Doughnuts and Dragons

The other day I was out running errands early on a Sunday morning—my teenagers were still asleep. I was thinking I would surprise them with doughnuts, but our go-to Taylor’s isn’t open on Sundays. And I didn’t want to drive a bunch. I literally glanced around and saw Doughnuts and Dragons, which is just down the street from my house.

Honestly, I don’t know a lot about it, but it looked open and it has doughnuts in the name right? So I headed over to check it out. So I chatted with the two ladies behind the counter and they told me that they had opened just a few months before the pandemic and had built a pretty good business with the large space that serves doughnuts, craft beer and lots of board games and space to play all your games like D & D etc. They were hurt by the pandemic, and had to close down for a bit, but were back and trying to slowly build their business back up.

Anyhow, I ran in and was impressed by the looks of the doughnuts! Some interesting flavors and some decadent looking options, as well as some of your standard classics. Luckily, like I said, I had teenagers at home who will (and can) eat doughnuts all day with no ill effects, so I bought a bunch to try. I got the s’mores ($2.25 each), the chocolate iced with sprinkles ($1.75). plain glazed ($1.50) and a cinnamon sugar braid ($2.00). I got a 10% discount for ordering more than 6 as well (it’s even higher if you buy more than 12). 

I think the favorite among everyone who tried them was the s’mores. We are also a family who loves s’mores things and this one was done well—sometimes marshmallows turn too hard or chewy but these were just lightly singed but still soft. The chocolate on this one as well as the chocolate iced was soft and rich and tasted freshly made—speaking of which, they do make them all fresh in house. The chocolate icing is very fudgy, not as much like a hard icing you might get other places. The more basic glazed and cinnamon sugar ones were also solid. If this is your favorite doughnut, I don’t think you would be disappointed. All in all, I felt like it was a nice discovery for me—especially since like I said, Sunday doughnuts are a necessity. And my daughter, who has started playing D&D since the pandemic started (something you can do online) thought it would be cool to have her friends meet there once it is safe. They also have a very large selection of craft beers if that’s your thing as well. 

We went back a second time because my kids are sort of hooked, and hubby wasn’t home the first time we ate them. This time we got some repeats, and also ordered a butterbeer, more glazed (one of hubby’s faves), the banana nut muffin, and the cookies and cream. Honestly, hubby really liked the glazed and was very pleased. The banana nut, the butterbeer (which is like a butterscotch glazed) and the cookies and cream are actually a cake-style doughnut and had that denser consistency—they were fried so they had a little crispy crunch to them. The cookies and cream had vanilla filling in it too. Somehow, we didn’t get any cake style the first time so I was really glad to try these this time. They were all really very good. Loved the way the banana nut had the flavor of a fried banana nut muffin with icing. And a lot of nuts.

I am so happy that we discovered this place and my teenagers are gonna be there a lot I think. If you want a fancy doughnut, and maybe a beer on the side, this is your place (or even if you just want a doughnut to go). I feel for them opening in such a difficult time and they are worth a try for sure. A high-quality product. If you have been or decide to check it out, let me know what you think and your favorite flavors!

Doughnuts & Dragons

3838 E. 82nd St.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240

317-288-0554

https://www.facebook.com/DoughnutsAndDragons

Dancing Donut (Food Truck)

So far I have left donut reviews to my twitter friend @GwenderWoman who loves to try them all and write about them for me, but the other day the kids and I were at the Indie Arts and Vintage Marketplace and there was a Dancing Donut truck there, so we decided to take advantage of the situation and give them a go. My problem with donuts is that I never seem to want them for breakfast, when they are most available. I am just not a sweet eater in the mornings.

We tried two different kinds of donuts that they had on this day, the chocolate glazed yeast ($2) and the brown butter crumble ($3). So I was the one who ordered the brown butter crumble because it seemed like a grown up fancy donut that I should try. My kids wanted the chocolate glazed.  So guess which one was the best? Yep, the chocolate glazed. And it was fabulous. First of all, it’s huge, but it is also super soft and airy, with just the right amount of choclately goodness without being over the top. It is a simple donut that shines because of the simplicity. I ended up finishing both of theirs off.

Don’t get me wrong, the brown butter crumble was good too, but really just over the top sweet. It was a slightly denser yeast donut (and not quite as big) topped with a very rich buttery icing and then crumbles of nut-looking topping and brown sugar crumbs. I was sort of expecting the “brown butter” aspect to give it a different kind of flavor, but it really was just full on sweet. I enjoyed it, but after a few bites, I couldn’t eat any more of it.

So that’s it, the only ones I have gotten to try so far, but I welcome other suggestions about other flavors to try, and other donut places to try, so let’s hear them.

Dancing Donut

1134 East 54^th Street

Indy 46220

317/737-1751

http://www.thedancingdonut.com/

Guest Post - The Dancing Donut

Love having a regular donut guest writer. I have yet to make it to any of the new donut places!

Thanks Gwen!
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Donut lovers rejoice!  The Dancing Donut opened its doors Friday, April 3^rd at 1134 East 54^th Street in SoBro.  The Dancing Donut is the brainchild of Kate Bova Drury, owner of The Flying Cupcake.  Could customers handle her creative, kitschy brand of confection before their first cup of coffee?  I was about to find out.

