I've actually never liked DD's coffee - too sweet for me, even if I (sensibly) insist I add a little cream myself rather than leave such a delicate operation up to the person behind the register. Even the roasted beans smell sweet to me. Oh, well.

I'll second/third/fourth the recent renewed love (or at least like) for Dunk, though in my experience their donuts don't travel so well.

I am not a big fan on Dunkin' Donuts either. The donuts, even "fresh", are mediocre at best. I actually like their plain cake donut best. It is kinda hard to screw up and goes well with coffee. Any of their other donuts taste either of cheap frosting or too much shortening.

As for their coffee, I guess my problem is that it is very inconsistent. DD still needs to work on uniformity across their franchises. McDonald's coffee, while never great, is always...ALWAYS pretty decent. DD on the other hand, I have had a few cups that I thought beat out McDonald's, but I have also had dozens of watery crap from DD. It seems like the newer the shop, the better the coffe...but maybe that is just my imagination.

Does anybody have an recs for Chicago northside donut shops? It seems like all the best places are either in the burbs or on the south side. I live right around the corner from Dinkel's and I do definitely like their donuts, but I would be interested to try a place that has more of a specialization.

.

Chocolate donut at Il Mulino is a fine example of the breed. Baked, cakey but not dense, clean flavored frosting, even tasted good the next day for breakfast.

Il Mulino Chocolate Donut



IL Mulino Bakery/Maria's Bakery
530 Sheridan Road
Highwood, IL 60040
847-266-0811

DClose wrote:I am not a big fan on Dunkin' Donuts either. The donuts, even "fresh", are mediocre at best. I actually like their plain cake donut best. It is kinda hard to screw up and goes well with coffee. Any of their other donuts taste either of cheap frosting or too much shortening.

As for their coffee, I guess my problem is that it is very inconsistent. DD still needs to work on uniformity across their franchises. McDonald's coffee, while never great, is always...ALWAYS pretty decent. DD on the other hand, I have had a few cups that I thought beat out McDonald's, but I have also had dozens of watery crap from DD. It seems like the newer the shop, the better the coffe...but maybe that is just my imagination.

Does anybody have an recs for Chicago northside donut shops? It seems like all the best places are either in the burbs or on the south side. I live right around the corner from Dinkel's and I do definitely like their donuts, but I would be interested to try a place that has more of a specialization.

I live north also, and did a yelp search including 6 or 7 northside neighborhoods to see what's available. It seems like there is only one dedicated donut shop, called Donut Doctor in Albany Park. Other than that I got ten Dunkin Donuts results.

People keep referring to the Swedish Bakery's donuts, which I didn't know about before. I was going to walk up and try one today but then I read they don't make them fresh on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Maybe tomorrow.

Donut Doctor
3342 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 509-1600

I hopefully will be opening a donut and coffee shop on the northside in the fall, stay tuned. the donuts will be amazing and have great coffee to go with.

pacent wrote:

Shaggywillis wrote:Chicago (the city, since I live in it) is lacking in the donut scene, yeah Old Fashioned donuts is awesome, but I've only been once and the drive and atmosphere alone is enough for a young girl to now want to go by herself. Personally, the next time anyone is in NY and you want what I think is the best donut, you should go to the LES and have Doughnut Plant. Yes, this guy has been on TV, against Flay, but I will say, hands down, the raspberry donut is the best thing I think I've ever eaten, at least top 5.

http://www.doughnutplant.com/

My wife's cousin just blogged about the Doughnut Plant:
http://thesilverspork.wordpress.com/201 ... nut-plant/

He loved it.

Doughnut plant has always been a first stop for me in the mornings when I work in NYC. Sometimes I do 2 doughnuts if I felt like I had hit the gym extra hard the day before.

Thought I'd pose this question here. I mentioned upthread that my beloved buttermilk donut has been discontinued. OK, the mourning period is over: now, where can I find a similar donut? Dense, a hint of sour, with sweet glaze. I would imagine that a buttermilk donut...oh, just about anywhere else would be better than DD's, given that DD is not exactly tops with its other pastries.

When it comes to Dat Donuts, the third time was the charm for me. After two failed attempts, I finally made it down there while they were open.

I tried the glazed, jelly-filled, and apple fritter. Of the bunch, the glazed was the winner for me. The fritter was good, but in the (inevitable) comparison to the fritter at Old Fashioned, it didn't stand a chance.

