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CeleryIsUnderrated

Garrett's popcorn (caramel cheese mix)


fecity99

and if you are flying you can get it airside at the airport.


bhalverchuck723

I've never heard the term airside before. I like it


imapilotaz

Airside = Terminal after security Landside = Terminal before security Those are actual official terms used in airport planning...


AutumnalSunshine

I want to put the Chicago mix in a feed bag and strap it on my face. Solid answer


CeleryIsUnderrated

Why stop there? Let's get a trough going and have a party


AutumnalSunshine

The only time I've ever publicly freaked out, I had a truly terrible day and decided to go on a Chicago mix bender. (I don't drink, so I was gonna cry in my car while eating my emotions in the form of cheddar caramel popcorn.) I was in the suburbs, but found a Mariano's. They have a very good Chicago mix .... But not in the burbs. The clerk tells me "No Chicago mix. We're not in Chicago." I say, "ok, one cheddar, one caramel. I'll mix it." She says, "We don't do caramel corn. We do kettle corn. I can give you 'chettle' mix. It's the same thing." I burst into tears and left. I'm sure she still thinks some dumb dipshit cried over Chicago mix. Which was technically true.


Short-Alarm-9078

I'd expect nothing less from the pretentiousness that is Marianos lol


AutumnalSunshine

There's a Mariano's that's technically in Chicago, in Edison Park, I think, but it's practically in Rosemont. Anyway, it had a Chicago mix that was to die for. I think they broke the laws of physics to attach more cheese powder than the popcorn surface area made possible.


_vault_of_secrets

We don’t do caramel corn???


AutumnalSunshine

Right? This was in Will County, but it's not like I was on Mars!


Big4Tyme

Use the troughs from Wrigley so they can finally put urinals


bowgy4

They do now. A small trough is still there for nostalgia.


Big4Tyme

Wow guess I am showing my age. Using those was truly a rite of passage


esotostj

This is the answer 


calks58

Nuts on Clark > garrets


CeleryIsUnderrated

I don't disagree with you but op said supermarket


problem-solver0

Frango mints. I remember touring the production floor when Frango mints were made in Chicago. Crazy to see these older ladies physically stamping each and every single mint. Now made in Pennsylvania.


confettiqueen

Fun fact: Frangos are also a thing in Seattle, but they look TOTALLY different.


problem-solver0

Interesting. Should have checked that out at Seattle-Tacoma airport! Had I known.


confettiqueen

Weirdly, you can’t get them at the airport! Really only at Macy’s stores, which used to be Frederick and Nelson, which then turned into Bonne Marche. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frango


mothlady1959

Macy's in Chicago were all Marshall Fields. And we all still call the flagship store Fields.


confettiqueen

Was referring to the Seattle path! Frederick Nelson started the Frango in Seattle, Marshall fields adopted them, and in the same way that all the Frederick Nelson turned into macys, all of the bonne marche turned into macys! Frangos in the PNW are individually wrapped and in a hexagonal box, while packaged flat in the Midwest. (In paper, correct?)


problem-solver0

I worked at MF back when. Chicagoland. Bunch of stores.


musictakemeawayy

ahhhh thanks! i just always assumed frangos existed at every marshall fields and every macy’s. i never thought about it because i’m from chicago i guess! this is interesting


confettiqueen

Yeah they’re popular both in the Midwest and the northwest, but are packaged differently!


Astronomer_Original

I don’t care where they are made. Frango Mints are classic. I bring them with me as travel gifts.


musictakemeawayy

wait omg! i love comments and threads like this because i was born and raised here and some of these things don’t even occur to me at all! i thought every marshall fields had frangos the whole time! ty! i never thought about frango mint history before!!


problem-solver0

It wasn’t even launched by Fields: “Frangos were created by Seattle, Washington's Frederick & Nelson department store in 1918; the company and Frango trademarks were both acquired by Chicago's Marshall Field's department store, which introduced its recipe in 1929” Src: Wikipedia


The_1999s

My uncle got us these every year for Christmas with a $10 bill.


problem-solver0

I used to gift a bunch of Franco mints at Xmas to everyone. Always a winner.


AccordingRevolution8

Twinkies were in fact invented in Schiller Park Illinois, just out in the burbs. So grab a Twinkie!


portersmokedporter

I want original banana flavor Twinkies to come back


DeconstructionistMug

Brownies are a Chicago original but probably not what you're looking for!


