Skip to main content

For the “Dough” in Doughnuts


As the years have gone by I have gotten increasing amounts of suggestions from just about everyone about places I just must get to and the foods I have to try. While they are not all necessarily on my official to do list I do keep them in the back of my mind, especially once I hear the same names over and over again. Dough Doughnuts was at the top of that list. 

While I am not a huge dessert person a doughnut can usually peak my interest much more than say a cupcake. 

I have sampled quite a few of the most popular names in doughnuts and I have my favorites. But I have heard time and time again that when it comes to Brooklyn and NYC, Dough is the best of the best. I was about to find out for myself. 

This past weekend I took a drive by for a quick stop in to buy some dessert for a coffee clutch I was having later on that evening. The shop is a small store on the corner of the block and stands there quite unassuming. The only real problem I had getting in was the very steep steps and a door that you push in. It may not sound like it but it made for a rather awkward entrance. 








Once I was in, I stood in front of the glass case that held these famous treats debating what flavors I should choose. It seemed like each variety was continuously coming right out of the oven. Always a good sign when the product is continuously moving.




Ultimately I went with blood orange (because I am a totally whore for blood oranges which are only in season this time of year), cheesecake (because I felt like a Golden Girl), toasted coconut, Nutella, and cinnamon sugar. 

When it was officially taste testing time we were all amped up. The smell emanating from the box had taken its toll. We cut them all up into pieces so that everyone could taste a bit of each flavor. 

I had the toasted coconut and it was good, although it’s a had flavor to screw up.

Next I dove into that blood orange and I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted way better than it looked. It wasn't too sweet or overpowering with orange flavor. But it was pure blood orange heaven. 

The cheesecake didn't taste like cheesecake or cream cheese. It was good though. 

All of the doughnuts were void of fillings so the flavor was coming from the frosting. The base batters seemed the same to me. 

I am not a huge Nutella fan but it was good and the only exception to the filling note. It had powered sugar on the outside which was a little dry. 

As for the cinnamon sugar, this was the most disappointing which was also the reason it was the most surprising. My friend that chose it adores cinnamon in anything. It is her favorite flavor. When she had a taste she said it was good and then I took a bite. I said something all the lines of:“oh my God this is awful!” Well, it wasn't really awful so much as not cinnamon sugar adjacent. There was no cinnamon flavor whatsoever and while it was covered in sugar it wasn't the slightest bit sweet. It was dry as f-ck on the inside and I was in awe. I couldn't believe how disappointing it was. 



Doughnuts aside, I think the most successful part of my journey to Dough was being able to purchase a bag of coffee from Intelligentsia, a place I loved way back when it was only available at their shop in Chicago. It was one of the first things I did during my first trip there in 2007. 

As a blogger for six years now I have had my share of doughnuts. 



Most notably Federal Donuts a Philadelphia staple that simultaneously sells fried chicken. I suppose its in a similar genre of chicken and waffles. If you read that post you’ll see I wasn't a huge fan. 



This was in stark contrast to my feelings about another Philly hotspot Beiler’s Bakery, located in Reading Market. The line around their stand in the Market seems go on forever but it is well worth the wait. 




Uncle Dood’s Hand Dipped Donuts are located in Tom’s River, New Jersey and while I have never visited the shop, they were brought to my thirty-fifth birthday party. They receive an honorable mention here because I never had a chance to give them a proper blog, although they warranted it. They are the yeast donuts, the ones that are heavier, and more like circular cakes than they are donuts. They are not the kind of donut I would ever pick out for myself but they smelt amazing and I was curious. I let my nephew pick my flavor and he picked the one he was loving. Officially called Vanilla-O, it was a chocolate donut with vanilla icing and Oreo cookie crumble on top. Again not a flavor combo typical of my tastes but I was stunned. They were delicious!! Not too heavy or too sweet. I felt like Goldie Locks, they were just right! So thanks Uncle Robert and Aunt Joanie for turning me onto them. 




However my true doughnut love lies with another New York institution, Doughnut Plant. I first visited Doughnut Plant’s original location in 2011 and I have never looked back. In fact I feel like I should receive commission for all of the devotees I have inspired. 

I went to their new Brooklyn location in 2016 and yes it warranted another blog post. Besides their innovative flavors, it is the homemade jams and cremes in the center of their creations that continue to mow me over. Coincidentally as we were eating Dough’s we were all talking about our favorites at Doughnut Plant.  

Just today I read an article on Insider that listed the top fifteen doughnut shops in America. SPOILER ALERT-Dough was listed as number one. Clearly I have some different thoughts. My tasting partners agreed with me. As a group were underwhelmed. We all agree that Doughnut Plant is far superior but Insider did not agree, listing them at number four. I would love to meet their pollsters. 

For now I will stick with mine and probably run out for the strawberry and pistachio flavors Doughnut Plant will be premiering this Friday. Save to say they will satisfy and delight.


For More Information:










Comments

Popular posts from this blog

For My Madness During Migraine Awareness Month

Last weekend as I sat staring at the blank page in front of me, I was still surprised and elated that I had an entire day to myself and unlike past experiences it was filled with what I wanted when I wanted it. There were a few rough moments but when I consider the previous twelve hours (and the days to come) have been better than the last week. Especially this last week even though I had braced myself ahead of time, I just didn’t know I should have braced for a more serious episode. I am a chronic migraine sufferer for so many years I don’t quite remember when they started exactly which is ironic because I can remember every special event they have ruined. I remember plays or dinners I was at where I don’t remember what happened but I could tell you what I felt minute by minute. It amazing how the mind works, especially when it’s operated by a migraine brain. In the last few years, specifically the last few years since I have been going to the Montefiore Headac

For Find Out Friday - Why Do Emery Boards Make My Skin Crawl?

You know that sound a fingernail makes when it scratches against a chalkboard?  You know that feeling the sound of that action gives you? I, like most people, hate that sound.  I instantly feel like scrunching my shoulders up to my neck and closing my eyes.  I feel the exact same way when I am using an emery board to file my nails. This annoying sensation has a name: “grima” which is Spanish for disgust or uneasiness. This term basically describes any feeling of being displeased, annoyed, or dissatisfied someone or something.  It is a feeling that psychologists are starting to pay more attention to as it relates to our other emotions.  Emery boards are traditionally made with cardboard that has small grains of sand adhered to them. It is the sandpaper that I believe makes me filled with grima.  According to studies that are being done around the world, it is not just the feeling that we associate with certain things like nails on a chalkboard or by using emery boards

For a New Chain of Mexican Fast Food: “Dos Toros Taqueria”

When it comes to fast food there are the names we are familiar with: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chipotle.  In you live in New York City, there is a new kid in town: Dos Toros.  Dos Toros is relatively new to this area but with any hope there might be one in your town soon.  Started by two brothers, Leo and Oliver Kremer, from Berkeley, California, the Mexican food you find here is inspired by food they loved growing up.  In California, the brothers grew up worshipping Gordo Taqueria, a favorite of Bay Area residents since 1977 (now promptly added to my San Francisco to eat list). Much of the recipes and even decor found at Dos Toros has been modeled on Gordo. Before moving to NYC in 2008, the brothers were living very different lives. Leo was the bassist for the band “Third Eye Blind”. Oliver fresh out of college, considered working in the technology or finance industry. Both disillusioned with their lives, they decided to pursue something they have l