This is literally my go to place for popcorn in Chicagoland, has been for years. I used to go to the Geneva location but now that I have an office in Naperville (when I'm in town) I make it a point to come by and get some popcorn for my family and friends. Luke is here and I can't tell you how great he is. I used to bring a giant suitcase and fill it but this visit I got 11 large bags and a flat ship rate so Luke is packing up my order and shipping it to arrive in Atlanta, where I now live and the popcorn game is soft. Nuts on Clark and Garrett's don't hold a candle to their white cheddar, and you also don't risk breaking a crown from a seed when you order from here. Thanks Luke! I'll be sure to have everyone cheers you for hooking me up and making me look good. Support small owned businesses! read more

Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn & More - Popcorn Shops Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

I have never in my life liked caramel corn. But my husband bought some and I tried it. I absolutely loved it. It really is actually buttery.

I discovered this little jem a couple months ago, and have been back once a week since then. Their popcorn is wonderful, and the guys working there are polite and helpful. I've tried all their flavors (except the "fire" spicy version - I don't like that thought). My favorite, by far, is their Movie Theatre popcorn, that with butter and salt reminds me of being a kid again, back when movie theaters cared about serving good popcorn. I buy several bags to last me through the week. The guys and I have discussed - even if I could obtain the Right of Way for a conveyor belt from them to my home in Lisle, it wouldn't be a good idea. The dogs would cluster around the delivery chute, causing them undue stress. Better to just drive over there. Much wagging when their popcorn is in the house, though! Definitely try them out! Mega-tasty! read more

I am currently at the Q center for a capstone review and was given a bag in my welcome bag. The popcorn was fresh, the only thing that I found a little sketchy was how easily the bag was to open( meaning there wasn't a safety seal). The bag was full so I'm hoping it wasn't opened before I got it. (There's no way to know.) read more

The popcorn on my last two trips were awful the popcorn was stale. They did offer us a new bag for free and that was ok. For me a popcorn lover once the price experience is bad I don't go back. I'll stick with garrets. read more

Popcorn was great. We bought 3 kinds for a popcorn bar at a recent party (movie theatre, cheddar and Carmel corn) read more

Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn & More - Popcorn bar - Popcorn Shops Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Popcorn was very stale especially the cheese and Carmel had a lot of hard pieces I could barely chew! I ordered a large to be delivered to Omaha I pray they don't send her this stale batch! read more

The popcorn is delicious and the service was excellent. Small store, but many great options.

Popcorn better than Garrets..! Carmel and cheese mix is very good. The bag is a zip lock, so after eating some, you can zip lock it and throw in fridge and it taste fresh the next time you grab bag. read more

Went here in lieu of making the long drive to the nearest Garrett's and I have to say, I think I enjoyed the popcorn here even more. Which is saying something because I'm looking for a particular nuclear-orange-cheese-residue-on-the-fingers kinda experience in my popcorn. This place delivered in spades. Actually went back twice throughout the holiday season to refill my tin. Place is small but nicely appointed and offers a lot of different popcorns and candies Of course kids made me grab them some candy while we were waiting in line. No regrets there. Definitely will be back here again the in future. read more

Better than Garrets to meI Their popcorn is more buttery and crispy and not too sweet

I've been a regular to the Naperville location for years now so this is a long overdue review. The guys are always so friendly, always offering samples. Prices are high but so is the quality. They offer a variety of cool tins with some special Chicago themes so they make great gifts. Popcorn is fresh and full of flavor, it's sincerely better then Garrett's! read more

This place is much better and more fresh than that other popcorn place, lol. I've been eating this popcorn for many years. I usually order online and have it shipped to me in Indiana. It's always so good and fresh, and they ship really fast (2 days). I happened to be in the area, and stopped in. The location is very convenient and can be seen from the main road. The customer service was great and the staff work fast and efficiently. I purchased the chocolate covered peanuts and the Cheddar mix popcorn! Both are delicious, per usual. read more

See all

Haven't been here in years and the popcorn is still so good! Was in the area yesterday and decided to surprise my partner. Got a small bag of caramel & also some samples, the two gentlemen are so nice and I will be going back soon ! Love it there. read more

This is the absolute best popcorn. I have to honestly say this is way better than Garrett's and much more reasonably priced. Got this popcorn at Christmas still sealed up and not opened it was as fresh when we ate in February. So glad to see they now have delivery since I'm kind of far from there. read more

Great people and consistent quality! I highly recommend the movie theater popcorn without butter...it's SO OLD SKOOL! Also the chocolate covered anything there is deliciously crafted. They really helped me out last minute, this past Christmas! Great gift idea anytime of year! DON'T FORGET YOUR PUNCHCARD, You'll be back! read more

My family and I love Kernel's! It's a must have every time I'm in Chicago I know I have to bring back this amazing mix!! We always get the fire (a spicy cheese popcorn) and the combo (what us non-Chicagoans know as Chicago mix)!! read more

