Dave's Donut Blog: Can't Believe it

Showing posts with label Can't Believe it. Show all posts

Baker Tom's - Hilo, Hawaii

Monday, September 27, 2010 | Posted by Unknown | Comments: (2)

Overall Shop rating: 4 ½ Nadas

Hilo, Hawaii is a town that blends perfectly the hometown country feel and island paradise. There are so many “mom and pop” shops owned by locals that you would never need to go corporate for any meal… or donut.
I spent 2 months hanging out in Hilo with my Grandma, Uncle and Aunty in the Spring of 2010. I searched but could not find a donut shop in this town. Instead I was blown away when I was introduced to the Hawaiian version: the Malasada (originally the Portuguese version of the donut).

Vibe of Shop: 5 Nadas
I loved the vibe. It’s so local and friendly, filled with Aloha.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
This is one of the most unique bakery shops I’ve ever seen. It’s a few miles out of town on the country highway on the way to Waimea. The shop is a converted auto repair shop turned bakery. One garage bay has become the store front and the other has become the lounge.

Hours: 6am-6pm Weekdays, 7am-6pm Weekends

Service: 5 Nadas
I loved that Baker Tom’s mom was the one that served us. I love the personal family touch. Baker Tom’s dad hangs out in the garage turned lounge next door. Amazing.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 Nadas
Technically this wasn’t a glazed donut, and they didn’t even have glaze in the traditional sense, but I didn’t care. I loved the Blackberry, the PB&J, the Canadian Bacon & Cheese, the Lilikoi, and more. Wow!

Blueberry Donut? No, but who needs a blueberry donut when you have a plethora of filled malasadas. You could have breakfast, lunch, and dinner all here inside this wonderful dough… if you can handle all the grease…

Coffee: 3 Nadas
The coffee was good but nothing special. There is a great local shop down the road called Sharky’s that I suggest if you want quality coffee.

Special: I’ve already talked about all the special donuts/malasadas. Instead I want to point out the special advertisement posted on the board at the shop. It’s for the Neuter Scooter. It comes to Spay/Neuter your cats right at your own home.

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Lanky's Pastries - Hilo, HI

Friday, June 11, 2010 | Posted by Unknown | Comments: (1)

Overall Shop rating: 4 Nadas

At this point I’ve been away from Santa Cruz and Ferrell’s Donut for over 2 months… I’m beginning to forget what the glaze donut like mana from heaven tastes like. I’ve been in Hawaii since April 7 and it is now June 5. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying all the fresh fish, shave ice, and warm water ocean waves, but I have not been able to find a shop dedicated solely to donuts. Instead, the commonality is the bakery. I understand that this diversifies the products sold and broadens the customer base in towns where populations are smaller than on the mainland. This is yet another reason why I love Hawaiians: They are survivalists, molding and shaping businesses into what works in order to generate income to buy more poi and spam for their hungry families. I respect that. On my last day in Hilo, I was doing errands and I happened on this bakery in a quaint strip mall and I was warmly surprised to find one of my favorite baked goods ever (refer to “Special” below)!!!

Vibe of Shop: 4 Nadas

I like my donut shop/bakeries to feel warm, used, and slightly dirty like home, but still clean. This bakery had the perfect balance. It looked as if it had worked hard for years making many, many loaves of bread and cakes to celebrate births and deaths, love and loss, failure and success… But this place has succeeded. Note: No good seating indoors, but it’s Hawaii! Go sit outside.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
Perfect seating outside for cruising and talking story. The bakery had nice large windows allowing everyone to see the baked goods… a great marketing strategy.

Hours: 5:30am – 9:00pm everyday
That’s what the sign says, but I did show up one day in the early afternoon and they were closed. Like any good mom and pop shop, I think they close whenever they feel like taking a break. Again, I respect that.

Service: 5 Nadas

Asian, Friendly, and Happy. I love donuts served with smiles.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 1/2 nadas
Truthfully, this donut could use a little help. The dough was not fluffy enough for my taste and the glaze was a bit bland.

Blueberry Donut: No

Coffee: ?
I didn’t have coffee here because right next door there is a coffee shop called Kope Kope, where I performed at an open mic a few nights before. I decided to give Kope Kope my business because they could use the help. Go drink coffee there!

Special: Oh My!!! I was blown away! Lanky’s came up with this: Custard Filled Chocolate Donut Hole. Simply, amazing. It’s like jumping in a cool pool in the hot desert, or hitting all green lights on your way to work, or putting on a jacket and finding $20 in your pocket. Man, I can’t even explain to you how wonderful this little nugget was. Perfectly balanced dough, custard and frosting… It massaged my taste buds into pure relaxation and peaceful bliss.

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Four Seasons Donuts – Camarillo, CA

Thursday, April 22, 2010 | Posted by Unknown | Comments: (0)

Overall Shop rating: 5 Nadas

On this day, I was getting an oil change at a Firestone that was part of this large strip mall, and I thought to myself, “What should I do for the next hour?” Luckily, there was a well-placed heavenly oasis called Four Seasons Donuts that extended a friendly welcome.

Ever since I’ve started this donut blog I have been waiting for the day that a donut shop owner recognizes my dedication to their craft, and in return, hands me a free donut. Today, my dream was realized. The best part is that this shop was amazing as well. I’m not giving this shop high scores because of the complimentary apple fritter and free refill on coffee. They really do a great job in making donuts. I talked in length with the owner about the process of making donuts and how her glaze is so much better than others because it’s not too thick and not too sweet. It’s perfectly crafted to bring happiness to your taste buds.

Vibe of Shop: 5 Nadas
It had well planned seating, plenty of ordering options, and the owner was so friendly. As I sat there for 45 minutes waiting for my car, we chatted about life, donut-making, and religion. It was an amazing afternoon.

Outside Appearance: 4 1/2 Nadas
Perfect located in a large strip mall, these guys know how to do donuts! They created a little outside patio eating area that was occupied by a rotation of 65-year-old men coming to break up the routine of the day with a donut, a cup of coffee, and old man comradery. I can’t wait until I’m 65 so I can join in the “old man conversations.”

Hours: 5am – 5pm-ish. Honestly, I forgot to take a picture so I could remember, but I do remember it opening really early and closing in the early evening. The owner said that she wanted to get home to her family. “Life is not all about working,” she told me.

Service: 5 Nadas
She was a great help and a great conversationalist. I realized that many people came in knowing her by name.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 5 Nadas
Moist, fluffy, and the perfect light glaze made this the best glaze donut that I have found in Camarillo.

Blueberry Donut? Nope. Only blueberry filled croissants

Coffee: 4 Nadas
The coffee was good but it didn’t blow my mind. I’m waiting for that perfect blend that makes my donut filled mouth sing out loud.

Special: They had a wonderful cinnamon-type donut that was glazed and frosted and looked amazingly scrumptious. I couldn’t bring myself to eat it though. After a glaze and the complimentary apple fritter, I was done.

One random thing was that people could redeem recycling there. As I sat there a few people walked in with receipts and the lady handed them cash. You can also play the Lotto there.

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