The Donut House — Restaurant in Castle Rock

Usually don’t leave reviews. My wife and two kids just moved out to Castle Rock after building a new home. We regularly go to the Parker and Smokey Hill locations. We go on Mondays and Tuesdays sometimes to take advantage of the buy 6 get 6 free. Me and my wife get two dozen and they usually give us the deal per person. The deal is advertised everywhere on social media and Parker even has a big stand up sign as you walk in the store.

Anyhow, me and my wife went to the Castle Rock location Tuesday morning. Requested our normal 2 dozen. When she rang us up, our total was $53! We get charged half of that automatically at the other locations, $26. I asked “Don’t you have the buy 6 get 6 here?” She said that I had to mention the deal to get the deal here. I was thinking ‘I just mentioned it when I asked you’. I kind of felt like she was inconvenienced that she had to give me half off. She had to change the price on the computer. Then she said the deal only applied to one dozen. I was about to tell her to put the other dozen away but I didn’t want her to put them back after she had already boxed them up for us already. I paid the $40 and a tip (that only this location asks for at the end of every transaction) and we left…

What bothered me was that they have this great deal that they advertise on Mondays and Tuesdays but it seems like this location tries to hide it and not let people know about it. There would probably have more traffic if they advertised it a little more. People that go to this location on Monday and Tuesdays probably don’t even know about the deal and get charged double. It’s kind of shady. I’m not quite sure if she charges everyone the same or if she just charged us that way and why. We shouldn’t have to ask for what they already advertise every Monday and Tuesday. It’s like going to Arby’s 5 for 5 and getting charged individually for each one even though there’s a big sign in front of the store…

Has anyone out here experienced this at this store on Monday or Tuesday? I’m just curious to see if we were the only ones they were trying to con or if this is normal practice for them. That would be a whole new problem altogether. Anyway, please make sure you pay attention to your total $ at this location especially when we’re usually paying $2-4 per donut. They have great donuts and are very nice but we’ll probably will be driving 20 minutes out to Parker the next time our family feels like...

Like another reviewer said, the "apple" fritter was beyond greasy. Basically this thing was an oil sponge. But most significant was the lack of apple...I kept picking it apart looking for the apples in this "apple" fritter and never found a single piece. Not one. Unless I woke up in a parallel universe where apple fritters don't contain apples, something is very wrong. Not to mention, this thing was so greasy, it tasted like someone had dunked it in oil for an eternity just so it would soak up as much grease as possible. I only ate a few bites (which was more in an attempt to convince myself that there had to be an apple in there) and a few hours later (prepare for TMI but it needs to be said)...the diarrhea began...this continued for hours. If you're doing a colonoscopy prep, this is the fritter for you! Maybe the regular donuts here are good but I'm not brave enough to test fate again! Store owner: thank you for taking the time to respond to my review. Here is a picture of the overcooked no apples-apple fritter that you sold me. Most companies would say “I’m sorry that you didn’t like your apple fritter, please come back and we will do what we can to make it right,” but instead, your response was that it was something else I did. Unfortunately, I disagree with your assessment and reading through your other reviews, I find quite a few that agree with me. I’m sure you work hard to run your business and appreciate that but I’m afraid your response did nothing to reassure me or inspire me to give your establishment another chance and I'm still left wondering whether your fritters actually contain the fruit they are named after or if they are just...

OK.. The donuts were 'good'. But only average, at best, for a donut shop. Nothing fancy like topped with real bacon and real maple syrup glaze or anything! Here's the kicker... just shy of $19 for 6 average donuts!? I know Colorado gets more like Cali every day, but RIDICULOUS! The Apple Fritters better be the best we've ever had at those prices. But again... average! I can surmise that the locals feel the same, considering the case was still completely FULL at closing (?) And the service? Well, Google gives a closing time of 3pm. But apparently it's 2pm. I walked in at 2:02 and my pleasant greeting was ignored and met with silence. And it didn't improve much from there! The high ratings are a complete mystery to me. The prices alone should cause a local riot! Yes, I get the cost of goods is outrageous... But maybe a lower rent building, a couple fewer locations, and something special with the product is in order. Honestly, I feel there is some gouging going on. Obviously taking advantage of the local 'upper crust' in the area with more disposable income than common sense! I won't be back. And apparently, others feel the same. The good, and 'reasonable' donut shops have empty cases by 2pm. They should have been tickled that I was there, and that they were able to stick it to one more person before...