It’s easy to get a little carried away at Pam’s Popcorn & Windy City Eats. The whole place is extra, you can see that even before walking through the doors. A stuffed gorilla holds a sign outside on the sidewalk. And its windows preview the over-the-top decor that awaits inside. There’s popcorn-positive messaging; there’s festively creepy Halloween monsters; there’s sparkles and signage.
And there’s popcorn. And also fresh baked goods. And also sandwiches. And the whole place smells indescribably delicious. Surrounded in all this glory, it feels right to say YES to everything. So, we did. Then we went back and did it all again the next day.
First, there was a rumor that Pam’s has an epic Italian Beef Sandwich. Rumor confirmed: the sandwich fills a carryout box with its soft bun and overflowing piles of thinly-cut, lean roast beef. On the first trip, we topped the sandwich with fresh bell peppers, which made for a nice intro. On the second trip, we went full Chicago and topped it with giardiniera: a hot and briny mix of pickled banana peppers, celery and carrots. Either way, the sandwich is a destination dish.
But then, what’s this? House-made cookies and brownies? The cookies are thick and soft and loaded with chips. The brownies are cakey, topped with a half-inch thick chocolate icing and studded with chocolate chips as well. It’s heavy and heady; serious chocolate.
We haven’t even hit the popcorn yet. If you’re not a popcorn person, this will be life-changing. Pam’s popcorn is nothing like the big box, highly-processed seasonal stuff with which we’re all familiar. There’s an appreciable difference in the freshness and care she invests in her wares. Her fresh-made popcorn comes in several flavors, all with a three-dimensional toasted corn depth that is missing in competitor offerings. Pam’s is also available in tidy packages and fancy flavors, for example, versions such as S’more and Caramel Tuxedo are amped up with drizzles of chocolate. Seriously, it’s a wake-up call for the tastebuds.
Here’s the final kicker, the whole place is affordable. We ate everything, everything, and took popcorn for later and spent less than $15. For that price, you get a fun environment, a big lunch and dessert, and local artisan popcorn gifts. You can’t really top that anywhere.
Hours right now are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 955 E. Johnstown Rd. Do confirm the hours before heading out. She regularly posts updates at: facebook.com/pamspopcorn.
For more information, visit pamspopcorn.com.
All photos by Miriam Bowers Abbott
