Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Dirty Dough Cookies to Open 2 Locations, Bringing Cookies & Mental Wellness

(Photo courtesy of Dirty Dough Cookies)

Dirty Dough Cookies to Open 2 Locations, Bringing Cookies & Mental Wellness

Jan 11, 20242 min read

Dirty Dough Cookies is set to open its first of two Tucson-area locations. The new location at 1495 E. Tucson Marketplace (right around the corner of Dave & Busters) is currently hosting its soft opening, and then another location will open soon after in Marana at 8340 N. Thornydale Rd. #150 (right next to Dominick’s Real Italian).

At the moment, the Tucson Marketplace location is open 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Monday – Saturday and closed on Sundays. On Saturday, February 3, this location is hosting its Grand Opening and giving each customer a free cookie.

a hand holding a piece of food
(Photo courtesy of Dirty Dough Cookies)
The Menu

The cookie chain sells “super-stuffed cookie bombs,” which feature various layers, mix-ins, and fillings baked into the dough. Some options include a raspberry toaster tart, Reese’s peanut butter cup cookie, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookies N Cream, and a classic chocolate chip, of course.

“The name Dirty Dough refers to the inside of the cookie being ‘dirty’ with more goodies and fillings than any other cookie,” said Bennett Maxwell, who founded the company in an apartment kitchen at Arizona State University in 2018. “A Dirty Dough cookie is messy and imperfect, exactly how it was meant to be.”

(Photo courtesy of Dirty Dough Cookies)

“Dirty Dough cookies are engineered from the inside out, with every cookie featuring some combination of layers, mix-ins, or filling within the dough. The unique flavor profiles and trademark gooey goodness of our cookies set us apart from other cookie-cutter brands.”

– Dirty Dough Cookies
Supporting Mental Health

Dirty Dough also has a mental wellness initiative “baked into their DNA” with their new nonprofit Life is Sweet Foundation. The organization has a self-declared mission of funding 1,000 mental health wellness centers within the next five years.

One issue close to Maxwell is the harm caused to kids by the images and lifestyles seen on social media — “an escalating problem that sometimes even culminates in self-harm.” As the father of two daughters, he decided to donate a percentage of his proceeds to local mental health initiatives such as wellness rooms, where folks can go to learn about mental health and try techniques to keep their minds healthier.

(Photo courtesy of Dirty Dough Cookies)

“At Dirty Dough, we spread the message of proudly owning who you are, imperfections and all,” Maxwell added. “We stand for authenticity, self-acceptance, and encouraging others to come as they are, knowing that just like our cookies, what really matters is on the inside.”

Dirty Dough Cookies is open at 1495 E. Tucson Marketplace from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Monday – Saturday and closed on Sundays. Then another location is expected to open in Marana at 8340 N. Thornydale Rd. #150. For more information, visit dirtydoughcookies.com.

Article written by:

Sam Jump
Tucson Foodie is Tucson's premier food and dining publication, covering the best restaurants, events, and culinary experiences in Southern Arizona.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com