Mary's Mountain Cookies - Downtown Sioux Falls

I've walked past Mary's Mountain Cookies on Phillips Avenue maybe two dozen times before I finally went in — one of those storefronts you notice but never prioritize until the craving becomes unavoidable. It sits in that stretch of downtown between 6th and 7th where foot traffic flows steady but not overwhelming, the kind of block where you can still find parking if you circle once.

The cookies are massive. Not social-media-massive where size substitutes for flavor — these are legitimately thick, palm-sized rounds that arrive warm if you time it right. I tried the chocolate chip first because that's the litmus test, and the edges had that crisp-chewy contrast that's harder to nail than it looks. The snickerdoodle came recommended by the woman behind the counter, and she wasn't overselling it — cinnamon sugar in every crevice, soft center that gave under the slightest pressure.

What surprised me was the consistency. I've been back four times now, different days and hours, and the quality hasn't wavered. That's not always a given with bakeries that lean into size — sometimes you get spectacle without substance. Here the recipes feel dialed in, like someone tested them until muscle memory took over.

The space itself is small, maybe six tables total, and the retail section shares square footage with a few local products and gift items. It's not a linger-all-afternoon setup, but that seems intentional. You come for cookies, maybe a coffee, maybe you sit for ten minutes while your parking meter runs. The location makes it convenient for downtown workers on a break or families killing time before a movie at the State.

The one truth: if you show up after 3pm on a weekday, selection thins out fast. Popular flavors go early, and they don't always bake another round. It's the gamble of a place that moves volume without overproducing — which I respect, even when it means settling for my second choice.

— Grace