When I arrived at The Dancing Donut a few minutes before their 7 am open time, the line already stretched out the door and into the parking lot.  There’s no missing the cheerful, smiling donut sign atop the store.  I couldn’t help but notice what an ideal location for a donut shop.  Just steps from the Monon Trail and several popular breakfast spots, I can imagine families stopping off for a snack in the middle of a bike ride or grabbing a donut while waiting for a table brunch table on Sunday morning.  Oh, and it’s two doors down from a gym, so you won’t have far to go when it’s time to work off those donuts.

Once inside, I was charmed by the atmosphere and décor.  The walls were lined with familiar paintings that you might see in a waiting room or your Grandmother’s parlor, except with colorful donuts tucked in unexpectedly.  In addition to ample tables and chairs, there is a counter with four stools in front of a window that looks into the bakery, providing a place for curious patrons to watch all the donut making action.  Overhead, two disco balls twinkled.  

As I approached the glass bakery case, I had a difficult decision to make: which of their many flavors would I try?  With tongue-in-cheek names like the Carmelo Soprano—a chocolate filled long john covered with caramel glaze--and the Fritta ‘staire—an apple fritter, I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the choices.  My partner in crime and I settled on a Brown Butter Crumble—a yeast donut topped with brown butter frosting and a crunchy sprinking of brown sugar, the Lemony Snickett—a lemon filled yeast donut, the Jelly Rippa—a strawberry jelly covered in sweet powdered sugar, and the Kevin Bacon—a long john topped with maple icing and crisply fried bacon.  Four donuts and two large Intelligentsia brewed coffees, my total came to right at $16.  

As I bit into each of the four pastries, I was delighted by the light, fluffy texture.  The donuts were delicate enough to be delicious on their own yet still able to stand up to the bold flavors of the toppings and fillings.  The bold coffee was the perfect compliment to these morning treats.

The Dancing Donut prides itself on serving “donuts so fresh you’ll blush.”  While a visit to this SoBro bakery might not make you blush, you’ll certainly be smiling.  Whether you sashay, waltz, or shimmy, get to The Dancing Donut for a delectable breakfast treat.  

The Dancing Donut

1134 East 54th Street

Indy 46220

317/737-1751

http://www.thedancingdonut.com/

Guest Post - Rocket 88 Doughnuts

Hi all, here's a post from Gwen, who wrote a post about General American Donut company this summer when my wrist was broken. She's back to update you on another doughnut place--Rocket 88. I have not been great about going to the doughnut places myself, so I am happy to have her specialty voice on the subject. 

Cheers, Erin

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Mmmmmm…donuts.  If you read that in your best Homer Simpson voice, you’re no doubt cheering the arrival of Indianapolis’s newest craft donut spot, Rocket 88 Doughnuts.  It’s located at 874 Virginia Avenue in the heart of Fountain Square. 

Opening on December 5^th, 2014, Rocket 88 claims to put the “ough” back in doughnuts with all-natural, organic ingredients, time-honored baking techniques, and creative flavor combinations.  The shop features its own special blend of coffee from Indy’s own Mile Square Coffee Roastery as well as organic teas, juices, and milk. Their menu includes classic favorites like Old-Fashioned and flavored yeast varieties, an assortment of vegan donuts, and specialty and seasonal flavors like Earl Grey Vanilla, Chocolate Potato Chip, and Brown Butter Pumpkin.  And let’s not forget the “crown jewel” of their menu—the waffle donut.  This gem is only available on the weekends and sells out quickly, so plan to get there early if you want to try this unique breakfast creation.

There’s no doubt that Rocket 88’s success is due in part to its location.  Located just steps from the Cultural Trail, the shop was filled with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists stopping in for breakfast on the unseasonably nice Sunday morning I visited.  With its whimsical, post-modern décor and varied seating options, Rocket 88 encourages customers to savor their creations in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.  For folks in a hurry, they’ll box your treats for safe travels.  

I wanted to try all of Rocket 88’s unique flavors, but even the most dedicated doughnut lover can only stand so much sugar, so I enlisted the help of two friends.  I purchased an assortment of eight doughnuts: two Salted Caramel Pretzel, two Maple Pecan, a Cinnamon Sugar Yeast, an Earl Grey Vanilla, and two Almond vegan doughnuts.  Add a large “Dirty Chai”—a chai latte with a shot of Mile Square espresso—and my total came to just over $18, served up by two smiling staff members.  Pricey for donuts and coffee?  Yes.  Worth it?  We would soon find out.

As we bit into our sweet confections, it was apparent that these were not your run of the mill, convenience store donuts—the textures of both the cake and yeast doughnuts were light, chewy, and airy.   The flavors were light and subtle—but almost too subtle in some cases.  The doughnuts were all delicious, but we yearned for more salt and crunch from the Salted Pretzel Caramel and the floral punch of a strong cup of Earl Grey Tea.  The vegan Almond donut ended up being one of our favorites, which surprised this group of omnivores.  

Though my first trip to Rocket 88 Doughnuts didn’t send me to the moon, their commitment to small-batch baking techniques, out-of-this-world flavors, and quality beverages will keep me coming back to explore their universe of craft doughnuts.

Rocket 88 Doughnuts

874 Virginia Ave

Indy  46203

317/737-2614

http://rocket88doughnuts.com/