Do-Rite Donuts and Coffee

Just checked out Do-Rite Donuts downtown Chicago on Randolph next to Petterino's. Really tasty donuts--my personal favorites being the maple-iced kruller with candied bacon (YES!), the carrot cake (perfect amount of cream cheese frosting), and the dunker (yummy). They have good coffee, too. Certainly worth a visit and, if you're driving, there are a few 30-minute flashing zones nearby.

I'd post a picture but can't seem to figure out how to do it just yet.

50 W Randolph
(between Wabash Ave & Garland Ct)
Chicago, IL 60601
Neighborhood: The Loop

I'm really excited to try Do-Rite Donuts! Also looking forward to the opening of Glazed and Infused! The Do-Rite Dunker and the Old Fashioned look similar except in terms of shape. Did they taste very different?

Made a stop by Do Rite this morning so I could share the new donuts with the coworkers. Got a half dozen because $30 for a dozen is rather out of my "share with the coworkers" budget, but $15 is about the same for 12 itty bitty cupcakes...and the donuts are big. Everyone sliced 'em up and tried several -- almost all of them were universally hailed as delicious. My only really criticism was that the Boston Kreme Donut had very little kreme in it....and that just didn't seem right. It did taste yummy though. The carrot cake donut is a must get as well as the valrhona glazed cake. We did the maple bacon and the peanut butter and jelly and the buttermilk. All were quite the tasty treat. Pricey. But tasty.

The coffee is damn good. And you can get a 12 oz java with a donut for $1.

The pair manning the shop told me that these donuts were most probably going to be the usual offerings and didn't anticipate much change in the donut choices.

They worked for me. Especially if I just wanted a donut and a cup of joe.

I stopped in this morning and got a dozen to share with coworkers (but only the coworkers I like because, as earthlydesire said, they are a bit pricey.

Maybe they saw your post, because my boston cream was oozing with cream. I would say there was too much cream inside, but I'm not sure that is possible.

Everything was good, but the standouts were the bacon krueller and the vanilla old fashioned.

Also picked up a pound of Dark Matter coffee. Glad I can get it in the loop now!

Is it crowded like the Doughnut Vault, or can you just pop in and pick some up? I'd love to check this out, the fancy donut trend is thrilling for me.

Another question just occurred to me. I'm visiting a friend in the Quad Cities Saturday, and I'm sure a bunch of these donuts would be well-received. Are they likely to still be decent the next day, or is it a day-of kind of thing, like paczki?

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Another question just occurred to me. I'm visiting a friend in the Quad Cities Saturday, and I'm sure a bunch of these donuts would be well-received. Are they likely to still be decent the next day, or is it a day-of kind of thing, like paczki?

I cannot speak to Do-Rite, but I periodically bring donuts from Old Fashioned Donuts that were purchased on a Saturday to church on Sunday (OFD is closed on Sundays). While there is some degradation, it is not particularly noticeable, and my philosophy is that a day-old donut from OFD is better than day-of donuts from 99% of other places. And they are always raved about. Cake seem to hold up better than yeasted, for what it's worth.

That's true, I've noticed donuts from OFD do hold up rather well. They even freeze nicely. Whether this is due to the overall quality or a higher fat content, I don't know.

I am most looking forward to the buttermilk. That's my favorite donut, and it's been difficult to find a decent one.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Is it crowded like the Doughnut Vault, or can you just pop in and pick some up? I'd love to check this out, the fancy donut trend is thrilling for me.

There were 2 people in line when I got there. 4 when I left. It's crowded, but only because it's in a closet.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Are they likely to still be decent the next day, or is it a day-of kind of thing, like paczki?

If any of mine make it until tomorrow, I'll let you know.

Can't find the hours listed anywhere - the website is just a front page, no info. Anyone know?

According to Gapers Block,

Gapers Block wrote:Do-Rite will be open Monday through Friday starting at 6:30am, and will be frying donuts fresh every hour until 11am -- though Mahin said some varieties may run out early. "We're cooking donuts every hour, 24 to 36 at a time." The shop will stay open after 11am until the last batch runs out. You'll be able to keep an eye on supply and daily selection by following @DoRiteDonuts on Twitter.

I had a couple yesterday and they were outstanding!

Well hell, it's only a block from my el stop and add to that the TP seal of approval and I guess I have a date with destiny tomorrow morning!

Dang, I won't be able to get there until 4 tomorrow. My chances are probably not good.