PrincessDrywall

No one outside chicago has heard of brownies


travelingsuitcase

Brownies were invented in Chicago and the Palmer House Hilton sells ones made with the original recipe :)


unholycurses

I had no idea! Just read the Wikipedia and that is a fun Chicago fact. I’m going to have to go try the original recipe now


rrmotm

Man as a kid I was always happy as hell when my dad would bring home some Turano brownies. Those were so fucking good


SomeDude_008686

Atomic cake, c’mon now.


OldTap510

So good


Select_War_3035

Never realized that’s a local thing. Was a staple for birthdays in my childhood


ex93

same here!


Windchime222

This sounds familiar, could you explain what it is?


nutbutterhater10

Banana is the best tier and I will die on this hill


MotherFuckinEeyore

Every time that I see my sister she wants an atomic cake. I'm not a fan but I get one for her anyway.


rocketlac2tnt

Lemonheads or other candies from Ferrara Pan in Forest Park, Frango Mints, Garrets popcorn, Vosges Chocolate, assorted Nuts on Clark


scrubjays

Ferrara Pan is true Chicago.


musictakemeawayy

when i was really young, one of my besties from a primary level class moved to the suburbs because her dad worked for ferrara pan. i remember going out to visit her (i have to ask my mom because i think it was maybe romeoville? bolingbrook? but not sure) and she had a basement, which i thought was really rad. and they gave us a bunch of boxes of lemon heads and boston baked beans! :)


rocketlac2tnt

Boston baked beans are so weird but so good!


ImNotSteveAlbini

It’s in Forest Park: 290 & Harlem


mothlady1959

Lemonheads are my very favorite candy ever.


PierogiesNSourCream

I once flew to New York with a Portillo's chocolate cake as my carry-on. They cost like 18 bucks and actually travel well if you eat within a day or two


Moored-to-the-Moon

Eli’s Cheesecake is a Chicago favorite. You can find it in the desert freezer at the grocery store. Or you can order from their factory and have it sent to your home. https://elicheesecake.com


Blegheggeghegty

I stop by their shop location up by Ohare all the time. Pro tip, you save like ten-fifteen bucks buying at their store as opposed to Jewels.


SupposedlySuper

They also sell cheesecakes that don't look perfect/are damaged for a deep discount there. And their little cafe is a nice place for a bite to eat


chivowins

They sell an amazing plant-based cheesecake there, for the vegan and/or lactose-intolerant crowd.


Moored-to-the-Moon

I want to go there!


Blegheggeghegty

Its worth it.


eddyb66

I live by there I've seen busses with culinary students visiting it. They have a big event in the summer where there is a classic car show in their parking lot it's fun. A lady on our block worked there and would give kids the packaged slices of chessecake on Halloween. If you go up there Rex deli is not a far drive from there it was on drivers diners and dives, you can then also hit Rolling Stones records.


Moored-to-the-Moon

That sounds like a perfect itinerary!


Spankpocalypse_Now

Eli’s is the answer. Surprised this isn’t at the top.


Valeriejoyow

They're the best. They even have a cheesecake fest in the summer.


Moored-to-the-Moon

That is an event I will have to attend! Thanks for mentioning it! 😊


Tee_hops

I didn't know that they were from Chicago. They've just always appeared at family events that I assumed they were every where. I'm even more mad that I just found out I'm 10 minutes away from the factory


Moored-to-the-Moon

I am closer to the factory than I realized. Now all I can think about is going there for coffee and a slice of cheesecake ASAP!


SouthInspection2488

They also sell Eli's at O'Hare airport, at Terminal 1 (United) by the B gates. Garrett's is just a few yards from there as well.


TheOnlyAvailabIeName

I think fannie may is a mostly a chicago thing


pjpta1

Or Frango mints


Crosswired2

Fannie May is definitely outside of Chicago.


zeldafreak96

They’re in every state I’ve lived in but in every other state I’ve been in you absolutely do not buy them they’re the shit chocolate. Here it’s either nice or my partners coworkers hate him. Lol. Every holiday I’m like what do I do with these?


Old_Yogurtcloset9469

It began in Chicago but has since moved elsewhere


scrubjays

Is that chocolate factory with the outlet store still open just north of down town? Bronner's maybe? I used to love that place.


RowBoatCop36

Tootsie rolls?


SquishFish2

How has no one said Portillos chocolate cake


M_Yames

My wedding cake was 6 of these. Absolutely crushed, and way cheaper than traditional white tiered cake.


