The best cookies in Houston: Where to go when you need a sweet treat or guilty pleasure

From the classics like oatmeal raisin to newfangled varieties like Central Market's blueberry white chocolate chip, the Bayou City knows how to bake a mean cookie.

Here's a quick rundown of our favorites in no particular order.

Pondicheri

While our list isn't really ranked, Pondicheri still deserves top mention for cookie flavors that are as innovative as they are delicious. The cookie names speak for themselves really — Double Chocolate Hazelnut Basil, Pistachio Cardamom, Chocolate Almond Coconut Fresh Mint, Chocolate Oatmeal Chili, to note but a few.

Sinfull Bakery

Sinfull Bakery makes cookies for the 21st century, adding a healthy and socially-responsible edge to a classic guilty pleasure. But just because Sinfull's goods are organic and totally vegan, doesn't mean these cookies won't rock your world.

Go for the oatmeal raisin with its maple syrup-infused dough and rum-soaked raisins.

Fluff Bake Bar

Cordon Bleu-trained Rebecca Masson put Houston cookies on the map in 2011 with her drama-filled performance on the second season of Top Chef: Just Desserts. Do not miss her fluffernutter sandwich cookies.

Three Brothers Bakery

Serving up baked goods since 1949, Three Brothers is a Bayou City institution offering more than 30 varieties of non-dairy and kosher cookies.

Known for one of the best black and white cookie this side of Manhattan, the Three Brothers Cookie Chocolate Chewie is an unforgettable hybrid of cookie and brownie . . . complete with chopped walnuts sprinkled on top.

Tiny Boxwoods

Nothing beats sitting in the garden on a mild sunny day at Tiny Boxwoods, especially if you're sporting a latte and one of the cafe's beloved buttery cookies. The chocolate chip is a Houston must.

Paulie's

Paulie's has some amazing dessert options, but the Italian bistro's chocolate chip cookie is outstanding. Not only is it perfectly chewy, but there's additional chocolate dripped onto the top. Genius.

Michael's Cookie Jar

In eight short years, Michael Savino has become a cookie legend — a man who, according to his website, "couples the nostalgia of our collective childhood memories with the dedication and skill of a trained pastry chef."

The surprise is it's almost all true. Try the chocolate chunk or a classic sugar cookie.

Knowing full well that we've only just scratched the surface of Houston cookie culture, feel free to chime in with your favorites in the comments section below.

Paulie's chocolate chip cookies with drizzles of chocolate on top

Photo by Randy Ho

Paulie's chocolate chip cookies with drizzles of chocolate on top

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With or Without Whiz

Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

Photo by Michael Ma

Abbas Dhanani is serving up cheesesteaks at his new pop-up.

Abbas Dhanani is at it again. The food influencer-turned-restaurateur behind the CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning smash burger concept Burger Bodega is firing up a new pop-up concept devoted to another iconic sandwich.

Called Bas’s Cheesesteaks, the new concept will Dhanani’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak, made with sliced ribeye and white cheese on a seeded hoagie roll — onions and a spicy sauce are optional. A second version swaps the white cheese for Cheez Whiz. Like Burger Bodega, Dhanani is using halal beef for his cheesesteaks.

Bas's Cheesesteaks cheesesteak sandwich The cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma

“We have experimented with cheesesteaks as specials on the menu at Burger Bodega and received amazing feedback,” Dhanani said in a statement. “However, the cheesesteaks at Bas’s are the most refined versions we have done so far. I am excited to bring authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Houston as a new flavor experience while continuing to build on the energy and community we have created at Burger Bodega. This is a huge passion project for me, and I plan to take it step by step, just like Burger Bodega."

As Dhanani notes, he introduced Burger Bodega with a series of pop-ups throughout Houston. To answer the obvious question, of course a restaurant could be in the cards for Bas’s, too.

“I think thats the goal of any new pop-up concept,” Dhanani tells CultureMap. “Like Burger Bodega, we want to take it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

Bas’s Cheesesteaks will have its first pop-up on Monday, June 30 at Burger Bodega’s location (4520 Washington Avenue). In addition to the two cheesesteaks, diners can get fries. Future pop-ups will be announced via Instagram.

As for Burger Bodega’s second location in Katy, Dhanani says it’s still working through securing the necessary permits to begin construction.

news-you-can-eat openings bas's cheesesteaks