Hello Donuts in Sawyer, Michigan

After a successful Kickstarter drive at the beginning of the year, Hello Donuts opened its doors in Sawyer (less than a mile from Exit 12 on I-94) in March. Ever since the excellent Dale's Donut Factory in St. Joseph shut down in 2010, southwestern Michigan has been woefully underrepresented in the donut department. My hope was that Hello Donuts would fill the void. Based on one visit, I'm afraid it won't but that doesn't mean it's not a welcome addition to the area.

I'm rarely awake at 6:30 in the morning, but I applaud pastry shops that are and Hello Donuts is open at 6:30 from Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). They say they're open until noon, but selling out has been a problem. This is a small shop (two tables with two seats each) run by two sisters who start baking at 2:00 AM and can only make so much.

In any event, the donuts are really creative and Hello Donuts has about 45 varieties in its repertoire, about 8 or so which seem to be available on any given day. This morning I got there around 9:30 and only the Bananas Foster donuts had sold out. I got the churro, a cake donut topped with a heavy layer of cinnamon and a thin ribbon of dulce de leche running in the middle of the cake, and the "After School Special," a strawberry jelly filled donut topped with a peanut butter glaze. Both had very good flavors, but I thought the actual donut parts were fairly nondescript. Not bad, but just kind of there.

The donuts, which seem to average about $2.25 apiece (prices vary) were good enough that I'll definitely try it a couple more times when I'm in the area.

With 48 hours notice, they will make pies for $14. I asked what kinds they make and was told they prefer to use whatever's in season but will work with what people ask for. I was told the pie crusts are all butter; no lard or shortening.

Hello Donuts
13057 Red Arrow Highway
Sawyer, MI 49125
269-426-2600
www.hellodonutsmi.com

I had my favorite SW mich donuts this weekend at Grandpa's Cider Mill in Coloma. I can't get enough of those apple cider donuts.

I'm shocked that Grand Traverse Pie Company has never opened a store in SW Michigan yet.