Cookiez on Mill

It takes a certain amount of cockeyed optimism to operate a small, independent shop right next to an outpost of a huge chain offering a similar product. Cookiez on Mill, a small place specializing in ice cream sandwiches and Italian ices, bravely operates right next door to an outpost of Cold Stone Creamery on the 500 block of Mill Avenue, just over two blocks south of the Mill Avenue / Third Street Station. To differentiate itself from the titan next door, Cookiez does not try to dazzle visitors with dozens of ice cream varieties combined with dozens of toppings in a quasi-theatrical atmosphere. Instead, this small shop focuses on a unique mix of desserts and beverages that provide welcome relief during the long summer.

Guests entering the tiny store are typically greeted with an invitation to sample a piece of a freshly baked cookie, usually chocolate chip. The cookies come in ten varieties, most of them involving chocolate, peanut butter, or various candies like Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s. Oatmeal raisin is probably the most guilt-free option among the cookies choices. The large cookies are available by themselves for a dollar each or a dozen for $9.00; however, Cookiez’ product seems best enjoyed in an ice cream sandwich. Customers choosing this option select any cookie and combine it with any flavor of ice cream available; it’s even possible to have two different types of cookie bookending the ice cream in the sandwich. The sandwiches are generous enough to make an entire decadent meal for the average person. If looking for a more modestly sized dessert, the half sandwich (center photo below), which involves a single cookie split into two hemispheres, is probably a better choice.

Anyone looking for something even lighter than the half sandwiches should try the Italian ices. Unlike the cookies, which are made on site, the ices come from Repicci’s, a nationwide supplier. The ices come in several fruity flavors. Some, like mango (right photo below), seem quite authentic in their fruity taste; others, like the blue raspberry, seem to rely on flavorings more than actual fruit, but that’s typical of Italian ice, a product that is free of dairy, cholesterol, and fat, but not necessarily all natural. For a more intense and pure fruit experience, there are also several varieties of smoothies available.

Although Cookiez is predominantly a dessert place, it’s also a good place to grab a quick beverage between errands on Mill. The refrigerated case up front holds bottled water, soft drinks, and even a few bottles of Mexican Coke. At the counter, freshly made lemonade and iced tea are both available. Seating at Cookiez is limited to one table inside and one shaded table outside along the wide Mill Avenue sidewalk. Fortunately, much of the food is suitable for eating on the go. Cookiez is open from noon until 11 PM Monday through Thursday, noon until midnight Friday and Saturday, and 1 PM until 11 PM on Sunday.

514 S. Mill Ave., Suite 102, Tempe, AZ, 85281
(480) 557-7051

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