The best salt water taffy and popcorn. I grew up on what this place puts out. It's a must if you are in the area. Popcorn by the trash bag of you wish. Its a lot of popcorn, you will eat it all and wish you had more. read more

I go there at least once a week in the summer. I love it . i love they're ice cream and they're popcorn is amazing read more

I just took a drive with my husband to Hobbs for their famous popcorn and it was gone before I could blink because we inhaled it! It is seriously the best popcorn I've ever eaten. Its a quintessential summer tradition to get popcorn on a gorgeous night and take a slow stroll around the Willows . Are you hungry yet?! Get it now, as the Willows does close down for the season in early October. I know I will need to get a few more fixes in the next few weeks. read more

Definitley the best popcorn around, but who cares about popcorn, get their Ice Cream! I LLLLOOOVEEE the Reverse Oreo ice cream, and their Pumpkin is so good with the graham cracker they add to it. The best reason besides the Arcade to go to the Willows. read more

You cannot beat the old fashion popcorn, popcorn bars and salt water taffy. The prices are starting to rise, but still WELL WORTH IT. The ice cream is very good too. If you are a local continue to enjoy, if you are a tourist you cannot miss this gem. read more

It's strange to review a place and say it had great popcorn, but honestly, it's a beautiful thing at Hobbs. The popcorn there is perfectly buttery and light and tasty, never burnt. Many children of the North Shore have memories of sharing a box with friends and the birds at the willows. They also have Salt Water Taffy, and Ice Cream, but the best thing at Hobbs is the popcorn bars. Candied popcorn shaped into a long bar, they are salty, and sugary and come in lots of flavors like chocolate and peppermint. They are stick in your teeth, lick your fingers, wipe the crumbs off your face good. I have seen people in line at Hobbs buying bags of their popcorn, they even sell it in trash bag size. I asked a woman who had ordered a trash bag full what she did with it. She told me that she and her husband crave it all winter when Hobbs is closed so they now buy a trash bag, or two in the fall and have a bowl for a snack every evening. By the time Spring rolls around they are out and looking for more. Any food that inspires this type of dedication truly shows how good the popcorn is. read more

The only thing lacking about Hobbs is that they are closed in the winter. Though you can make arrangements to order popcorn and pick it up on Saturdays, I miss them for 5+ months of the year. Everything there rules! read more

Hobbs. A classic from childhood on. This popcorn is the best in the world I swear. Unfortunately I bought just a small box last time. I think next time it will be the large box and only that for dinner! read more

Worst ice cream I ever had!! I got a pistachio ice cream that had no pistachios in it!! Also it was the smallest cone I have ever had all for $2.50 plus tax.The icing on the cake was hair in the ice cream. Apparently they are not required to wear hair nets. Save your money don't go here you'll be disappointed. read more

Great ice cream, even better popcorn. Everybody in Salem knows Hobbs is the place to go for some classic great summer food. 10/10 would definitely recolmmend read more

I remember being a kid, watching my great uncle Bud Hobbs making popcorn, candy kisses (salt water taffy), and ice-cream. I never tire of visiting the Willows in order to get myself a box of popcorn. It's still the best I've ever tasted! Nothing comes close. If you've never had it, you must go! read more

OK, how can I be number 13 in the list of yelpers who are saying the popcorn is really the best in the entire known universe?? I too could hardly believe there could be such a thing as five star popcorn (I mean, it's popcorn, people; if you don't burn it it's gonna be good) but Hobbs is a totally other-worldy experience when it comes to popcorn. I clearly remember the first time I tried it. It was like a revelation. The angels did sing. The gods smiled, the usual thing that happens when someone eats the popcorn at Hobbs. read more

I really enjoy their ice cream. They are one of the few places that offers blueberry ice cream and for me, it is like biting into a piece of good blueberry pie. I go nuts for the popcorn. I don't try any of the flavors, I stick with the original and can devour a bag all on my own. It reminds me of what popcorn USED to taste like, back in the day. Just take a look at their antique popcorn machine. You won't see those anywhere. They do not have a large selection of flavors which is fine with me. The flavors they have are very good and homemade. Also love their salt water taffy. Hobbs is a little local gem that I hope never goes out of business. read more

Had cookie dough ice cream here on my visit to Salem Willows park. It was delicious!! I will have to have it again next time I am here!!

I love their popcorn; I go home and make white chocolate popcorn out of it. I hate popcorn but it just taste so good especially it's not as salty or buttery. Keep it up and keep being a great business as well as extremely affordable read more

What is there possibly left to say, that hasn't been said already? Nothing! But I'll say it again just because....the popcorn is the BEST! I've already been there twice this year, and I'll be going again and again and again. read more

Best effin' popcorn period, one of the few things I miss about Salem!

I fantasize about the coffee oreo ice cream. There are WHOLE OREOS in the ice cream. YUM! Too bad its only seasonal :( But worth the winter wait! Grab a cone and stroll down the pier read more

Worlds best popcorn made the old fashion way. Good ice cream too and reasonably priced Stay away on summer weekends the park is too crowded but relaxing mid week and off season read more

A major staple in my family's summer traditions. The buttered popcorn, the molasses, the wintergreen.. its all delicious! I'll start eating one type and crave the other and end up eating all 3 at once. Let't not forget the m&m ice cream, my favorite! read more

E W Hobbs is fantastic! I have been going her since before I could walk or talk! My Father grew up just down the street in the late 1930's and I have always loved the Willows. Especially the salt water taffy from Hobbs. I go every time i'm in Salem and only wish they could ship it to me in Arizona so my Husband could try it too. The popcorn bars and ice cream are also the best ever! read more

