Kernel’s Gourmet Popcorn & More

I used to think that Garret’s popcorn was the beat, until I tried Kernels. It was so good that I sent my relatives popcorn for
Christmas. Kernels were really easy to work with, my popcorn was delivered a few days after I placed my order, the shipping cost was less expensive than Garrets. Once my family received the popcorn, they were so elated and felt it was the freshest and best they ever had.

The popcorn is ok. The cheese popcorn is a bit greasy and the caramel popcorn has a molasses taste. The popcorn is ok but I’ve had better. My husband and I love the chocolate covered almonds. The price is pretty high for the amount of popcorn that you get. I love trying new popcorn places but I don’t think I’ll be going back anytime soon if at all.

I’m on a seemingly never ending quest to find Garret quality popcorn in the suburbs. I was in Geneva this week and stumbled upon this place and decided to give it a try. As always I went for the Chicago mix, the best popcorn flavor out there. Price was reasonable, I paid about $ 10 for a gallon sized bag of the popcorn and for they pretty much nailed that Garret’s taste that I love so much. The store is pretty tiny and they have a few other things, but for the most part it’s a popcorn shop. Not too bad if you’re in the area and want some popcorn. They do have other flavors, but I didn’t really concern myself with those, Chicago Mix all the way.

Kernel’s if our go-​to place for sweets and snacks around town. Their Cheddar Caramel mix is my favorite and I like it better than Garrett’s. The White Cheddar and Movie Popcorn (made with just coconut oil) are a close second. And Kettle Corn would be third. It’s ALL good. They have fun treats and drinks as well. They are reasonably priced and I’ve used them often for gifts. They ship too and I love sending local gifts to out of town family and friends. If you haven’t stopped in when in Geneva, do! You’ll be glad you did.

This is absolutely the best place to get popcorn. it is very fresh and tasty and there is a great variety to choose from. the caramel and the cheddar cheese are the best ones there in my opinion. at certain times they are very busy but they do well at moving the line long.

Great popcorn! My boss told me about this place and since then I’ve gotte hn my family hooked on their popcorn! I heard the owner? say he’s had 15 years experience to a new employee… you can tell because the product is outstanding! A lot of love goes into it! They have samples and other products like fancy candies and such at their Geneva location.

Their cheddar and caramel mix is addicting. Ive never had better popcorn than theirs, and I’ve had my fair share. I get their popcorn all the time because i crave it so much. Its soooo good! I want some right now just thinking about it!

Hands down this place has Garrett’s popcorn BEAT!!! The best popcorn, I truly have ever tasted. My must haves every-​time I go are the cheese and Carmel corn!

I had purchased Kernel Fabyan’s prepackaged mixed popcorn from the Blue Goose grocery store in St. Charles, and I hadn’t been impressed. That’s why I hadn’t bothered going to their store location even though it was only a few towns away. However, my lovely friend Laura C had recommended this place a few weeks ago, so soon after, I walked to their store after lunch at Bien Trucha.
Mixed cheese & caramel popcorn (small bag $ 5.50, medium $ 10, large $ 14) — 4.5 stars. A bit pricey, but it’s cheaper than driving downtown to Garrett’s haha. The cheese popcorn was supremely cheesy like Garrett’s where your fingers will be coated in orange. The caramel popcorn wasn’t stale and had a rich, buttery, substantial caramel coating.
The service was standard, nothing exemplary. We weren’t greeted upon entering. There were 3 employees behind the counter, but they were talking amongst themselves until we went up to order.
So far Garrett’s has a slight edge for me because:
— they provided a poncho when it was pouring rain
— I’ve been a customer since I was a college freshman, and I’m more familiar with their quality– consistent & reliable
— popcorn is bagged in non-​plastic, waxy bags. Fabyan’s uses plastic ziploc bags.
Tastewise, Kernel Fabyan’s is almost as good as Garrett’s. I’m curious about doing a side-​by-​side/​blind taste test comparing the two. Garrett’s caramel coating had more of a slight chew to it, but maybe it was because it was fresher.
4 stars for now with the potential to be 5 stars, need more visits. Deadly to have these in the house because they’re so good haha.

Immaculate store.
Carmel corn is wonderful. Cheese corn could be a little tiny bit more salty, to match the Garrett’s experience. Alone, it’s perfect but it could be saltier to mix with the carmel in the «combo mix.» All popcorn is radiantly fresh.
Packaged in simple ziplock bags which work well both for storage and for gifts.
Not cheap, but compared to other treats, very well-​priced for the wonderful greasy orange-​fingered experience.
Nice choices elsewhere in store, but I wish some of the nut offerings were roasted/​unsalted.

