Chip is Astoria’s newest bakery, and they have been getting a lot of buzz for their thick gooey cookies. Early reviews pitted them against legendary New York bakeries, claiming that Chip could rival Levian and Insomnia for the best cookie in New York. Perhaps it was the rave reviews, or maybe it was the heavenly smell of fresh baked cookies that wafted from the 34th street storefront that caused lines to form out the door for weeks after Chip's opening.Â
When I visited, their flavors were funfetti, s'mores, chocolate peanut butter, and classic chocolate chip. I am a major fan of salty-sweet combinations, so of course I had the chocolate peanut butter cookie. It was delicious! I was lucky to get there right as they were pulling racks of cookies out of the oven, so my cookie was soft and gooey, with melted peanut butter chips in the middle. The cookies are on the expensive side, at $3.50 per cookie, but you do get a lot for your money. The cookies are about 3-4 inches in diameter, and thick like muffin-tops. The cookies are big enough to share, but I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to keep your cookie for yourself!
Chip also serves hot drinks like coffee and hot cocoa. I recommend going in the morning or early afternoon when they open, since Chip shuts down as soon as they sell out of cookies (and they do sell out!)
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.
L&B in Brooklyn, famed for its plain square slices since 1939, is a must-visit. Enjoy outdoor dining in Bensonhurst, a haven for Italian-American cuisine. Iconic!
By
"The Old Print Shop" in New York is my hands-down, hands-on museum/gallery of choice. I love mid-twentieth century 'industrial' or 'city' art...
By
"Sea & Sea " in NYC is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand, busy with customers from near and far...
By
Come to "Pikine" in NYC to eat shoulder-to-shoulder with Senegalese people!
By
"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...
By
"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...
By
"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...
By
"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'
By
"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...
By
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
By
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
By
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
By