Nice update @rlw! I recently had a recent awesome chocolate chip cookie at Gjelina Take Away, might want to check it out. But in my opinion, it does not dethrone Proof’s version.
Not sure, but IIRC, the GTA version had a decent amount of sea salt on top and I don’t recall oatmeal.
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Wow I’m gonna have to go this week!
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I’m always surprised how little overlap there is between the two.
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Batch Four
Mozza
On @NewTrial’s suggestion, I put Mozza on my list. Sold in wrapped packages of three, I wasn’t sure standing on the sidewalk if they would be that fresh, but upon opening them it does appear that they were cooked that day. To the point: can confirm that Nancy Silverton can make a good cookies. They’re a bit well done and cooked all the way through, but maintain crisp edges and a still chewy center. It’s also notable for having great dynamic contrast between both the salt and the high quality chocolate. It’s pretty much the cookie embodiment of Nancy Silverton her self.
Ludobab
I missed Ludobab’s chocolate chip cookie the first time around, so on a second pass I picked up what is advertised as Ludo’s special recipe from France. On first blush, this cookie is definitely a looker. And digging in—if this cookie did originate in France—then the French absolutely know what they’re doing. There’s a hint of vanilla flavor to the dough, and it smashes all the right notes from crisp edges and chewy center, to layers of still melty chocolate. Ludobab’s kebabs are probably still the reason to make your way over, but do not skip the cookie on the way out.
Susie Cakes
Susie cakes is better known for, well, their cakes (and cupcakes) but they do offer other desserts including a pretty standard chocolate chip cookie. What’s fairly interesting is that in the world of fancy chocolate chip cookies with chocolate chunks and chocolate discs and different types of flour and espresso grounds, this cookie uses actual chocolate chips and doesn’t try to chef it up. It’s pretty chewy and soft in the center, but doesn’t have any real crisp. It’s still a good cookie, but you’d probably be more satisfied running down the street for a Republique cookie or sticking with a slice of cake.
Larouloo
I’ve had Larouloo’s fantastic salted cookies and cream thiccie before, and after seeing a special of their salted chocolate chip thrown up on Instagram, I jumped on it. Once revealed, I wasn’t super stoked about it. It’s absolutely unlike the other chocolate cookies participating in this death match, and that’s probably what threw me a bit. It didn’t have those crisp edges I typically look for and appeared to be more soft baked than chewy. But upon closer inspection, it did have a firm crisp on the bottom. And honestly, I don’t know what my problem was, because even though I judged its looks, JFC when I took a bite this was an amazing cookie. It’s essentially uncooked in the center, and has an amazing flavor where the vanilla in the dough is actually apparent. It’s packed with chocolate, but not overpoweringly so, and damn is it thicc. While unlike your typical chocolate chip cookie, this is one of my favorites in the game right now. It deserves a bang bang with everything else in Far East Plaza.
Superba
On a crispness scale of 1-5 this is probably a 4.5 because it practically shatters when you bite into the edges. The chocolate is more on the bitter size and it has decently sized chunks of walnuts that really don’t add that much (versus the one at Tartine where the walnuts are very much a feature). Once you work your way to the center though, it is still a bit chewier. What really stands out about this cookie is the fantastic layer of salt crystals dusting the top, which helps to bring out a bit more sweetness.
Pie Hole
Pie Hole’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie is, like Susie Cakes, another example of a dessert place putting a chocolate chip cookie on the menu because it’s a bit of a no-brainer. Pie Hole’s has a light crisp on the outside, is very wide and thin, but has a good buttery vanilla flavor to the dough. It’s a bit chewier than the Susie Cakes one and has a good balance of sweetness in the chocolate, but similarly plays it down the middle. It’s another instance of why-buy-a-cookie-at-a-non-cookie-dessert-shop.
Tendergreens
Another one for the work crowd trying make good choices with a serviceable desk salad. And like Lemonade, this chocolate chunk cookie is way better than you’d expect and much better than it should be. It’s absolutely packed with chocolate, has a nice crisp to it, and better than expected flavor. It isn’t a trend yet, but there may be something to healthy-ish lunch chains actually hiding sneaky good chocolate chip cookies on their menus.
Urth Cafe
Urth has been around for awhile, and it was time to throw it into the ring. The Chocolate Chunk Pecan should really be the Pecan Chocolate Chunk because wow these are huge pecans. There are some nice chunks of chocolate in there, but the pecans do crowd them out and you might actually get some bites with no chocolate at all. Did I mention there are large pecans? Bottom line: I hope you like pecans.