Review a popcorn store? Really? Well, Kernel’s is much more than just a popcorn store. Yes, they have terrific popcorn and a lot of different flavors of popcorn. Beyond that, they also have great malted milk balls (dark, milk, coffee, etc) and all sorts of other candies.
They do individual single orders, but they also do larger commercial type orders for clients gifts, special occasions, etc.
This is one of those stores like you’d find in Europe: You are recognized and greeted when you walk in, and you are usually thanked when you leave. So many stores in the US seem to employ a sort of surely, disengaged staff. Not here. Here you’ll find helpful, engaged, knowledgeable sales staff that makes your whole experience much more pleasant.

Great place for popcorn gifts. I go downtown to meet with clients and this is one of my go-​to places to get treats for my clients… a little change up from typical bagel or cupcake drop off.
As a side note, they always take super care of the customers — i always feel valued when I give them my business!

Delicious, afforable selection of yummy treats with a helpful & attentive staff !! We love this shop!!! My entire family has been coming here for years!!! We live downtown and this popcorn TRUMPS Garrett’s.all day. everyday! Trust me. If you haven’t tried this delicious shop yet, you are seriously missing out!

Great popcorn — many varieties. Cheesy, ‘Movie Theater’, Kettle, Combo, White Chedder. They also sell decorative tins that you can purchase if you’re giving the popcorn as a gift.
The popcorn is pricey for the larger sizes, but it’s well worth it!
My Fav: Caramel with chocolate drizzle, YUM!
Also– they ship long distance, which is a great holiday gift for those who are far away.
The Geneva store is much smaller than the Naperville one, but same great popcorn! However, the employees at the Naperville store seem to be much more customer-​orientated — they’re chatty, helpful, and more friendly.

We normally stop here once or twice over the summer during one of Geneva’s many festivals. We thought we’d stop here today to get some popcorn while watching the playoffs.
Guess what? The popcorn is just as good in the winter. :-)
We purchased the Chocolate Carmel as well as a large bag of the Nellies Combo. Both were excellent.
We haven’t really had any other gourmet popcorn to compare but in our book, Kernel Fabyan’s is the best!

You’ll always know when you’re near awesome popcorn as the smell brings you in-​closer-​closer. Now you if can fit into the tiny shoebox of a store you’re in for a treat. If not, read my review on Blue Goose Market.
They also have a store in downtown Naperville. The classic mix is much like Garrett’s Chicago mix-​carmel & cheese corn. There’s a mix with white cheddar too that’s pretty good. I usually park in the back lot since 3^rd is so busy & that way you can get some good fumes coming out of side vents of the building.

Kernel’s is an old school business doing one thing and doing it very well– popcorn.
The Kernel’s Caramel flavor is just like I remember it being prepared in small shops during my childhood– that is, heavy on the butter and oh-​so delicious.
We tried the Classic Mix (Carmel corn and Cheese Corn) which knocked our socks off it was so tasty. OMFG extreme mega flavor explosion!
People have debated if Kernel’s is as good as Garrett’s… the shops have the same basic idea (which is old-​time popcorn made from «real» ingredients) with only small differences in the preparation. Which is better? Only YOU can decide; but I am giving the nod to the Kernel.
A previous reviewer suggested that Kernel’s popcorn is «expensive»… compared to what? It is after all a handmade premium treat meant for adults– not mass produced like you would purchase for nearly the same price at a movie theater.
It’s important to remember that their small bag will easily satisfy 2 – 3 people as a snack; I feel accomplishing that for under $ 6 is an entirely reasonable deal.
Having said that– I would wonder if a «sampler» size about ¹⁄₃ of the size of their «small» might not be a worthwhile idea?
The bottom line: If you love popcorn– I am definitely sure that Kernel’s is your kind of place.

I used to have to make regular trips downtown for Garrett’s until I found this little gem in Geneva. This is regular stop for me while in geneva (along with Galena Cellars and the Spice House.) and pick up the great cheese/​caramel mix and some kettle corn. Make sure to stop by the kernel for some excellent popcorn.

I would give Kernel Fabyan’s 4.5 stars — it’s not QUITE Garrett’s — but oh man oh man is it good.
If you like/​love/​crave Garrett’s, but can’t quite get to Chicago on a regular basis, or if you happen to be in Geneva and need yourself a snack — get to Kernel Fabyan’s!
It’s super-​delicious, fresh, warm popcorn. Yum yum yum. I could eat the cheesy pop allllll day.

The Chicago style popcorn (cheddar and caramel mixed together) is the bomb. It’s so buttery and yummy. The young people working there are always friendly. They also have a nice assortment of candies. I haven’t been in a while but need to get some popcorn… yum.