Matt wrote: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 . . . Next time will probably call ahead on the fritters, but I did this visit on a lark and would have gone regardless.

A good time to remind those traveling to OFD to call ahead and reserve the fritters as they are always in high demand. Probably also a good time to remind people that one fritter will feed at least 2 people, and maybe more.

bjt wrote: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? bjt

The assumption was based on a previous post by Shaggywillis saying, "...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."

I appreciate the other perspectives from the board and I'm sure it would have been fine but if I'm going to my toddler son some place new, I like to have an idea where I'm taking him. Sketchy means different things to different people - heck, when I moved to Bucktown in the 90's, I couldn't get my friends to hang out in my neighborhood because they thought it was sketchy (hearing gun shot fire didn't help matters much but you get the idea). I've lived and worked in and around Chicago long enough to know when to "exercise sensible urban caution" and like I said, I'm sure it would have been fine but that initial comment had me thinking twice about bringing the little guy.

Thanks again for the other perspectives. I think many people that read this board have similar questions about places in neighborhoods with which they're not familiar. I'll shoot down there soon, especially for those apple fritters.

I made my first OFD Fritter run today. Two observations:

1) Definitely be sure to call in advance, either to make sure they have fritters on hand or to check when the next batch is up and/or politely reserve a few. Assuming fritters are what you want, of course, given everything else is great, too. I got there just in time to see them lower a fresh batch into the oil, preceded by a huge white hunk of what was probably lard.

2) As a parent of a toddler and a 1st grader, I'd say a toddler would probably be OK to take along but maaaaaaybe not the older one. I mean, it's the south side of Chicago, and while it didn't feel unsafe, I can only imagine the older one asking about the array of colorful profanity likely to be encountered. Of course, it was really no more than what you'd hear on the train - hey, this is a big city - but just keep in mind that as nice as the people may be there, and as great as the food is, it's not a place you'd want to hang for family time, let alone go for a leisurely donut-in-hand walk around the 'hood. I echo the "exercise sensible urban caution," which I learned living in Hyde Park and keep in mind pretty much everywhere I go in Chicago. Because Chicago is urban, and so am I.

? bottom line for those both timid and car-less:
best indy donut shops close-in (Loop/NearNorth/etc) short walk from an El stop?
... I've read every post in this thread and sense that the consensus is one must undertake an epic journey. Abundance is a short walk from the 47thSt GreenLine; but other than that ... anyone?

chetbop wrote:? bottom line for those both timid and car-less:
best indy donut shops close-in (Loop/NearNorth/etc) short walk from an El stop?

Dinkel's for chocolate donuts. The bakery is just steps from the Paulina El stop.

Dinkel's Bakery
3329 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-7300

Thanks!

New KGB deal today: $3 for one dozen donuts at Dat Donut.
http://www.kgbdeals.com/chicago/

Speaking of Dat Donuts, I was there this morning, picking up a few apple fritters, because Old-Fashioned was closed for Vacation through the 7th. May have been mentioned on the board already but thought I'd throw it out there again as a PSA.

It's prolly just me and my bad tastebuds, but I swear, I've become more and more enamored with the apple fritter at...
um...
well...
Speedway Gas Station.

The only one I've ever gotten them from is on Milwaukee avenue just north of Lake Cook Road. I have no idea if they are the same at each location. But I kinda have a thing for them. They are big, crunchy outside, and usually dense and soft inside. Way better than I expected. I don't even try to not get one on the days I have to come up this way in the am. Three days a week, apple fritter. I don't fight it anymore. Sadly, today's was actually a little undercooked, so they are paying attention to trying to keep them gooey in the middle.

Apologies if this has been previously noted, but I HIGHLY recommend the Lil Orbits donuts made fresh in front of you in the Pedway at the Washington stop on the Blue Line (just east of the Daley Center). She closes up by 2 p.m. or so you need to buy them on the way to work, not on the way home, which is fine because they're perfect for sharing with your co-workers, who will be very grateful.


It's a tiny operation, squeezed in beside the usual lottery ticket vendor. . The brainchild of a Minneapolis entrepreneur who just sells the equipment and the mix, rather than selling franchises.

He's onto something. It's great fun to watch the tiny donuts drop into the oil, flip, and then flop out onto the cooling rack. At $4.00 for a bag of about 20 it's cheap to be a hero to the office. And they taste as wonderful as only a very fresh donut can.

I went to Dunk Donuts, Melrose Park, for the first time last weekend. Simple glazed and cake were terrific. Apple fritter was typical of the genre, not my "cup of tea." Highly recommended if your are nearby. I think they open at 4AM seven days a week (!) At least that's what I think the lady told me. Too bad the coffee was horrible.



Apple fritter, which I called a "death bomb."
Six year old daughter, "what's a death bomb?"

Try the cherry donut, it's pretty tasty. Tip: If you go after lunch when things are slow, they usually give you extra donuts for free.

When I rolled by D&D's Place "a touch of the Old Fashioned Doughnut" I knew it was worth a try.


Some Specialty's of the House all baked daily in an old Tastee Freez on Kedzie just North of 83rd street, they have food and ice cream too.


Folks behind the counter we're really nice and rec'd the 6 inch Apple Fritter which is what I had my eyes on. Go time.


Called a Texas Fritter, guessing do to it's size please note that's a regular sized to-go box which it sits fully inside. This was fantastic although I know what you're thinking and cant say until I've tried both side by side.

D&D's Place
8324 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60652
(773) 778 7007

Da Beef wrote:This was fantastic although I know what you're thinking and cant say until I've tried both side by side.

According to at least one website, the owner of D&D's on Kedzie trained under the owner of Old Fashioned Donuts on South Michigan, who gave him his blessing to go out and open his own business.

Da Beef wrote:Some Specialty's of the House all baked daily...

Ummmm...
You sure them things are baked?

On my eternal quest for perfect fritters - I'm headed to D&D to pick up 6 fresh at 3pm today (I called, they're making 6 fresh for me). Anyone wanna party, they'll be back to Rub around 4...?

Noticed a new donut spot on 95th street a few blocks east of Top Notch and Jimmy Jamm.


More treats on 95th street

Talked to the guy for a little bit and they've been open since the Fall. I walked in during the late afternoon so the selection seemed to be a bit less than normal but I was still able to nab an apple fritter and also a couple donuts. The name got me in, the apple fritter will get me back. He said this was a "small" one so he would charge me half but it was still huge. Loved the crispness of the edges while the middle was nice and soft. Plenty of apples up in there.


Apple Fritter and Donuts

Poppin Dough
1235 W 95th St
Chicago, Illinois 60643
(773) 366-3110

BR wrote:

Matt wrote: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 . . . Next time will probably call ahead on the fritters, but I did this visit on a lark and would have gone regardless.

A good time to remind those traveling to OFD to call ahead and reserve the fritters as they are always in high demand. Probably also a good time to remind people that one fritter will feed at least 2 people, and maybe more.

Additionally, said fritters freeze well. So go ahead and order enough to freeze if you aren't on that side of town regularly.
Now I need to decide if I am going to order some for the weekend since I could pick up en route to Hyde Park for a gathering.

Da Beef wrote:Noticed a new donut spot on 95th street

Apple fritter looks fantastic, Poppin Dough just jumped to the top of my Must Try list.