Why BrownBag Popcorn Is Bend’s Most Irresistible Small-Batch Snack Shop

Salty snack lovers, listen up. While ice cream and pastry shops line the streets of our favorite cities and small towns, there are very few places dedicated to those who prefer treats of the savory variety. Luckily, BrownBag Popcorn in Bend, Oregon, has us covered. This small shop on Northwest Minnesota Avenue makes specialty popcorn in a plethora of flavors, from caramel and cheese to s'mores and pickle. Everything is hand-popped, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Best of all? You can sample everything.

BrownBag Popcorn Co. is an adorable shop located in the heart of downtown Bend. The company got its start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2014, with the help of a brewery called Funky Buddha. Now, it sells scrumptious popcorn and snacks in person and online.

If you're a popcorn fan, this shop will feel like a dream come true. The shelves are stocked with specialty seasonings, sauces, and other potential popcorn toppings, while the middle of the store has tables filled with popcorn packets—all brown compostable paper bags. The smell wafting from the shop lets you know it's all popped fresh each day.

Friendly staff welcome you as you enter—and offer you lots of samples. Choose from basic flavors you'd expect, like caramel corn and cheddar, as well as tons of sweet, savory, and spicy creations. Because of the variety, it's hard to choose which flavor to try. Luckily, you don't have to: the staff will encourage you to sample every available flavor.

I liked each one I tried, but was surprised by how many flavors I truly loved, including the caramel cheddar, pickle, salt and pepper, honey sriracha cheddar, honey BBQ, and cookies and cream. Even sweet snackers will find something they love here.

Other innovative flavors include white chocolate peanut butter drizzle, banana butter rum toffee, bacon BBQ cheddar, taco guaco, bold buffalo ranch, and so many more. I truly wanted to buy them all.

For more information or to view the menu, check out the BrownBag Popcorn website. If your visit to Bend is part of a road trip, you may want to stock up on car-friendly snacks for the drive there—but you're sure to have plenty of popcorn to take home for the return trip!

Leave a comment to let us know your favorite spots to eat popcorn. And if you sample the wares at this hidden gem in Oregon, let us know which flavors you liked best.