Garrett's who?!? Thee best local popcorn around! I discovered this ahh-mazing popcorn shop awhile back so I'm not entirely sure why I'm just now giving it a review. Anywho, Kernel's is hands down the best popcorn I've ever had! Being from Chicago we are known for the old time favorite, Garrett's, however since finding Kernel's I haven't eaten that popcorn since!! My favorite is the Chicago mix, cheese and caramel, but I've tried a many of their specialty items and they are all equally delicious! Prices are reasonable and you get quite a bit of popcorn. They also have a punch card, that after purchasing 10 bags of popcorn the next one is FREE.. bonus! So I say skip the line at the "other place" and "pop up" at Kernel's!! Happy eating!! read more

Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn & More - Small cheese and caramel mix! $5.50 plus tax - Popcorn Shops Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Excellent popcorn and excellent customer service. I highly recommend this place. It's always fresh, I love the cheese and caramel mix.

If your looking for a delicious Chicago mix popcorn you have gotta try Kernel's. I stopped in the other day and as soon as I walked in I was in love from the smell of freshly popped popcorn, to the customer service and samples they provided. This is definitely my new go to popcorn spot and you can order online. Better than any other popcorn spot I have tried in this area hands down. read more

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! read more

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! read more

I cannot say this is better than Garrett's-- nope won't ever do it, however if you don't feel like running to the city. This is decent stand in. They offer different options so that a plus, absolutely no lines or wait and they have plenty of parking. So they have their own pro's. read more

Stopped in tonight for the first time and wow this place has some amazing popcorn!!!! I left with 2 large bags! You can mix as many as you want which I liked. The two young men working were very nice. I just got the bags but they had cute tins you could get. Will definitely be a regular customer here! read more

I ordered a few gallon size bags and one was damaged in the delivery process. I emailed Kernel's and let them know and they not only sent me the one damaged bag but all 3 bags. The lady who helped me thoughtful and kind. Thank you, Shea for being an outstanding customer service representative. Your shop is brilliant. read more

Kernels is the Best Popcorn ever...We fail to find any other as Good.....Tasty....we travel from Medinah Ill..to stock up.. As old popcorn eaters..we finally found one perfect and consistent place (with all the ingredients)... ..time after time..Large popcorn..tender and super seasoned...and most of all..FRESH..This popcorn is ..like I said the Best.....well worth the drive..and enjoyed sooo very much..Thank You Kernels.. read more

Normally I love Kernels but I picked up the mix yesterday and the caramel was not fresh and at all. And it seemed like they were trying to get rid of it because my bag was full of caramel and barely any cheese. It's like they just gave me what was left. I was really disappointed because I always rave about this place:( read more

So disappointing to come all the way over here for popcorn only to have them be closed. According to Yelp, they should've been open until 8pm today (Thursday). read more

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, FOR REAL 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. read more

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! read more

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... read more

Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn & More - L: cheese, R: firepop cheese (a lil heat). $3.50 each small bag - Popcorn Shops Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Succumb. Go ahead. Become an addict. This stuff is worth it. You'll only need the small bag at first, it's so incredibly rich and decadent. Real butter and white cheddar combine to make popcorn that melts in your mouth. Frankly, I feel some guilt for turning you on to white cheddar, but even more about the chocolate-drizzled carmel corn. I know what will happen and it won't be pretty. If you'd like a warning, check out the testimonials on their website. Few popcorns can claim a religious experience. So c'mon...wanna share a bag? Do ya? read more

Went to BWW to watch the Bears game with my friend and saw a popcorn store. I love popcorn and i just had to go visit. I'm in from out of town and not familiar with the area. Anyway this is the best popcorn I have ever had. Im a plain "Jane" when it comes to popcorn, nothing fancy no flavors or coating and they had that!!!!! I grew up in Chicago thinking Garret's was the best, I was wrong. I will have this shipped to my home on a regular basis. Grab a bag on your next drive by Kernel's! read more

Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn & More - Popcorn Shops Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

PLEASE keep me away from this place! Yep, they probably use REAL butter, REAL chocolate, and REAL everything else, and all you get is REALLY the best popcorn. Sneaking popcorn into the movies? Sure it's easy to sneak in small boxes of Swedish fish, or even bottles of water. But would you dare sneak in a large bag of POPCORN to the nearest AMC? If it was from Kernel Fabyan's, you would. And you'd think of the best ways to do so as well. You'd repack it into smaller plastic bags. You'd put it in your friend's purse. You'd .... even break out your old cargo pants and stash them in the actual cargo pockets. I know, I know, it can't be THAT good. Go ahead, try it just once. read more

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. :) read more

Not as good as Garrett's? This is every bit as good and then some. The caramel and cheese are both so good that you have to get the Classic Mix, which is both of them. It's truly delicious. Best popcorn ever! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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 read more

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. read more