Donut Club NYC

Today would’ve been the Pride Parade in New York City. However, like the rest of the world, it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Still, there are some things that just can’t be cancelled, and this is one of them because Pride is not just a parade, but a movement, a way of life, and so much more. Doughnut Plant still made their monthly special the Raspberry Pride donut so today I made sure to pick one up.

According to their website, “a Doughnut Plant tradition since 1997. Special handmade triangle shaped yeast doughnut with a fresh raspberry glaze and all-natural rainbow stripes! We first made this doughnut back in 1997, when Mark sold them at the Gay Pride Parade in front of Eureka Joe on Fifth Avenue, one of the first shops to sell our doughnuts.”

Last year, I bought every Pride donut in the Chelsea location and brought them to work to kick-off our celebration. I desperately wish I could do that again right now. Being your true self is always important not only at work, but in life as well, and nothing helps us remind ourselves of this quite like Pride. Be yourself, be proud, wear a mask, and eat a donut! Happy Pride, everyone!

On Thursdays, we’d get donuts. Before work from home became our consistent reality, every Thursday was donut day in the office. On my way to work, I’d stop by Doughnut Plant’s Chelsea location to grab donuts for Jason and I to share. I started off getting one of our favorites and one of the flavors of the month for us to try. We’d rate and discuss the limited edition specials and indulge in our long-time favorites. Over time, this evolved into me grabbing enough for a morning bite in addition to an afternoon pick-me-up (paired with a coffee run), plus more for Jason to take home to his family. In the Fall, Jason’s brought me incredible Apple Cider donuts from Stew Leonards which rank as an all-time favorite. Once a quarter, we’d meet before a company-wide meeting either at that Doughnut Plant location or our old school favorite, Donut Pub on 14th Street, where we’d both enjoy more of our classic obsessions (red velvet and cinnamon sugar) as well as black iced coffees. We even took things up a notch and planned a weekend where I went up to Westchester so Jason could show me MAD Donuts, his local spot and others to Danbury, CT to try local chain Donut Delight. We’d also go all out for our teams at work on holidays and special occasions, always outdoing ourselves with bigger and better orders. In fact, the last day we were in the office was Employee Appreciation Day and we managed to cater donuts from multiple sources around New York City as a thank you for our colleagues.

By now it’s clear that a craving has turned into a passion, a full blown hobby, and a new dietary lifestyle. However, even before we committed our adventures to this blog, our fondness was there and we’d both share updates on our latest weekend treats, out of state finds that we’d discover on various vacations, and share our love of supporting so many local spots. I also spent two months traveling through Australia, South Korea, and Japan and would send pictures and detailed updates to Jason along the way (Seoul wins in overall presentation and service, but Sydney wins for overall taste). So, while our infatuation for donuts was in existence long before we worked together or started writing about them here, sharing these moments with others has been a lot of fun and brought a whole new level of enjoyment to finding new favorites. I also never imagined someone else would be onboard to write a whole blog entirely dedicated to donuts!

Supporting community shops has always been part of the experience and it’s only grown over these past months. Since today is National Donut Day, naturally I’m participating by ordering from my favorite NYC shop and am happy to be supporting them in a time of need. However, it also means it has been a year since we’ve started Donut Club NYC. In the past, we’ve both written about our traditions growing up with donuts and now I’m excited to have this as an added part of the story. Thanks to everyone who has read this for the past year and thanks to all the donut shops for making this a never ending quest.

Score:
Donuts: 11/10

I miss visiting donut shops. Something I took for granted even as things began to change here in New York City. Going to grab a sweet treat on a long walk didn’t seem like something that was about to vanish from my already changing routine and it’s something I miss greatly. As more and more of my local favorites shutter their doors for the foreseeable future, things are feeling a bit bleak. Yes, there are still places open for delivery and I’ve been doing my best to support places around the city, but I miss stopping by and saying hello. I miss the friendly faces and fresh aromas. So, on a gorgeous Saturday morning, I braved the outdoors and walked a few blocks to my long-time staple, Dun-Well Doughnuts.

Inside, their tables have been removed and the counter is now covered in plexiglass with a small opening for monetary transactions (I used Apple Pay to avoid all contact) and a larger one for the staff to handout the orders. With three markers designated for patrons to stand, the vibe inside was not cheery and welcoming like it had been in the past, but rather strict and anxious. The staff was obviously thrilled for customers and greeted me warmly, but it was clear everyone was trying to minimize all interactions (verbal included). I was excited to see my go-to spot, get some face time with their lovely selection, and order my usuals while the option still existed. Exotic flavors escaped the menu this weekend, but standards like Blueberry, Lemon Poppy, Maple, and French Toast still hit the spot! Options are slim and supplies are certainly limited, but if you’re in the neighborhood and adventurous enough to escape your apartment, Dun-Well’s doors are still open and their delectable vegan treats might somehow taste even better now than ever before.

It’s a tough time for New York and our food industry is taking a particularly hard hit through this crisis. My options are slim, but my passion prevails. Thank you for being open, Dun-Well. I’ll keep stopping by as long as you’re around and open for business.

It’s hard to argue that there are better classic donut shops in all of New York City than Peter Pan’s Donut & Pastry Shop in Greenpoint. The neighborhood landmark has been an institution long before the hipsters made their way north of Williamsburg and the iconic fixture has since become a touchstone for many and that which others will be measured against forever.

Last weekend, two friends dropped off a box of Peter Pan donuts on the front steps of my apartment building (truly the next level of friendship during a pandemic) and my roommate and I devoured them throughout the day. While all of these donuts were lovely, the red velvet holds a special place in my heart (as I’ve previously mentioned) and during a pandemic, it seemed to taste even better than I remembered. The white cardboard box was neatly tied-up with a red string, but otherwise it was plain as could be, not a single piece of branding to be seen. Their old school aesthetics carry-on beyond their shabby interior (brilliant mint greens and other pastels giving it a retro-diner charm) and their simple donuts let their taste do all the talking. No need to dazzle with looks here, these simple, glazed treats are rich in taste and perfectly sweet (best cut with a strong black coffee). The cake donuts are soft and chewy and the yeast was light, fluffy, and just a tab bit sticky. While many other shops have popped up over the years, Peter Pan’s has never felt the need to try and fit in with these chic new stores. Look to their website for further proof that they’re in no way interested in the latest trends, but rather stick to the classics they’ve been creating for decades. In a neighborhood (and city) where changes are a part of every day life, there is a solace in the everlasting glory of this crown jewel.