Thomas Donut & Snack Shop — Restaurant in Alys Beach

Overall 3/5. Service 2/5. Food 4/5.

Did not have a great experience but donuts were good.

I visited Thomas’ Donuts this morning shortly after opening; It’s Wednesday and the first of August. My friend and I got there a little before 6 and there was a single line of about 5 people waiting. Once the place opened, everyone in line (including my friend and I) didn’t seem to know how to proceed — I’m assuming they were first time visitors like us. Anyway we ended up forming two lines; one at each window. My friend and I got in different lines. I was in the line to be served by the right window. When it was my turn, the employee from the window called for next in line, as I was going up there (took me maybe 3 seconds max as I gave the person in front of me some space — I’m big on giving people personal space as I appreciate the same). She repeated this multiple times looking at the next person (who happened to be my friend) from the other line. Her tone and facial expression was not kind nor friendly but I understand how you get worn out from working day in and out from a job you don’t like or having a bad morning, or whatever else. I’m a pretty understanding person due to working retail and other jobs that require lots of patience and customer service. That is not what made it a bad experience but what she did next. As I got to the window she told me harshly that the line starts from the other window. As a reserved native woman who doesn’t start conflict and gets along with just about everyone, I felt attacked and embarrassed because she said it loudly and rudely. The people behind me even heard and got in the correct line. I apologized and stated I didn’t know. I then proceeded to order three donuts only. I wanted to order a sandwich and kolache but didn’t because I wanted to quickly get out of there and not be a problem to the employee, as she made me feel like she didn’t want to deal with me due to her body language and tone. I then paid with card and it asked for a tip. I at first put nothing because I had a humiliating experience but then the employee tapped the tip option again. I then felt obligated so I did a $3 tip, bringing my total to $10 something. Right before the transaction went through, the employee tried to cancel it, which I don’t know why, but it went through and she let me go. I at first felt bad for being a problem but after thinking on it, I did nothing wrong. There are no signs anywhere to inform out of town visitors that the line forms in a certain spot. If I had been informed some how, I would have done it as expected. And I actually have no problems tipping even if the experience was not the greatest, but I didn’t want to tip (but still did) due to having a horrible experience so I thought I’d share my experience on here. My friend who was in the other line told me she was looking at her yelling “next in line” as if she was in the wrong and she felt targeted, too. Also, when we drove away we saw a man try to make a line from the same window I was in and a kind woman (who was behind me and moved after I was rudely and loudly told that the line is on the other side) was leaning his way talking and gesturing him to the other line. So I am not the only person to think there could be two lines. As such, I think it would be beneficial and helpful to the business if they posted a sign that states where the line forms like those signs that say “line forms here.” This would help both employee and customer.

Hopefully I am the only person who has had this experience. And I hope that employee who I interacted with..I hope her day gets better and she finds some type of happiness somewhere.

If I were to recommend Thomas’ I’d say the donuts are good and worth the price but I had a bad experience to where I am unsure if I want to go back. Be sure to form a line by the left window because they might scold and humiliate you like one...

The #1 thing you need to know before you come here is that the donut shop closes at 3:00 PM, which means they also stop selling burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and all savory foods except pizza at 3. The ice cream shop and pizzeria stay open until 8.

This place is no frills with covered outdoor seating facing the ocean, which we really liked. There is also an indoor eating area open before 3. There is a ramp up for accessibility. You can come as you are in a tank top and flip flops or just a swimsuit. Many people bring their own drinks.

Over the last week, we tried almost everything on the menu. The chocolate milkshake is perfect. The pizza is crispy and cheesy and so so good. The breakfast sandwich is delicious, like really frickin good. The hot dog was one of my top favorite hot dogs ever. I thought the cheeseburger was just okay, but my husband loved it, and admittedly it came with extra large beef patties so it was a great deal. The donuts are both light and chewy. Many of the filled donut flavors are actually flavorings mixed with some type of cream or icing, which I wasn’t so much a fan of, but the raspberry one was excellent. I also really liked the unfilled varieties.

Last note… If you're a tourist debating between here and the donut hole, pick here. The latter is overpriced and the donuts were not good, especially in comparison to this little shack by the beach.

All in all, this place seems like one of the hearts of the neighborhood. It’s a great place to park across from for a long beach day, to walk over to to get a meal and hit the restroom before going back to the shore....

Let me start off by saying donuts are my thing. I’ve had amazing donuts, I’ve had okay donuts and I’ve had donuts that are a disgrace to the name 😅. I was BEYOND excited to go to Thomas Donuts in general, but specifically for the peach and key lime donuts for myself and the blueberry donuts for my husband. The key lime filled donuts were SO good! My husband loves blueberry and of course most places have blueberry cake donuts, but Thomas had blueberry filled donuts and he said they were delish! Now, here’s the reason for the 4 star. I never got my peach donut. They were out. Not because we didn’t get there in time, because we were there super early, but because they didn’t have them at all and evidently haven’t had them for a while. They are on their menu as a regular item, so my donut loving heart was broken. I even tried the other days of our trip in hopes they would have gotten them in 😂 (don’t judge me). The other reason for the 4 star, is the lady that took our order was a little less than friendly. Maybe she was having a bad day, I’m not sure. Other staff that I heard seemed friendly though. The view is FANTASTIC!!! You can sit on their patio and look out into the Gulf. They had a very wide donut selection, which was very nice! Even one of my favorites, maple iced glazed, which is not something a lot of donut shops have. And it was yummy maple, which is even harder to come by! We will definitely return! Hopefully when peach is...