Buttery, sweet, salty or cheesy; there are so many ways to enjoy popcorn. Once thought of as a movie-time treat or something pulled out of a microwave, it's popping up on menus all over Atlanta. In fact, the AJC's dining editor, Ligaya Figueras named it one of the five food trends to watch for. Here are some of the best spots to get your popcorn fix in Atlanta.
Biltong Bar
675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308; 404-900-7900, biltong-bar.com
The newly opened Biltong Bar in Ponce City Market is heavily influenced by two things; South Africa and drinking. The heavy cocktails on the menu call for hearty bar snacks, and that is where the popcorn comes in. The addicting treat is heavily flavored with parmesan, and a South African-style jerky called biltong. The result is salty and meaty and perfect for the boozy cocktails.
GRAIN
856 West Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308; 404-881-5377, grain-bar.com
Midtown’s GRAIN was opened by the same folks who brought Atlanta Seven Lamps and Cypress Street. So, it’s not surprising that the menu is heavy on elevated bar snacks. The menu changes often, but one constant is the nitro popcorn. The latest incarnation is the Nitro Cinnamon Toast Crunch Delight. It is mixed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, apples, peanuts and chilled with liquid nitrogen.
Lottafrutta
Multiple locations, lottafrutta.com
It's not only juice and fruit cups at this tropical outpost. When you want something salty and crunchy to snack on, they are serving up Chulpe. The snack is made of unpopped popcorn kernels that are toasted and tossed in salt and spices. Described by Lottafrutta as an "Incan energy snack", it's great for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Miss D’s
209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-963-1687, www.missdspraline.com
Sweet Auburn Market has helped connect entrepreneurs with a hungry public since 1924. One of the can’t-miss stalls is Miss D’s. Dionne Grant relocated to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina, and brought with her New Orleans’-style sweets. Her popcorn is available in six flavors: caramel, “cheezy” Cajun, “cheezy” Cajun caramel, cotton candy, kettle and triple cheese.
The Stout Brothers
1265 W Spring St, Smyrna, GA 30080; 770-319-8200, thestoutbrothers.com
Beer and popcorn are natural partners, so it makes sense that a growler shop would sell some top-notch local versions. A customer of favorite is one made by Holeman and Finch that is mixed with Benton’s bacon and a sorghum and bacon fat caramel. Also available in the store is Cartwright's Popcorn. It’s made locally in five flavors; dill pickle, salt and vinegar, white cheddar, buffalo ranch and kettle.
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