Thursday, September 27, 2012

Dunwell Doughnuts

There's no way I would have left NYC without heading to Williamsburg for DOUGHNUTS!!!

One thing I love about this place is the story behind it. Dan Dunbar and Christopher Hollowell (get it: DUN-bar and HolloWELL = DUNWELL) raised $15,000 to help open their store front. Watch this video for more about them. I'm just really into the idea of someone being inspired and brave enough to take on something like this. (I SO WANT to open a restaurant or business one day.) And then others rallying behind them in support!


Watch this video from their website. Before our trip (and after), I think my kids and I watched it no less than six times. We called Ryan in to watch it, too. 

"Finally, the solution to all our problems..." 

Anyway, I just thought it was fun advertisement.

The store is really cute, somewhere I would want to hang out all of the time. It's really easy to find, as well. Just take the L to the Montrose Avenue stop, and it's RIGHT THERE.

It's too easy to get there. If you know what I mean. We were staying in Chelsea (my new favorite area to stay) right by the 23rd street subway entrance, so we were one stop away from the L.

Each day, they rotate a variety from over 200 flavors. Check out all of the flavors. I'm talking Pecan Pie, Root Beer, Raspberry Pistachio, Maple Blueberry, Sliced Pear and Pumpkin Spice, etc.

Since this was my first time, however, I stuck with my old-time favorites. Chocolate Covered, Chocolate and Peanut Covered, and Glazed. (And my son also chose Raspberry.) They use fresh, organic ingredients.

Although it's hard to go against Glazed (I mean, soooo good.), the Chocolate Peanut Covered will probably always be my favorite because it evokes a memory of being the first kid to get up on Sunday mornings. I was an early riser back then, so I got to ride to Casey's General Store with my dad for a newspaper and Chocolate Peanut Covered Long Johns.

We only bought half a dozen on our first visit. I questioned Hollowell about how long the doughnuts would stay fresh. He suggested only a day or two. As my son and I were contemplating how many to order for our hotel room, the guy asked, "Is it just you two?" 

My mind pondered quickly with panic, 
"Tell the truth or not tell the truth?! 
Tell the truth or not tell the truth?!"

"Yeah, it's just us."

"Oh, I would think half a dozen would be more than plenty."

Dang it. Now I had to choose between looking like the Vegan Dessert Pig that I am - or presenting myself normal and cool in front of this very cute, charming person. I agreed with him that 6 doughnuts would be plenty, we ate those 6 doughnuts within a few hours, headed back the next day hoping outfit and hairdo changes would throw him off...smiled at him when he commented that it was good to see us again...and scurried on our way with another DOZEN doughnuts to go.

You can even get a Doughnut Sundae!

I can tell you what I'm getting next time.

a Doughnut Sundae

I mean...there are just those places that can merit a visit to a city all on their own. Dunwell Doughnuts is one of those places for us. I'd travel to NYC, pick up a dozen or two, then come right home. To Arkansas. I would.

And if that's not enough to convince you, Dunwell's were chosen by The New York Daily News as the city's best doughnuts. Of all the doughnuts, not just the vegan ones.

On our second visit, they had started serving Lavendar Lemonade, an excellent addition. I can't speak on the other drinks such as coffee, "egg" creams, Italian Soda, etc. I think they also had vegan candybars when we were there.

They're open 7-7 on weekdays (closed Mondays!) and 8-7 on weekends. Free wi-fi. Cash only.


24 comments:

  1. I miss Brooklyn! Why do I read these things when I'm hungry? Looks like a great trip I mean donuts and vegan NY pizza...what else does one need, well besides tattoos.

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    1. I miss Brooklyn, too! Of course...I've never lived there, but I miss it, anyway! I'll live vicariously through you on the tattoo front and stick with the donuts and pizza. It seems like the pain free way to go.

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  2. Wow. You know how to take the NYC subway to Brooklyn?! That is impressive.

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    1. I can't tell when you're being sarcastic sometimes. Would you end up in Queens or something? Dude. You must go to NYC. Before the end of 2013. I demand.

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  3. Looks like a great bakery (and I like the ad too!). I have not had doughnuts since going vegan, but I'm guessing I eventually will because there are so many vegan treats available nowadays. Glazed doughnuts are my favorite too.

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    1. I'm glad you watched the ad. I watched it again for fun. It makes me smile. Glazed are just soooo good. I've also been to Mighty O's in Seattle, and those were amazing, too. Also, the ones in the vegan strip mall in Portland. Otherwise, most vegan doughnuts I've had - are fine. Usually cake doughnuts. I just think you can't compare to a really good yeast one.

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  4. Fun post — and I didn't realize you were such a dessert fiend! You could have just looked the cute guy in the eye and said, "there are three of us."

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    1. Andrea, I'm not actually that much of a vegan dessert pig. ha. I just thought it made the story sound better. But I really AM a dessert pig in NYC. It's really only with things I never get. Like I can pass up vegan cake, vegan cookies, etc. Now, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, cheesecake...things I rarely eat, that's when I indulge.

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  5. I would travel for good food as well! Ha! I'm not much of a doughnut eater, but there is something about a glazed, warm one will do to my taste buds. . .Mmm. :)

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    1. :) Thanks for having my back! Sometimes it's just worth it. Why aren't you a doughnut eater? I'll have to think about what I think your dessert of choice would be...hmm...

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  6. We need to make it there next time!! Saw the photos & they just opened, I think, last time we were in the area. Looks so fab, a coffee and old school sugar & donut joint....wow.

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  7. Those really do look so good! I can't wait to go to NY with you someday.

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    1. I'm interested to see if you would love them, too. I can't wait to go to NY with you someday!!! Let's go!!!

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  8. OMG yum! I didn't even know this place existed. What a crappy NYer I am. I definitely should get out there at some point. Pumpkin spice donuts? Yes please!

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    1. You're not a crappy NYer. I'm just a pathetic Arkansan. :) I hope you get to go and tell me all about it!

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  9. That looks amazing. I'm so glad you took such detailed photos! :D

    When people comment on the quantity of my food choices, I tend to get a little contrary, and order more. (also, I always need more to share! :D)

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    1. I don't think he meant it in a bad way. He was really nice! Your way does sound more fun, though. :) And I DID have a hungry 7 year old boy with me. So there's that.

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  10. Oh man, I've been dreaming of going there ever since they opened their shop. You're not making it any easier to resist splurging on a plane ticket just to go straight to Dunwell's!

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    1. I hope you get to one day! It's a definite must on any vegan bucket list. Maybe you have good doughnuts in CA?

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  11. vegan root beer donuts?? oh man. we have a big donut shop here in portland called voodoo donuts and they have lots of vegan varieties, all of which i can't eat due to being gluten intolerant. i go in, just so i can smell like donuts for a few hours...

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    1. Oh, yeah, I've been to voodoo donuts. It was a fun visit. I didn't love them as much as this place maybe because it just didn't feel as wholesome/healthy? It's been several years so it's a little blurry. But I am so happy for you that smelling the donuts brings you joy. Really, I am!

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  12. Wow, the world needs more vegan donuts!! Those look amazing. I love the story about feigning to the employee that you'd only need six, only to find yourself back the next day needing more. I can't believe they even have donut sundaes. Clearly I need to get to New York ASAP.

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