ML Interest Tag: cult-following

Chicago’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (Find Out Where They’re Hiding!)

by Matt Kirouac

“C” is for cookie. And if that isn’t enough to make your little monster’s tummy rumble, along come “CCC” — chocolate chip cookies! Chicago does the indulgence justice, because we have kid-friendly bakeries and restaurants that make delicious, from-scratch versions of the treats—from cookies as big as your head to infused deliciousness. You’re never far from your next fix. Here is where we get ours.

Beatrix

Beatrix is the Beyonce of restaurants. It does it all, from breakfast to lunch, brunch to dessert. One of the best ways for families to experience Beatrix is via its coffee and pastry bar, which is a full-fledged bakery inside the restaurant. The selection offers an overwhelming array of muffins, breads, cakes, scones and more. Something Beatrix does exceptionally well is cookies, particularly the chocolate chunk cookie. These large, saucer-sized indulgences achieve the perfect middle ground of crispy along the exterior and soft in the center. Each bite of this thick cookie gives way to a pleasant doughy chew, brimming with fudge-y melted chocolate.

5 locations in River North, Streeterville, Loop, Fulton Market & Oak Brook; Online: beatrixrestaurants.com

 

Big.Fat.Cookie

Big.Fat.Cookie makes chocolate chip cookies so delicious looking, it's almost a shame to eat them. Almost. They are made in very small batches with an insane amount of attention to detail—they weigh each cookie and add individual chocolate chips to be sure they're made to perfection. You can find them at retail stores throughout the city or place an order for pickup at their location on Hooker. Pick-up days are Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

1030 N. Hooker St., Goose Island; Online: eatmebigfatcookie.com

 

Bake

A bakery that prides itself on classic American confections is bound to excel in the chocolate chip cookie department. Such is the case at Bake in Bucktown. This adorable, nostalgic Americana bakeshop peddles all the sweets that childhood dreams are made of, including exemplary chocolate chip cookies. Like the menu and motif at Bake, these cookies are pure classics, likely the closest you’ll come to mom-made cookies in Chicago, rich with notes of butter, sugar and smooth chocolate morsels.

2246 W. North Ave., Bucktown; Online: bakechicago.com

Carol’s Cookies

Oh Carol, you temptress. Based in Highland Park, Carol’s Cookies has gotten a cult following for its football-sized cookies. (We're exaggerating a bit on the size—but barely.) With a big shipping business and wholesale business, Carol’s Cookies are not hard to come by, making it all too easy to binge on sugar and ruin appetites for dinner. The brown sugary chocolate chip cookies are the embodiment of indulgence, not only in sheer heft, but in the astounding richness compacted into every single nook and cranny.

Check website for retail locations & order online at carolscookies.com

 

Sweet Shot Cookies

Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey-infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like. Now, that is our kind of DIY!

3211 W. Armitage, Logan Square; Online: sweetshotcookies.com

 

Insomnia

Got a chocolate chip cookie pregnancy crave? Up at all hours tending to a newbie in the house? Insomnia has you covered. Most of their locations deliver until 1 a.m. so you can indulge your sweet tooth. 

Locations in & near the city; Online: insomniacookies.com

 

Defloured

Defloured makes their chocolate chip cookies so mouth-wateringly amazing that you'd never know it's gluten-free. In fact, their entire menu is gluten-free. That's right, we didn't forget about the folks who steer clear of gluten, but want a cookie that isn't dry for once!

1477 W. Balmoral, Andersonville; Online: deflouredbakery.com

— Maria Chambers & Matt Kirouac

Featured photo: Gustavo Fring via Pexels

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This Is the Most Popular Item at Trader Joe’s & It’s Not What You’d Expect

by Karly Wood

Ask several people what their favorite Trader Joe’s product is and you’ll probably get a different answer each time. But despite the thousands of products available at the grocer, there actually is one that stands out above the rest!

Using a compilation of Google search data on the most purchased and searched for products, customer service company Workwise found that the most popular Trader Joe’s item is its Sweet Chili Sauce. Made with a delicious combo of chilis and garlic, once you try this sweet dipping sauce—especially with some of the retailer’s frozen foods—you’ll never go back.

We’ve heard the condiment pairs well with Asian-inspired foods like egg rolls, veggie spring rolls, in stir fry dishes and even over eggs! The sauce has its own cult following. Bonus? You can find it year-round in the TJ’s condiment aisle.

