"It kinda blows my mind when people go to an establishment that has gone viral on social media and then complain that there was a line, the place was busy, and the product wasn’t immediately available. Like, of course it’s busy: everyone is there for the same reason as you—because everyone saw the same sexy videos of a giant salted molten chocolate chip cookie tantalizingly being pulled apart online and wanted it. This was the second weekend that I stopped by to try this famed cookie—when I went last weekend, I was politely informed that it would be 15 minutes until the next fresh batch. I didn’t have time to wait, so I came back this weekend when I had more time like a grownup instead of whining about how everything that I wanted wasn’t immediately available to me when I wanted it to be. This is NYC: if you walk around this area, which is a bit of a foodie hotspot, you will see a bunch of establishments that have gone viral on social media where there are lines down the block. I don’t know why anyone would think it would be a different circumstance here. If you claim that it matters to you that this is a Black-owned business single-handedly fighting back against the gentrification of the neighborhood businesses, then maybe stop holding them to a different standard as every other popular establishment that has received well-deserved recognition and the accompanying crowded doorway. Despite their popularity, I was served in a timely manner (less than 5 minutes) and I think they have a good system in place to get their goodies to people efficiently. Most importantly, the cookie was well worth the wait. Honestly, I’m not sure how the texture can exist—even when the cookie is cool, the inside remain that molten, semi-solid texture that you’d expect from partially cooked dough (if you’re like me and bake cookie dough for 1/2 the time because you like that hot, melty, gooey batter texture, you know what I mean). The inside somehow preserves this soft texture while the cookie exterior maintains a crispness and firmness that not only allows the cookie to retain its shape, but also gives incredible texture variation compared to the soft inside. The way this cookie falls apart as you eat it is heavenly, and the salt on top just pushes it over the edge to become the most satisfying chocolate chip in the city. 10/10 will be returning to try their other goods."

"Tried the signature chocolate chip cookie. Very salty and thin just how I like it. Very cozy atmosphere and it’s always a pleasure to sit in a bakery where staff is laughing/smiling etc you can see how great of a team they are!"

"The chocolate chip cookie is very very good. A little thinner than I usually like, but the flavor is deep and rich. Really nice. My friend had the carrot cake and she didn't enjoy it as much. I tasted it and it was a little heavy and dry. Stick with the chocolate chip cookie. It's very good. Service was lovely and decor is simple. A little difficult to figure out what's on offer. More a takeout place than a park yourself type place."

"Pastry Box is a pastry gem. It is the home of the best cookie I've ever had in my life—the 1/4 lb sea salt chocolate chip cookie. If you arrive and it currently isn't in stock, wait for it. It's worth it. Where to begin... First off, the chocolate chip cookie is my favorite dessert of all time. Through a long period of bachelor living well into my now married life, I have been honing my own chocolate chip cookie recipe. After years, I made what I believed to be the best in my book. Listen. I have tried cookies from basically every place that I've seen sells them. I have made some bad cookies and learned from many mistakes on the road to making what I considered the perfect cookie. I KNOW my way around the cookie. This wonderful and blessed place has shown me that it can get better, and I am gratefully humbled—releived even to know that a place exists that KNOWSSS the way of the cookie. Let's start with a very crucial detail. See all that sea salt sprinkled on top? That's mandatory. It balances out the rich sweetness of the rest of the chocolate chippy goodness of the cookie. Salt is the rib to sugar. They are married and not to be divorced. Next, I know you can just tell that this cookie got some crisp to it. Let me confirm this. It does. Not only that, but the crist is 360, completely encompassing the entire surface. What lies beneath that crisp? Soft ooey-gooey goodness. It's not magic or sorcery. It's straight up blessed. Amen. If you fear that the thin appearance might mean you'll be biting into a brittle cookie, you'll be pleasantly disproved once that melty mouth-feel overwhelms you past the light crispy exterior. Worlds will collide right on your taste buds and you'll be introduced to a universe of cookie mastery. Last thing I will note is that the chocolate to cookie ratio is also spot on. Harmony and balance—world peace in a cookie. To the wonderful women running this establishment. Thank you and God bless. I pray to one day be blessed with the gift to be able to make cookies just like this. In the meantime, I'll gladly sit in a place beneath it and keep paying this place a visit whenever I come to NYC!"

"Wow! I have now been a few times and let me tell you every single thing has been delicious! But the cookies are incredible! Perfect levels of salty and sweet 10/10 no notes"