Description
It's just a small manufacturing operation but worth the stop to see and smell the chocolate, cheese and caramel-flavored popcorn in wooden barrels at the Great American Popcorn Company in Galena, Illinois. You'll get a short tour that includes information on the history of popcorn and what makes it pop, then you'll see how flavored popcorn is made from the cookers to the coaters.
Be sure to call ahead so the owner, Dave Lewis, can have a fresh batch of caramel corn ready to come out when you arrive. And, of course, you get to taste the treat while it's still warm!
The company produces more than 150 flavors of popcorn and has about 25 to 30 flavors available in its retail store. The tour is free, but you must call ahead. Plan to visit sometime after 11 A.M. so the popcorn making is in full swing.