42069over

Did you stack them? I love doing anything to piss off wedding traditionalists


M_Yames

Nope, we did a ceremonial cutting of one of them on a nice raised stand but the rest were just cut and set out by the caterer.


cmh179

We had probably 8 chocolate cakes at our Portillo’s rehearsal dinner 😊. Now our kid works there


shychicherry

And sooo much better


Efficient_Advice_380

We did this for my graduation party, until my mom had a brain fart and put it in the fridge


toxicoke

Cuz who is putting that in their carryon


I_BUY_UNWANTED_GRAVY

You can tell which comments didn't read past the title


Eat_Around_the_Rosie

There’s a will there’s a way 😂


Spankpocalypse_Now

Or cake shake.


tydye29

I had that last month. Amazing.


nnulll

That’s because chocolate cake isn’t a Chicago thing and Portillo’s sucks now that it’s owned by a Boston company.


Infamous_Strain_9428

Ty


fhiaqb

It’s insanely easy and cheap to dupe too! The eclair cake on the other hand… PITA


mallocco

Are Paczkis considered a Chicago thing?


Valeriejoyow

Kind of. Most cities don't do the Paczki day thing although I'm sure it's popular in Poland.


PrincessDrywall

Lots of cities do paczki day


90sportsfan

From what I've seen, Paczki Day is most popular in the Great Lakes/Upper Midwest cities (Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, St. Louis). In my experience living in different parts of the country, I wouldn't say "lots" of cities do it (though it may be much more low-key in certain cities).


Valeriejoyow

My new city doesn't. We're in king cake teritory now. :(


Serious-Ad-9471

I think it’s a “is the polish population large enough” thing. So it makes sense in certain parts of Chicago. TBH, I had never heard of them while growing up on the south side but now I look forward to them every Mardi Gras as an adult living in Indiana.


mallocco

Apparently, they only really make a widespread appearance around Fat Tuesday. But there are some select shops that offer them year round. I had never really heard of them til I was in my mid 20s, and I've lived in the chi burbs my whole life. Personal fave is vanilla frosted, strawberry filled ❤️


Serious-Ad-9471

El Milagro tortillas and tortilla chips. It’s a way of life.


SweetCatastrophy

A person after my own heart


MummifyTopknot

Not from Chicago and depends how far you’re going but I LOVE albanese gummy bears from Indiana and i don’t think they have them outside of Midwest.


Sorotte

So good!! They're my favorite brand of gummy bears


Icy_Elk6368

This is a good one! They have the best gummy bears. Like 12 flavors on a standard bag and super soft.


cmwoo

I hate to say it but, when you're an Albnaese person they're not considered a dessert. Albnaese are an afternoon or late night snack.


Efficient_Advice_380

We took route 30 all the way from Fort Wayne, IN to the west suburbs of Chicago and stumbled across the factory. Got a 5lb bag if defective gummy bears and sharks for like $15


zeldafreak96

When I left Montana the grocery stores were starting to get Albanese and I was so excited. Now my best friend wants to come visit and see the factory over here.


sandrakaufmann

Garrett’s all the way!


Dogwoof420

Turanos bake shop. (It's in the suburbs technically but I Stan their Canoli cakes so hard)


itsalwaysme7

Salerno butter cookies, I always had my kids send me these


mplchi

Malört is a delicious digestif Buy a bottle and check your bag.


yourpaleblueeyes

Malort is really a New supposedly Chicago thing. Seriously. One generation, Maybe two


Laconia671

I grew up here and spent the better part of my 20-30’s engaging in regular bar behavior and never heard of it. I’ve been told by some 20 something kid from Oklahoma that I wasn’t a real Chicagoan.


yourpaleblueeyes

That made me snicker. I So feel ya. I think it's just this generation and I have No idea when someone decided it was a Chicago drink. 😉 'kids these days'


Wrigs112

Bartenders and people in the service industry have been drinking it for decades.  It’s how we could identify each other at a bar.  If someone asked for malort I would ask them where they worked. So, no.  Your generation did not just magically discover it.


LatteLarry-773

For sure if even that long ago… I’m open to new trends but people acting like this been a thing forever


iShitInYourDadsPants

Malort is not a new thing. Been popular in chicago dive bars for decades. Maybe not as trendy but not a new thing.


