Since 1949 Garrett Popcorn has been taking it one pop at a time. This year it will be 65 years since Garrett opened the first store at 10 West Madison Street in Chicago. They have been around 65 years by serving a delicious style of popcorn where they hot air pop the kernels that they mix with their own recipe. Perhaps the secret to their longevity is that they live their mission statement :\n\n     \""Garrett Popcorn strives to deliver to its loyal clientele hand-crafted, small batch gourmet popcorn.  We serve our loyal following by creating an unparalleled popcorn experience one kernel at a time.\"" \n\n      Perhaps it is their choices of delicious flavors. Flavors that includes Macadamia Caramel Crisp,  Pecan Caramel Crisp, Almond Caramel Crisp, Buttery, Plain, and famous Chicago Mix. The Chicago Mix is their signature item. It is a delicious mix of Caramel Crisp and Cheese Corn. But on account of a lawsuit the name is expected to change to the Garrett Mix. \n\n   A major ingredient to Garret Popcorn's success is that they have been popping quality. They make the popcorn fresh daily. It is popcorn that is preservative free, gluten free, contains zero transfat, non-GMO kernel free, features whole grains, and a delicious taste. \n\n  In the summer of 2012, I was introduced to Garrett Popcorn in an uncommon way. In the cab headed to the hotel, we breathed in an overpowering candied smell over Ontario Street. What was it? The cabbie informed us it was Garrett Popcorn and we had to try it. Garrett Popcorn is so well liked in Chicago it is sometimes alluded to in jest as the cracks of Chicago. A few hours later, we stepped in the Long line toward Garrett. I brought a large bag for nighttime snacking. At first I thought it was overated. After dabbling in the popcorn bag every night it grew on me. It became a nighttime friend. When vacation ended I lost a friend. Or so I thought. \n\n  A week after Chicago,  I am walking through Miracle Mile when I saw a sign of being reunited with my new friend. The sign said \""Garrett Popcorn coming soon.\"" \n\n  The separation lasted longer than I thought. After my summer of 2014 Chicago vacation we'd become friends again. With the hot summer Vegas temp, I'd been visiting Garrett Popcorn each week the past month. \n\n  How appropriate I delight in Chicago popcorn as I write Chicago reviews. I love the Chicago Mix. I feel like the child I was decades ago dabbling in a Crunch Berries box.\n\n  This Garrett does a shadow of business as the Ontario Street shop. There is a short wait. The employees are friendly and offer samples. There are numerous sizes. To keep a good thing going further into the week I buy the large bag. It costs $8 & change. What differentiates it from many businesses on the Strip is that their value is equal to or better than the local shops I've been to.  \n\n  When I finish this bag who knows if Garrett will be a consistent nighttime friend. When the cool weather hits Vegas I might be visiting the Strip less for time in the Great Outdoors. But we'll see. I am just going to take life one pop at a time.