By now, if you've been reading our Foodie Fridays you'll notice that we take turns biweekly writing our reviews. Our site has been up and running for 5.5 weeks and thus far it has 6 meal reviews, this will be number 7. Out of the 7 this will be my 4th, out of my four, two of them are on donut shoppes!
And if you've ever read my first ever travel blog post 'Moab for Mother's Day' you'd also notice the mention of yet another donut shop!
And if you've ever read my first ever travel blog post 'Moab for Mother's Day' you'd also notice the mention of yet another donut shop!
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I'm sure that you're probably thinking that I'm some crazed donut fan with a major sweet tooth!
Well yes, I do enjoy a good donut!
However, they're not my all-time favorite dessert. What I really love is finding vegan-friendly treats!
So, last weekend for Father's Day I had a real treat in store for us all picked out.
We were going to Donut Friend (located in Highland Park). I had first heard about this place a couple of weeks ago on National Donut Day (2014).
I read an article that had listed the top 6 vegan-friendly donut shops in the country...Granted Donut Friend wasn't listed as one of the top 6, but they were there as an honorable mention...and they just so happened to be in LA! Why didn't I already know about this place?!
As we drove up to this Donut Shop, we clearly saw how busy they were. Which is unlike most other donut shops that you probably drive by on the daily.
(One huge except is Voodoo Donuts in Portland - crazy lines over there!)
This line was basically out the door, the place was packed, and there were people enjoying donuts everywhere!
Located in a quirky little neighborhood and open since August 2013, this truly unique establishment seems to be doing fantastic!
Once we walked in after already having dinner and already being quite stuffed (we sure ate plenty over this weekend). I was immediately over whelmed!! GASP!
Well yes, I do enjoy a good donut!
However, they're not my all-time favorite dessert. What I really love is finding vegan-friendly treats!
So, last weekend for Father's Day I had a real treat in store for us all picked out.
We were going to Donut Friend (located in Highland Park). I had first heard about this place a couple of weeks ago on National Donut Day (2014).
I read an article that had listed the top 6 vegan-friendly donut shops in the country...Granted Donut Friend wasn't listed as one of the top 6, but they were there as an honorable mention...and they just so happened to be in LA! Why didn't I already know about this place?!
As we drove up to this Donut Shop, we clearly saw how busy they were. Which is unlike most other donut shops that you probably drive by on the daily.
(One huge except is Voodoo Donuts in Portland - crazy lines over there!)
This line was basically out the door, the place was packed, and there were people enjoying donuts everywhere!
Located in a quirky little neighborhood and open since August 2013, this truly unique establishment seems to be doing fantastic!
Once we walked in after already having dinner and already being quite stuffed (we sure ate plenty over this weekend). I was immediately over whelmed!! GASP!
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The menu that I had already been dreaming over online was now right before my eyes and I could be the creator or any custom DIY (do-it-yourself) donut/s that I so choose!!!
Too many choices, both vegan and non-vegan. What on earth am I going to decide on???
Too many choices, both vegan and non-vegan. What on earth am I going to decide on???
Basically speaking, you can go in and just choose from the displayed masterpieces that seemed to be along the lines of your more traditional flavors and fillings.
Or...
Next step up in your donut adventure is choosing one of the 20 wacky designs, such as:
The Apple Pie -
A traditional donut stuffed with caramelized apples and cheddar cheese, topped with a caramel glaze and toasted peanuts.
Nuttelavision -
A chocolate hazelnut spread and a dash of olive oil inside our traditional donut, topped with a sugar glaze and a pinch of kosher salt.
Srirachosin -
While you're translating the name, we're stuffing peanut butter, strawberry jam, regular or coconut bacon, and a bit of sriracha sauce inside our traditional donut!
Jets to Basil -
Goat cheese, strawberry jam, and fresh basil inside our traditional donut, topped with a sugar glaze and balsamic reduction.
And this is just to name a few!
OR...lastly you can go hog wild and DIY - starting with the donut (5 choices), and then the filling (19 plus choices), then the glaze (4 choices), and finally the toppings (28 choices) -
the possibilities are endless!!!
Or...
Next step up in your donut adventure is choosing one of the 20 wacky designs, such as:
The Apple Pie -
A traditional donut stuffed with caramelized apples and cheddar cheese, topped with a caramel glaze and toasted peanuts.
