Nuts On Clark Popcorn – Union Station

It’s not bad popcorn, but it’s not cheap either. I love flavored popcorn but when it’s priced too much, then I can go without it. Unfortunately Nuts on Clark mixed «Chicago style» (caramel and cheese) popcorn isn’t cheap. For a 10oz bag, which is pretty small, it costs $ 7 without tax. Go to Garrett’s and it’s a little cheaper. The link to their site:

It’s not very often that I find myself Downtown but, when I do make an appearance, I will go a little out of my way to pick up a bag of mixed popcorn. Unfortunately, I forgot that not all popcorn stands are created equal.
I was waiting for a Metra train to get home and had time to kill. There I was, minding my own business, when the smell of delicious, freshly-​popped popcorn assaulted my nasal cavity. I fought the urge to buy a bag but I couldn’t resist. I still had 30 minutes before my train would leave, so I left the lower level and made my way over to Nuts on Clark.
Though a ton of popcorn was ready to go, it took over 10 minutes for the cashier and bagger to get to me when there were only 2 other customers ahead of me who simply ordered bagged popcorn. I’m glad I had so much time to kill.
I was really disappointed to see that their idea of «Mix» is to scoop some cheese popcorn and then scoop some caramel corn. Be prepared to mix that shit yo’self, and be prepared for it to not taste as good as Garrett’s. There was so much fresh popcorn, so I couldn’t believe how bland the bag they sold me tasted. As others said, the cheese has little flavor and the caramel corn is oddly sticky. I’m glad I went with the small size.

This place is dangerous. No I’m not talking about for kids with peanut allergies, and I’m not talking about potential choking hazards for kids three and under, but do keep an eye on the kiddies. No, this place is dangerous for two adult W’s: waist and wallet.
I need to make sure that there’s a special occasion buy this stuff. Otherwise, there will be a need to have it all the time. I’m talking about the Chicago mix, the mixture of caramel corn and cheese corn that we Chicagoans all know and love. Garrett’s might be one of Oprah’s favorite things, but to me Nuts on Clark is equal if not better. Sometimes I pluck out a piece of caramel corn here and a piece of cheese corn there, individually; sometimes I like the marriage together. Whatever I do, I have to eat it slowly, because I want to make sure that I’m consciously tasting that goodness.
The stuff is great as a present as well. I brought a couple large bags out to some friends for a New Year’s present. I avoid the tins, because I want all my money to go towards the popcorn. But it still set me back about 50 bucks.
Let’s just say it: this stuff is like legalized crack. I’m just glad that the politicians haven’t tried to regulate it yet. And that I make enough money that I don’t have to prostitute myself in the alley for some.

I was drawn by the aroma. Perhaps that was an alternative form of compulsive selling, induced by human biological reactions.
Of course, as a true Unilocaler, I grabbed my phone, went to the Unilocal app, and checked in!
I browsed through the packaged goods, which consisted of toffee pecans, cashews, and other gourmet stuff ready for gift-​giving. However, I think they were over-​priced. For instance, a bag of toffee pecans for $ 7? I used to work at a pecan store (yeah odd-​job Rosa and retail maven). The pecans were bigger and their prices were lower. Therefore, I made a conscious decision to find something else to purchase.
I’m not a super fan of popcorns, but I’m definitely a fan of cheese and caramel. Well, I should get in the line and get a small bag (5 oz.) of cheese/​caramel mix popcorns. The line was moving quickly, and while I was digging for my credit card from my bag, it was already my turn.
The price was so-​called the «tourist price.» Yes, it is the euphemism for saying expensive, because I’m frugal but still wanting to try it out since I’m a big supporter of local business. I liked it! I have to admit that popcorns are not necessarily my cup of tea, but the cheese and caramel helped balance the dryness popcorns often makes me feel in my mouth. Overall, it’s good to try something touristy every once in a while.

I don’t understand how a business can survive selling that overpriced, stale popcorn. The only thing worth buying is their Carmel Corn. Even then, the pieces are sticky and sometimes soggy. I guess they survive by captivating first time buyers by their smell. I would only buy if they lowered prices on the Carmel corn: the popcorn costs more than the ticket.

Chicago Mix fans. Do NOT buy it here unless you believe in spending $ 7 to give a place the benefit of the doubt.
I made the mistake of picking up some while in Union Station. It was absolutely terrible. Stale and placed in the bag side by side as opposed to mixed in. The best part of my purchase was the brown handle Nuts on Clark carry bag.
Stick with the «Nuts». «Mix» is not their thing.

This is the biggest ripoff at union station. To quote the manager «we sell by weight not size of bag» $ 3.00 for bag of «cheese corn» less than 5 oz. buyer beware. I had no idea cheese corn weight so much! Standard popcorn bag twice in size! Again biggest ripoff at union station!’

I love Nuts on Clark! They are way better than Garrett’s… HA, yes I said it. Their caramel corn is never burnt and the service is very fast. This is the first place I’ve ever had the Chicago mix and I absolutely love it. I have a bad habit of demolishing popcorn whenever it’s in a bag or bowl in front of me so Nuts on Clark’s popcorn is always gone in roughly 4 minutes. Try out this location as a snack until you get into the city or get home to real food. Unless your me then this will be an actual meal.