Verve
I did it. I found a bad chocolate chip cookie. Time to pack up and go home. Now to be fair, Verve outsources some of their baked goods (this being one of them) to Sweet Laurel Bakery, which makes vegan and refined-suar-free baked goods. For some, that’s great, but for our purposes here, this cookie that’s made with almond flour, some maple syrup (instead of refined sugar), chocolate chips, coconut oil, and baking soda is truly our first casualty in the death match. It’s soft, not sweet, and doesn’t have any flavor except the chocolate chips. It’s really just not worth it—if you’re going to indulge with a cookie, indulge in something that’s actually worth the calories you’re eating (it is a cookie after all and not a celery stalk). This is far and away the worst cookie of any batch.
Groundwork
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie
Spurned by Verve, I wanted to know that not all coffee shops had bad chocolate chip cookies, so I walked over to Groundwork and picked out both of their offerings. First up, the gluten free chocolate chip. It comes prepackaged, and is crisp with no chew to it. The gluten free flour creates an unfortunate graininess and also makes the cookie quite crumbly. It does have that traditional flavor that’s not going to break the mold, and while it isn’t offensive like Verve’s, it just doesn’t do much either.
Cowboy Cookie
Groundwork’s other offering is their Cowboy Cookie which does come from the pastry case and is clearly prepared that day. It’s definitely a mishmash of ingredients and flavors, with oats, walnuts, and coconut folded in alongside the chocolate chunks. It’s very soft, not crisp at all and is actually more reminiscent of an oatmeal cookie. It also falls apart pretty easy and just crumbles, but is still pretty tasty when all the elements coming together. If you have a choice of cookie at Groundwork, choose this one. You might not get the exact chocolate chip cookie satisfaction you’re looking for, but you’re less likely to be disappointed expecting a great chocolate chip cookie (it’s better than the gluten free chocolate chip and way better than whatever they’re selling at Verve).
Believe it or not, there is still more to come…
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Sadly, my one trip to Pie Hole (which admittedly was several yrs ago) indicated that you shouldn’t buy pie there, either. It wasn’t bad; it was just wasn’t GREAT, either.
Saw the Larouloo cart for the first time recently. I would’ve made the same judgment you did, based on the outside appearance. Glad to hear looks were deceiving. Will have to give that a try.
Had the choc chip cookie at Clark Street. It’s cakey, and, if you like that kind of cookie, this is a good one. Cakey is not my preferred style, though.
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must use BROWNED BUTTER.
thank me later
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Agreed—just had a slice of pumpkin pie from them this week and it was okay. I was hoping for more.
I do recall Clark Street’s being a bit taller and cakey as well. I absolutely prefer Fat + Flour’s thinner/chewier chocolate chip cookie if you’ve got a choice between the two at GCM.
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Thanks for another run down, this type of legwork is much appreciated here!!
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I’m shocked. I was expecting you to slam it because it looks exactly like what you were not looking for. I’m gonna’ have to try that cookie.
On another note: I figured that Verve cookie had to be great, because anyone with enough balls to put out a cookie that ugly would have to be confident in its total scrumptiousness. What on earth?
That cookie is pretty fantastic. It still retains a great and moist texture a day or two later…don’t judge me, I had a lot of dessert to eat and I couldn’t get to it.
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Yup Larouloo totally had me fooled! But I knew I wanted to give it a shot because their cookies and cream one was legit good too.
The Verve cookie definitely was a bold move–and I respect it for being inclusive to people with dietary restrictions–it was just also a total failure when I actually took a bite 
It’s the first cookie in any batch that I didn’t finish.
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If I may add one cookie I had yesterday that was a surprise.
Orsa & Winston
Crisp at the edges then firm before a barely gooey center. Really nice bite as you could count on the crispy edge to pop up every now and then.
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Oh no I need this right away! Did it come as part of set meal or can I snag it a la carte?
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These came as a surprise. I’ve never seen them before even pre-covid that I can remember. Josef is a friend and client of ours and we support him whenever we can. I’m thinking about politely asking next time I pickup because there was one for each us but I wanted a dozen!
Cofax - Fairfax Ave.
No gourmet bells & whistles. Just the basics - semi-sweet chocolate morsels, crispy, chewy, sweet, salty. 
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I know they sell frozen dough from their general goods store, but I’ve stayed away from trying those so far because I want the experts to handle it 
Maybe if I ask nicely they will include one in my next order from them.
Ah yes! You’re totally right!!
Yeah they were really great, i would recommend asking
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Yup that is one ugly*** cookie, but I can’t wait to try this one and Laroolou’s coconut cream and ube pie.
Thanks @rlw for putting Laroolou on the radar. Bookmarked for my trips to FE Plaza when I visit PRD, Amboy and Lasa.
Laroolou
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