Speaking of the comparison, I've been to OFD probably a half dozen times and Dat Donuts only once (well, only once when they were open) - let's just say I won't be headed back to Dat anytime soon. Old Fashioned's fritter is in another league altogether, and the raised donuts are also much better. Part of this may be that OFD does such a steady business that all the donuts I've had there have been warm and fresh, but I think that the quality is just much better. Anyway, it's worth the extra 30 block bike ride to get to OFD.

Glazed, Jelly-Filled and Fritter


-Dan

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Thought I'd pose this question here. I mentioned upthread that my beloved buttermilk donut has been discontinued. OK, the mourning period is over: now, where can I find a similar donut? Dense, a hint of sour, with sweet glaze. I would imagine that a buttermilk donut...oh, just about anywhere else would be better than DD's, given that DD is not exactly tops with its other pastries.

The buttermilk donuts at Dinkl's are exactly as you describe them (they also call them old-fashioned donuts). I am not a huge fan of their regular cake donuts, but the buttermilk hit the spot when I am driving by in the morning.

dansch wrote:Anyway, it's worth the extra 30 block bike ride to get to OFD.

Dan,

Have you tried Abundance Bakery? Apple fritters are terrific, though not the joyous perfection of Old Fashioned Donuts, and I prefer their donuts to Dat.

Abundance Bakery



Enjoy,
Gary

Abundance Bakery
105 E. 47th
Chicago, Il
773-373-1971

Old Fashioned Donut
11248 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
773-995-7420

Dat Old Fashioned Donut
8249 South Cottage Grove Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619
773-723-1002

Don't they have a buttermilk at OFD? Or am I remembering that wrong?

I would love to get a caravan going to OFD sometime soon. I have a vast and powerful craving, yet I don't want to travel from the one ass-end of the city to another all by myself.

bnowell724 wrote:I live north also, and did a yelp search including 6 or 7 northside neighborhoods to see what's available. It seems like there is only one dedicated donut shop, called Donut Doctor in Albany Park. Other than that I got ten Dunkin Donuts results....

Donut Doctor
3342 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 509-1600

It's been nearly two years since my doughnut survey, but Donut Doctor was doing excellent chocolate-frosted cake doughnuts then.

Indie doughnut shops

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Don't they have a buttermilk at OFD? Or am I remembering that wrong?

I would love to get a caravan going to OFD sometime soon. I have a vast and powerful craving, yet I don't want to travel from the one ass-end of the city to another all by myself.

The first time I went was last year during the Fast. They were amazing. I'm glad it's far away for my waist. I usually phone in a half dozen fritters because it's an easy way to remind friends how much they adore you + they freeze really well. Will probably go this Saturday afternoon (I've got a meeting in Lombard at Noon).

pairs4life wrote:Will probably go this Saturday afternoon (I've got a meeting in Lombard at Noon).

Don't miss the other donuts while you're there. The fritters are obviously incredible, but the raised donuts and crullers are both top notch.

-Dan

dansch wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Will probably go this Saturday afternoon (I've got a meeting in Lombard at Noon).

Don't miss the other donuts while you're there. The fritters are obviously incredible, but the raised donuts and crullers are both top notch.

-Dan

The blueberry cake donuts, when they have them, are my favorite donut in the city.

stevez wrote:

dansch wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Will probably go this Saturday afternoon (I've got a meeting in Lombard at Noon).

Don't miss the other donuts while you're there. The fritters are obviously incredible, but the raised donuts and crullers are both top notch.

-Dan

The blueberry cake donuts, when they have them, are my favorite donut in the city.

I don't tend to be a lover of cake donuts, but if you say so, I will order 1. I agree that the glazed donuts are fantastic but the apple fritter is what I have on my mind when hitting this GNR.

That reminds me I've got pilates today & I best hit the gym hard over the next few days, prior to order pick up at Old Fashioned, especially since we are doing date night pastry flight at Julius Meinl tomorrow.

