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Go Nuts for Local Donuts! You had me at “donut.” These five local shops will hit your sweet spot and satisfy your craving!
BY GUEST WRITER AND SIR ROCHA SAYS BLOGGER LINH PHILLIPS
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The Red Fern photo by Anjolee de Maroux
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Duke’s Donuts
Ridge Donut Cafe
The Red Fern
Donuts Delite
Step into the Rochester Public Market on a Saturday morning. Check. Follow the intoxicating smell of donuts. Check. Find Duke’s Donuts under a bright orange canopy. Triple Check! What makes Duke’s Donuts unique from other donut shops? They have a portable donut stand and make everything fresh on-site every single time. You can find them at various farmers’ markets between Rochester and Buffalo. Their signature apple cider donut is made from a cake batter that uses cider sourced from Kirby’s Cider Mill in Albion, NY. These sweet creations are full of flavor and a wonderful complement to your favorite cup of Joe! The name behind Duke’s Donuts is a tribute to Grandpa Duke, who loved apple picking and donuts. His memory lives on in the joy that each donut brings! Bonus Pick: pumpkin donuts, get ‘em while they're in season! facebook.com/pages/DukesDonuts/448607851871336 Rochester Public Market, Rochester 317.774.4399
Ridge Donut Cafe has been in the Marcello family for 36 years and serves as a go-to spot for many locals. It was formerly located on East Ridge Road (hence the name “Ridge Donut”) and currently resides on Portland Ave. It is home to the famed, massive apple fritter, which is #1 on your must-try list! You can taste the cinnamon, chopped apples and love in every bite. In addition, you’ll find everything from traditional flavors like hand-cut glazed donuts or chocolate top rings to more adventurous ones like maple with bacon or cherry Oreo. Indeed, their bakers are always experimenting in the kitchen to make new specials— but no matter what you order, these donuts will change your world! Bonus Pick: the chocolate-covered cronut, a hybrid of a croissant and donut that is delish! ridgedonutcafe.com 1600 Portland Ave. Rochester 585.342.5236
Craving donuts, but can’t eat them due to a dietary restriction or allergy? Don’t you worry: The Red Fern, a vegan restaurant located in the Park Ave. neighborhood, has created their own vegan and gluten-free donuts to be enjoyed by all! Owner Andrea Parros believes in making creatively inspired food using made-from-scratch, locally sourced, organic ingredients. Every Friday, baker Karsten Brooks whips up three flavor offerings of beautifully crafted donuts available in the restaurant and at Pour Coffee Parlor. Past flavors have varied from vanilla rainbow sprinkle to chai ginger cookie crumble, and many more. The house favorite is the raspberry green tea donut made with matcha green tea, dried raspberries and topped with light pink frosting. Awesome Fact Alert: These cake donuts are baked, NOT fried, and are just as scrumptious as your traditional donut! Bonus Pick: strawberry blueberry cashew cream bars. For real. redfernrochester.com 283 Oxford St., Rochester 585.563.7633
This Rochester staple has been in the neighborhood since the days of poodle skirts and sock hops. Serving fresh donuts daily with smiles, the folks at Donuts Delite will make sure you enjoy the entire experience here from start to finish. With over 40 rotating flavors of donuts, it’s tough choosing just one. However, we bet their signature cannoli donut is sure to be your newest addiction. From your first powdered sugary bite into that delicious traditional blend of chilled ricotta filling, then ending with a chocolate chip surprise, you will be quickly transported to heaven. The shop is under the Salvatore’s umbrella and is a unique stop in the Rochester area where you can get a slice of New York-style pizza and a donut. Sweet and savory together; what’s not to love? Bonus Pick: the Boston creme donut is calling your name! ddelite.com 1700 Culver Road @ Empire Blvd., Rochester 585.288.5555
[5] Schutt’s Apple Mill Schutt’s Apple Mill, a family run business, has been delighting their customers for almost a century by treating them just like family. Each day you are greeted in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, from which you can take home freshly pressed cider and homemade fried cakes. Life doesn’t really get any better than that. Every morning, homemade batches of glazed, cinnamon sugar and plain fried cakes are infused with one special ingredient: apple cider. The cider itself, which you can purchase by the gallon or half gallon, is preservative-free and made with Schutt's locally grown apples. Pair the cider with a hot, gooey glazed fried cake and I promise that you can literally taste fall in your mouth. Check out the local goods featured in the store, and stop in to their newly built tasting room where you can sample Blue Toad Hard Cider made with 100% Schutt’s Apple Mill Cider. Bonus Pick: apple frost, a soft-serve vanilla treat made with none other than their apple cider! schuttsapplemill.com 1063 Plank Rd., Webster 585.872.2924
For an extended feature on donuts in Rochester, please visit sirrochasays.com