The McDonald’s/Starbucks Cookie Throw Down
By Jesse | October 2, 2009
Sometimes you just need a chocolate chip cookie. One of these moments struck us after a dinner out. On our way home we were faced with a common suburban dilemma. One strip mall. One Starbucks. One McDonalds. Two people. One solution. A McDonald’s Starbucks cookie showdown.
While just about everyone, especially your typical suburbanite, knows, Starbucks offers an assortment of sweet treats to go along with their overwhelming selection of coffee drinks. After all, a toffee bar is the perfect accompaniment to a venti non-fat soy skinny macchiato with two shots. And most are aware that McDonalds has a limited selection of deserts, like the McFlurry, and the oh so delicious apple pies. But few seem to remember McDonalds’ little case of cookies.
How did they stack up? Take a look.
Value:
Starbucks offered us one large cookie for $1.59, while McDonalds came in with 3 small cookies for $1. And with McDonalds we were not just limited to chocolate chip. They also offer an oatmeal raisin cookie. +1 McDonald’s
Nutrition:
McDonalds rocks in at a 160 calories per chocolate chip cookie and 150 calories in the oatmeal raison cookie. Not too bad…if you only eat one. Problem is, there’s three of them. Unfortunately, Starbucks does not list nutritional information about their cookies. Or at least, I couldn’t find anything. They do claim to make everything from all natural ingredients, and my suspicion is that the Starbucks cookie will be under 480 calories found in the 3 McDonalds cookies. But, just like when a team fails to take the field, I’m going to give the edge to McDonald’s. At least they are not hiding anything. +1 McDonalds
Taste:
The Starbucks’ cookie was OK, it had a hint of toffee flavor, but overall tasted like a store-bought cookie. It could not compete with the McDonalds’ cookies. They tasted like fresh, right out of the oven cookies. They were still warm, and satiated the cookie desire perfectly. Granted, it could have been a timing issue, McDonald’s were fresh, Starbucks was not. And the best part about McDonalds? The little milk chugs. +1 McDonalds
There you have it. McDonalds’ cookies defeat Starbucks in a landslide in our mini-showdown.
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October 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 am
This is SO true. I loved those cookies. (confession: I’d sometimes buy 2 bags worth).
Starbucks were cookie cutter. Mickey D’s were just delicious cookies.
Thanks for reminding me!
And nice job on your new theme for the site. Crisp, clean, on-point, and attractive to boot.
Michael
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:53 am
I’d like to see you compare to Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are huge, but don’t taste nearly as good as McDonalds. I am a home-made chocolate chip cookie person, but the McDonalds cookies really are good. Especially when you time it right and get fresh ones.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Try this with Subway cookies… oh my! However, at 280 cals/cookie… I think it’s worth it not to get one.
Also, is it just me or does Ronald McDonald look something like an anime version of Chucky??? :-S
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
Ha, yeah, Subway cookies are great, but I’d put McDonalds’ on the same level.
There’s definitely something weird going on on those milk chugs. Maybe McDonalds is trying to scare kids away from eating healthy.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
I agree, the design looks much better. I really have to thank Chris at http://css-tricks.com/, who’s also an occasional contributor. He banged this out in less than an hour.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I agree. The McDonald’s cookies are a better deal and even taste better. However, you failed to mention that Starbucks also had a variety of cookies other than just chocolate chip.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Those McDonald’s cookie are so damn good. Think I’ll begin to crave one around midnight and send the hubby to fetch it for me.