, and it's a nice way to have a little luxury in your life for not a lot of money," said Scott Schroeder, Garrett Popcorn Shops.

The flavors haven't changed much over the years...there's the original plain of course - mixed with butter and salt - plus the sweet and crunchy caramel crisp, which is still hand-mixed at each of the stores. A hot cheese blend is poured over some plain popcorn, and then combined in a copper bowl to evenly coat everything.

"People sometimes can't choose between the two products, so they actually blend the two together; the cheese corn and the caramel crisp, and we call that the Chicago Mix, or the Downtown Mix, or just the Mix."

Back in the Loop, "the mix" - as it's called - continues to fly out the door. Schroeder says it's a hard combo to beat.

"It's the combination of the sweet, salty caramel with the earthiness of the cheese that drives people crazy."

Garrett Popcorn Shops
4 E. Madison
670 N. Michigan
2 W. Jackson
coming soon - 26 W. Randolph
888-476-7267