For me, wherever I am, the smell of Chocolate chip cookies brings me immediate joy. Some people believe chocolate chip cookies are like any ordinary dessert. However, chocolate chip cookies are the most versatile dessert, as every chocolate chip cookie can contain unique qualities that make each one taste different. Here’s a guide to the best chocolate chip cookies in the area.
Summer House, a well-known restaurant in Pike & Rose, welcomes visitors with a bakery section by the entrance that sells cookies. The chocolate chip cookie costs $4.50, which is a good price for its size which is as big as the palm of my hand. Immediately upon tasting, the chewiness and chocolatey bite with a soft inside and crunchy outside made the cookie almost perfect. But, if a customer is looking for a gooey chocolate chip cookie, Summer House isn’t the place.
Summer House does not serve their cookies warm, but customers can request for the cookie to be warmed up. Additionally, there is no seating after purchasing baked goods except for outside on benches, so enjoying Summer House’s ambiance is not an option after buying a cookie.
Sunday Morning Bakehouse in North Bethesda takes a different approach. Instead of Summer House’s thick and dense cookie, it is extremely thin. The cookie only costs $2.25, and it did not disappoint. Instead of using basic chocolate chip morsels, they use chocolate chunks. The cookie’s appearance might not be the most appealing, but it surprises with its perfect balance of flavor and texture. The bakery’s interior makes it an ideal spot to enjoy a treat while working or relaxing because of the nice sitting areas and decor.
Crumbl Cookies, located in Rockville is arguably the most trendy cookie spot on social media. However, it left me with mixed feelings. Crumbl changes its menu weekly, but there is always one constant: its chocolate chip cookie. Walking into the store, I immediately smelt a strong sugary scent, which was very nauseating. While biting into the cookie, I was pleasantly surprised. This cookie was chewy and soft on the inside, with chocolate chips in every bite. But, the cookies are incredibly sweet, so a few bites leave any customer feeling satisfied. Crumbl sells a huge cookie for $4.99, making it perfect to share.
Dirty Dough, which opened in December 2024 in Rockville, is similar to Crumbl Cookies, with weekly rotating flavors and the constant classic chocolate chip cookie. For $4.99, I was mildly disappointed for the price and the taste. It is also one of the smaller cookies that I tried. Although their other flavors are quite good, the chocolate chip cookie was a letdown. From the first bite, the dough was undercooked, and the doughy texture left a raw taste in my mouth.
The interior of the store also did not have seating, and the vibe felt less than welcoming. Without any place to sit, Dirty Dough is not a good spot to have a treat. If you are looking for a cute Cookie place to go, Sunday Morning or Summer House are definitely better options.
Levain Bakery, located in Bethesda, has chocolate chip cookies that are a decadent treat for people who love rich chocolatey desserts. For $5.25, the cookie is packed with many chocolate chips, which melt perfectly into the dense dough. The cookie is small, but extremely thick compared to the other cookies.
The texture of the dough is thick and the cookie is perfect to share with friends. Walking into the store, I was immediately hit with the smell of multiple sweet baked goods that excited me for my awaiting dessert. However, there aren’t many seating options, so if you are looking for a nice place to sit and enjoy the dessert, Levain isn’t the place.
Each chocolate cookie chip has its own perks, however, my personal favorite is Summer House because it is the perfect amount of sweet without being too overpowering. Despite this, all of the other cookies were very good and I would purchase each of them again.
