A Dessert War is Happening in Astoria
A sentence I never thought I’d write to be honest, but a dessert war is happening in Astoria and the Ditmars area of Astoria has quickly become the hub of ALL desserts.
Let me explain.
There were already a handful of places to grab dessert here, but in the past six months FOUR MORE PLACES OPENED. (*noted below with an asterisk*)
To catch you up, here’s who is in the running for best place to catch a sugar high:
Martha’s Country Bakery – Ditmars & 37th Street
Paris Baguette – 31st Street, between Ditmars and 23rd Avenue
Rose & Joe’s Italian Bakery – 31st Street, between Ditmars and 23rd Avenue
La Guli Pastry Shop – Ditmars & 29th Street
Chip City – 33rd Avenue & Ditmars
*Duchess Cookies – Ditmars & 36th Street
*Cookie Crumz – Ditmars & 29th Street
Dunkin Donuts – Ditmars & 31st Street AND Ditmars & 38th Street
*Dough – 31st Street & Ditmars
*Krispy Kreme – Ditmars & 31st Street
Mind you, these places are all within walking distance to each other, as you can probably tell from the address. Let’s also not forget how many restaurants are scattered in between these dessert places that also serve dessert.
Do we need all of these dessert spots so close together? Absolutely not. Yet, they just keep popping up.
As your resident dessert fanatic here at Tawk of New Yawk, I’ve felt it is my duty to taste and report on these spots, as they keep opening around here with no sign of stopping.
-Bakeries-
Martha’s Country Bakery
Martha’s might be one of my favorite places in all of Astoria. Their desserts are flawless in both taste and design and always keep me coming back for more. In the winter, I like to treat myself to their Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate which is made with the biggest scoop of peanut butter I have ever seen. No debate here: they must stay.
Paris Baguette
A chain bakery. Don’t get me wrong, the desserts here are great. BUT if you have family owned/NYC specific businesses in the area, wouldn’t you rather go there? I want my chocolate cake slice, my pastries, and my croissants to be special. A croissant at a Parisian themed chain bakery…hmm… wonder how the French would feel about that.
La Guli Pastry Shop
Your classic Italian bakery – every neighborhood should have one. This place is delicious and they can stay. I personally love walking by and seeing what perfect, decorative cake is sitting in the window. Makes me want to buy cakes for no reason whatsoever, especially walking by and seeing the magical holiday cakes sitting there!
Rose & Joe’s Italian Bakery
An Italian bakery-slash-marketplace. Since it’s more than just desserts here, it’s ok that we have two Italian bakeries so close together! You can get yourself some pizza, rice balls, breads, cookies, and everything Italian you can think up.
-Cookies-
Chip City
The OG cookie spot in Astoria. This is where Chip was born and they quickly grew into a famous cookie chain in NYC. They switch up their flavors daily and each and every one of them is delicious. I’ve eaten enough of them to confirm this. My personal favorite is their chocolate peanut butter, but I love exploring the seasonal flavors they bring in too! If they leave the neighborhood, I leave the neighborhood.
Duchess Cookies
A new kid on the block. Duchess Cookies opened recently, so I had to give it a test to compare it to Chip. I even heard a rumor that one of the original owners from Chip is behind Duchess *side eye*. Let’s just say…. Not my favorite place. The cookies were VERY sweet and too dense, like, almost raw. When you have a perfect cookie right down the block, why would you settle for less?
Cookie Crumz
Another newbie, but a newbie with a twist. Cookie Crumz offers a variety of homemade cookies all with unique recipes. They do offer your simple chocolate chip cookie, but I urge you to try something a little more exciting such as their “Berry Lit”. This cookie is a bourbon-infused cranberry cookie filled with white chocolate and a raspberry puree. YUM. The staff is extremely friendly and give off such a comfortable, family-business vibe, which alone makes me want to come back. Let’s also give them an honorable mention for competing with Chip. I’ll definitely be revisiting these guys VERY soon to eat more of their delicious cookies. Welcome to the neighborhood.
-Donuts-
Dunkin Donuts
Do I even have to review here? Who doesn’t love a good ole’ Dunkin donut? They’re perfect. You always get exactly what you’re hoping for. Never a let down. Would you ever be disappointed if someone walked into work or home and said “hey got you a pink frosted donut!” No.
Dough
I couldn’t hold my excitement when Dough was opening. Instagrammable donuts coming to the neighborhood? Count me in! However…I can’t not complain about the price. Imagine my shock when I paid $25 for four damn donuts. FOUR! Honestly, they weren’t even worth it. They were OK, but I’ll stick with my classic donuts. Thanks.
Krispy Kreme
Another one that doesn’t really need a review, but it’s new to the neighborhood so why not include it? Although they are both donuts, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts are two very different things… in my opinion anyway. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia that Krispy Kreme brings or maybe it’s just something about that classic glazed donut that makes my heart melt. Dunkin is a quick stop, nothing nostalgic about that. For that reason, they can stay. We love a classic.
So does Astoria need all of these places… no. But, they’re all delicious in their own right, so who am I to say if they should stick around.
Just please, for the love of Zeus, don’t open any more dessert spots. I’m already losing my money and gaining unwanted weight from what we have.
