While they may not be what grandma used to make, the convenience of a fast food cookie will always win out on those tough days. There’s just something comforting about the warm, soft dough and the melty chocolate chips that instantly lift our spirits. Whether it’s the nostalgic taste or the simple pleasure of indulging in a craving, the best fast food chocolate chip cookies never fail to bring a smile to our faces. So, when life gets tough, we know exactly where to turn for a quick dose of happiness – the nearest fast food joint with its delicious, convenient sweets. But with an array of options to choose from across the country, finding the right cookie can be difficult; luckily, we at StudyFinds don’t mind a little taste-tasting research on the topic.
Of course, getting your hands on the options on this list is now easier than ever, with most, if not all, of the locations on the ranking having a drive-thru option. This is convenient, considering nearly half of Americans in a new poll would avoid going to a store that didn’t have a drive-thru option. The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that twice as many people prefer the drive-thru to actually enter a store on foot, with a third of those who prefer drive-thrus claiming they will “always” choose that option when it’s available. Results showed that people use the drive-thru for many reasons, most commonly for coffee or fast food, at least three times a week.Â
Well, why not pick up an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie the next time you are pulling into the drive-thru? These scrumptious treats are renowned for their irresistible combination of warm centers and crisp, golden edges. These delectable treats boast a perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth with every bite. Their consistent quality and affordability make them a beloved indulgence for cookie enthusiasts on the go.
However, at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with satisfying a craving and enjoying a good Big Mac and a McCafe chocolate chip cookie. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best fast food chocolate chip cookies. Don’t agree with our list? No worries, we would love to hear from you in the comments below!
The List: Best Fast Food Cookies, According to Experts
1. SubwayÂ
First up on our list is Subway. Of course, the spot with the most heavenly options would top the list. “Hands down, Subway can consistently beat out the other fast food restaurants at selling delicious tasting cookies. I survived through many group projects powered by Subway cookies, and I will continue to enjoy them when I get a chance,” says Jonathan Mumm.
If there's one day to take a #cookiebreak, it's today. Happy Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!! pic.twitter.com/ISnLtpwHvL
— Subway® (@SUBWAY) May 15, 2014
“It’s one of the simplest treats you can get in a fast food joint, and while nearly every major chain sells cookies, none have matched the same level of quality as Subway. Whereas most restaurants will only offer the token chocolate chip cookie, Subway provides a few more options. If you catch them at the right hour, you may be able to snag yourself a cookie fresh from the oven,” writes WatchMojo.
“Nothing beats a Subway cookie right out of the oven. When I walk into a Subway, I never know if the smell of freshly baked bread or freshly baked cookies will hit me first. If it is the cookies, I will tack one (maybe two) onto my order. Subway cookies are always fresh and savory. Although I obviously like them all, the white chocolate macadamia nut is my favorite. A cookie just goes great with a sandwich and chips and are just light enough to make you feel justified in consuming them,” explains Don’t Blink.
2. Panera
Next up is Panera! So good they even gave it its own quirky name, so you’ll be sure to never forget it! “Panera’s Chocolate Chipper Cookie is a popular copycat. The chain calls this delicacy a ‘traditional favorite’ and uses semi-sweet chocolate chunks and milk chocolate flakes,” describes Siam Thai Central.
Thanks for the cookie love <3 We’ve got some news for you – we have 4 new ones! We want you to try them, DM us. pic.twitter.com/zhkHZsFNPX
— Panera Bread (@panerabread) January 10, 2017
“The team found Panera’s cookies to taste the best. They were described as chewy with a crunch and moist. Others noted its caramel taste as well. Sounds like the perfect chocolate chip cookie. They were also noted to be a good size,” notes Occurrence.
“Panera’s chocolate chip cookie does a lot right. It is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, it offers two different kinds of chocolate, and the dough has a notable brown sugar taste to hold it all together. It is also, frankly, a very large cookie, something we are not mad about. This cookie is jammed with chocolate chips and makes you wonder if it is indeed possible to have too much chocolate in a cookie. Still, the cookie is solid, and if asked about adding a bakery item to our order, we probably won’t say no,” adds MSN.
