D K Donuts — Restaurant in Boise

When the history of Boise's downtown donut scene of the mid 20s is written, where will DK shake out in the mix? You might think this family-owned shop is a self-styled "Donut King" but no, those initials come from the father of the previous owner (your reviewer does ask questions on visits). And the setting is far from royal. Just a typical low-key no-frills popsicle stand with a glory of a case. Some real beauts (love that big Fritter!). Savory options are limited to a fine ham and cheese encased number. Quite hearty. I was an enthusiastic new patron. So eager was I to cast my lot with these immigrants, and to regularly imbibe in their offerings, that I decided to visit daily—I would visit late morning, for my second cup of Joe, and a donut. When a staffer goodbye'd me with "see you tomorrow" (as I'd heard regulars be told), it was not a small victory. When I overheard the staff lament a slow morning (“it’s always slow on Mondays… for some reason”), I strove to find a way to bolster that first week-day (Insta Post, Promo?).. Their problems became my problems; their dreams, my own.

And yet some irregularities presented themselves, which darkened the color I view Team DK. Darken indeed. The front window - spanning the full frontage of the structure facing State Street — is tinted. No looksie inside. Why? They have their reasons. This opaqueness combined with a random store closing to doubly frustrate me. I arrived at High Noon on a Wednesday, but the door was locked. Peering in through the “window”, I see Nothing. Darkness. What gives? I asked an employee the next day. She said they had to close unexpectedly because they ran out of donuts. “All sell” she said. (maybe, between Mondays “slow” and Wednesdays barnbuster of a morning — one can only imagine the circumstances of the sell-out — there is a Just Right level of donut sales.

Often, unless the handsome, chubby second-generation family member is on hand (rare), I have to clear my ears and ask and ask for a repeat answer, because I do not understand the ESL response. Which raises the elephantine issue—Language. Could not the family hire native English speakers? Is there some Boise Department of Inclusion and Diversity forbidding hiring Americans into a foreign-owned business? It seems like a win-win if they could bring in some help that would smoothen transactions. But you can also see, in this homogenous but generous burg, how the shop might be Preserved, its cute contents (including staff) sealed.

And thus the Boise Nice can keep them as pets. [ “See?”, a local baron lumbers with an Ore-gone pal back into his 4-ton truck holding a tray of Maple bars, “we weh-kim oil khynes heh” ]

Friends: this writer believes in multiculturalism. The fabric of this country. I’m not dissing or dismissing the plight of Cambodian refugees, their post-war experience and export to our shores, and courage to do the family business over and up in Idaho. Not at all. I’m saying, we should be able to respect that, AND to also.. Just. Order. A Gosh-darn. Donut. (or 3)..

As I said, it’s a win-win, which is what America is about: the newcomers make their way (assimilating to some proper extent) while enriching the lives of the locale with their unique perspective, history, culture. Imagine how helpful it would be to all involved (customers, employees, ownership) if say, a 16 year old local gal, say, name of Jennifer or Laura… doggone it—say, Madison . Well imagine what an impact that would have on dear Maddy’s education, life lessons, if she could clock in for some hours away from Ma and Pa’s Tire Shop, and learn the donut (or is it doughnut?) arts from the Cambodian family? And in doing so, let the English-speaking customers ask, and order, with timely, accurate responses?

But that’s not in the cards. Got a good Boston Creme...

Google told us we were going to Dunkin Donuts so I was a little surprised when we arrived and it wasn’t a Dunkin. HOWEVER, I’m so glad it wasn’t a Dunkin Donuts. This place had real, fresh, quality, homemade donuts! The woman who helped me was very friendly and helpful. I thought it was neat that there was an entire pallet of donut ingredients, I’ve never seen such big bags of ingredients before. I got a few donuts (cake donut and maple bacon bars) and a coffee. Well when we got back on the road and I pulled the donuts out for the family my kiddo was happy but absolutely ecstatic when they took the first bite. It was immediately “YUM! This is SOOO good! Dad you need to try your donut now it’s so yummy!” And they really were so good! I was thoroughly impressed with their donuts and how delicious and absolutely perfect and fresh they were! We’re not from the area so unfortunately we won’t have good donuts again until we can return to Boise and stop back by here. 12/10 recommend these donuts! This was the best Google mistake to have happened to us and we’ll be adding DK Donuts to our list of regular stops/returns to...

They're very nice and they have so many choices of donuts. PLUS, they have a sausage and cheese donut that's scrumptious.

However, upon reviewing my receipt once I got home (I had 2 kids under 4 with me) I found that I was charged twice for the milk we bought. Simple fix I thought......I called and asked to just pick up the extra one they charged me for on the next business day and the man lectured me on taking time out of his day for this and told me he didn't care if I had kids with me and that I wasn't asking for a refund. I told him I have my receipt and he can check the time of that with the cameras and find that I'm in the right. He lectured me again, and then I told him, sir I had two young kids with me. I didn't have time to check that they double charged me. It's not hard to be sure I'm charged correctly and that it was INDEED ON THEM. He apologized and I got it the next time I was in, BUT I didnt make a purchase and now I'll probably...