LIL’ NOOKIES | AUSTIN & OKLAHOMA CITY

When you think of a taco shop, you don’t normally think of chocolate chip cookies.  That’s why these cookies aren’t normal.  The Lil’ Nookies at Torchy’s Tacos are bite-sized balls of dough deep fried in a delicious batter.  They blew my mind!  They came out warm, gooey and oozing with chocolate.  That was the first time I’d had fried cookie dough balls, and it certainly won’t be the last. 

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Torchy’s is known for its unique tacos, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.  Their sides are also crazy good.  Just take a look at the photo - I ordered everything!  Their queso and refried black beans are two of my favorites.  And of course, they pair well with the Lil’ Nookies.  

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

I visited their location on South Congress in Austin, but lucky for you, they have locations across Texas and Oklahoma.  If you do find yourself in Austin, take a walk down South Congress.  There are lots of stores that are truly one-of-a-kind where you can find that perfect souvenir to remind you to “Keep Austin Weird.”  

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP | SAN FRANCISCO

Anthony's is a cookie-lover's Heaven.  During my trip to San Francisco, everyone asked if I'd been to Anthony's.  It was my last stop, and in my opinion, it was the best.  When you walk in, there's pretty much only a counter where you order.  And behind the counter, there are cookies.  ONLY cookies.  Pan after pan, stacked on baking racks, there are cookies of all types ready to be eaten.  To order, you look at a chalkboard menu, where the available cookies are charmingly marked with a check.  I, of course, went for the Classic Chocolate Chip.  It did not disappoint! 

I ordered the one ounce size, which fit in my palm and allowed me to have room to try other types of cookies.  The classic was just the right amount of crispy on the outside and had a light, gooey center.  The chip-to-dough ratio was 50/50.  In my opinion, this cookie lived up to its name.  It was classic, simple and delicious.  Next time I'm in San Fran, I'm ordering four.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try everything!  My second type was Cookies & Cream.  It had the same perfect texture as the Classic Chocolate Chip, but it tasted just like cookies & cream ice cream.  It would be amazing dipped in a cold glass of milk.  I'm convinced that you can't go wrong at Anthony's!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You can find Anthony’s Cookies in the Mission District.  It’s a little off the beaten path from the typical tourist stops, but well worth the trip. 

COMPOST COOKIE | WASHINGTON, D.C.

How excited was I to try the infamous Compost Cookie?  Very.  How much did I like it?  A lot.  This cookie is a super salty and sweet mixture.  Even with pretzels and potato chips in the batter, the cookie was chewy and chocolaty.  What I love most about the Compost Cookie is how creative the recipe is.  It’s no average cookie, so I’m recommending you add this to your “must-try” list!

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

I had the cereal milk soft serve as an appetizer for my Compost Cookie.  Milk Bar wasn’t lying–it truly tastes like milk and cereal. Looks like I know what my breakfast stop is next time I’m in New York or D.C.!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

With locations in New York, D.C. and Toronto, you can get your Compost Cookie in three different cities.  Check milkbarstore.com for all of their locations.  You can also buy their cookie mix and cookbooks to try their recipes at home.  The Cookie Tour doesn’t have to stop when your vacation ends!

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CHIP | OKLAHOMA CITY

I stumbled on this beauty while I was enjoying The Hall’s delicious pizza.  Salted caramel with my favorite, chocolate chip? Yes, please!  The caramel is swirled perfectly through the cookie, making it extra chewy.  If you look closely enough you can see it (insert heart eyes emoji here)! It perfectly complements the chocolate and makes for an overall divine cookie experience.  If you like a little extra something special with your chocolate chip cookie, you’ll love this!

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try all the things. And maybe take a seat on their rooftop patio.

1. Appetizer: Quinn’s Burrata

2. Pizza: Saturday Night and Roasted Goat

3. Dessert: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie (obviously) and the Strawberry Shortcake (fresh berries, cream cheese whipped cream and an orange sauce that’s out of this world. Need I say more?)

