Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in Pennsylvania (exc. Philadelphia, inc Pittsburgh)
Start New ThreadMy friend Ron Lieber did a great article for the NY Times on the tradition of cookie tables at PIttsburgh weddings. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/din...
I'm wondering, if Pittsburgh is so cookie-centric, does that mean the cookies in local bakeries are unusually toothsome? Do I need to go out there?
By Jim Leff
on Jan 29, 2010 06:59 AM
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For the best chocolate chip you'll ever have, visit Nancy B's in West Homestead, PA (few miles from downtown Pittsburgh). The rest of the cooking range from good to flat out bad, so just stick to the chocolate chips. The oatmeal raisin though might be worth a try. You absolutely must call ahead to place your chocolate chip order. Otherwise there is a good chance they will not have any available for walk ins. An hours notice is all they usually need but more is always better.
http://www.nancybsbakery.com/Home.html
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Thanks! I'll see if they do mail order (it'd be extra cool if I could mail order the batter, and bake 'em up fresh....).
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Almost certain they mail order, let me know about the cookie dough idea! If you ever happen to visit, try your best to get a chocolate chip fresh out of the oven, heaven!
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Leff's First Law of Baked Goods is that ANYTHING tastes good straight out of the oven.
I can't tell you how many times I've rushed to a NYC deli to try some supposedly amazing muffin, and found the same commercial muffin batter/set-up as every other deli....but my tipster had gotten lucky and bought one that was hot.
Even that repulsive Pillsbury slice-and-bake cookie log crap is near-enjoyable hot (then, upon cooling, all the copious evil is revealed - sort of like a cheap hotel room as the disinfectant/perfume fades).
So, for sheer decadence, sure, hot's good. But for evaluation, ya gotta go cool, I think....
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Try them cold, you won't be disappointed. Working in the area though I get my fair share of warm ones :)
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A perfect place for cookies and specifically Pittsburgh wedding cookies is The Cookie Connection in Sharpsburg near the Waterworks. They regularly ship cookies all over and they are some of the best I've had. And they make these iced sugar cookies that are the best. www.YourSweetNeeds.com
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