Nuttelavision -
A chocolate hazelnut spread and a dash of olive oil inside our traditional donut, topped with a sugar glaze and a pinch of kosher salt.
Srirachosin -
While you're translating the name, we're stuffing peanut butter, strawberry jam, regular or coconut bacon, and a bit of sriracha sauce inside our traditional donut!
Jets to Basil -
Goat cheese, strawberry jam, and fresh basil inside our traditional donut, topped with a sugar glaze and balsamic reduction.
And this is just to name a few!
OR...lastly you can go hog wild and DIY - starting with the donut (5 choices), and then the filling (19 plus choices), then the glaze (4 choices), and finally the toppings (28 choices) -
the possibilities are endless!!!
After politely being offered assistance a number of times and not being anywhere near ready to order, I figured that I could be standing there forever just staring at the menu, so I should just go for the plunge and make a decision!
I chose the Jets to Basil (done vegan), and an Apple Pie (done vegan). Dave B got the Fudgegazi, and the Bacon 182 (both done vegan). Dominic had been the most adventurous and did it himself, choosing a vanilla cake donut filled with vegan whipped cream, a maple glaze, topped with crushed Oreos, and Coconut Bacon. I ordered Cosette something similar, although on a traditional donut, with vegan custard, and a vanilla glaze. Dave C had been wanting to try the Starting Lime, and the Coconut of Comformity.
I suggested that we get these treats to go and enjoy then at home, once we've further digested and made room for them in our bellies!
Once back at home we basically attacked the donuts!
I was still rather full, so I only wanted to taste these wild creations. I first tried the Apple Pie, and I've never had cheese (vegan or not) on Apple Pie before, so I didn't know what to make of it.
But it was definitely sweet. I decided to donate this one to the kids, since I just realized that I ordered 2 for myself and only one for each of them!
The kids found it a bit odd to have cheese (vegan) in the donut, but still found it great!
Dave C. couldn't decide which donut he liked better?! Dave B. really dug the Fudgegazi and saved his 2nd donut for the next day - I'm just realizing that he never reported back to me on what he thought of it!
I chose the Jets to Basil (done vegan), and an Apple Pie (done vegan). Dave B got the Fudgegazi, and the Bacon 182 (both done vegan). Dominic had been the most adventurous and did it himself, choosing a vanilla cake donut filled with vegan whipped cream, a maple glaze, topped with crushed Oreos, and Coconut Bacon. I ordered Cosette something similar, although on a traditional donut, with vegan custard, and a vanilla glaze. Dave C had been wanting to try the Starting Lime, and the Coconut of Comformity.
I suggested that we get these treats to go and enjoy then at home, once we've further digested and made room for them in our bellies!
Once back at home we basically attacked the donuts!
I was still rather full, so I only wanted to taste these wild creations. I first tried the Apple Pie, and I've never had cheese (vegan or not) on Apple Pie before, so I didn't know what to make of it.
But it was definitely sweet. I decided to donate this one to the kids, since I just realized that I ordered 2 for myself and only one for each of them!
The kids found it a bit odd to have cheese (vegan) in the donut, but still found it great!
Dave C. couldn't decide which donut he liked better?! Dave B. really dug the Fudgegazi and saved his 2nd donut for the next day - I'm just realizing that he never reported back to me on what he thought of it!
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I still needed to taste the Jets to Basil (named after the American indie Rock Band Jets to Brazil - each donut is named after a music group).
There was no denying it, at first bite I was in LOVE! There was no stopping me, I was eating this entire donut NOW! And, I will be ordering this donut again on our next visit to Donut Friend, which as I'm sure you've already guessed - we are going back to!
If you haven't already been, this is certainly a place to put on your list!
Check out their website & take my advice that you're gonna want to do some homework on the menu before you go!
Your Food Reporting Cousin
-T
There was no denying it, at first bite I was in LOVE! There was no stopping me, I was eating this entire donut NOW! And, I will be ordering this donut again on our next visit to Donut Friend, which as I'm sure you've already guessed - we are going back to!
If you haven't already been, this is certainly a place to put on your list!
Check out their website & take my advice that you're gonna want to do some homework on the menu before you go!
Your Food Reporting Cousin
-T
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