Welcome to Maplewood: Strange Haiku for Strange Donuts

I'm one of Maplewood MO's newest additions, though not newer than Strange Donuts. I've had a hankering to try their classic and strange creations since they announced their intentions to open shop by National Donut Day. (At the time, I did not know I'd be moving only a few blocks away.) So in this case, I'd say it's alright to categorize their grand opening on Friday as 'much anticipated.'

Taste testing! Clockwise from bottom left: Chocolate Fat Steve, Bart's Revenge, Chocolate Crumble, Campfire, Chocolate glazed, Vanilla Fat Steve, Gooey Butter Cake (center)

I attempted to be one of the first 25 in line to win a free dinosaur t-shirt, but found a good 60 people lined down the block when I arrived at 5:30 a.m. The first people in line arrived at 3:30 a.m.! In retrospect, shelling out $12 for the tee was worth an extra few hours of sleep.

The line at 8:30 a.m. stretched to Pie Oh My (a ~25-minute wait). The Strange Donuts storefront is small, though during the final 10 minutes of the wait you can peek through the sprinkled front windows at the day's spread. The view does not disappoint: crumbly, sugary toppings and glazes that ooze over the rows of donuts.

I took a random approach to my first purchase: one of everything that looked good. I enjoyed a single bite of each before committing to a whole donut.

I wanted to write a review of the taste experience, but it turns out I'm no [Evan Benn/Ian Froeb/insert other favored food critic's name here]. My advice to prospective customers: get strange, but don't overlook the classics (specifically, the chocolate cake donut).

My 'flavor notes' morphed into haiku, so here they are. Welcome to the neighborhood, Strange Donuts. It's good to have you.

Campfire

Graham and marshmallow 

make a woodsy treat indoors 

atop chocolate cake

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate, rich and dense,

perfect amount of icing

My favorite for sure.

Gooey Butter

Christmas nostalgia: 

I taste my grandma's cookies 

in the crumbly top.

Bart's Revenge

A dentist's nightmare-- 

Never thought that crushed candy 

could kick sprinkles' ass.

(Bonus line: It does.)

 

Vanilla Fat Steve

Really can't go wrong 

with a fistful of frosting 

simple, airy, sweet

Chocolate Crumble

Cookie topping is

sister tested and approved...

Girl Scout flavors soon?

Where does Strange Donuts rate on my list of best donut shops in St. Louis? Trick question. I love them all.