Vortex Doughnuts — Restaurant in Asheville

I grew up in Portland, OR and this is the first place in Asheville I walked into and felt like I was home. Expect a line if you go in at 10am on a Sunday.

They've got cake donuts, gluten free donuts (but not celiac friendly, I assume as it's all made in the same kitchen), and yeast donuts.

The flavors seem to be mirrored, so if you prefer yeast, you can get the same toppings as the cake or gluten free. We got the caramel potato chip, cherry vanilla cookie, espresso, blueberry sprinkle, glazed, and question marks (I forget).

I ordered the gingerbread latte with oat milk and it was delightful. If you love molasses, this one is for you.

The staff is sweet, even though they're slammed, and I appreciate that. The lady slinging coffees grabbed us a to-go knife so we could treat the box of donuts like a box of bonbons and try bites of everything. You can sit and eat your treasures in the little yard to the side with all the tables.

The latte was a solid 5. The staff was a solid 5. The donuts were a 4. The cake donuts reminded me of donut holes, a scooch too crumbly and dry for me. Of the two, I prefer the yeast, as they were lighter and had a softer chew.

The thing that didn't work for me was the frosting - it's wildly sweet. Maybe I'm old, but 3/4 of a donut knocked me out. The caramel on the potato chip donut was more like caramel topping on a sundae, and reminded me of the drippy style sugary frosting you get at Duck's.

Definitely go here if you love, and can handle, sugar. I prefer a good bagel and cream cheese, so I'm not the target audience.

If I go back it'll be to try the packaged hot cocoa mixes. They're dairy free and have adorable names and I love a...

We ordered 6 donuts and 2 coffee drinks. The bill was over $62. I tipped $5 (which I thought was sufficient for 6 donuts and 2 coffees) for over $67 and hit no receipt out of habit. I told the cashier that seemed kind of high for 6 donuts and 2 drinks and she responded that there was an upcharge for the apple fritter and an upcharge for oat milk, and that I had left a "small tip." While waiting for our stuff we did the math from the menu and it was obviously at least $30 higher than it should have been. I got in line again, mentioned again that it seemed really high for what we ordered and asked her to send me the receipt and she reiterated the upcharges and the "small tip" and emailed me the receipt. After looking at the receipt, I noticed she charged me for a 1/2 dozen AND an additional $37 for a full dozen. I had to get in line for a 3rd time and tell her this. After finally looking at what she charged me, she apologized nonchalantly and refunded me the $37 like it was a simple task. The fact that I had to tell her 3 times that the charge was significantly high, had to get back in line 2 times, and she didn't check until the 3rd time kind of pissed me off, since she repeatedly wasted my time. And the woman making the coffee right next to her was obviously listening and heard all of the conversations and never spoke up. I sincerely wish I had asked her to also refund the "small tip" I had left because they did not deserve it at all from the service they provided. The donuts were okay, but didn't make up for the bad service and the hassle. Check your receipt BEFORE paying if you visit, because her insistent response makes me wonder how often she's done...

I arrived from walking 2 puppies this am for coffee & donuts… upon arriving at the door, I saw a sign that said no dogs no service animals no dogs allowed! As I was alone, I opened the door and asked if I could come in and at least place my order the barista looked at me with a scale on her face and said I don’t know I’ll have to ask. The donut girl said sure I’ll take your order. I placed my order. I proceeded to wait a very long time for my cappuccino from the very unfriendly barista! My dogs were in sitting position, not near any customers waiting while I had a cup of complementary water. I started talking to a young family who were asking about the puppies. Immediately after my coffee was ready the barista come from behind the counter to so rudely asked me to leave she said she only allowed you to come in to place your order. Dogs are not allowed here. I kindly replied as soon as I finish my conversation with this couple I will kindly leave with my dogs. I then proceeded to go to the outdoor gravel picnic area with my dogs as told. I opened my donut box and realized I did not have napkins so I walked back with my dogs to the door and kindly ask for a napkin, and the girl gave them to me. There was never the need for the unkindness from the barista. She may not just be a dog person, but obviously she’s not a human person either! There are so many lovely donut, shops, and coffee shops in Asheville upon my next visit I will never...