Love it love it love it. The summer staff can be a bit unfriendly though. They are always rushing around so much that it's next to impossible to get their attention, and when you do, they are still in a rush. The popcorn is amazing though. As are the popcorn bars, taffy, ice cream, and items from the grill (regardless of how much bigger your ass will be after a few visits). Totally worth the trip. read more

Im writing this review in anticipation of Hobbs opening for the season. I always get this itch this time of year. Spring is in the air. I need my Hobbs popcorn fix...NOW! I know Im not the only one read more

Perhaps my expectations were set too high by the other reviews, but the ice cream was average and the popcorn bars, while new, were not amazing. The best part about the place was the surrounding area. So if you want to get off the beaten path as a tourist, go here, but maybe try the ice cream from some other stand. read more

Had their cheeseburger today and was not disappointed. All the veggies were fresh! Their ice cream was also a nice surprise. We tried the grasshoppah - soooo good! Lastly the staff are super friendly! read more

Has ruined popcorn for me! I can't eat any other, you won't want to once you try it. It really is a Salem institution and going Memorial day weekend is a family tradition. You can buy it by the batch and I do. My brother moved down to Florida and every summer he has me overnight him some,its that good. read more

Ohh the best! Have been going here for - well - 60 years ?? Their hamburgers changed the way my mother made hamburgers for ever.. Can remember as a little kid watching the taffy being made and wondering that it didn't fall off the turning gears.. Great for a simple lunch/dinner. Hot dogs are good too & it is terrific to see something so original, so un "plastic" or food chain like. Yes the popcorn is terrific as is their ice-cream , which is homemade. Saying that the popcorn is the best in the world isn't an exaggeration. Sitting there, watching the ocean through a screened window..peaceful... So authentic! What a gem! read more

THANK GOODNESS I ONLY GOT ONE LARGE BAG!!! I bought the big bag home to share with my family and let me tell you, I'm glad that I only brought the one bag home...its the most delicous and addicting popcorn ever! I will def go back!!! read more

Hobbs popcorn and salt water taffy is the best. Their Ice Cream is too. I went to the Hobbs Grill that is right next door to it and ordered 2 grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and a bottle of lemonaid. Paid $7.50 plus 50 cent tip. They cooked up 2 burgers that were ordered after I placed my order and then (cooked) mine. I walked over to the rocks to sit and eat and when I went to take a bite out, they were not cooked. Bread still white, butter was melted but that was the only thing melted, cheese still in single slices, like when you put them on the bread and tomato was cold. I had to bring them home to cook them. I won't be eating there again..... I wish I could posy my picture to show what I am talking about. read more

I second Joe M.: Generations and generations of North Shore kids grew up with this popcorn, and for a reason: it's the best damn popcorn you can find in the world. The machine is over a hundred years old, and you can see it in operation when you go to get a box. The ice cream is also homemade and very tasty - they make the best coffee oreo I've ever had, and I recommend getting it while it's available. The grilled food in the building next door is made by Hobbes as well, and it's damn good. I personally think the quality is as good as ever. read more

Hobbs's popcorn, salt water taffy, and raspberry lime rickies are the only reason to go to the Willows. Put Hobbs in the middle of a mine field and it would be well worth the risk. read more

Love their Maple Walnut ice cream, roasted peanuts, popcorn. Burgers are reasonable.

the best popcorn, popcorn bars, ice cream and taffy. Do not miss this wonderful piece of nostalgia...excellent

I would step on kittens just to have one spoonful of his ice cream, yes it was that good!

Best popcorn ever! I've been going there since I was a kid! You can buy a small, medium or large box or buy a "batch" for $16 (a huge bag...not sure how many large boxes it equals but it's the best deal if you're a true fanatic.). The only time I steer clear of the batch is during mid-summer when it can be difficult to prevent it from going stale more quickly due to the humidity. Hobbs will also work with you if you want their popcorn as favors for a wedding, shower, or other event. A must-visit for anyone visiting Salem, MA!! read more

I am sitting here Jonesing for some Hobbs popcorn even as we speak. The make it in big, ornate metal barrels that are constantly rotating. I think that is why it is so satisfyingly fluffy with no hard kernals or burnt spots. Then they layer on the butter (the real stuff). All of a sudden the sun pops out and the clouds part and all is right with your own little slice of heaven at the Willows. Maybe things WERE better back in the day...PS Hobbs if you are reading this please open up a location downtown. PLEASE think of the all the hoards of hungry tourists who need to eat your corn. read more

Love everything about this place except the radio. Not everyone has the same tastes, so maybe it would be better to turn down the volume if you really have to have it on. read more

A no frills, simple, cheap place to get only the BEST hot dogs, salt water taffy, ice cream and popcorn on Earth. Four generations of my family have eaten here, and close to seven generations of the Hobbs family has helped run the business. To me heaven on Earth would be a perfect June day, eating two perfectly grilled natural casing hot dogs on a perfectly butter grilled New England style bun, washed with a cold can of Squirt or Dr.Pepper, or if the weather demands a cold Raspberry lime rickey, and watching the ships roll in, watch them roll away again, and if hunger demands, get more hot dogs. No trip to the Willows is complete without the popcorn, my favorite Willows past time is walking along the Salem peer with my dad and splitting a large between us and asking people what they caught today. For dessert nothing beats a box of taffy taken home, home made and fresh made daily using the same recipes and machines that have been in the Hobbs family since the 1800s. Real peanut butter, real vanilla, real strawberry syrup goes into making my favorite flavors. The ice cream is also home made along with the cones, legend has it that Mr. Hobbs was a co-inventor of the cone back in 1904. There are few places on Earth that provide me with as much happiness as this place. read more

everything at hobb's is great. the popcorn is by far the best I've ever had. the ice cream is delish as well!