Shaggywillis wrote:Chicago (the city, since I live in it) is lacking in the donut scene, yeah Old Fashioned donuts is awesome, but I've only been once and the drive and atmosphere alone is enough for a young girl to now want to go by herself. Personally, the next time anyone is in NY and you want what I think is the best donut, you should go to the LES and have Doughnut Plant. Yes, this guy has been on TV, against Flay, but I will say, hands down, the raspberry donut is the best thing I think I've ever eaten, at least top 5.

http://www.doughnutplant.com/

This is actually good information for me. I'm moving out of Chicago, for the first time in my life (37 years), to Minneapolis (spending two months in Paris in between) and I have only a few weeks left to sample the culinary greatness of Chicago. Old Fashioned has been on my radar for a while and since I've never been, I thought I'd try to hit it this Saturday am. The thing is, I will have my 2 year old in tow and knowing that it is in a sketchy neighborhood, I think I'll pass. Hopefully, I can get down there solo one time. It's ridiculous that I have to consider safety in my decision to go to a donut shop. Dinkel's will have to do in the meantime.

Maybe I have rose(land)-colored glasses on, but I really don't think you have much to worry about when visiting OFD. Stick to the main streets and go during the day (not that OFD stays open into the wee hours) and you'll be fine. Hell, I've driven through Englewood and lived! so Roseland seems not so intimidating.

Personally, I don't mind trekking to a sketchy neighborhood - I've been to worse. I was just concerned about bringing my two year old with me to questionable places. I'll just have to try it out solo. Thanks for the perspective though.

tyrus wrote:Personally, I don't mind trekking to a sketchy neighborhood - I've been to worse. I was just concerned about bringing my two year old with me to questionable places. I'll just have to try it out solo. Thanks for the perspective though.

Old Fashioned Donut is, well, a donut shop. Every time I've been in there there have been kids, happy smiling kids, munching donuts. Don't let your daughter, or you for that matter, miss out on the tasty fun, and absurdly delicious apple fritter, on the ~sense~ that 112 and South Michigan is a "sketchy" neighborhood.

Old Fashioned Donuts
11248 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60628
773-995-7420

stopped today at honey fluff donut's 6566 joliet rd
countryside,il.
just 1/2 doz to go
i have not been there in a long time .
i will go back

tyrus wrote:

Shaggywillis wrote:Chicago (the city, since I live in it) is lacking in the donut scene, yeah Old Fashioned donuts is awesome, but I've only been once and the drive and atmosphere alone is enough for a young girl to now want to go by herself. Personally, the next time anyone is in NY and you want what I think is the best donut, you should go to the LES and have Doughnut Plant. Yes, this guy has been on TV, against Flay, but I will say, hands down, the raspberry donut is the best thing I think I've ever eaten, at least top 5.

http://www.doughnutplant.com/

This is actually good information for me. I'm moving out of Chicago, for the first time in my life (37 years), to Minneapolis (spending two months in Paris in between) and I have only a few weeks left to sample the culinary greatness of Chicago. Old Fashioned has been on my radar for a while and since I've never been, I thought I'd try to hit it this Saturday am. The thing is, I will have my 2 year old in tow and knowing that it is in a sketchy neighborhood, I think I'll pass. Hopefully, I can get down there solo one time. It's ridiculous that I have to consider safety in my decision to go to a donut shop. Dinkel's will have to do in the meantime.

Tyrus. You & the kid will be fine. Take pictures while you are there. Call before leaving & tell them how many fritters you want. (They freeze just fine). Have a great time.

FYI- My dog is the most dangerous predator to the vegetables in the Earthboxes. She loves looking & trying to eat everything that's popped up. It's the cutest thing. Next year, we will plant a box just for her I think.

I have not yet been to OFD (it's on my list too and has been for 2 years dangit) but I have been to Dat many times (with and without kids in tow). Is the assumption that the neighborhood is "sketchy" based on anything more than the fact that it is a black neighborhood and it is on the far south side? Or is the claim based on crime stats?

My experience with both food and formerly working in the parks is that while every neighborhood has its own challenges, most neighborhoods have families, community gems and resources and hopefully a decent bakery or mom and pop shop or cafe you can go to. I kind of think that's the spirit behind many of the conversations on this here board. And certainly the spirit of trekking up/down/over to places like Dat Donuts, Abundance and Old Fashioned Doughnuts.

You know how when you're on a plane and it drops suddenly with a jolt and all the adults go white-knuckled and all the kids go, "Wheee! Do it again!" I think that's how kids see doughnuts and not "sketchy" communities. I didn't go into the finer points of bullet proof turnstyles in the Chicago south side dining scene when me and my boys were at Dat last. We talked the finer points of a cake versus as yeast doughnut. Or at least I did. I don't think they cared what i was blathering on about. They were much too happy with their doughnuts.

bjt

bjt wrote:I didn't go into the finer points of bullet proof turnstyles in the Chicago south side dining scene when me and my boys were at Dat last. We talked the finer points of a cake versus as yeast doughnut. Or at least I did. I don't think they cared what i was blathering on about. They were much too happy with their doughnuts.

