Chicago Mix Popcorn
Caramel corn and cheddar corn mixed in one bag. It sounds wrong and tastes right.
Nuts on Clark
The Chicago mix locals actually buy, family-run near Wrigley since the late '70s.
Let's Get Poppin'
A Black-owned South Side shop with its own take on the Chicago mix.
Chicago Kernel
A small shop in the commuter tunnel, handy near Millennium Park.
Wells Street Popcorn
A good mix to grab while touring the Frank Lloyd Wright sites.
Candyality
A Southport candy shop with house-made popcorn. Fun with kids.
Garrett Popcorn (Michigan Ave)
The original Chicago mix since 1949. Expect a line, and do it once.
Caramel and cheese in one bag
Chicago's signature snack is caramel corn mixed with cheddar cheese corn. It sounds wrong, and one handful will change your mind. The sweet-and-salty combination has been sold here since the mid-20th century, and today it comes in tins at ballparks, airports and every downtown gift shop.
Different shops sell it under different names (some names are trademarked), but it's the same idea: caramel and cheddar, shaken together.
Good to know: it makes a great edible souvenir, and most shops sell it in tins that travel well.
Want more Chicago-only foods to try? See 20 foods to eat in your first year.