When I came to UChicago, I was glad to be in a big city, because of its food scene. After being here for only two quarters, I’m lucky enough to have been to some must-go-to places like Firecakes Donuts, Del Seoul, Little Goat, Sawada Coffee and some others.
However, my one week of eating in NYC made me miss NYC food the moment I returned to Chicago. As the economic center of the world, NYC is also the hub of all the creative foods. So here’s a list of some places that I went to in NYC that I wish were also in Chicago.
DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
What you’re seeing is not ice cream; it’s cookie dough and only cookie dough. Those of you who follow food Instagram accounts must be familiar with this place, since its creation of dessert using only cookie dough has gone viral. I tried a cup of chocolate dream, which is brownie batter plus Oreos and chocolate chips. It definitely tasted like a dream.
If you’re bold and crave even more sugar, there’s also an ice cream cookie dough sundae, a cookie dough milkshake, and cookie dough fudge, among other heavenly sugary treats.
The Bagel Store
I never imagined that a small Brooklyn bagel store that only takes cash could create this beauty. This is a unicorn bagel, a plain bagel with a hint of vanilla – and that hint of vanilla makes a huge difference! I wasn’t brave enough to try the rainbow bagel, which tastes like a plain bagel but is accompanied by plain cream cheese mixed with real cotton candy and sprinkles.
Momofuku Milk Bar
Momofuku doesn’t serve traditional vanilla ice cream but instead serves cereal milk soft serve; it literally tastes like cereal milk. If you’re a cereal or milk lover, this cup of soft serve is where happiness lies. There’s also a selection of cookies, cakes, and cereal milk that you can choose from. If you’re looking for some real food before indulging in dessert, some locations of Momofuku also have a noodle bar that serves Japanese ramen and BBQ pork buns.
The Meatball Shop
Even if you’re not a meatball fan, this place will change your mind. For the vegetarians out there, don’t worry: they serve vegetarian meatballs. You have the option to order 4 meatballs of any kind, which they proudly call ‘naked balls.’ You can then pair these ‘naked balls’ up with pasta or greens, or you can make them into a delicious sandwich. I chose the brunch option that comes with 2 meatballs, 2 poached eggs and spinach topped with Hollandaise sauce, called a “Meatballer’s Dream.”
Juliana’s Pizza
Juliana’s Pizza is one of the most famous New York-style pizza spots and is located in Brooklyn. While Chicagoans pride themselves on deep dish, New Yorkers humbly enjoy a slice of thin crust. As a cheese lover, I like the sometimes-overwhelming amount of cheese in deep dish. However, I have to admit that New York style pizza wins over my heart since it’s more like a pizza rather than a pie filled with cheese and tomato sauce.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
The birthplace of the cronut, chocolate chip cookie shot, and blooming marshmallow flower hot chocolate, Dominique Ansel Bakery has become a dessert spot that everyone should stand in line for during their NYC trip. While Glazed and Infused in Chicago has introduced their take on the cronut, Dominique Ansel Bakery would be an excellent addition to the donut shops and bakeries in Chicago. It keeps coming up with new sweets to surprise and satisfy one’s dessert cravings.
Bluestone Lane
I’ve had good avocado toast, but this is truly amazing avocado toast. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, this café already has more than 5 locations in the United States and will be opening more. I got the Brekkie Board, shown above with half portions of avocado smash and collective granola parfait. The coffee shop is a bit bougie, but the food is truly amazing and I would 10/10 recommend.
Bibble & Sip
I’m not usually a big fan of anything matcha-flavored, but I loved this matcha cream puff. Although the cream puff is loaded with cream, the bitterness of matcha and sweetness of the cream give it a great balance. When you bite into it, the cream oozes onto your hand and onto the plate, and it’s worth licking the cream from your finger.
I also tried the gigantic brownie and chocolate chunk cookie, but I couldn’t finish it without at least 2 others helping me.
Drunken Dumpling
Look at this giant soup dumpling. Doesn’t it fulfill all soup dumpling lovers’ dreams? I never imagined that one day, soup dumplings would be taken to such a level that people actually use a straw to sip the soup. The enormity and jiggliness of it is also very visually gratifying. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to explore this revolutionary soup dumpling, but this will be the #1 spot on my bucket list the next time I go to NYC.
Xi’an Famous Foods
If you like dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, or spicy food in general, Xi’an Famous Foods is the place to go. It’s most famous for its Liang Pi Cold-Skin Noodles, which are basically cold and spicy thin rice noodles, the Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger, which isn’t really a burger but a flat bun filled with meat, Lamb Pao-Mo Soup, which is soup with lamb and crumbled white bun, and all kinds of handmade noodles. This place is, without any doubt, one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in the entire United States.
Don’t get me wrong: I love Chicago, as it has tons of incredible brunch places, ramen shops, and cafés, but NYC presents an endless array of trendy options. I can’t wait to go back and explore more.