This is a nice sentiment but, for the record, OFD doesn't have bullet proof glass or anyting like that. It's a great little donut shop where you can watch the donuts being made in the front window and there's plenty of seating to enjoy your purchase and some nice conversation. They even serve burgers and such if the spirit moves you, but I'd recommend getting extra donuts or fritters instead.

In all the times I've been there, there has never been even the slightest hint of danger or wierdness. In fact, it seems to me that the locals have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.

I should have clarified, I didn't mean OFD, I meant Dat Donuts, they do have the bullet-proof glass and that's where I've taken my kids. (And we burned off our sugar highs by running around Jackson Park's Wooded Island and Osaka garden afterwards.) I am very much in favor of checking out OFD, it's merely distance not fear that has held me back!

bjt

At OFD I've only ever been hassled by other customers (relatively harmless religio-political zealots on one occasion) but that could happen anywhere. I take my kid there without hesitation.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:At OFD I've only ever been hassled by other customers (relatively harmless religio-political zealots on one occasion) but that could happen anywhere. I take my kid there without hesitation.

I was there that time as well and it should be pointed out that the " religio-political zealots " were going up and down the block proselytizing to everyone regardless of race, creed, color or age. Happens anywhere, as Ronnie said.

bjt wrote:I am very much in favor of checking out OFD, it's merely distance not fear that has held me back!

Based on my recent experience, it's well worth the extra distance. I was riding my bicycle down from Andersonville, and the extra 4-5 miles each way would have been well worth it. In my opinion, OFD is in a league of it's own.

LAZ wrote:

bnowell724 wrote:I live north also, and did a yelp search including 6 or 7 northside neighborhoods to see what's available. It seems like there is only one dedicated donut shop, called Donut Doctor in Albany Park. Other than that I got ten Dunkin Donuts results....

Donut Doctor
3342 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 509-1600

It's been nearly two years since my doughnut survey, but Donut Doctor was doing excellent chocolate-frosted cake doughnuts then.

I had only been once and had pretty mediocre donuts at Donut Doctor. Given that my single experience was mid-afternoon (not a great time for fresh donuts), I went back a couple of weekends ago around 9am on a Saturday to give the place another shot. Donuts were still disappointing (tried cake, yeast, and fritter) and I left mine unfinished. Coffee was even worse. Frankly, I'd rather go to Dunkin.

-Dan

philw wrote:stopped today at honey fluff donut's 6566 joliet rd
countryside,il.
just 1/2 doz to go
i have not been there in a long time .
i will go back

Honey Fluff is my go to place about 2x/year when I decide that the Friday afternoon traffic home on I-55 is lousier than usual and I really just want a fritter and a donut for dinner/dessert - I just did that a week ago. I somehow never think to stop there in the morning and take a dozen into the office with me.

I consider myself to be pretty cautious when it comes to things involving my children, and I have taken my young boys (now 4 and 2) to Old Fashioned Donuts on multiple occasions, including yesterday morning. While I suppose anyone could get caught in the middle of something at any time, my experience has been that kids are the great equalizer and that people just don't mess with me when I have my children with me. All that said, OFD's neighborhood is, to me at least, simply one of those "exercise sensible urban caution" type of places. Probably does not hurt that most of my visits have been early morning, when there is just not a whole lot going on down there on the sidewalks/streets or otherwise.

Fritter was as good as ever (although there was only one left when I got there and I could not wait the 20 minutes for the next batch to come out on account of needing to get back north for a board meeting to which I was bringing the donuts), chocolate cake with chocolate frosting seemed a hit with the boys (though not so big a hit with their mother when they were bouncing off the walls a few hours later and my meeting ran late), also got a variety of other donuts (glazed, buttermilk, plain cake, raised with vanilla frosting and coconut topping, cinnamon roll, etc.). All in all, just outstanding across the board and I am pretty sure I won over some new converts to what I believe are the best donuts in the city. Next time will probably call ahead on the fritters, but I did this visit on a lark and would have gone regardless.