I'm sitting at my desk eating a Verona chocolate glazed cake donut and I have to say it's exceptional.
The coffee is very good as well but at $4 for a small coffee and a donut it’s not something I’ll be doing every morning.

Data point - they were closed at 2:30 pm yesterday when I stopped by.

zoid wrote:I'm sitting at my desk eating a Verona chocolate glazed cake donut and I have to say it's exceptional.
The coffee is very good as well but at $4 for a small coffee and a donut it’s not something I’ll be doing every morning.

Oddly enough, I am sitting at my desk, having just finished the chocolate glazed donut, as well. I snagged one fresh from the kitchen and man... Light, airy but with the slightest crust that was barely able to keep the mound of chocolate frosting from collapsing in on the whole thing. Not an 'every morning' stop for me, either, but definitely something to look forward to here and there. And, again, Dark Matter coffee for such a low price... that I could do every morning.

My understanding is that they close when they run out of donuts -- and they keep on making them until 11am.

Seems strange they'd not be open on weekends. Too bad as I'd have liked to compare to Donut Vault.

Found a "menu" with pricing:
http://www.urbandaddy.com/uploads/asset ... e1a515.pdf

uhockey wrote:Seems strange they'd not be open on weekends. Too bad as I'd have liked to compare to Donut Vault.

But . . . Doughnut Vault is closed on Sundays, which is half of the weekend?

Seems strange they'd not be open on weekends

Not much foot traffic in the Loop on the weekends once you get away from Michigan Avenue and Macy's. Certainly a lot of places are closed on Sundays. I doubt it would make economic sense to be open.

Speaking to the two questions in the thread. The first time I was there -- which was opening day -- there was no line at all. On Friday, at 8:15, I waited 15 minutes to get into the closet. That said, when I got to the line, they had fresh donuts coming in and let me tell you, that buttermilk was OUTSTANDING while hot. It was pretty good when it wasn't but hot...was a very good thing.

The first time I was there -- only one size of coffee. on Friday they had a larger cup and I agree with the poster above -- that Dark Matter coffee is delicious. I don't even care that they pour the cream (normally that would bug me) but it was outstanding.

I went in for two donuts on Friday and I couldn't help myself -- I ended up getting 5. Could not eat them all of course so I did eat some of them the next day and they really held up pretty well.

Really liked the cinnamon crunch which was like a great cinnamon roll, minus the goo and glaze but in donut form and with these delightful crunchy cinnamon nubbins all over it. One of my biggest pet peeves about cinnamon rolls is that the cinnamon is only in the goo..not in the dough and this has it in the dough.

I'll be glad when they move the line a little faster - the cash register portion is a bit slower than the handing you the donuts portion but they seem to be doing their best to get it faster.

I've never gotten myself over to the Doughnut Vault (plus those lines seems SOO intimidating) but if they're as good as Do Rite...I say let competition reign! More donuts! Less cupcakes!

Oh...a report on the amount of custard in the Boston Creme -- I did find more custard on this second purchase than in the first. Perhaps I got a sad little rejected guy the first time.

If you are driving, give them a call and they will have your order ready for you and bring it to your car! I did that on Friday and was happy I did. The store was packed with people, but they saw my car (I gave them a description) and ran my donuts out for me.

Do they take plastic or is it cash only?

Coming to town on 3/16 and would love to share some donuts with another LTHer to sample more varieties. Would be willing to meet at the store at a designated time or buy 'em and meet elsewhere for coffee and a sampling of varieties.

AlexG wrote:Do they take plastic or is it cash only?

Credit cards are accepted.

I just paid cash, but a CC equiped computer register is in use.

$16.50 for the half dozen.

Hardest thing was limiting to just six!

Was bad and had two. The chocolate glazed was very good, but the buttermilk was unbelievable.

uhockey wrote:Coming to town on 3/16 and would love to share some donuts with another LTHer to sample more varieties. Would be willing to meet at the store at a designated time or buy 'em and meet elsewhere for coffee and a sampling of varieties.

There are now two of us. Plan is 9am on Friday if anyone else wants to show up.

uhockey wrote:

uhockey wrote:Coming to town on 3/16 and would love to share some donuts with another LTHer to sample more varieties. Would be willing to meet at the store at a designated time or buy 'em and meet elsewhere for coffee and a sampling of varieties.

There are now two of us. Plan is 9am on Friday if anyone else wants to show up.

Barring any last minute changes to my work schedule on the 16th I'd love to join you.

They don't have seating so hopefully the weather will be nice.