Holy Crap!!! So, I’m minding my own business, shopping at Room and Board and as part of their new collection open house, they’re offering bags of Kernel’s popcorn. This is the finest popcorn I’ve ever tasted! I am in awe! I couldn’t believe that flavored popcorn could taste this good! I made my own«Chicago Mix» of cheddar and caramel popcorn. Just flawless. The caramel corn was heartily coated with buttery, sugary fresh caramel made to the right temperature, and not, not, NOT burnt like other popular Chicago popcorn companies. The sweet and salty combo on this alone was like there’s a party in my mouth and everyone’s invited! The cheddar corn was equally as perfect. The cheddar was a full rich sharp cheddar that tasted like real cheese, not a cheap powdered processed coating. This cheese corn can stand on its own as doesn’t leave any weird aftertaste. Put these two together and it really is the finest mix around. I prefer my ratio 2⁄3 cheese to 1⁄3 caramel to get the sweet and sour just right!
Fi G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Kailua-Kona, HI
If you love the Chi-town mix popcorn, do yourself a favor and grab a punchcard. Better than Garrett’s without the wait time or attitude and you get a free bag after a certain amount of purchases. Their zip lock bags also tend to ship better. Still send these to my army buddies. A favorite among them whether they’re deployed or not. I digress, they do offer other flavors as well. The have great people working there
Mimi P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Dowagiac, MI
We absolutely love the Chicago Kernel corn! They have a great selection of tasty popcorn that gives Garrett’s a good run for their money! This was our second trip to the shop and it was just as tasty as the first time. There’s no questionable doubt that we will be coming back again and again. We highly recommend this place for any popcorn buff!
John I.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
I had no idea that you could get Garrett-worthy popcorn(even Nuts on Clark-worthy, which I like a little better) this deep into the ‘burbs? I had to come out to Naperville from the South Loop every weekday for nine weeks, and this surely was a treat to forget the commute for a short time. They have a number of different varieties, and I tried the spicy cheese, which was excellent. But this pig doesn’t let himself get fattened too often with this deliciousness; so I went with the traditional Chicago mix and savored every last kernel.
Tim S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Carol Stream, IL
So let me just start out with this. I ordered a Large tin yesterday 6 – 2 to be sent to Brookfield Wisconsin from Illinois to friends as a thank you gift. The order has already been Delivered to where it needed to be. 6 – 3. I am highly impressed by Kernel, not only for their unreal good popcorn, but also for how they run a business. Keep up the good work. Extremely happy that their a local business.
Rob K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Romeoville, IL
We LOVE the cheese popcorn here… in my opinion Garretts hss nothing on Kernel Fabyan’s. I also am personally addicted to the movie theater style… I know its a little plain… but its my guilty pleasure. I did have my first disappointing flavor during my most recent trip. We got a small bag of the white cheddar. Not sure if one of the ingredients had spoiled or something… but after one bite each for my wife and I we threw the bag in the garbage because it was quite possibly the fuel of nightmares. I will definitely be going back… but never for the white cheddar.
Bill J.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Naperville, IL
Finally, after waiting for years now, finally a place in downtown Naperville that makes really good popcorn. Everyone else I’ve found down here selling popcorn is pretty bad. I’ve always found the other places popcorn to be reminiscent of the free stuff that you get at bars.
BLADE F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Oak Park, IL
Kernels cheese popcorn is off the chain. !!! I was recently introduced to kernels by a colleague of mine and have been hooked ever since.. Garrett’s is good but not as good as Kernels, for sure.. It taste so good to me I want to buy a complete stranger a bag and share the joy. I wish they would open one in the Oak Park, River Forest area.
Lin R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Lyons, IL
Never thought I would type this .EVER .1st off I’m a natural born popcorn head just luv it. plain, butter, cheese etc… I love it. this was sooo delicious. sssshh was @ Garretts Monday .hats off to the popcorn makers @Kernel’s melt in your mouth is a good way to show up «Garrett’s» visit on Monday & cant wait to get back for more A plus…
Jeff C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
Better than Garrett’s that is for sure. Better than Chicago Kernel. It’s the best mix popcorn in Chicago. Addicting. Great for corporate gifts.