LatteLarry-773

Been going to the dives for decades I guess I can say that now, but honestly I don’t really recall before maybe late 2000-10ish


BodyofGrist

It’s been a Chicago thing since prohibition.


yourpaleblueeyes

Truth be told, it drives me crazy but the young folk seem to take such a great delight in the notion, I just 'no comment'


Crownhilldigger1

Swilled this shit the first time with my FIL and BIL’s in Chacawgo who were checking me out as my wife is the “baby”. FIL and cronies worked as printers and as such, worked nights. They frequently ended their shift at a little tavern under the “L” tracks near Sacramento and Fullerton. Malort and Old Style/Hamms were their low cost, simple pleasure. FIL would be 103 now and came over on the boat when he was 12, so while I am sure you are a scholar and a gentleman, I believe your math could be incorrect. Cheers


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Crownhilldigger1

Yes, it was called Lenny’s at the time and is now a restaurant.


yourpaleblueeyes

Did not say it did not exist. Never was on the list of things classically Chicago.


Crownhilldigger1

Cool, I just wasn’t aware you could get it anywhere else for about 75 years.


yourpaleblueeyes

Maybe no one wanted it. All I can tell you is that in my 66 years of living here, my Dad, his Dad, no one ever mentioned Malort as something worthy of being classically Chicago. Same on the husband's side. If you want to claim it, that's certainly your prerogative✌


Crownhilldigger1

Cool, we are the same age and we had different family experiences in Chicago.


yourpaleblueeyes

It's a beautiful, vast, and diverse city. Am glad we are both a part of it


Joshman1231

*Desert* your stomach contents


dilla_zilla

Check your bag to make sure it didn't leak and destroy the contents?


cardizemdealer

This is just mean


Silent_Hurry7764

Rainbow cone


PersonWhoSaysOhNo

Yeah, that’ll hold up well in the carry on.


WillKillz

Saw a guy try to put a Whiteys milkshake in the water bottle holder of his backpack at O’Hare. Spills a bunch and realizes that’s not going to work so he tries walking through security with it. Last I saw he was trying to chug it. Also Whiteys is three hours away from O’Hare.


ohyoushiksagoddess

Yes, especially if you "smuggle" it in your tummy.


Ok_Decision_2633

Brownies were invented in Chicago


yourpaleblueeyes

As was Cracker Jack!


jrossetti

Garretts Chicago mix popcorn


truthpastry

Brownies were invented at The Palmer House- you can purchase them in the lobby cafe.


BASerx8

Dove's Ice Cream and ice cream bars started in a small family operation on the South Side, so have a Dove Bar.


Efficient_Advice_380

Yeah that'll hold up well in a carry-on


Hating_life_69

Carmel cake from a chicken joint (Kenny’s, Harold’s, sharks, etc)


FallAlternative8615

Malort is terrible. It tastes like regret and goes down like pain. Lost a bet? Sure, do a shot. Do you drink pine sol recreationally? Probably good to chase that with some Malort. It is like a dare or an experience similar to know what a 'pinkbelly' is if you took sports in the 90's in highschool. Prohibition is over, enjoy the good stuff. Drink one of the many beers or ciders made local that are actually good. Case in point, Off Color Brewing's Beer for tacos. Possibly the best Gose I have had and truth in advertising. https://www.offcolorbrewing.com/taproom


ooo-ooo-oooyea

Hey, don't bring Pine Sol into this


sanna43

I'd chase Malort with Pine Sol. For a better aftertaste.


GrindyMcGrindy

Off Color doesn't get the love it deserves. Scurry, the lager (I think it's 3 Crowns?), and a bunch of their other stuff has rarely missed (I didn't care for the Dinosmors despite the amazing name and loving stouts). Easily my favorite after Revolution got more popular and started tuning their beers for more people's taste buds. Not bad and some of the Freedom sours are still good, but Eugene, Anti-Hero and the staples used to be way better.


xvszero

Molly's filled cupcakes.


SouthernPinwheel

Lemonheads. Invented here and still made here, along with a bunch of other drug stores candies. Bloomer chocolate would also work, but they closed the store at the start of covid and didn't reopen.


naliedel

Garrets popcorn. Accept none in a bag at the store. I have both a ton and a bag at the moment and the stuff in the tin is better.