The Sweet Chili Sauce was the top product in 13 states including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia.  Coming in right behind the condiment in popularity was Trader Joe’s Macaron Variés in 10 states and Everything But The Bagel Seasoning in nine states.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Phillip Pesar via Flickr

 

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Just Opened: Powder Shaved Snow

by Erin Feher

There isn’t much that San Franciscans love more than quirky desserts with an international cult following, and the latest sweet treat to drop in the Bay is no exception. Powder Shaved Snow, which just opened on Divisadero, serves the light, creamy and slightly magical icy delight from Taiwan in a few only-in-SF flavors.

It’s Snowing in San Francisco!
It’s not ice cream, it’s not shaved ice…it’s shaved snow! After one bite, you will know you’ve never tried anything like it before. This creamy, melt-on-your-tongue treat is made by freezing filtered water and Three Twins dairy ice in flavors like strawberry, Blue Bottle Vietnamese coffee and black sesame and then shaving it into thin ribbons the consistency of freshly fallen snow. The generously filled cups look like a serious sugar bomb, but thanks to the infusion of plenty of water and air, this dessert is much lighter than a traditional scoop of ice cream.

Dress Up Your Blizzard
There are a dozen gourmet toppings to dress your dessert, from traditional “glazes” in strawberry, chocolate and milk flavors to flakes of Tcho chocolate, toasted almonds and even mochi chunks. We suggest ordering one of their S’nome Picks—tried and true recipes such as the Valencia (Horchata snow topped with milk glaze, cinnamon sugar, toasted almonds and echo chocolate) or the Bob (Strawberry snow with strawberry glaze, fresh strawberries and sprinkles).

Plan Your Next Snow Day
Hot days combined with a hot new opening (Powder opened the last week in September) resulted in a couple weeks of long lines and sold out flavors. But we imagine as the weather cools, getting your own scoop of snow will be a little less of an adventure. either way, we suggest stopping by earlier in the day (they open at noon) to ensure you get to pick from the full range of flavors. The line moves rather quickly, but it can take up to 10 minutes to get your dessert, as each cup is made to order and the shaving process is far more complicated than your average scoop. The shop in small, so beside one bench that serves as a spot for waiting for your snow, it’s best to find a seat outside on the spacious parklet, where there are tables and chairs and plenty of sunshine. Looking for snow on the go? You can also find them at Off the Grid’s Presidio Picnic. 

260 Divisadero St.
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: noon-10 p.m., closed Mondays
Online: powdershavedsnow.com

Have you tried shaved snow? Tell us your favorite flavor combo in the comments below!

–Erin Feher

All images by the author

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5 Croissants Worth Fighting Traffic

by Meghan Rose

Kids love croissant. Pretty much any will do, even those soggy grocery store messes. So why seek out the best? Because the perfect croissant is transcendent, and one day they will appreciate that you taught them to discern the finer things in life. National Pastry Day (December 9, you know) is the perfect time to  teach your offspring what the flaky, buttery pastry ought to taste like. These are the best our city has to offer, and all are worth a trip across town. Bon Appétit!

photo credit: L’amande Bakery’s facebook page

L’Amande
This bakery tops our list for kids, because as we tasted our way across the city, it got top marks from some jaded little eaters, who proclaimed it “the best.” Might be the variety (when you have two chocolate choices—Nutella and plain chocolate—kids are very happy) or it might just be the perfect combination of soft in the inside, crunchy on the out, with buttery taste throughout.

Every single item on the menu is made fresh from scratch, in-house, every day from traditional French recipes. That means the croissant your little ones scarfed in 72 seconds took over 72 hours to make. That doesn’t matter. What matters is the yum factor, and it’s high. But you’ll like that it ups the locally crafted ante; they like to say that everything is crafted fresh, from flour to plate, just like the bakeries in France. Speaking of flour, don’t forget to get some baguettes to go. They’re spectacular as well.  As is the pistachio croissant, which you should save for yourself.

While you’re here…
You’re right around the corner from three top kids attractions in Beverly Hills, so it would be a shame to dine and dash. First stop is the Paley Center for Media. Weekends all holiday season you can meet Santa and the Mrs. and catch some classic holiday TV fare. You can also walk to the Beverly Hills library, which is one of our top picks for libraries for kids in the whole city.

