Bombobar - Chicago, July 2018

Bombobar 

Web Site: http://www.bombobar.com
Address: 832 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607
              
Rating: 

We had read of Bombobar in several “best of” lists and then seen a recap in a Chicago WGN "(Best of Donuts in Chicago" program, so we needed to check it out.  For that reason, when we were in the hip West Randolph neighborhood of Chicago (great restaurants mecca) and faced with a long wait for lunch with friends, at Au Cheval, we meandered over to Bombobar for a pre-lunch dessert.  (And the sign:  “eat dessert first” validated our decision.) By the way, we have been known to take friends along on donut safaris but this was the first time we invited strangers (OK, we had been acquaintances for 2 minutes while waiting in line) to join us.

So, we sauntered on over.

Just let’s say that Bombobar is an experience.  They have one basic type of donut—Italian fried donut balls rolled in sugar and served with various dipping or immersion (as in a mini pitcher inserted into the middle of the donut) sauces.  They were delicious!  We tried the chocolate, salted caramel, raspberry, plain, and s’mores flavors (both in mini and regular sizes).  They are somewhat addictive (which is perilous prior to lunch).  The shop is actually a take-out window—also offering coffee drinks and gelato—sometimes constructed with the bombolini (Italian hole-less doughnut).

When on West Randolph in Chicago, be sure to meander over to Bombobar.  You won’t regret it!

Spunky Dunkers - June, 2018

Howdy Donut

Web Site: https://www.spunkydunkersdonuts.com/home
Address: 20 S. Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL 60067
              
Rating: ZERO DONUTS!


A home town (local) favorite, we have sampled Spunky Dunkers three times—once before this blog was established (the donut was tasty) and twice when we were presented with donuts as gifts. Each time, the donuts were delicious and memorable and we were quite excited to visit this 24/7 landmark in person.

We ventured to the Palatine (original) location on 6/5/2018 when we were in the neighborhood and we were very disappointed. I must admit, this is the first time throughout our blogging that a donut actually disappointed us to the point that, in good faith, we cannot even rate this donuttery.

First, the shop was dirty. Yes, dirty. The floor was filthy and made the prospect of eating a donut
unappetizing. Second, the woman behind the counter was surly. Not nice. Third, and most important of all, the old fashioned (they called it sour cream) donut was stale. Yes, stale. I had one bite and disposed of the afore-mentioned donut in the circular file. Granted, we were there about 12:30 pm which might be in between donut shifts but there is no excuse for even a 24/7 donut shop (and a famous one at that) to be serving stale donuts.

It will take a lot for me to go back to Spunky Dunkers (sorry, Spunky Dunkers fans)!

Do-Rite Donuts and Coffee

Web Site: doritedonuts.com/
Address: 50 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 and other locations
Rating: 

This intimate, artisanal donut shop (we visit the location around the corner from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago) is a must visit.  Their chocolate donuts with Valrhona Chocolate glaze are what dreams are made of.  Their counter service is very nice and their

delivery service even better.  We had an experience recently where the actual store had run out but the delivery folks were filling the truck and they actually sold us several old-fashioned donuts from the truck.  Yum, yum!  Go early and often.  

Paczki!

It wouldn’t be Fat Tuesday without a paczki (pronounced "poonch-key" or "punch-key"), the eggy, yeasty and round Polish pastry. In Poland, Paczki Day is traditionally Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Fat Tuesday.

And for more info:
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/restaurants/paczki-time-10-places-to-find-the-fried-polish-pastry

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-paczki-2017-restaurant-bakeries-chicago-20170222-story.html

Joe Donut, Glenview, IL - Since January, 2017

Note that it is "Joe Donut"...not "Joe's Donuts"!

Web Site: http://joedonut.com/
Address: 1025 Lehigh Ave, Glenview, IL 60025
Rating:   (wish I could give 5!)

Of all my donut spots around the country (and world), to date, my absolute favorite is right in my backyard!  And I don’t mean Dunkin Donuts.  Joe Donut opened in Glenview, Illinois (a mere eight miles from where we live) in mid-January 2017.  Our first visit was on Inauguration Day, 2017 (a day that will live in infamy) and, I must say, that visit was the highlight of the day (though I acknowledge the bar was rather low).

Joe Donut is a tiny store—no seating and room for a line of perhaps 8 adults and 2 children.  They open at 5:30 am each morning and presumably close at 3 or when they sell out if sooner (and they always sell out)!  The donuts are small batch, hand-crafted and exquisite (coffee is also great).  What differentiates Joe from others is that they have an equal number of cake and yeast donuts.  And, they stock at least four kinds of old-fashioned donuts (my very favorite) every single day!  These are crunchy on the outside, with a delicious glaze (I prefer the dark chocolate) and cakey in the inside.  I cannot say enough about these donuts other than I have resorted to eating them whenever I need a boost (or even when I don’t need a boost).  I also highly recommend their sprinkle donut holes and, frankly, any other flavor I have ever tasted. Joe Donut has a large Facebook presence if you would like to get to know them better.  The only downside to Joe Donut is that they are not open on Mondays.  I suppose their team deserves a day off!   Other than that, definitely worth a visit!

There are two picnic tables outside; otherwise, you need to enjoy your donuts in the car or elsewhere.

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10/17

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Donut Safari, Chicago - October, 2016

Stan's Donuts
Web Site: http://www.stansdonutschicago.com/
Address: 2800 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL (and other Chicago locations)
Rating: 

Stan’s has been around in Los Angeles since 1963 and only came to Chicago within the past several years.  We’re glad they did!  As written elsewhere, I am not a huge fan of chains but Stan’s is an exception.  Their locations are quite convenient (including one in the lobby of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago).  They have a broad range of old-fashioned donuts along with other flavors.  Their donuts are consistently delicious.  A must visit in Chicago (or LA). 

Doughnut Vault
Web Site: http://www.doughnutvault.com/
Address: 401 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654

Rating: 

This tiny gem of a doughnut spot, in the Financial District, offers delicious doughnuts but you better get there early or you will be out of luck.  At noon on a Saturday afternoon, there were only about six doughnuts left so I cannot provide a complete review but based on feedback from others, this is an important stop on any Chicago Donut Safari. 

DB3 Donuts, Evanston, IL - Since 2016

Web Site: DB3 Donuts
Address: 1704 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201
Rating: 

DB3 Donuts has a fascinating business model.  They are owned by the excellent neighborhood restaurant next door (Ten Mile House) but are only open on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  T’is a shame because their donuts are quite delicious.  They are small batch so when they sell out, alas, alack!  They have both cake and yeast donuts and feature a fantastic cinnamon donut—the cinnamon has a distinct Vietnamese cinnamon kick to it and when eaten warm, these are quite addictive.  The chocolate-glazed donuts are also favorites.  They also have the decadent maple-glazed bacon dounut.

DB3 do not bake old-fashioned donuts (apparently, these require special –quite expensive—old-fashioned donut making equipment),  but other than that, their donuts are quite splendid. Definitely worth a trip but do not forget their limited hours.

10/17