3. Starbucks
The third spot on our ranking belongs to Starbucks. A chunky, sizable, buttery cookie and a personal favorite. “Unlike other fast food restaurants’ chocolate chip cookies, Starbucks’ are bakery-fresh. This huge chocolate chunk cookie is a chocolate lover’s dream. This biscuit melts like a home-baked chocolate chip cookie,” reports Eat Pallet.
“This treat is on the larger end of the cookies we ranked and is stuffed with giant chocolate chunks — in other words, a chocolate lover’s dream. Our taste testers highlighted this cookie delivers the fall-apart melted goodness that you can only expect from a homemade chocolate chip cookie,” observes Mashed.
“We loved the giant semi-sweet chocolate chunks in Starbucks‘ take on the chocolate chip cookie. This cookie tasted like it came from an actual bakery. It was chewy enough to almost fall apart when we picked it up but substantial enough to be satisfying,” says Insider.
4. McDonald’s
McDonald’s, a tried-and-true favorite, comes in fourth in today’s ranking with its take on the classic cookie. “The McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies offered the perfect balance of chewy and crispy. If you are looking for a classic cookie, these cookies pack the right amount of chocolatey goodness. The more chocolate, the better, in our opinion, but overall, the chocolate chips in the McDonald’s cookies are not overwhelming; that said, this cookie tastes very sweet,” writes Mashed.
Congrats! You made it to Friday – celebrate with a soft baked Chocolate Chip Cookie. #TGIF pic.twitter.com/8CCRFHrh
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) January 18, 2013
“McDonald’s serves classic fast food cookies in packs of three. They were warm but not fresh out of the oven, and they had the perfect blend of crunch and chewiness. The chocolate was nothing revolutionary, although the overall taste and texture was exactly what we wanted from a cookie,” notes Insider.
“The smallest of the ones I tried, this chocolate chip cookie was surprisingly yummy! Served warm, it had lots of gooey chips and was a soft and chewy treat. Visually, this cookie looked crispy on the edges and chewy on the inside, and after trying it, I could see why you might order this for dessert—especially if the infamous McDonald’s soft serve is out of order,” jokes Eat This, Not That!
5. Chick-fil-A
Last but certainly not least goes to the chicken fast food capital, Chick-fil-A. Serving up an almost homemade-tasting favorite. “Chick-fil-A’s chocolate chip cookie is next on our list, and we agree it’s the perfect addition to any chicken sandwich and waffle fry combo. This chocolate chip cookie tastes just like what mom used to make. Compared to many others on the list, this chocolate chunk cookie gives us that homemade feel. Chick-fil-A bakes a thick, dense, and borderline oatmeal cookie texture in their chocolate chunk cookie,” describes Mashed.
There's only one way to celebrate #NationalChocolateChipCookieDay. With a Chocolate Chunk Cookie, of course! pic.twitter.com/M7ktQrC2g5
— Chick-fil-A, Inc. (@ChickfilA) May 15, 2019
“The cookie was soft and tasted like it came fresh from the oven in grandma’s kitchen, not from a fast-food restaurant. The cookie was perfectly balanced with a combination of both semi-sweet dark and milk chocolate chunks,” explains MSN.
“This awesome chocolate chunk cookie from Chick-fil-A was ooey gooey with semi-sweet dark and milk chocolate chunks and irresistibly delicious. I was trying to figure out what set this cookie apart from the rest and realized it was the addition of oats! Now, I have yet another reason to go to Chick-fil-A! The company says its cookies are baked fresh on-site, and it’s no wonder that fans try to make copycat versions,” concludes Eat This, Not That!
You might be interested in:
- Best Fast Food Pie
- Best Fast Food Milkshakes
- Best Fast Food Chicken Sandwiches
- Best Fast Food Hash Browns
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sources:
- Mashed
- Insider
- Siam Thai CentralÂ
- Eat This, Not That
- Eat Pallet
- Occurrence
- MSN
- WatchMojo
- Don’t Blink
- Jonathan Mumm
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.