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You’ll find The Hall’s in the alley at 9th Street and Hudson in Midtown.  It’s a little off the beaten path, which makes it that much more fun to visit.  There are also lots of great places to visit within walking distance, preferably when it's patio weather.  After you enjoy The Hall's rooftop, skip downstairs to Barrios for a margarita on their blissful patio and then over to R&J's for a club special with some tiki flair.  And now I wish it were summer. *sigh*

CHOCOLATE CHUNK | WASHINGTON, D.C.

It’s always a good day when a quick sandwich stop surprises you with a gem of a cookie.  I popped into Taylor Gourmet before a flight out of D.C. and grabbed a chocolate chunk cookie (as I always do) just to give it a try.  What I found was my MVC of Washington, D.C.!

It was unreal!  The cookie was so doughy it tasted almost like it wasn’t even baked.  It had that “fresh out of the mixer” taste, if you know what I mean.  If you love dough just as much as the cookie itself, you need to get yourself to Taylor Gourmet. 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Try the Toffee Heath Bar Crunch cookie, too.  It’s got the same chewy texture as the chocolate chip, but it’s filled with sticky toffee.  Delish!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You can find Taylor Gourmet across D.C. and in Maryland and Virginia (locations are listed at taylorgourmet.com).  That means while you visit the national monuments, Smithsonian Museums, and everything else D.C. has to offer, you can always have a cookie in hand.  Lucky you!

CHOCOLATE CHIP | SAN FRANCISCO

When in San Francisco, you must have Ghirardelli Chocolate.  I’ve been a fan of Ghirardelli for most of my life and reserve putting their chocolate chips in the cookies I bake for only the most special occasions.  I was excited to visit and try a cookie directly from their kitchen.  Was I in for a treat!

They offered to heat the cookie and it was worth the short wait.  The famous Ghirardelli chocolate was melted to perfection.  Once I decided how to eat this monumental* cookie, it crumbled beautifully as I pulled it apart.  The cookie was ultra-sweet and sugar-forward.  It’s perfect for sharing with a friend, your family or a small group of cookie tourists.

*Disclaimer:  This is a mountain of a cookie.  Do not try to eat this by yourself.  You will fail.  Or have a stomachache (like yours truly). 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

You're at Ghirardelli.  Chocolate shop 'til you drop.

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

You can get a Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie in several locations, but I recommend going the classic route and having it at Ghirardelli Square.  Use the address for the shop at 900 North Point Street if you need to map it.  Grab your treat and wander to the grass for a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the best cookie-eating scenery in the City by the Bay.

COOKIE MONSTER | OKLAHOMA CITY

I have to confess, I prefer to have my chocolate chip cookies with ice cream instead of milk.  And there’s no better place to find this combination than at Roxy’s Ice Cream Social.  Their homemade ice cream is thick, creamy and pairs perfectly with two giant chocolate chip cookies.  Their cookies are pretty stiff because they’ve got to hold an enormous scoop of cookies and cream ice cream.  But they’ve got a great chip-to-dough ratio and aren’t too rich.  This is important, because if the cookie is too rich, you won’t be able to eat the ice cream with it.  And who wants to miss out on ice cream?  Not me!  They also have two other cookie sandwiches: the Plain Jane with vanilla ice cream and the Mean Green with pistachio.  Since they all feature two delicious chocolate chip cookies, there’s no need to try just one!

 WHILE YOU'RE THERE

Roxy’s first storefront is in the middle of my favorite district in Oklahoma City—the Plaza District.  Before you get your Cookie Monster, you should grab a slice of pizza at Empire Slice House.  My favorite is the Ghostface Killah that’s topped with pepperoni and BBQ chips (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it).  You may also want a Macaroni Pony grilled cheese sandwich at The Mule or a fancy mashed potato bowl at The Press.  After eating all the Plaza delicacies, I recommend to walk it off by visiting the unique shops that line the street.  Come hungry and plan to stay for a while!

THE COOKIE TOUR STOP

The location I frequent is at 1732 NW 16th Street, and it’s the cutest ice cream shop I’ve ever seen.  With yellow striped walls and a blue sky ceiling, it’s always a sunny day at Roxy’s.  You can find all of their locations or ice cream truck at roxysicecream.com.