In case you didn’t know, June 3 is National Doughnut Day; a day to guiltlessly enjoy a fried treat to honor Salvation Army members who served doughnuts during World War II to soldiers. When such an opportunity for admissible gluttony presents itself, you have to take the opportunity! But where are the best doughnuts? Depending on preference, there’s a local gem in the Twin Cities Area for you.
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Glam Doll Donuts | Best Space/Atmosphere
If you prefer to go out for doughnuts, stay in and enjoy them on location, on a plate, and have an overall enjoyable experience complete with atmosphere in addition to food, then Glam Doll Donuts is your best option. Featuring the largest space and a vintage photo booth, they are the best option for settling in with friends and fried dough. Uniquely, Glam Doll also offers savory, hot doughnuts with fillings like cheese.
My recommendation to try out their hot donuts is The Girl Next Doorwhich features Provolone and Muenster cheese. Make sure to get it warmed. For the more classically sweet donut, my top picks are Dark Angel which features a vanilla custard cream and chocolate, it’s a simple favorite out of their menu, and Femme Fatale (with raspberry curd and vanilla) or Outlaw (with lemon cream cheese and cherry icing) if you prefer the fruity filling. If you’re vegan, Glam Doll has you covered with a whole list of fitting doughnuts.
Glam Doll also has much longer hours than most places so if scheduling the doughnut fix is the hardest obstacle, stop in here as late as 1 a.m. on Friday/Saturday (9 p.m. throughout the rest of the week and early close at 3 p.m. on Sunday). Glam Doll is on the Minneapolis side, whereas the other in-city option is in Saint Paul, so if you’re rushing to the closest, local doughnut fix; keep that in mind.
For more information, check out Glam Doll on Facebook for updates or their website.
Mojo Monkey Donuts | Best (Unique) Flavors
If you’re a fan of the crazier flavors, unique concoctions of doughnut art, but an atmosphere secondary to flavor; then Mojo Monkey Donuts in Saint Paul is your fried dough wonderland. With a miniature space, they are best for popping in and taking your doughnuts out, but they have four two to three person tables usually for smaller parties.
Special for Friday’s National Celebration, Mojo Monkey is also offering Hot Beignets which is one of their best products unique to their location, good beignets are hard to find in the Twin Cities. They are a simple fried dough covered in powdered sugar. Not for the faint of heart, but delectable. Also, Mojo Monkey is giving away free doughnuts to the first 200 customers just to celebrate this important national holiday.
When picking a doughnut, I’d skip the holes. They’ve never stood up to expectations. Instead, opt for whatever flavor of Bismarck that calls to you, they have a list of unique flavors from S’mores to Creme Brulee (which must be special ordered) that are delectable.
Be warned, though, with the smaller space, Mojo Monkey has run out of doughnuts before. Last year, they ran out at 10:30 a.m., according to Mojo Monkey representatives, but this year production will be increased in an attempt to last into the afternoon. Now, for such a big event, they may be more stocked than usual; but if it’s later in the day, call ahead first to check their stock on your favorites so you don’t waste a trip to see a sad sold out sign on the window. Fear not the lines, I was told, since they move fast, they just look extra long in a small space! They also close mid-afternoon, so no after-work doughnuts here.
For more information, check out Mojo Monkey on Facebook or their website.
Donuts Deluxe | Best Classic Doughnuts
If the crazy flavors of peanut butter and jelly or bacon doughnuts aren’t your speed, and you appreciate the more classical doughnuts like the simple hole or the fritter, then get out of the city and head to a small, hole-in-the-wall. Donuts Deluxe located at 1640 Co Rd E East, St Paul, MN 55110.
The doughnuts made in this small storefront have none of the frills of Mojo Monkey or Glam Doll, but the flavor of the base doughnut itself far exceeds those. If you’re a die hard for fritters, stop in for a massive, perfectly crunched edge of sugary goodness or doughnuts holes that might make you whimper inappropriately at your desk.
For information, you’ll have to call: (651) 748-8375
No matter how it’s celebrated, National Doughnut Day is a one to embrace, and the best option is to check out a new local place if you haven’t yet experienced the raised, fried, and glazed glory the Twin Cities has to offer.
