Best chocolate chip cookies from national chains
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And the winner is… Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
When you're a Cookie Monster like me, you can sniff out a fresh batch from miles away.
Driving the news: The national chain Chip City just opened its first Chicago spot in Streeterville, joining a growing list of cookie chains arriving to augment a great local selection.
Dig in: That inspired me to take on the tough task of trying chocolate chip cookies from four chains to find the best.
Here's how they rank.
1. The best bite: Chip City
55 E. Chicago Ave.
Chip City's brown butter batter takes it a step further than your average cc cookie, and the crunchy outer ring is perfect. Plus, the vegan version is great! ($5)
What to try: The cookie butter cookie filled with Biscoff cookie butter. Also vegan!
840 W. Randolph St.
408 N. Clark St.
I was initially skeptical of this New York-based chain; seemed like a lot of hype. But the undercooked center and abundance of high-quality chocolate make this a standout. ($5.25)
Plus, they go for thickness over diameter, the way my mom makes them.
3. Crumbl
Several in Chicago and the 'burbs.
I'm a sucker for sea salt and chocolate, but the sea salt doesn't come through enough. The center is soft but not undercooked. I'd opt for one of their special cookies that they rotate weekly. ($4.99)
4. Subway
Pretty much every intersection
Yeah, you read that right. Monica gave the footlong cookie a try when it debuted in Chicago earlier this year, and I had to get in on that. ($5)
- It's soft in the middle with crunchy edges, and Monica says it's good for four people, but let's be honest, we Cookie Monsters could nail that ourselves.
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