Not sure if this fits the bill exactly, but I like these. They dry dishes well and are generously sized. They are smooth on one side and terry cloth on the other.

https://a.co/d/g3WYDtM

Costco has big packages of white cotton shop towels. They are better than the hand towels, very absorbent. I use these in the kitchen for dishes, spills.
For my hands, I like the thin linen or Japanese cotton towels.

I bought what are supposed to be bathroom hand towels from IKEA ten years ago. They were a nice size and the right color; all cotton with an absorbent texture, but not fluffy.

I look for the same kind. I often end up buying hand towels in the bath section since they’re thicker.

I’ve had the best luck with Crate and Barrel, but the options there are hit and miss, so better to buy in store rather than ordering online.

I got some really fluffy (but not terry) kitchen towels at Costco this fall. They're showing sold out online now: https://www.costco.com/organic-kitchen-towel%2C-8-pack.product.4000247811.html but maybe you can still find them in store? Really excellent quality - much better than what I have from Williams Sonoma.

I usually look at what's at Marshall and TJ Maxx and there are often lots of thick options. Try there?

bump!

So I'm looking for some thick absorbent terry cloth kitchen towels like they used to make and I'm having a really hard time now they seem to only have thin tea towels. If you know of a brand or can post link I'd be grateful as my towels have seen better days.