I love nuts on clark popcorn! I personally think hands down it is the best popcorn out there and yes I know there is «other» popcorn out there but believe me when I say this nuts on clark has the best popcorn in chicago it is fresh, tasty, hot and most importantly the prices are reasonable! I suggest you come on down to nuts on clark and taste this wonderful popcorn you will be happy you did!

Ah, Nuts on Clark, you were my first REAL popcorn. I was bowled over by your finger-​coating cheesiness and your savory/​sweet Chicago mix. I did feel rejected when you insisted on cash a few years ago, but now that you’ve changed your ways I am no longer bitter.
As I walk down the crowded concourses of Union Station, I’m often tempted by your sweet smell, but now that Garrett’s has my heart, I can (usually) resist your charms. While I’m sometimes wistful about the old days, I think I’ve found a better fit for my tastes. We were great together while it lasted, though. Thanks for the sweet memories.

Want to be real popular with the family when you get off the train… get a large bag of the mix (Carmel corn and cheese popcorn) — its hard not to eat it all on the train (and its pretty messy — but don’t despair because they put plenty of napkins in the bag!
Popcorn heaven!!!

The cheese popcorn is simply awful. From the first bite the crap coats the lining of your mouth with indescribable scum. A bag from the grocery store is 10 times better.

They must be NUTS if they think this popcorn is better than Garett’s popcorn. The guy who made me the bag said that they were better than Garett’s. Ummm. no! The cheese popcorn is as dry as store bought, but the caramel is not bad. Either way, it is not worth $ 6.00 a small bag.

I’m not gonna lie, I LOVE POPCORN. Like, obsessive. I eat it at home all the time. If I can get it while I’m out, even better!
This is the best snack for a train ride home (provided you aren’t taking a late train home and they are already closed). Get the cheese popcorn FOR SURE.
Yes, your finger tips are going to turn orange. It doesn’t even matter, it’s that good.
If you’re not from Chicago, you probably need to go ahead and get the Chicago mix — cheese popcorn and caramel TO-​GET-​HER. Yes, in one bag. You eat it together. I personally don’t do this because I’m too obsessed with their cheese. But you better just try it… when in Rome, right?

We made a special trip over here to buy a gift for some friends — I also bought some chocolate covered cashews for myself. The cashews were great, and the friend said the caramel corn was the best he’d had in his life (he’s nearly 70).
This is the Union Station location, so the selection isn’t huge, but the service was quick and relatively friendly for Chicago. I’d definitely be back.

Hello. My name is Jay and I’m a Caramel Corn addict. It’s not a problem though, really. I swear it’s not. I have gotten Caramel Corn or the Caramel Corn/​Cheese Popcorn mix many times from Nuts on Clark. It is good. I don’t find it quite as delectable as Garrett’s, but when heading through Union Station, there is only Nuts on Clark.
The caramel corn is crisp and caramely. The cheese corn is sometimes cheesier than others. Both are always better hot which it seems more likely to find in the morning than later in the day, but you will occasionally find it hot toward the end of the work day.
Since I no longer live in Chicago, I only get my fix a few times a year when I am back in the city. Thank you for being open on Christmas Day 2011.

Waited 20 mins for someone to notice a customer was waiting. Finally got my cheese popcorn, only to get home and fins it to be stale and burnt. WOW was i shocked. So I called the next morning and wow again, an, answering service, really!!! no wonder they have back customer service and popcorn, they do not even have a customer service department to handle complaints. will never ever shop there again. any on of the stores.

Love love love their cheese popcorn. But be careful, it TERRIBLY addictive and will make you grow horizontally in epic proportions.
However, if you don’t care about that (or are trying to put on a few extra), knowck yourself out because the prices are pretty reasonable, the popcorn is crazy-OMG-i-just-burned-my-mouth-but-i-can’t-stop-eating-it good, and the service is quick and efficient at any location you go to.
if you are in a rush, don’t worrry, their pre-​packaged treats are ready and waiting… their chocolates are good, but average and inexpensive. this is a place to get popcorn… beats the crap out of garretts any day and twice on sunday football day

I am a big fan of their roasted, salted cashews. They are so amazing and have to be some of the best nuts in the country! Every time I am in Chicago, I pick these up!

I was actually at the «other» popcorn shop in town today and that reminded me of Nuts on Clark. I used to get this stuff every 1 – 2 weeks when I was commuting to the burbs from Union Station.
You know, I think Garrett’s gets all the publicity, but Nuts on Clark is really just as good. I guess it’s probably not that complicated to add caramel or cheese to popcorn. I think they’re both equally good. Like someone else mentioned, I can’t tell for sure until I do a side-​by-​side taste test. One day…
You know… the best part about eating the mixed popcorn bags is making sure I grab one cheese and one caramel kernel for each bite. That combination of sweet and savory is the magic.
Like I said in my other review of Garrett’s, the bad part is this stuff is too addictive for me. Plus since there’s no clear winner between the two, I gotta give them both 4 stars for now.