9530 S Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills (There’s a second location in Torrance, too.)
Phone: 310-734-8922
Online: lamandebakery.com


photo credit: Maison Giraud’s facebook page

Maison Giraud
The plain croissant here are divine, and deservedly have a cult following. Made by French chef Alain Giraud, they are a Goldilocks dream—not too big, not too small, not too crunchy, not too soft. They are just right. Must be why these croissants land on pretty much every list of best in the city.

They also use the amazing croissant dough for the pain au chocolat for that kids adore; or they would, if you’d let them get a bite. You see, the bittersweet chocolate balances out your coffee so well, it’s rather hard to share. Order them a Blueberry Danish instead. They’re so delightful that the kids will almost forget your stole their chocolate. Almost.

While you’re here…
Our favorite way to indulge in these pastries is by getting here early (has to be early, because these popular pastries sell out fast) on a Sunday morning, getting a big bag to-go, and then popping through the Palisades Farmers Market for berries and fresh squeezed juices. Then bring your impromptu picnic brunch to the nearby Temescal Canyon, where you can dine outdoors and hike off all that butter.

1032 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades
Phone: 310-459-7561
Online: www.maison-giraud.com


photo credit: Proof Bakery’s facebook page

Proof
The “proof” is in the tasting, and the croissant here are spot on in taste. Don’t try and share them, these aren’t the massive croissants from the grocery bakery. They’re more petite, and have an extra crunch. Which is a perfect contrast to the delicate center. They’re unassuming and delicious and you should definitely get one in every flavor. Since they’re not-too-big. They come in plain, chocolate, almond and ham & Gruyere. Nuts, meat, cheese, sweets—that’s a very balanced meal.  You’ll appreciate that nothing in the shop is overly sweet, every item striking the perfect balance. And even your frosted donut loving sugar fiend will be too happy with their treats to notice the sugar restraint.

While you’re here…
You’re right by the blossoming LA River scene. You won’t believe it, but right by Atwater Village and next to the 5 freeway, you can walk right down to the greening of the LA River to see ducks, geese, herons and other birds who have made this spot home. Bring some leftover bread from home (you can’t waste your Proof purchases!) and feed the local fowl.

3156 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village
Phone: 323-664-8633
Online: proofbakeryla.com


photo credit: Euro Pane’s facebook page

Euro Pane
We are starting to sound repetitive, right? Buttery. Flaky. A crunch as you bite, then it melts on the tongue. Soft, almost spongy in the middle. You look down and your lap is covered in crumbs. You don’t care. That’s the essence of a great croissant. That’s what Euro Pane makes. Come early and get them fresh first thing in the morning. (And if you come for lunch, they’re justifiably famous for their egg salad Sandwiches. Follow that up with a macaron, and it’s a lunch fit for kings. Or les roi.)

While you’re here…
You can walk to a great little hidden museum—the Pacific Asia Museum. The tucked away courtyard with a koi pond delights kids and is a peaceful respite for grownups, while the upstairs exhibit and play space that takes you an a journey along the Silk Road is delightful.

345 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Phone: 626-844-8855
Online: facebook.com/pages/Euro-Pane-Bakery-Cafe

 

photo credit: Sweet Butter Kitchen’s facebook page

Sweet Butter Kitchen
With a bakery called “butter,” their croissant have to be good. And they are better than good, they’re stellar. Buttery and flaky, they invite you to unwind and munch. There’s nothing precious or pretentious about these pastries, it’s more like if you had an aunt who baked perfect pastries at home fresh each morning. French or not, somehow, these remind you of childhood and home. Yum.

And if you happen to get here on a morning when the Dulce de Leche Sea Salt Croissants are still warm, well, you’re going to have a very good day. Starting with that first bite.

While you’re here…
Fill up on croissant and then head up the street about one mile. Now you’re at the COOP, one of the best indoor playgrounds in the city. Sip that coffee you got to-go while the kids work off the buttery breakfast and you relax and peruse your favorite magazine.

13824 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks
Phone: 818-788-2832
Online: sweetbutterkitchen.com

-Meghan Rose

Where are your favorite croissant (or other pastry) shops in LA? Let us know in the comment section!

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