Hungry Harvard students and Cambridge cookie lovers are in for a treat as Chip City Cookies prepares to stake its claim in Harvard Square come July. The heavyweight in the cookie game, known for their hefty treats tipping the scales at around five and a half ounces a pop, will open doors at 1 Brattle Sq., marking their third Massachusetts location and broadening their East Coast reach which already counts 37 stores.
Founded in 2017 by duo Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas, the company started as a Queens-based side hustle, opening its doors only a few days a week. Despite humble beginnings, a loyal fanbase of dessert devotees thrust Chip City into the spotlight, enabling expansions into new markets with a steadfast focus on super-sized sweets. "We make these giant ooey-gooey cookies. Crispy on the outside, gooey in the center," Gailas described in a statement obtained by The Harvard Crimson.
Beyond their classic top-five flavors – chocolate chip, s’mores, cookies and cream, confetti, and dairy-free chocolate chip – the menu offers a variety of creative options. Notable mentions include the indulgent "cookie butter cookie," a treat Gailas has dubbed "cookie-ception." Continual innovation has been key to the success of this cookie empire, which prides itself on using premium ingredients. "I think that’s what sets us apart," Gailas commented on their commitment to quality, as reported by The Harvard Crimson.
But Chip City isn't entering an empty arena—Insomnia Cookies already has a presence on Mt. Auburn St., satisfying late-night cravings with doors open until 3 a.m. on weekends. While Insomnia caters to night owls, Chip City's Boston locations close by 10 p.m., and the Harvard Square spot is expected to do the same. However, Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, isn't worried about the competition. Drawing a comparison to the variety of pizza places in the Square, she says, "There are a whole bunch of Harvard kids who absolutely love Pinocchio’s. And then there’s another whole set that really love Joe's. And there’s another whole set that think that Otto is absolutely the best or that Oggi Gourmet is the best," as explained in her interview with The Harvard Crimson.
