Diets are for squares.
Donuts are a craving that you just can’t shake. Whether it’s your first thought in the morning or your last bright idea of the night, the donut craving is real and luckily the Windy City is teeming with some outstanding options.
Fulfill your deepest donut desires in the Windy City with our list of donut hole-in-the-walls in Chicago!
1. D&D’s Place
D & D’s Place is a well-known family-owned donut establishment beloved by customers and critics alike. Eight years ago, husband-and-wife, Devell and Lolita Brittmon, opened the shop at 8324 S. Kedzie Ave. Since then, its made something of a trophy collection with its accolades and awards such as Donut Fest Chicago’s People’s Choice fan favorite award in 2018, 2019, and 2020 as well as judge’s choice in 2020.
The shop suffered extensive damage after a van crashed into it in 2020 but a Go Fund Me page helped fix the shop’s damages and today it continues to sell its award-winning donuts. Pick up a baker’s dozen of one-of-the-best darn apple fritters you’ll ever eat. Loaded with chunks of fruit and pecans, they’re unlike any you will have had before.
More information can be found here.Address: 8324 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL
2. Beacon Doughnuts
Beacon Doughnuts is a delightful small-batch bakery abundant with “vegan options galore”. After becoming a big hit at Wicker Park Farmer’s Market, the bakery opened a hidden walk-up window in order to help serve their customers safely during the pandemic. While their menu changes day-to-day, their previous offerings include: bday cake, Boston cream, blueberry pancake, campfire s’more, orange pistachio, cookies n cream donuts, and much more!
More information can be found here.Address: 810 W Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL
3. Old Fashioned Donuts
For nearly half a century, Buritt Bulloch, or Mr. B as he is known by customers, has been Chicago’s king of donuts. While times have changed, and social media sites like Instagram trend more-eye catching treats with all the pizzazz and razzle-dazzle, Mr. B keeps things simple, deep-fried, and delicious, with glazed doughnuts, apple fritters, doughnut balls, long johns, and giant Texas doughnuts. He’s a living legend in the donut world.
More information can be found here.Address: 11248 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
4. Firecakes Donuts
In addition to their mouthwatering artisanal Hall of Fame donuts including Butterscotch Praline, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, and Rum Cake, Firecakes whip up an array of a-glaze-ing ice cream donut concoctions that your sweet tooth could never even dream of. Check out their website because all of them are simply divine.
More information can be found here.Address: River North – 68 W. Hubbard Street (River North) / 2453 N. Clark Street (Lincoln Park)
5. Dat Donut
Since 1994, Dat Donut has been a donut mainstay in Chatham. Before the pandemic, the confectionary company was open 24 hours a day for late-nighters to grab a sugary nightcap before heading home. However, due to the circumstances over the last couple of years, Dat Donut reduced their hours to keep things safe — which just means you’ll have to stay up until 5:30 in the morning to end your night on the best decision you’ll make all day.
Dat Donut is now open from 5:30 am until – 10:00 am Monday through Saturday and then from 6:30 am until 5 pm on Sunday.
More information can be found here.Address: 8251 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago IL,
6. Bombobar
Bombobar is another one of those establishments that started out small but hit it big with the masses. After opening up as a humble walk-up window, Bombobar has expanded to two locations including one 30-seat restaurant in Old Town. If you like over-the-top donuts and shakes, Bombobar is your spot. Bombobar also now has Frozé and Gelato Shakes which are perfect for the summer heat.
More information can be found here.Address: 832 W Randolph, Chicago IL
7. Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken
Remember that whole viral fiasco between Popeyes and Chick-Fil-A that happened a few years ago about who had the best chicken sandwich? Well, it was all a shame because the true victor is Do-Rite’s decadent Donut and Chicken Sandwich.
Do-Rite also offers a loaded menu of other donut-sandwich options, as well as non-crossover recipes which in the former category include: cinnamon crunch raised, pistachio-meyer lemon, and their Dark Matter Coffee donut.
More information can be found here.Address: Do-Rite’s has several locations you can find here.
8. Somethin’ Sweet Donuts
This family-owned business has been slinging their California-style donuts in Belmont-Cragin since 2012. In the meantime, their sweet and savory provisions have made an appearance or two on multiple network programs including WGN’s Chicago’s Best and ABC’s The Hungry Hound. Donut-wise, you can pop by to choose from their Old Fashioned, Devil’s Food, Lemon Cake, Apple Crisp donuts, and more!
More information can be found here.Address: 4456 N Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL
9. Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
If you’re trying to diet in this pandemic, well you should definitely avoid following Stan’s Donuts & Coffee’s Instagram, because one look at their photos will completely override any self-discipline you thought you had. More importantly, Stan’s has the flavor to back it up. Featured flavors include: Biscoff Banana Pockets, Glazed Pretzels, Lemon-Pistachio Old Fashioneds, and their new Caramel Marshmallow Pockets. Top those off with top-notch coffee and you’re good to go!
More information can be found here.Address: Stan’s has several locations you can find here.
10. Doughnut Vault
Last but not least is Chicago Doughnut Vault. Owners Hogsalt Hospitality, the same group behind Aster Hall, Au Cheval, and other refined eateries across Chicago, have stashed their Doughnut Vault stashed away in a small brick alcove on Franklin and Canal. The eatery features artisanal, small-batch donuts with a rotating lineup of flavors that include such features as Strawberry Crumble, Vanilla Birthday Cake, Salted Caramel Old Fashioned, Apricot Jelly, and more!
More information can be found here.Address: 401 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL
[Featured image from Instagram / @firecakes]