The Enduring Allure of the Mall Pretzel | Eater

"A classic mall pretzel stand favored as a quick, portable pick-me-up while shopping: the soft pretzel hits the sweet spot of being carb-y enough to satisfy without leaving you sleepy, and it’s easy to eat on the move. Pretzels are typically handed out in a wax paper sleeve that tucks into a bag or coat pocket, and the doughy twist is commonly doused in buttery salt (that fake butter fixes a lot of problems when it gets cold or smooshed). For a neater option, pretzel bites in a cup protect the pieces, keep butter and salt from spreading through your purse, and make carrying dipping sauces—nacho cheese, mustard, or sweet icing—less messy. The writer also places this habit in the broader context of the soft pretzel’s long history and Philadelphia’s pretzel culture, but emphasizes the immediate practical appeal: the right-size snack to perk you up after trying on shoes or to celebrate finding the perfect pair, and a reliable mood booster during mall shopping." - Amy McCarthy