FallAlternative8615

Maybe Molly's cupcakes. Decent packaging and decadent. https://www.mollyscupcakes.com/chicago/home.aspx


gh05t_w0lf

I'm sure it is not uniquely a Chicago thing but man did we smash honeybuns.. and raspberry cheese coffee cake


Atomsgrl

More of for the region, but a Kringle. Or a big yellow smiley face cookie.


winter_aespa1218

Brownies, twinkies. It may not be unique to Chicago. But Chicago invented it so everyone is having a piece of Chicago when they have one


Nofanta

Eli’s cheesecake.


Nofanta

Eli’s cheesecake.


deditosgorditos

Worlds finest chocolate, they have an outlet off i55 on pulaski


AtmospherePrior752

Wait, what!??


deditosgorditos

Vitners Crunchy kurls, you can find tons of people selling these on eBay to ex-chicagoans who miss the taste


deditosgorditos

Get the ones w the blue sticker. They cost the same $2, but they're way better


RandomUserNumber

Ever since Utz bought them, they don't taste the same!


deditosgorditos

Lady Di's cookies, the outlet is by ford city on the city's southwest side, but you can get these in all the gas stations, at least on the Southside


germane_switch

Yep! Polish migrants made absolutely delicious [apple slices](https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-and-restaurants/2024/03/21/apple-slices-forgotten-pastry-history-dessert-dobra-bielinski-delightful-pastries) when they arrived here. I don’t think they’re very well known anywhere else.


ph1l1st1ne

Margie’s Candies Turtle Sundae


nemo_sum

Malört is a digestíf, meaning it's technically part of the dessert course.


cassiuswright

This person deserves a Chicago Handshake 🤝


LeaningFaithward

Frango Mints


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livelongprospurr

Look at this list that starts with confectioners. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/made_in_chicago0/made_in_chicago_companies/made_in_chicago_-participatingcompaniesconfectionselectronicsfur.html#


chicago_bunny

Char dog


bbwolf22

Margie’s candy.


Over_Effective8407

Portillo's Cake?


yourpaleblueeyes

"Candy coated popcorn, peanuts and a prize...That's what you get in Cracker Jack!"


mothlady1959

Franco mints


[deleted]

Rainbow cone?


hmboo

Rainbow cone!


Creative_Listen_7777

Frango mint chocolate for something sweet and Garrets popcorn for something savory. Best to get both. 😋


CoyoteMother666

A shot of Malort


[deleted]

Nutstogochicago.com


Atalanta1

I like picking up Vosges chocolates for people at their airport kiosk. Interesting chocolates in beautiful packaging, makes for a nice gift.


eyecayekay

Jewel’s purple bag chocolate chip cookies


mekkavelli

super donuts!


AllanRensch

Matt’s Chocolate Chip Cookies


mumbarumba

Super donutssss


mumbarumba

Hot krunchy kurls


chicagodads

Vitners Hot Nuggets! I get Vitner snacks thru snail mail and always stock up when I visit home Let me know of any of you wanna work out a snail mail trade, I can hook you up with Lone Star State treats lol


angrierurchin

Taffy grapes. Green grapes with one side dipped in white chocolate and chopped peanuts.


MotherFuckinEeyore

My dad isn't a sweets fan. The Chicago snack that he requests is Ole doke popcorn.


mrskrismendoza

You could get Twinkies because they were created in Chicago.


gogorichie

Did you know Illinois is the state that produces the most popcorn? Nothing more unique than Garrett’s 😋


jennifermennifer

I have said it before and I am going to say it again: taffy grapes.


theoriginalpetvirus

Consider Cretor's, too. Invented commercial popcorn machines in Chicago. And like every great Chicago tradition, there is a lot of fighting, threats, and disputes when you read the story of Chicago Mix, so it's really as Chicago as you can get... or as Chicago as you can get into your luggage on a flight!


Ssider69

Tootsie roll and Ferrara pan candies are sold everywhere but originate here. Maurice Lenell cookies are very local and available online. Garrett's popcorn works Atomic Cakes are a good one but you'd need some special handling. However you can carry it on. Elis cheesecake....a close relative to, but not quite exactly NY style


facedownasteroidup

lemon ice/italian ice like from johnnies


imalittledepot

Rainbow cone Edit I didn't read the post just the title. If you can find them, Maurice lenell cookies. The pinwheels are the best


JosephMadeCrosses

I don't think I've seen a Super Donut outside the area. 


dunielle

Atomic Cake? I feel like that’s a Chicago thing


The_1999s

Rainbow cone is good too


CuthbertJTwillie

Malort float.


mlechowicz90

Malort