Melissa Z.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Streamwood, IL
I believe this place may be better than Garrets. I stopped at Kernel’s yesterday during lunch to pick up a treat for my office. I ordered a small cheese/caramel mix and a medium spicy. Total was almost $ 16 which I think is reasonable for gourmet popcorn. The cheese/caramel mix practically melted in your mouth. It was the talk of the office and there were many comparisons to Garrets with favor towards Kernels as the better tasting. Service was great — I was the only customer at the time, but the nice man behind the counter offered me samples and was extremely responsive to my questions. I will indeed return. :)
Faye S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Arlington, TX
This place is awesome!!! I was staying at a hotel nearby and a friend took us here stating that it is better than Garrett’s. I must say that it is! The ingredients are natural and the popcorn is incredible and fresh. This place is expensive but Garrett’s is a little higher. I am from Texas and I know about phenomenal food. Please give this place a shot, man I am about to have some shipped to my house ;-) P. S. I bought the caramel and white cheddar; white cheddar was my fav
Christina S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Lake County, IL
If I can’t get to a Garrett’s, Kernel’s will do just fine. I love their yellow cheese and spicy cheese flavors, and even the fresh caramel, which is not typically on my list. They are really friendly here and generous with the samples so you can try before you buy. Mmmm, wish I had some now…
Adrienne W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
The only reason they get 3 stars Is because I just left out of there ordering TEN bags of popcorn and instead of being grateful that I’m about to spend $ 60 on Effen popcorn the owner makes a snide remark about holding up the line. Are You Effen serious! If it weren’t for the Bears game starring in an hour I would’ve left and gone to their Geneva location! Uhhhhhh!
Heather V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
Had this again today, This is by far better than Garretts. Natural ingredients, I believe.
Robert G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Carol Stream, IL
I may already have raved about their Geneva location, but it’s OK; what I got here also rocked. Today we got the movie popcorn and white cheddar popcorn. Apparently they use coconut oil for the movie popcorn, so if you want a(very) faint hint of coconut in every bite, go with the movie popcorn. They also leave out the butter, letting you to your hand as to how much more unhealthy you want to make it. Then there’s the white cheddar popcorn. Cheese shouldn’t not taste this good in powdered form, but there it is. Marvelously rich, and hopelessly delicious. The white cheddar popcorn is sold in a special, sealable bag that ensures your popcorn doesn’t go stale as you attempt to keep daily consumption to a minimum.
Erin L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Luis Obispo, CA
I love me some popcorn and the cheese was awesome but really… rich. It’s probably terrible for you. I went on a Saturday afternoon and literally waited for 20 minutes in line and the line was not that long. There was one guy working. He would run in the back and make popcorn for 5 minutes while we all waited in line. I felt bad for him but WTH. Why wasn’t someone else there? Like I said, popcorn is pretty good — really expensive so it’s probably an occasional splurge.
Michelle K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Arlington Heights, IL
Classic Mix = Cheddar cheese popcorn mixed with caramel popcorn. For the uninitiated, it sounds like an unholy alliance, but I swear to you that it’s for real. Like, FORREAL for real, you know what I’m saying? I think you do. The only thing that prevents me from awarding them five stars is the fact that you practically have to sell a kidney in order to afford their popcorn: a one-gallon tin will set you back about $ 25. A little pricey, but totally worth it. And yes, you’ll need to be buying it by the gallon. You’re welcome.
Maria R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Streamwood, IL
I love love love popcorn! :9 I have an extra«popcorn stomach» when it comes to having popcorn at the usual places you eat it… movies…home, amusement parks, etc. :) Whenever I come to Naperville, which is about 40 minutes south of me, I go and grab myself a bag of either Cheesy Pop or Combo Pop. I’ve tried The Popcorn Palace, which is good, but their Chicago Mix is a bit too much caramel corn to cheese corn.(I prefer the cheese corn myself.) Kernel Fabyan’s Combo Pop has the right mix of Caramel and Cheese Corn in their Combo Pop mix, it’s awesome! I like the flavor of Kernel Fabyan’s Cheesy Pop… much cheesier and you can tell they make it there freshly everyday. Way addicting and definitely a place to go for caramel corn, cheese corn, or just regular popcorn. Parking though is a challenge though, but if the main parking lot is full, you can go to the parking garage right next to the store. If you love popcorn and are in Naperville… grab a bag of Combo Pop! You won’t forget it!
Renita M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Lombard, IL
The first time I had Garrett popcorn, I was walking down the street in Chicago, turning my hands orange, inhaling this magical cheesy crunchy concoction. Well, if Naperville is more your speed, or you just can’t get to Chicago very often, then Kernel Fabyan will fit the popcorn bill. It’s almost as good. And instead of walking down State Street or Michigan Avenue, you can bask in the suburban delights of Naperville.(This store is bigger than the original in Geneva, so there’s more room to stand and inhale the aromas while you pick your popcorn poison.) It’s crack-tastic. :)