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In the quest for the best chocolate chip cookie, tons of attention is paid to Crumbl, Levain, Gideon’s Bakehouse and the like, but I was recently reminded of a story I wrote back in 2017, where 33 top bakeries across the U.S. and Canada went head-to-head, submitting their top chocolate chip cookie to a New York City taste test. Cookies were eaten, votes were tallied, and in the end, Culture Espresso was awarded the top prize.
But six years—and snowballing competition—later, does Culture Espresso really have the best chocolate chip cookie you can buy? After sampling it twice over the past few weeks, I have to say: It makes my top five, as far as massive cookies go, but I’m not sure it’s the absolute best I’ve had. (Given my chocoholic tendencies, that distinction currently belongs to Gideon’s Bakehouse in Florida.) Here’s a full breakdown of the sweet, so you can determine whether it’s worth a detour on your next visit to midtown NYC.
What’s So Special About Culture Espresso’s Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Culture Espresso chocolate chip cookies get top marks for their chewy texture and caramelization. Many of the massive, “New York-style*” cookies on the market have a sugary, doughy texture; you get more of the brown sugar flavor here, resulting in a richer-tasting cookie overall. It’s like the classic Toll House recipe gone gourmet.
Like the other 4-ounce-and-up cookies out there, Culture Espresso’s take is big, albeit flatter than most of the competitors, with some doming in the middle. I’m not mad about it though.
*It’s funny to me that softball-sized cookies are being dubbed “New York-style” by the internet, likely because most people don’t want to outright say they’re Levain-inspired…but c’mon, all those half-pound cookies probably are inspired by them, right? New York-style makes me think of black and white cookies.
How Much Do Culture Espresso Cookies Cost?
Each cookie will set you back $4.50, making it comparable to other gourmet cookies on the market.
What Are the Lines Like?
Thankfully, I’ve never been more than one or two people deep in line when ordering. There are three Culture Espresso cafes in New York—two on 38th Street, one on 36th—and despite winning the title back in 2017, the brand doesn’t have quite the hype as Levain or Gideon’s, making for a more peaceful experience overall.
Is It Worth It?
Yes. If you’re doing a cookie crawl (can we make those a thing?!), it’s worth adding to the list, especially when you wash it down with some cold brew, which is top notch. (And, TBH, something most of the competitors lack—a lot of cookie shops excel at cookies and don’t offer coffee, and if they do, it’s w-e-a-k…or supremely sweet.) This place has the advantage of being a coffee shop first and foremost, and it shows.
