With Oktoberfest in full swing and beer and German snacks on the mind, it’s time to
forget everything you know about pretzels because one Chicago-area eatery is stuffing them with entire freaking meals.
Located in Winfield, Illinois, about 40 miles from downtown Chicago, Gnarly Knots is a mom-and-pop pretzel shop that was created after a food competition challenged the owners Funi McLoughlin and Matt Finn to create a new take on a German-themed appetizer.
“So Matt and I met in Seattle where we joined with a group of fellow friends who were all foodies,” McLoughlin told Thrillist. “We did an Iron Chef challenge one week where we made pretzels and they were delicious, and we decided to just keep making them.”
Like an ordinary pretzel, Gnarly Knots starts their process by rolling out dough, but that’s about the only similarity to the ones you’d find at the mall. Next, these pretzels are stuffed with a crazy array of sweet or savory fillings, tossed and twisted, salted, and then baked to golden perfection. https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/gnarly-knots-pretzel-company-stuffed-birthday-cake/food-and-drink
